Mastering the craft of essay

writing
Essay writing is as much a craft as an art. While art depends for its
expression on inspiration, craft requires preparation, apprenticeship
and systematic hard work. The evaluation of the essays written by
the candidates in the main examination takes into account:

. Comprehension
. Originalit of thought
. Clarity of expression
. Integrated thinking with assimilation of ideas.

In this paper, the candidates are required to write an essay on a

specific topic. The choice of subjects is given. They are expected to
keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in
orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit is given for effective
and exact expression.

As no two individuals are exactly the same, similarly no sets of

writing by two individuals could be exactly the same. Thus, writing
style is entirely individualistic and reflective of an individual's
personality. One should always follow his natural instinct and
produce the best under given circumstances.

A deliberate attempt to make your essay ornamental, flowery and

tough could be disastrous. The Webster dictionary defines essay as,
“a literary composition, analytical and interpretative in nature
dealing with its subject from a more or less limited or personal
standpoint and permitting a considerable freedom of style and
method. Commonly, essays are brief, suitable for reading at one
sitting.”

A good essay writer should have not only sensitivity and feelings,
but also a sound vocabulary and command over grammar of the
language. A rich vocabulary is quite essential to write effectively. It
imparts power and force to the words used in writing.

One should also try to cultivate a lucid writing skill. Lucid style has
flow and is smooth to read. Difficult words should not be used out of
context and, at best, avoided. Logical and effective writing is a
matter of training. “Anyone who does the writing practice over a
period of time surely hones his writing skill making it effective.” No
guidebook can turn you into a good essay writer. Only you can do it
yourself.
Analytical and logical abilities are also expected in the writing of the
candidates.

This requires constant and regular reading and writing habit.

Reading should be wide and extensive. You may start with national
dailies and magazines. Listening to radio and watching TV news and
discussions also helps. You can also discuss contemporary issues
with your friends and teachers. This will help you to broaden your
horizon and assimilate newer ideas. All this is finally reflected in the
essay you write.

Broadly speaking all the topics within the essay paper may be
divided into two categories:

Statement based topics: Under this class, a pithy statement,

either in the form of a slogan or a phrase may be provided. For
example: ‘Youth is a blunder, manhood a struggle, old age a regret’;
‘A useless life is an early death’; ‘Truth is lived, not taught’; ‘True
religion cannot be misused.’

These topics are more philosophical in nature than factual.

However, while attempting these topics, analysis and interpretation
must be backed by facts, examples or illustrations to make your
essay more effective.

Issue based topics: These are current topics of burning nature.

These topics may be found to be currently being debated, discussed
and written about in various fora and media. For example: ‘Politics,
business and bureaucracy: A fatal triangle’; ‘Restructuring of Indian
educational system’; ‘Whither Indian democracy’; ‘Restructuring the
UNO to reflect present realities’.

While attempting these topics a thorough understanding of the

subject matter in all its aspects is essential. Besides, you must be
able to form and hold an opinion and convincingly put it across.

These two broad categories of topics are not really watertight.

Within these two broad categories you may come across some kind
of a twilight zone, the kind of topics, that could well be somewhere
at the intersection of the two. For convenience, call these topics,
‘Discuss topics’. These topics also demand a philosophical and
logical insight, analysis and discussion. For example, ‘My vision of
India in 2020 AD’; ‘Men have failed, let women take over’; ‘The
challenges before a civil servant today’; ‘Politics without ethics is a
disaster’; ‘What we have not learnt during 63 years of
Independence.’

The time allowed to write the essay is three hours.

Let us now concentrate on how to utilise these three hours in the
examination hall. First and foremost, enter the examination hall with
a positive frame of mind as the ‘real person inside you’ is bound to
be reflected in your writing there.

You should normally devote one hour in studying the topics,

selecting the topic and noting down points or framework of writing.
It is essential to arrange the ideas in a proper sequence. Select a
topic where you can express yourself with conviction and
confidence.

Then you should elaborate those ideas or points for next two hours.
This is the most crucial part. A good essay has three essential parts:
. Introduction or beginning should be short and simple. It must
give the examiner a feel of things to come. Avoid taking any stand
on opinion-based topics in the
introduction itself. Let the mystery unfold itself. Normally, it
should not exceed one tenth of the total words of an essay.
. Then comes the body of the essay. It should be in form of
paragraphs to elaborate the theme. Elaboration of the ideas should
accompany appropriate examples
in support of it. With each change of point, change the
paragraph. However, there should be continuity and coherence
while changing the paragraphs.

You should neither end and nor start a theme abruptly.

. The concluding part should sum up the discussion done so far. It
is a very crucial part of the essay. Conclusion should always be on
the same line and spirit as in
the earlier parts. It should be like an icing on the cake. One last
piece of advice: always conclude your essay on a positive note.

The author, is the director of Rau's IAS Study Circle, New Delhi

राजनीित में दोस्त नहीं होते , वहां साथ केवल सुिवधा के िलए होता है।