Strategy for the Essay Paper by Brijender Singh | UPSC Essay Paper Preparation | Vajiram and Ravi

Summary

In this video, Brijender Singh, a faculty member at Vajiram, discusses effective strategies for preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Essay paper. He highlights the importance of early preparation, consistent writing practice, and understanding the unique requirements of essay writing compared to GS or optional papers. Singh emphasizes the high scoring potential of the essay paper and its impact on overall results. He also offers guidance on tackling common mistakes, organizing content, and improving writing techniques through feedback and structured practice, underscoring the significance of a well-rounded approach to ensure success in this crucial paper.

Takeaways

• 😀 The essay paper is a crucial 250-mark paper in the UPSC Mains exam, and scoring well can significantly impact your final rank.
• 😀 Many students delay essay preparation until after the prelims, but it’s important to start earlier, as it requires a different approach from other papers.
• 😀 A well-prepared essay can be a game changer in the final result, and consistently scoring well in the essay and ethics papers often correlates with good ranks.
• 😀 The essay paper consists of two sections, each with four topics, and candidates must choose one topic from each section, writing essays of 1000-1200 words.
• 😀 UPSC evaluates essays based on three key criteria: staying on-topic, arranging ideas in an orderly manner, and demonstrating effective and precise expression.
• 😀 Effective preparation involves not only writing essays but also collecting content, practicing consistently, and getting evaluations from reliable sources to improve.
• 😀 Students should aim to write at least one or two essays every month to build writing skills and avoid the 'writer’s block' that often occurs during the exam.
• 😀 A common problem is a lack of proper content for essay writing. Students need to gather essay-specific content, not just general knowledge, for effective writing.
• 😀 Feedback and evaluation are essential for improvement. Without knowing what mistakes you're making, it’s difficult to make meaningful progress.
• 😀 To better prepare for philosophical and quote-based essays, students should be given focused attention and content, as these types of essays often make students feel uncomfortable.

Q & A

Why do many students neglect the essay paper during their initial preparation for the UPSC exam?

Many students focus primarily on the prelims during the first year of preparation, believing that they can tackle the essay paper after the prelims. They think that preparing for the prelims and reading newspapers will naturally equip them for the essay, without dedicating sufficient time and effort to understanding its specific requirements.

How scoring is the essay paper in the UPSC exam, and why should students pay more attention to it?

The essay paper is a full 250-mark paper and can significantly impact a candidate's final score. A high score in the essay can compensate for lower scores in other areas, especially GS papers. It is often the differentiating factor between candidates with similar overall marks.

What are the key challenges students face when preparing for the essay paper?

The five main challenges students face are: lack of preparation, difficulty in preparing content for diverse topics, lack of time to write essays regularly, absence of proper feedback or evaluation on their essays, and starting their preparation too late.

Why do students struggle with the first essay they write, and what is the typical outcome?

Students often struggle with the first essay because they lack proper preparation, and their content tends to be repetitive and underdeveloped. As a result, many end up scoring low marks (25-45) despite putting in the effort, which leads to disappointment.

What do students often fail to realize when preparing for the essay paper?

Students often fail to realize that they need to develop specific essay content that can be applied to a wide range of topics, not just accumulate general knowledge. They also tend to underestimate the importance of practicing essay writing regularly and seeking feedback.

How can students address the problem of 'writer's block' when writing essays?

To overcome writer's block, students should practice writing essays regularly. Even if they have a clear understanding of the topic, they may struggle to start. Writing one or two essays a month, even with limited preparation, can help them build confidence and improve their writing flow.

What is the role of content evaluation in improving essay writing?

Content evaluation is crucial because it helps students identify areas of improvement. Many students, even with strong language skills, fail to structure their essays effectively. Regular feedback from a reliable evaluator helps them refine their writing and correct common mistakes.

What does the UPSC look for in an essay according to the exam notification?

The UPSC expects candidates to stay closely aligned with the subject of the essay, arrange ideas in an orderly manner, and use effective and exact expression. Essays should not be repetitive, and clarity and depth in content are essential.

What are the five key criteria for writing an effective and impactful essay?

The five key criteria for an effective essay are: clarity in content, depth in content, diversity of perspectives, prescriptive value (especially in philosophical essays), and attention to language and grammar.

What are the two main preparation options for students aiming to improve their essay writing?

The two main preparation options are: (1) preparing at home by collecting content, writing essays, and seeking feedback, and (2) joining an essay-specific course that provides structured guidance, feedback, and practice opportunities.