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Summary
Essay Class 01

A GENERAL INTRODUCTION: (01:04:00 PM)

Practicing in the essay is very important.

To clear the Mains exam with a decent rank one should score about 135-140 marks at least in the
essay paper.
Even before starting, there is some kind of inertia or fear of writing an essay, so first we have to
start writing.
Enough content, guidance, questions, and fodder points will be provided, so no need to rush into it.
Essay:
It is a discussion on the topic under consideration.
It is a discussion wrt to your viewpoints regarding the topic.
Convincing the examiner w.r.t. your viewpoint.
Huge marks scoring. Highest score 176/250 marks(70% of marks can be scored!)
Nothing is to be read separately. You cover everything and prepare when you study for GS.
You have a choice to select the topic to write the Essay.
It gives a huge scope of creative skills/ or creative expression.

SYLLABUS:(01:15:00 PM)

Remain as close to the topic as possible. That is, you should have contextual relevance.
Arrange the arguments in an orderly fashion.
Remain concise. Do not elaborate on the argument unnecessarily.
Reward will be given for the exact and effective expression.
Nothing is to be read separately.
You cover everything and prepare when you study for GS.
Purpose for the essay:
The purpose of the essay is to test:
The Knowledge:
It is not a test of information.Â
It gives expression to all experiences and observations.
So always write an essay on a topic in which you are most comfortable. No need to choose an "out
of the box" topic.
You have to write around 1,200 words, so you should have enough content on that.
Content should be the only criterion, it includes:
a. Do you understand the theme of the Essay?
b. Can you explore the theme of the Essay from 6 -7 dimensions?
c. Do you have examples, statistics, theories, etc to justify your arguments?
Example: To ensure social justice we need economic prosperity, however without social justice
economic prosperity is meaningless.

COMPREHENSION SKILLS: (01:30:00 PM)

Eintiesn: “If you can't explain it simply, you have not understood it well enough.†Â
Write in small paras, make sure in each para write 2- 3 statements.
 Try to write simple and short statements. they are easy to understand and you will make fewer
grammatical errors.
Make sure to highlight the important components of the essay.
But make sure too much underlining or inboxing should be avoided.
Never write in bullet points.
Avoid using short forms or abbreviations.
Fancy vocabulary is not required. But try to avoid spelling errors.
Writing practice is a must.
Contextual Clarity:
"A hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world."
"if development is not engendered, it is endangered."
Multidimensional:
It will be discussed in the upcoming lecture.

FILTERING THE CONTENT: (01:42:00 PM)

Learn the art of filtering the content.

Go through the PYQs, the identify the themes that are commonly being asked like women,
education, media, poverty, climate change, sustainable development, capitalism, Artificial
intelligence, health, etc.
Identify at least 3 -4 quotes on a topic.
Look for an anecdote.
Find a few reports/ statistics on the topic.
Concept definition, and its various manifestations.
For example a topic on media:
What is Media?
Manifestation of Media.
4th Pillar or democracy.
Establish the significance of media wrt economy, society, polity, international affairs, cultural
aspects, etc.
Issues & Challenges of Media.
Contemporary times- Social media, paid/biased media, media trails, etc.
Way forward.

PERSONALITY TRAITS: (01:47:00 PM)

Examiner is looking for the following qualities in the essay:

Leadership: It is shown by taking a stand on the topic. It need not be a radical stand.
If you take a stand it has to be justified with facts, arguments, examples, reports, etc.
Neutral: Your preconceived notions, prejudices, biases, etc should not be reflected in your writing.
Compassion: It should be reflected towards the poor and marginalized like LGBT, women, elderly,
ST, SCs, etc.
Problem-solving: both long-term & short-term solutions & should be practical & rational.
Well aware & good communication.
Comprehension Skills.

WRITING SKILLS & LANGUAGE COMPETENCY: (01:51:00 PM)

 Write in small paragraphs, making sure that each page should have 2-3 paragraphs, and each
paragraph should have 2- 3 statements.
Try to write simple and short statements. They are easy to understand and you will make fewer
grammatical errors.
Make sure to highlight all important components of the essay.
But make sure too much underlining or inboxing should be avoided.
Avoid spelling mistakes.
Never write in bullet points.
Avoid using short forms or abbreviations.
Fancy vocabulary is not required.
Try using two colored pens.
Writing practice is a must.

TIME MANAGEMENT: (02:00:00 PM)

It is an individualist approach.
The total time is 180 Mins, so 90 minutes for each essay.
5 minutes for topic selection.
20 mins for brainstorming.
60 mins writing.
5 Mins to overview.
But this is not ideal, individuals have to decide it.

HOW TO WRITE A GOOD ESSAY: (02:02:00 PM)

Original:Â You don't have to copy anyone's style or write essays.

You can have your unique style.
Analytical: Don't just write the facts, reports, or examples only.
They should be substantiated to support the arguments.
Specific yet explanatory:Â
(will be explained in the introduction part)
Well Organised:Â
Introduction: Tell them what you are going to tell them.
It is like a trailer for the movie.
It is to create curiosity or give a broad insight to the reader about what can be expected from the
body.
It should neither be very short nor it should be very long that tell everything
Body: Tell them.
Conclusion: Based on what you have told them provide a futuristic VISION.

INTRODUCTION: (02:07:00 PM)

It should be relevant to the theme of the Essay.

It should be suggestive of your interpretation of the topic. (ie your approach to the essay)
It should be captivating and interesting.
It can be divided into three parts:
1st part: It can be done by writing quotes, anecdotes, poems, premises, paradoxes, etc.
It makes the introduction captivating and interesting.
 2nd part: Link it with the theme with part one.
3rd: Suggest your approach to the essay. Here you will tell the reader what he can expect in the
body.
(Showed examples from the toppers scripts).

RULES TO BE FOLLOWED FOR WRITING INTRODUCTION: (02:22:00 PM)

1. Quotes:
Don't start a philosophical essay with a quote. You can write quotes in their body or conclusion.
Write the quote exactly and write the name of the person who has given it, do not bluff in the names
of authors.
3-4 quotes should be enough.
You can make notes of them from PYQs of essays and ethics, newspapers, text series, etc.
2. Anecdotes:
It can be fictional or real.
They can be used in the life cycle approach- Linking the conclusion with an anecdote to complete
the cycle.
Any political, corporate leader, sportsperson, or artist's life can be used as an anecdote.
We can write fictional anecdotes on issue-based topics.
For example, Indian agriculture is a victim of past success.
3. Paradox:
Creating a diverse situation or contradictory situations like Urban vs Rural India.
(Showed examples from the toppers scripts).

LIVE PRACTICE: (03:01:00 PM)

Topics- Belief in the power of arguments rather than the argument of power.
The introduction should be around 150-200 words, divided into three parts.
Assignments:
Biased media is a threat to the Indian democracy.
Write the introduction for the above topic in three different ways.

TOPICS FOR THE NEXT CLASS: Body and conclusion of the essay.
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Summary
Essay Class 02

A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE PREVIOUS CLASS: (01:03:00 PM)

Writing introductions in essays.

CONLCUSION: (01:10:00 PM)

Do not summarize.
Do not start a fresh argument.
Do not have an apologetic tone.
Write a futuristic, optimistic, visionary, and practical conclusion.
Do not write the conclusion in 1-2 lines.

GOOD CONCLUSION: (01:18:00 PM)

Write the conclusion in two parts:

1. Penultimate Part: (100-150 words)
I. If it is a philosophical essay then this part will be called Prescription.
Various prescriptions:
a. Based on the agency of socialization- Family, education, religious teachings, etc.
b. Emotional Intelligence- By Daniel Goleman-Â Self Awareness, Self-motivation, Self
Regulation, Empathy, and Social Skills.
c. Use of theories in Ethics(under Moral thinkers). For example, the Cardinal Virtues of Plato-
Wisdom, Temperance, Courage, and Justice.
II. If it is an issue-based essay it will have a 'way forward'.
a. First method - Writing Short-Term and Long-Term Solutions.
b. Way forward for various levels like Individual, Society, National, and International Levels.
c. Common Way Forward- Social, Political, Economic, and Ethical Way Forward.
d. From various dimensions like Infrastructural, Implementational, and Attitudinal.
e. Stakeholders approach- For example, at the level of government, citizens, and institutions.
2. Ultimate Part.

ULTIMATE PART OF CONCLUSION: (01:56:00 PM)

It means the overall inference of the essay.

Here you can use poems, quotes, Shlokas, Dohas, and Government taglines, or link them with the
anecdote with which you started the essay.
You can also link with Hindi/English movie songs.

THE BODY OF AN ESSAY: (02:05:00 PM)

It needs to be multi-dimensional.
It needs to be analytical.
It needs to be coherent.
But obvious it needs to be relevant.
1. Way to make it Multidimensional:
 a. Sectoral Approach:Â
GS1- History, Culture, Geography, Society.
GS2- Political, IR.
GS3- Economical, Environmental.
GS4- Ethical.
b. Temporal Approach:Â
Ancient, Medieval, Modern, Post Independence, Post LPG Reforms, and Contemporary.
Pre-British, Modern, Present.
Pre-independence, Post-Independence, and Contemporary.
Past, Present, Future.
c. If the topic is issue-based the:
Concept/Static -> Causes -> Implications -> Government Efforts- > Lacunas.
Prospects, Issues, Challenges.
Prospects- If you have achieved 'something' then what will be the positive implications?
Issues- The problems which are existing prima facies.
d. Institutional Approach- Using various institutions like family, religion, caste, media, etc.
2. Analytical Approach:
The body should have both arguments and substantiation.

COHERENCE TO WRITE BODY: (02:28:00 PM)

There are two ways to ensure coherence in an essay:

1. Write a linking statement:
Write something about what you have already written.
Then write something about what you are going to write.
2. Use of Subheadings.

STEPS TO ESSAY WRITING: (02:39:00 PM)

1. Topic Selection
2. Brainstorming
3. Writing Essay
Brainstorming:
Scattergram Approach- This approach is not suitable as it is time-consuming.
Other Approach:
For Philosophical Essay:
For example:
a. Life is a long journey from human being to being humane.
Change it to -> Is life a long journey from being a human being to being humane?
b. Fulfillment of new women in India is a myth.
Is the fulfillment of new women in India a myth?
Now find the answers to these questions:
What do you mean by new women?
To what extent have we achieved the fulfillment of new women?
Where are we lacking?
What has been done to achieve it?
What are the lacunae?
What more needs to be done?
 c. In a gentle way you can shake the world.
What do you mean by the gentle way?
What is its potential in life?
Why is the saying more relevant today than ever?
What can do to imbibe these virtues?
Is the gentle way always effective in getting justice?
Conclusion.

TOPICS FOR THE NEXT CLASS: Practice for essay writing.

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Summary
Essay Class 03

HOW TO APPROACH PHILOSOPHICAL ESSAYS- 1:09 PM

A. Interpretation- Interpretation is done for the entire quote, not for a word.
The interpretation itself becomes our introduction.
Introduction can be done by- Anecdotes, Linking it with the 2nd part and with the 3rd part.
B. Explanation- It can be 60% of the body of an essayÂ
C. Exemplification- It can be 40% of the bodyÂ
D. Prescription- Penultimate conclusionÂ
Practicing essay-
Topic -1:Â The character of the institution is shaped by its leadershipÂ
Brainstorming- to be done through questions
1. What do you mean by the character?
Character- ethical standards of the institution.
2. What does even institution mean?
The institution is referred to as an organized entity that fulfills the purpose of the society.
Ex- Family, media, judiciary, Parliament, etc.Â
3. What is the essence of the topic?
Institution →Purpose of the society →it is working effectively & efficiently →Character →
leadership - Why, How, WhatÂ
Why a leader is needed-
1. Source of inspiration therefore a high probability of emulating the conduct of the leader.
2. Socialized to always obey authority.
3. Leaders have the right to command and we have a duty to obey the command.
4. They have the ability to mobilize the resourcesÂ
5. Ability to persuadeÂ
6. For the common man institution is synonymous with leadership.
How leaders run an institution-
-VisionÂ
-Goal
-Strategy
-Motivation
-ValueÂ
What kind of leadership is required-
Integrity- Lal Bahadur ShastriÂ
Courage- Sam ManekShawÂ
Risk-taking ability- Ratan Tata, Dhiru bhai ambani

ESSAY PRACTICE- 1:42 PM

Topic -2: Commitment to ideals and idols is the need of the hourÂ
Ideals- These are the values that a person intends to promote.
These ideals are abstract.Â
They are Subjective.Â
Idols- Concrete manifestation of these ideals.Â
 To give ideals subjectivity, symbols we need idols.Â

Personality/Political/Social Idols Ideals ChallengesÂ

Corruption,
Currency, admin Non-violence,
Hygiene,
Mahatma Gandhi office, 2nd Oct, truth, cleanliness,
Consumerism,
Father of nation 7 sins
violence
Representation, Site of protest,
Temple of
Parliament inclusive law, criminalization
democracy
making bottom-up of politicsÂ
Equality of Political
Representation ReservationÂ
opposition gimmickÂ
Â
Topic-3: Customary morality should not be the guide to modern life
What is customary morality?
Customary morality (morality means the standard of behavior that individuals set for themselves
for right and wrong).
Customary here means what is the source/root of morality, if it is from customs then it is called
customary morality.
Customs- customs are defined as widely approved way of behaving in any society at a particular
time
What are the attributes of modern life?
Attributes- Rationality, being practical, individualism, Practical, Alienation, Scientific temper,
consumerism, commodification, freedom, liberty, equality, critical thinking, secularization (to what
extent society has become secular), etc.Â
What are values associated with Customary morality?
Values- Sacrifice, respect, delayed gratification, spirituality, collectivism, cooperation, rigidity,
hierarchy, etc.Â
Area of divergence
Social- Untouchability, sexual division of labor, child marriage, dowry
Political- Divine right vs. democracy to rule, White man's burden vs. right to self-determination to
establish civilized societyÂ
Economical- Produce goods for self-sustenance vs. mass productionÂ
International- hard power vs smart powerÂ
Area of convergenceÂ
Growing inequality in the societyÂ
Time for family
How to decide when it should be a guide?

ESSAY PRACTICE- 2:37 PM

Topic- 4: It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.

What is meant by a strong child?
Who builds a child strong?
What do you mean by a broken man?
How can you say he is a broken man?
Why it is easier to build strong children?
 Why it is difficult to repair a broken man?
What are the prospects of strong children?Â
How can strong children be created?
Role of family, society, nation, etc.Â

ESSAY PRACTICE- 2:51 PM to 3:51 PM

The topic for the next class- Continuation of Philosophical topics

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Summary
Essay Class 04

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF PREVIOUS CLASS (1:07 PM)

Faculty shared the observation related to the student's Essay Script.

LIFE UNEXAMINED IS NOT WORTH LIVING (1:13 PM)

Live Essay Practice:Â

Brainstorming:
Unstructured Thoughts- just jotting down the answer given by the student.
What do we mean by unexamined life?
Why/How unexamined life is not worth living?
Attributes of Worth LivingÂ
How examined life is worth living?
Is it always true?
How one can examine their lifeÂ
Relevance of the statement in contemporary lifeÂ
Challenges faced in the process of examining our life.Â
Difference between examined and unexamined lifeÂ
Why we do not want to examine life?Â
Structured Brainstorming:Â
What do we mean by unexamined life?
How examined life is worth living?
Challenges faced in the process of examining our lives. Drawbacks: can use various dimensions at
individual, societal, Political, environmental and international levels etc
How one can examine their life?Â
Is it true that examining life is worth living?
Relevance of the statement in contemporary times.Â
Conclusion
Note:
Try to cite examples for every dimension.Â
Just before the conclusion add counter-example and contemporary relevance of the topics.Â
How to maintain coherence?
Use linking statements such as ''Having discussed the implication of unexamined life now explore
how unexamined life is worth living"
Usage of subheading.

ESSAY LIVE TEST (2:15 PM)

ESSAY I- Life unexamined is not worth living.

Essay II- The world will not destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without
doing anything.Â
Essay III- Healthy loyalty is not passive and complacent but active and critical.

TEST CONCLUDED (4:15 PM)

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Summary
Essay Class 05

OVERVIEW OF THE PREVIOUS CLASS (01:09 PM)

ESSAY TOPIC 01 (01:23 PM)

Patriarchy is the least noticed, Yet most significant structure of social inequalityÂ
BRAINSTORMING
What is Patriarchy?
Patriarchy refers to a system of social structures and practices where man dominates women.
Why it is least noticed?
It is least noticed because of the normalization,trivalization or Chalta h culture. Example: Toxic
masculinity.
How it is least noticed?
As it is manifested in everyday life.
What do you mean by social inequality?
Differential access to rewards, and opportunities and when social inequality is based on gender it
further promotes patriarchy.
UN says women empowerment means a sense of self-work, access to resources-socio, political, and
economic, autonomy of decision-making, and control over reproductive life. Ability to influence the
direction of social change.Â
Implications.
Government efforts-Constitutional provision, statutory laws, Judicial pronouncement, Government
schemes, and International Conventions.
What more needs to be done?
Way forward.

ESSAY TOPIC 02 (01:57 PM)

The youth need to be enabled to become job generators from a job seeker.Â
BRAINSTORMING
Relevance of topic.
Transitional stage they are coming out from their protective shells, They are high on energy so need
to channel their energy.
Demographic dividend.
To prevent radicalization.
Social conflict with respect to issues like reservation.
Potential for innovation.
Why youth are job seekers.
Job security.
The issue with the socialisation-Socialised to be the follower and not to lead.
Lack of democratic parenting.
We don't want to take the pain that the entrepreneur faces in the initial stage.
Gender stereotype, As Man needs to be the breadwinner.
Why/how they can be enabled to become job generators.
Prospects of job generator.
 Creates scope for innovation.
Promotes talent.
Promotes problem-solving attitude.
Wealth creation trickle-down effect.
Address issues like patriarchy, Domestic violence etc.
Issues & challenges concerning job generators.
Solution.
Government efforts with job generators.
UDAAN, Startup India, PMGSY, National education policy etc. But donot write every scheme only
the flagship schemes.

ESSAY TOPIC 03 (02:17 PM)

The power of media is that it forces necessary changeÂ

BRAINSTORMING
What is Media?
Manifestation of media like print, Broadcasting etc.
Role of media concerning political, social, economic, Cultural, ethical, environmental.
Explore all the dimensions.
Political:
Helping in transforming the passive to active citizenry.
Helps in achieving good governance by establishing legitimacy of the government.
Exit polls, Important policy output for the government.
Social:
Creating awareness in society, Helping in establishing unity in diversity, Voice to the voiceless,
Indian renaissance.
Economic:
Unleashing the scams, and opinion-based journalism, Helps in strengthening social capital.
Issues with media
Sensationsalisation of news, pressure to maintain the TRP, Decline of ethics, Radicalization of
youth, Media trials
What needs to be done.

The syllabus and session of the essay stands completed here.All the bestÂ