Essay 01 – Brijendra Singh

Format + Purpose of the Essay paper

• 2 sections, 4 topics each – choose one topic from each section.

• Length: 1000-1200 words per essay.
“Candidates are expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay and to arrange their ideas in an
orderly fashion. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.”

Objective What it requires? What needs to be done?

Keep to the Subject -Focus on the topic - Do not digress from the topic.
-Reinforce the topic -Use the key terms of the topic repeatedly.
- Prove/Disprove the topic in every para.
Arrange Ideas in an -Diversity in Content - Present different perspectives/dimensions.
Orderly Fashion -Flow, Inter-linkages -Sequence of paragraphs should create a good
between paragraphs argument.
- Pre-planning before writing is essential.
Exact and Effective -Clarity in Content -Content should be relevant to the topic.
Expression -Depth in Content -Do not write purely personal opinions.
-Diversity in Content -Provide valid points, supported by data/examples.
-Prescriptive value -Present different perspectives/dimensions.
-Language & Presentation -Provide suggestions, solutions, advice, warnings as a
guide towards the right direction.
-Simple language + easy words are most effective.

3 Elements in Essay Writing

1. How to Select a topic

2. How to Interpret the topic
3. Structure of the Essay

1. How to Select a topic

1. Choose a topic where you have ADEQUATE CONTENT.
2. Don’t try to attempt a difficult topic just to “be different”.
- Common topic: Low risk, average returns.
- Difficult topic: High risk, unsure returns.
3. Choose a broad/general topic – easier to generate content.

2. How to Interpret the Topic

Ø Understand the Topic and its demands correctly.
o If it is OPINION-based, first decide what stand you want to take.
o If it is INFORMATIVE, the essay needs different dimensions on the topic.
Ø Identify the fundamental elements of the essay.
How to interpret the topic correctly:

i) Rephrase the topic in the form of a question.

ii) Check if your answer is in agreement/disagreement with the question.

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 If you Agree or Disagree: Provide ARGUMENTS for/against the topic.
If the topic is Informative: Address the topic from different dimensions.
DIMENSIONS
Social Political Economic Historical
Scientific Humanitarian Medical Cultural
Technological Philosophical Environmental Ethical

3. Structure of the Essay (4 parts - 8 paras)

PART LENGTH PURPOSE
1 Introduction 120 – 150 words - Convey correct understanding of topic.
- Present outline of your approach.
- Generate interest; create a positive
impact.
2 Body Para 1 120-150 words - Provide your interpretation of the topic.
3 Body paragraphs (120-150 words) - Provide distinct & different perspectives,
5 paras dimensions on topic.
4 Conclusion 120-150 words - Reinforce views on the topic.
- Leave a lasting impression.
TOTAL 1000-1200 Words

Body Para. 1

Ø This paragraph conveys your interpretation of the topic.

Ø What it should contain:
- your understanding about the key terms and how they are correlated.

Ø What it should NOT contain:

- Theory.
- Examples/Anecdotes/Data.

Body Para. 1 – Brainstorming (5 W’s + H)

What - What do the terms/topic mean/signify?

Why - Why is there a correlation between them?
Who - Who is affected by the terms/issues?
When - When do these terms or their correlation become important?
Where - Where do we witness the terms/issues around us?
How - How are the terms related?
- How do they affect each other?

Ø Choose any 3 questions to frame Body para 1.

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 PRACTICE EXERCISE

Topic: Ships do not sink because of water around them, ships sink because of water that gets into
them.

Question: Do ships sink because of the water that gets into them, rather than the water around them?

Answer/Response: Yes/Agree

3 Questions to frame Body Para 1:

WHAT does “water around” and “water inside” signify?

- Water around: everyday problems and challenges.
- Water inside: problems that we allow to overwhelm us.
WHEN does a “ship sink”?
- When it allows the water to enter, instead of using it to reach its destination.
- Overcoming our problems can make us better; succumbing to them leads to suffering and
failure.
HOW can this be prevented?
- By accepting that problems are a part of life.
- Responding to them with courage, optimism, fortitude, determination.

BODY PARA 1

It is rightly said that worry does not empty tomorrow of its problems, it empties today of its strength.
This implies that just as a ship is surrounded by water, every person is surrounded by everyday
problems and challenges. Water can enable a ship to reach its destination or it can enter the ship and
sink it. Similarly, people can overcome their problems and become better or can succumb to them and
endure suffering and failure. It thus becomes vital to accept that problems are an inevitable part of
life- it is how we respond to them that will decide how far we rise or fall in life. To prevent problems
from overwhelming us, we need to inculcate a strong set of values such as courage, optimism,
fortitude and determination.

Topic: A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what a ship is for.

Question: Is a ship in harbour safe? Are ships built to not stay in the harbour?

Answer/Response: Yes/Agree

3 Questions to frame Body Para 1:

WHAT does a “ship in harbour” signify?

- An individual, institution or nation that is sheltered from challenges.
- It is missing out on its true purpose in life.
WHAT are ships built for?
- To cross oceans (new endeavors), to weather storms (overcome problems) and to help us
reach new destinations (accomplishments).
WHY are ships not built to stay in a harbour?
- Because by staying in the harbour, we will never reach our destination.
- Will never accomplish what we are meant to.

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BODY PARA 1

A caterpillar will never become a butterfly unless it sheds its cocoon. Similarly, a ship will never
achieve its purpose till it sets sail and leaves the safety of the harbour. Ships are not built to remain
anchored in the harbour-they are built to cross oceans, weather storms and help us reach new
destinations. Similarly, an individual, institution or nation is not meant to remain sheltered from
challenges. By insulating ourselves from challenges, we are missing out on the true purpose of life.
The purpose of life is to use the building blocks of our education and upbringing to take life head-on,
endure its storms and sail through with flying colours.

Topic: History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man.

Question: Is history a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man?

Answer/Response: No/Disagree

3 Questions to frame Body Para 1:

WHAT does “scientific man” and “romantic man” signify?

- Scientific: Practical, Empirical, Rational.
- Romantic: Idealistic, Dreamer, Emotional.
HOW are the two related?
- Within each person, there exists a Scientific Man as well as a Romantic Man.
- The Romantic creates the Dream (Ends), the Scientist provides the tools (Means) to
achieve the dream.
WHO is more important?
- Both are equally important-mutually complementary.
- Dreams cannot fulfill themselves; Tools are of no use without a dream to work towards.

BODY PARA 1

The famous physicist Stephen Hawking once said that “science is not only a discipline of reason but
also of romance”. This means that although scientific endeavours are based on rationality and
empirical evidence, the seeds of such endeavours are found in the romantic notions of a person who
has the passion to explore the unknown. Within each of us, there exists a Scientific Man as well as a
Romantic Man. The romantic envisions the dream, while the scientist provides the tools to achieve the
dream. They are two sides of the same coin, mutually complementary and equally important. Dreams
cannot fulfill themselves without the tools of rationality, while the tools themselves are of no use
without a dream to work towards.

Topic: The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

Question: Does the hand that rocks the cradle rule the world?

Answer/Response: Yes/Agree

3 Questions to frame Body Para 1:

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WHAT does “hand that rocks the cradle” signify?
- Parenting, guardianship, leadership, mentoring, nurturing of an individual, organization or
nation.
WHAT does “rule the world” signify?
- Nurturing and grooming an individual, orgn. or nation to develop the capabilities that will
enable them to contribute positively to the world.
HOW does this happen?
- By developing the individual’s personality, shaping their character, inculcating the right
values, building confidence and capabilities etc.
BODY PARA 1

It is said that we should prepare the child for the path, not the path for the child. This implies that
those who have the task of parenting, leading and guiding individuals and nations must understand the
gravity of their responsibility. It is how they influence and groom their wards that will determine the
extent to which the wards can do justice to the responsibilities that are thrust upon them. Adversities
and setbacks are a part of life, but ships are not built to remain in the harbour. By shaping the
personality and character of individuals and nations, we imbibe them with the right values, instill
confidence and build capabilities. This enables them to cope with any challenges that may arise and
contribute positively to the world.

Topic: A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities.

Question: Is a smile the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities?

Answer/Response: Yes/Agree

3 Questions to frame Body Para 1:

WHAT does “a smile is the chosen vehicle for ambiguities” mean?

- That since uncertainties are inevitable, we should not worry too much about them.
- Smile i.e. accept them and face them with confidence, determination and optimism.
WHY should we smile when faced with ambiguities?
- Because even if we don’t, the troubles will not vanish.
- Smiling/being confident enables us to focus on the solution, rather than keep worrying about
the problem.
HOW do we bring a smile in times of ambiguities?
- By accepting that troubles are inevitable, strengthening our resolve to face them, developing a
strong character.

BODY PARA 1

It is rightly said that worry does not empty tomorrow of its problems, it empties today of its strength.
This means that since uncertainties are unavoidable in life, we can either worry about them or face
them with a smile. This smile symbolizes our confidence, determination and optimism, and enables us
to deal with whatever comes our way. Such resolve is important because even if we don’t smile, the
troubles will not vanish. Smiling and facing adversities confidently enables us to focus on the
solution, rather than merely worrying about the problem. To do so, we need to accept the fact that
troubles are inevitable, strengthen our resolve to overcome them, and develop a strong character by
inculcating values such as courage, optimism, fortitude and determination.

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