The UPSC civil services are considered one of the most coveted examinations in India. The examination is divided into three stages, Prelims, Mains and the Interview round. 

The UPSC Main examination consists of one essay, four general studies and two optional papers. It has been mostly observed that candidates often make silly mistakes while writing essay papers for UPSC examinations. 

While approaching the essay paper, you require a comprehensive framework that will aid you in producing coherent and compelling answers in the examination. It is important to understand what you should include in your essays and what common mistakes you should avoid. 

If you want to know more, stick to the end of the article to understand the dos and don'ts of essay writing.

Dos

While you write your paper, make sure your essay is a structured write-up. Have a clear introduction, a main body and a conclusion. It should be focused on the central theme and should be relevant. 

You should understand the topic you are writing about and not rely on borrowed opinions. Presenting your unique approach to the topic will help you to score brownie points. 

The framework of your essay should include points and counterpoints, causation, logical evaluation and inference. There should be a connection between the paragraphs. The essay should flow organically between the given perspectives in writing. 

You can create a rough framework first, arranging your points sequentially, then, write the paper consistently and coherently. It will help you to sustain your arguments without contradiction.

You should incorporate simple sentences and appropriate vocabulary to aid effective communication. Adding insights and placing the right quotes are the hallmarks of a good essay.

Don't

Now that you know what should be included in your essay let us look at some common mistakes that you should avoid. 

Do not include a lengthy background; instead, get to the topic as early as possible. As much as we know, including quotations boosts marks, avoid using quotations in every paragraph. Avoid beginning your paragraph with a quotation. 

While you write your answer, do not provide a political and ideological base. You should follow the rational approach. You can keep the inference based on your preference; however, do not write the entire essay based on your biases. Provide good points and counterpoints for the given topic. 

You should provide an answer rooted in logic and rationality instead of swaying in emotions. Make sure you double-check your answers to avoid grammatical errors. You can use ornamental words but try to keep your answer simple. 

Bottom Line

Before encapsulating the mentioned points in the article, it is first essential to understand that practising essay writing is the key to scoring good marks in the examination. 

To practice writing, you must follow three steps, i.e., deliberate, timed and feedback. You can choose a customized technique that works best for you. It provides a faster approach and improves your writing process. The next step should be to set a timer, even if it is just for 15 minutes. This will not only help you to stay focused during writing but will also boost your speed during the final examination. 

While writing the essays in the Mains examination, focus on the keywords and understand what the question is asking. Avoid making vocabulary and grammar mistakes. Better vocabulary and grammatically correct sentences will give you an edge in the competition. 

Do not make lengthy paragraphs; instead, divide them into suitable subheadings. Maintain a coherent flow between the paragraphs. The essay should not look like it consists of random lines. Do not forget to add a catchy introduction that will spark curiosity among readers and engage them. Provide substantial arguments in the essays. Provide definitions, facts, and counteracts wherever required; providing an appropriate conclusion is essential. 

Now there you go; hopefully, the article provided some valuable insights on how to write essays for the UPSC Mains examination. You can head to our website to gain more valuable insights as detailed guides are available imparting knowledge on the same.