#CareerBytes: 5 best resources to prepare for UPSC Essay Paper
What's the story
The UPSC Civil Services Examination, which is one of the toughest exams, is conducted in three stages: Preliminary examination, Main examination, and Personality Test.
The Main examination comprises nine papers, including Essay Paper for 250 marks. Some candidates find essay writing a little challenging as there's no fixed syllabus.
However, Essay Paper is crucial and here are 5 best resources to prepare for it.
#1
Reading books will help you improve thought process
Books are one of the main resources for essay writing preparation. UPSC aspirants must regularly read books, especially non-fiction, to develop a matured thought process.
Books impart knowledge and also help candidates know figures of speech, diverse topics, unique content, etc.
One should also go through school-level books to brush up grammar like High school Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin among others.
#2
Regular newspaper reading is an indispensable part of UPSC preparation
To do well in essay writing, aspirants must also regularly read newspapers, focusing more on the editorial section.
This will help them know the current affairs, learn about diverse topics and issues, and also improve their knowledge and ability to clearly present their views while writing essays.
Aspirants must also watch discussions and debates on TV news channels to know and understand various issues.
#3
One can refer to magazines to prepare for essay writing
Aspirants should also refer to magazines for understanding certain topics and specific issues like policies, government schemes, economic surveys, latest statics, public health, tribal issues, etc.
They can read magazines like Frontline, Kurukshetra, Yojana, Science Reporter, South Asia Politics, and Economic and Political Weekly among others to know the latest developments in various sectors and stay updated on current affairs.
#4
Essay topics in previous question papers
UPSC aspirants should also work on essay topics in previous UPSC question papers of at least the last five years. They can practice writing essays on topics covered in previous papers.
This will not only help them understand the format of questions, type of topics covered, and questioning trends but also manage time better in the exam.
Information
#5: Collect good stories, anecdotes, and quotes
Aspirants should also collect good stories, anecdotes, and quotes which they come across in newspapers, magazines, or books. They should note these down and memorize them properly; candidates can use them in relevant essay topics during the exam.