6 Common mistakes that have a negative impact on Mains answer writing
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1. Poor Content
Support your points with examples, data, quotes.
Example:
Look at this answer from @anudeepd7
He supports his argument for why India is a political democracy with exact provisions.
Support your points with examples, data, quotes.
Example:
Look at this answer from @anudeepd7
He supports his argument for why India is a political democracy with exact provisions.
Improving Content is a Process
It wonβt happen overnight.
Read -> Understand -> Organise -> Note -> Read
Repeat this & you will improve your content in time. No shortcuts here.
Till you donβt build your content, you're won't clear UPSC CSE.
It wonβt happen overnight.
Read -> Understand -> Organise -> Note -> Read
Repeat this & you will improve your content in time. No shortcuts here.
Till you donβt build your content, you're won't clear UPSC CSE.
2. Zero writing practice
Having good content doesnβt mean you know how to write.
Writing is a separate skill.
If you don't practice it, it won't magically happen on exam day.
Having good content doesnβt mean you know how to write.
Writing is a separate skill.
If you don't practice it, it won't magically happen on exam day.
TIP: Write the same answer multiple times to understand what is possible.
1st try: default mode
2nd try: improve structure
3rd try: add more data
4th try: add more diagrams
Iterate and learn.
1st try: default mode
2nd try: improve structure
3rd try: add more data
4th try: add more diagrams
Iterate and learn.
3. Lack of Perspectives
UPSC tests breadth, not depth.
Example Q: Discuss strategic dimensions to Indo-US relations.
A. Don't just talk about the military angle (defence relations, Quad, N-deal). Add points about economic, diplomatic, and ideological angles too.
UPSC tests breadth, not depth.
Example Q: Discuss strategic dimensions to Indo-US relations.
A. Don't just talk about the military angle (defence relations, Quad, N-deal). Add points about economic, diplomatic, and ideological angles too.
4. Answer the Question asked.
In exam rush, aspirants dump any data they have wrt the key words of the Q.
This will get you below average marks at best.
Understand the question asked, then arrange information to suit it's demands.
In exam rush, aspirants dump any data they have wrt the key words of the Q.
This will get you below average marks at best.
Understand the question asked, then arrange information to suit it's demands.
Example
Q. There is a growing divergence in the relationship between poverty and hunger in India. The shrinking of social expenditure by the government is forcing the poor to spend more on non-food essential items squeezing their food-budget β Elucidate.
(Mains 2021)
Q. There is a growing divergence in the relationship between poverty and hunger in India. The shrinking of social expenditure by the government is forcing the poor to spend more on non-food essential items squeezing their food-budget β Elucidate.
(Mains 2021)
Model structure
Intro - stats about poverty/hunger/social spend.
H1 - Growing divergence: How?
H2 - Govt social spend & spending by poor: what are the interlinks?
H3 - Way forward from this issue.
Most people miss H1.
Don't miss H1, it's a part of the question.
Intro - stats about poverty/hunger/social spend.
H1 - Growing divergence: How?
H2 - Govt social spend & spending by poor: what are the interlinks?
H3 - Way forward from this issue.
Most people miss H1.
Don't miss H1, it's a part of the question.
5. Lack of Structure
Write the most important points first.
How do you decide which is most important point during the exam? You don't. You do that when you're making your notes.
Clarify your thoughts before the exam, not during.
Write the most important points first.
How do you decide which is most important point during the exam? You don't. You do that when you're making your notes.
Clarify your thoughts before the exam, not during.
6. Introspect
Think about how you can improve your answers. It won't happen by itself.
Think about how to:
β’ Organise information
β’ Add data
β’ Add diagrams
β’ Cut words without losing meaning
@anudeepd7 's answer copies are a great source of examples for this.
Think about how you can improve your answers. It won't happen by itself.
Think about how to:
β’ Organise information
β’ Add data
β’ Add diagrams
β’ Cut words without losing meaning
@anudeepd7 's answer copies are a great source of examples for this.
Need help with the introspection?
Check out our mains courses where you will be mentored by past UPSC rankers.
upscprep.com
Check out our mains courses where you will be mentored by past UPSC rankers.
upscprep.com
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