An anecdote is a brief, revealing account of an individual person or an incident: “a story with a point,” such as to communicate an abstract idea about a person, place. In essays these anecdotes will help in improving the essays that will be written in the UPSC Mains Exam
This article in particular will help in giving the strategy for employing anecdotes in an effective way.
The candidates can read more related information from the links provided below:
Brief about Essays in UPSC Exam
The Essays segment may seem a lengthy and arduous paper, but it is also one of the most rewarding papers in the mains exam. A UPSC candidate will wonder how he/she can write 1000-1200 words in 3 hours? How they can get the content and frame arguments in that time span.
But these issues can be solved by studying source materials of GS. The challenging aspect will be recalling what one has studied and framing comprehensive arguments in the process.
Then there is a constant practice of writing consistently where one can maintain quantity and quality. Once the structure is perfected a candidate can employ quotes and anecdotes which will further strengthen the essay.
Strategy for Employing Anecdotes in UPSC Mains
- I used to choose a topic which has lots of dimensions to it. Usually this was the topic on which most people were going to write a essay. While there are advocates of choosing a non mainstream topic, it has inherent risk of backfiring. So I would suggest stick to the popular topic.
- Then I use to list down the random keywords and ideas that use to come to my mind as i start thinking on the topic.
- After 5 minutes I will write the questions that I want to answer in my essay- 5/6 of them – this gives structure to your content
- Now for next 10 mins I use to connect my ideas with the questions. I would try to recall any quotes, data points, anecdotes, movies, books, authors, philosophers, leaders that I could relate with the topic
- In this time I also use to frame a coherent argument alongwith a decent Introduction and conclusion
- Introduction
- Hook – something catchy – a quote, data point, short story which catches attention
- thesis – Brief outline of your argument
- Background – you can give a historical perspective of the issue or define the topic
- Use of rhetorical questions – at times as they help in giving a structure to the essay.
- Use of headings – not more than 3 in an essay, Your essay should look like a editorial in the hindu
- Stakeholders to analyse from different perspectives
- Individual, Family, Community , Society, Nation, Humanity
- Conclusion
- Suggestion, Reiterate your core argument, Positive, Reserve best for here
- I would try to use parallelism if i can. For Ex – Read MLK I have a dream speech
Few more tips
- Choose a topic where you can argue in a reasonable and balanced manner
- Find the spirit of the topic
- Argument should be coherent.
- Present opposite side
- Introductory Hook, Thesis, Background – should be positive unlike “the world is in chaos, or pollution will kill us”
Candidates can find UPSC Prelims Ancient Indian History Question papers in the given link
Frequently Asked Question about Anecdotes in UPSC Exam
How do you write an anecdote for UPSC essay?
Do essays repeat in UPSC?
To know more about other Government Exams, visit the linked article. For more preparation materials they can refer to the links given in the table below:
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