Develop your essay logically

B.S. WARRIER

More tips to write high-scoring essays are included in this concluding part of a series.

STYLE COUNTS: Remain calm and relaxed, as it will help you concentrate and come out with a good presentation PHOTO: K. MURALI KUMAR

Think well before you put pen to paper. Read the directions regarding number of questions to be answered, choice of questions and so on carefully in the beginning. Do not assume anything based on previous year's experience; there can be changes. Setting out in the wrong direction takes you to unwanted destinations. A planned traveller should have a wise itinerary.

Write legibly. Even without having a beautiful handwriting, you can certainly do so. Number the pages of the answer book serially, if this is not printed.

Avoid poor spelling, bad grammar and wrong punctuation. All these become habits. So, take proper care of these aspects during the long-range preparation.

Do not make the pages crowded. There should not be too much of scoring through. If you want to cancel a sentence, just draw a line over it. Make the pages easy to read; the examiner may not strain himself to decipher your illegible writing. Letters should not be too large or irritatingly small.

You may underline a word or phrase or sentence, so as to indicate its importance. But too much of underlining, highlighting with colours, capital letters or red ink is undesirable. Resorting to such methods indirectly suggests that you are underestimating the skills of the examiner.

Do not give instructions or directions to the examiner, such as "Go to page 12 and see the rest of the essay."

If you are not sure of a fact, do not mention it. An error made will certainly create a poor impression in the examiner's mind. But an omission does not cause that kind of damage.

While making an argument as part of providing evidence in support of a theme, do not give the impression that you are a fanatic. Often, an understatement is more powerful than a stubborn declaration.

Read the question carefully, know what exactly the examiner asks for, and only then organise your essay. A small error at this stage will prove costly. It is possible that the question demands something different from what you have gathered from your textbook essay. A new perspective or approach or a fresh analysis is what the examiner maybe looking for. Lack of initial planning may cause you to drift from the topic.

Make your statements precise. Avoid guesses and vagueness. "Next to irrelevance, vagueness is the chief sin of examination answers."

Never make unsupported generalisations. "He who generalises generally lies," is often true.

When an essay type answer is expected, indicating the points alone is inadequate. The strategy of only mentioning the points, without expanding the ideas envisaged, should the last resort; for instance, when you face lack of time. "Essay-type questions require essay-type answers."

The introductory paragraph has to be a clear statement indicating the tenor of the essay.

Do write a paragraph of conclusion. It may show your inferences.

During the course of writing, watch how much you have covered in the first half of the time you have allotted for the question. If you are too slow, accelerate your writing or decide to omit the description of the unimportant.

While developing arguments, move smoothly from one point to the other. Transition from one paragraph to the next may also be made as smooth as possible. Reading becomes easy if there is logical continuity, without sudden jumps. Whenever you want to bring forth a fresh point, start a new paragraph.

Avoid repetition of ideas. The examiner will certainly grasp the idea when you mention it once.

If you quote a great man, use his exact words. You have no right to alter them.

Make use of a good watch, preferably a clock-faced one rather than digital, in the examination hall. Timing is vital. Clock face helps visualisation, much easier than calculation involving numbers.

If you are short of time as you reach the last question to be answered, prioritise the points to be explained. Relatively less important points may be just indicated.

Do not abruptly end your essay. Earmark a couple of minutes to write the concluding lines so that you wind up smoothly. Avoid daydreaming in the examination hall.

Familiarise yourself with the previous examination papers, so that you have a reliable picture of the type and standard of questions to be expected.

Do not leave the examination hall early, even if you have finished writing the essays. Make use of the time effectively by reading your answers and correcting or modifying them, if necessary. Do not be reluctant to make such useful checks. Utilise the full time given to you. Do not write excuses in the answer book, for not having been able to write the necessary number of answers or something similar. Try to write a few essays in full during your preparation, simulating the environment in the examination hall. This will help you measure your speed and the quality of the answer you are likely to write in the examination.

Sometimes, you may find that you cannot but attempt a tough question. Take it as a challenge, reassure yourself, think afresh and do your best. You cannot import fresh material in the examination hall; but you can invoke your innovative skills for developing new ideas using your own mental repertoire. In times of trial, cling to self-confidence.

Remain calm and relaxed. It will help you concentrate and think logically.