ESSAY – SARRTHI CLASSES

There is a syllabus for ethics, which prescribes a few guidelines.

1. Keeping close to the subject of the essay
2. Arrange ideas in an orderly fashion (flow)
3. Write concisely (short, crisp, clear)
4. Credit given for effective and exact expression

Essay writing basics

- Command over language is not everything

STEP 1:
Deciding the topic (the critical first step)
o Essay paper is a game of dimensions
o Find a topic where you can brainstorm 10 dimensions or so
o If given a choice between a philosophical essay or a GS-based
topic, choose a GS-based topic
STEP 2:
Read the selected topics again
- No rush

STEP 3:
Making the structure
- Make structure for Section A, write the essay of section A
- Then, make a structure for Section B, and write the essay of section B
- Your essay will be as good as your structure
- Structure =
o Dimensions (Ex: PESTLE)
o Sub-dimensions
o In brief, point that will you want to convey
- Prepare anecdotes and quotes

COMPONENTS OF A 10 PAGE ESSAY

Introduction –
- Not more than 6 lines
- Keyword, quote, or anecdote

PAGE 1
- Introduction
- Historical background
 - Overview of topic (most important)
PAGE 2
- Dimension 1
o Sub dimension 1
o Sub dimension 2
o Sub dimension 3

PAGE 3
- Dimension 2
o Sub dimension 1
o Sub dimension 2
o Sub dimension 3

PAGE 4
- Dimension 3
o Sub dimension 1
o Sub dimension 2
o Sub dimension 3

PAGE 5
- Dimension 4
o Sub dimension 1
o Sub dimension 3
o Sub dimension 3

PAGE 6
- Dimension 5
o Sub dimension 1
o Sub dimension 3
o Sub dimension 3

PAGE 7
- Dimension 6
o Sub dimension 1
o Sub dimension 3
o Sub dimension 3

PAGE 8
- Connection with Worldviews
o Asian countries
o European countries
 o USA/developed nations

PAGE 9
- Anti-thesis
- Limitations
- Challenges
- Subtle, but effective
- Should not undo the points made in the previous pages

PAGE 10
- Solutions
- Steps/Way forward
- Conclusion

DAY 2 – 15/07/24

TODAY’S APPROACH => PESTLE

DIMENSIONS TO BRAINSTORM
- Ethical
- Security
- Psychological
- Educational
- Historical
- Geographical
- Cultural
- Health
- Administrative (Policy)
- Sports
- International
- Media
- Agriculture

PESTEL
- Political
- Economic
- Sociological
- Technological
- Environmental
- Legal

Topic 1 – CSM 2015

Dreams which should not let India sleep.

DIMENSIONS AND SUB-DIMENSIONS

1. Social
a. Child welfare
b. Women empowerment
c. Youth which is self-reliant
2. Economic
a. Job Creation
b. Gender Parity in Pay
c. Inclusive Development
3. Political
a. Policy Formulation/Implementation for effective governance
b. Bureaucratic Issues
c. E-Governance
4. Technological
a. Innovation
b. Seven Sins (Science without Humanity) – ethical considerations
c. Human Centric Science/RnD – grassroots, need based innovation
5. Environment
a. Sustainable Development – smart cities
b. Trusteeship – judicious use of resources
c. Climate Justice – disaster management and mitigation
6. Legal
a. Due Process of Law
b. Legal Aid
c. Delayed Justice – judicial reforms

SPORTS –
1. Hoisting national flag in international domains
2. Regional representation in Indian national teams and recognising local
talent
3. Infrastructure development to increase access to sporting facilities
(connect this to infrastructure/youth/economy)

PSYCHOLOGICAL
1. Increasing awareness of mental health issues.
2. Enhancing reach of mental health facilities. (No. of doctors per 10,000)
3. Reducing mental illnesses, decline in suicide cases (connect last point to
youth and economic prosperity)

ETHICAL
 1. Moral intuition
2. Emotional intelligence in bureaucracy
3. Accountability, transparency, integrity to counter corruption

TOPIC 2 – CSM 2023

Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team.

SOCIOLOGICAL
1. The game is child welfare and the opposite team is child labour,
malnutrition, lack of educational opportunities. This will compel the
government to think in a way to counter these opposite teams.
2. The game is women empowerment the and the opposite team is sexual
harassment, social stigma around educating/employment of women.
3. The game is self-reliant youth (leveraging the demographic dividend),
and the opposite team is educated unemployment, lack of employability.

Opposite teams
Children – malnutrition, child labour, child marriage, lack of access to education
Women – sexual harassment, social stigma surrounding employment of women
Youth – lack of employment and employability

ECONOMIC
Opposite teams
- Income inequalities
- Poor infrastructure
- Growth vs development debate

POLITICAL
- Representation
- Equal participation
- Strengthening checks and balances
- Preserving constitutional ideals

TOPIC 3 – CSM 2016

Need brings greed. If greed increases, it spoils breed.

1. Historical
2. Political
3. Economic
4. Tech
5. Environment
 6. Ethical

EXPLICIT CONNECTORS FOR PESTLE APPROACH

1. Social to Economic when ending on youth
a. The aspirations of the youth are intrinsically linked to their
employment prospects. Fulfilling the dreams of the young
population requires a robust job creation strategy to provide them
with opportunities to thrive.

ANCEDOTE – NEERAJ CHOPRA

QUOTE
- When the desire for success does not let you sleep, when there is
nothing better than hard work, when do you do not get tired after
working continuously, understand that you are going to create a new
history of success.
19/07/24 – ESSAY
ASSIGNMENT DISCUSSION
CSM 2015 – DREAMS WHICH SHOULD NOT LET INDIA SLEEP

APPROACH 2 – CHRONOLOGICAL APPROACH

ESSENCE OF APPROACH
Individual => Family => Organisation => Society => Nation => World

QUESTION 1 -
SHIPS DO NOT SINK BECAUSE OF WATER AROUND THEM. SHIPS
SINK BECAUSE OF WATER THAT GETS INTO THEM.

INDIVIDUAL
1. ISSUES
2. EXAMPLE
3. SOLUTIONS

QUESTION 2 –
Mathematics is the music of reason

Meanings:
1. There is logic behind every situation.
2. Math is structured like music
3. Math and music have rhythm

INDIVIDUAL
- Mathematics
o Symmetry
o Relationships
o Equations
o Patterns
o Curves
o Growth graphs
o Formulas
- Music
o High key, low key
o Melody
o Harmony
 o Patterns
o Rhythm
o Pitch
o Symphony
o Amplification
- Reason
o Rationality
o Logic
o Analysis
o Reason
o Mindfulness
o Critical thinking
o Intuition
o Deliberation

ANECDOTE:
Stephen Hawking –
In a lecture, he was asked a blunt question about the existence of God. Rather
than dismissing the question, he responded with intellectual humility and
acknowledged the limitations of human knowledge and vast mysteries of the
universe. Recognised that wisdom lies not in claiming to have all the answers,
but in the continuous pursuit of knowledge.
CLASS 4 – 22/07/24

APPROACH 3 – SDG Approach

Issues:
- Mechanical
- Examiner will know that you’re just using the SDGs
- May diverge from the demand of the topic

TOPIC 1 – CSM 2017 => Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms.

STEP 1 –
- Linkages between SDGs, and role of classrooms

STEP 2 –
1 Page per SDG

PAGE 1 – SDG 9
Paragraphs:
1. Industrially driven country requires schools to teach skills of innovation.
This is aligned with the SDG 9.
2. Limitations:
a. Limitations in current education system which hinder SDG 9
i. Low R&D Capacity
ii. Skill development
iii. Industrial-University Linkages
iv. Narrow curriculum
3. Solutions
a. Adapting to new/future technologies
b. Practical approach to learning
c. Skill India Mission

TOPIC 2 – Be the change that you want to see.

1. Individual – SDG 10 – INEQUALITIES

2. Family – SDG 1,2 – Zero hunger, poverty
3. Organise – SDG 12 – Sustainable consumption
4. Society – SDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth
 5. Nation – SDG 4 – Quality education
6. International – SDG 17 – Partnership for goals

TOPIC 3 – Visionary decision making happens at the intersection of intuition

and logic.
24/07/24

APPROACH 4 – SECTORAL APPROACH

TOPIC 1 – Materialism vs want lessness

DIMENSIONS
1. Architecture (Shah Jahan vs Aurangzeb)
2. Corporate Sector (Non-profit vs capitalism)
3. Education (Free quality education vs commodification of education)
4. Technology (Nuclear arsenals vs complete non-violence)
5. Energy
6. Agriculture

PAGE STRUCTURE
- Para 1 - on utopian idea of want lessness
- Para 2 – Chimera of materialism
- Para 3 – Achieving the Golden Mean (balance between want lessness and
materialism)

CONCLUSION POINTS
- The idea of want lessness is unreal and imaginary, and it is not ideal
either.
- Wants are what drive human beings.
- However, materialism is also a chimera, is consumes everything
important in its path.
- Therefore, it important to discover the madhyam marg between
materialism and selflessness.

TOPIC 2 – Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

SECTORS:
1. Ed-tech
2. Entertainment
3. Tourism
4. Legal
5. Manufacturing
6. Transport

PAGE STRUCTURE
1. Para 1 – how is simplicity the ultimate sophistication in each sector
2. Para 2 – limitations
3. Para 3 – Way forward
ESSAY WRITE SMART 1 – 26/07/24

APPROACH – PESTLE + 15

SUB-DIMENSIONS FOR SOCIAL DIMENSION

29/07/24 – ESSAY CLASS 6

APPROACH 5 – CATEGORIZATION

TOPIC 1 –
CSM 2018 – POVERTY ANYWHERE IS A THREAT TO PROSPERITY
ANYWHERE

CATEGORIES OF POVERTY
1. INTELLECTUAL
2. HEALTH
3. ECONOMIC
4. TECHNOLOGICAL
5. PSYCHOLOGICAL
6. INSTITUTIONAL
7. SKILL
8. INFRASTRUCTURAL
9. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
10. ETHICAL

These are not officially recognised terms. However, to inculcate diversity in

answers, we can enhance the broader meaning of a keyword like poverty.
Link each of these dimensions to prosperity

PAGE STRUCTURE
Para 1 – define specific type of poverty
Para 2 – how is this poverty a threat to prosperity
Para 3 – solutions

APPROACH 6 – CONTEMPORARY RELEVANCE

Use contemporary, burning issues in the essay.

TOPIC 1 – The time to repair the roof is when the Sun is shining.
Dimensions
1. Terror
 Regarding terrorist attacks, the time to resolve the issues is when the Sun
is shining.
2. Cryptocurrency
 The crypto boom began in the lockdown period in India. This means the
Sun is still shining.
 This is the best time to address the impediments in crypto and resolve
them.
3. Cybercrimes
 Ex: Microsoft CrowdStrike issue
4. Exam Scams
 NEET, CUET, UGC-NET scams are burning topics
5. Rule of Law
 Pune Porsche Case, Khedkar Scam
6. Climate Change
 The crux of the issue has started in the 21st century

TOPIC 2 – Crisis in India – moral or economic

Dimensions
Moral crises:
1. Big fat weddings
2. Bureaucratic issues
3. Election issues

Economic crises
1. Infrastructure
2. Urbanisation
3. Disaster management

Key aspects:
1. Rather than taking a stand, we should delve into how crises in India are
economic and moral in nature.

TOPIC 3 – Education is what remains after one has forgotten the learning from
school.

The contemporary relevance approach will not be applicable for this topic, as it
very difficult to come up with diverse and effective points.

IDEAL APPROACH => SDG based or Chronological based

SDG Points
Good health and well-being => schools teach us about disease, resistance, etc.
Education that remains would be mindful practices, yoga, etc.

Life on Land/Life on Water – schools teach us about environmental degradation,

biomagnification, eutrophication.
Education that remains is compassion towards all creature

02/08/24
TOPIC 1 – Our moral responsibility is not to stop the future, but to shape it.

SUBPARTS
1. What will happen if we stop the future
2. Why should we shape the future
3. How to shape the future
5. Limitations
6. Impact on world

APPROACH:
Wide range of approaches can be used
1. Categorisation
2. Contemporary
3. Sectoral
4. PESTEL
5. Chronological

SDG Approach is the only one which is a little difficult to accommodate.

TODAY’S APPROACH
Question-Answer Approach
- Break down the topic into multiple questions and answer each question
- Ideally 6 questions. 1.5 pages per question => 8 pages filled for body
- If you’re able to create more questions, then only 1 page per question is
required.

TOPIC 2 – Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite
team.

QUESTIONS
1. Why do we need an opposition to think
2. What are the forms of opposition
3. What if the opposition is too strong
4. Solutions
5. What if there is no opposition
6. What if there is no thinking

Forms of Opposition
1. Internal
2. External

TOPIC 3 – Fulfilment of new woman in India is a myth

QUESTIONS
1. Traditional vs New Woman?
2. What is currently being done to fulfil the new woman idea?
3. What are the issues?
4. What are the solutions?
5. What has the world done in this regard?
6. How will fulfilment affect women?
7. Why is it not a myth?

ESSAY 11 – 07/08/24
FINAL APPROACH = BLEND OF ALL APPROACHES
Ideally, one page = elements of one approach
TOPIC 1 => You cannot step into the same river twice.

Dimensions of Topic
1. Times are always changing
2. You should not and cannot repeat the same mistakes twice
3. Opportunities knock once

Cover all three dimensions with a different approach for each one.

DIMENSION 1 – Times are always changing, nothing is constant.

APPROACH => Contemporary Relevance Approach
POINTS:
1. Bangladesh Crisis (acceptance for reservation changed)
2. Russia-Ukraine (Ukraine is no longer weak, it has sustained the war)

DIMENSION 2 – You should not repeat mistakes

APPROACH => SDG Approach
POINTS
1. SDG 2 – Zero hunger => Mistake during the 2002 Darfur Crisis
2. SDG 13 – Climate action => excessive industrialisation post 1800
3. SDG 14, 15 => Mistakes of deforestation, oceanic pollution, etc.

DIMENSION 3 – Opportunities does not knock twice.

APPROACH => Vision 2030, Viksit Bharat 2047