Each individual has a unique method for preparing for CSS examinations. Typically, CSS aspirants find guidelines to follow but end up adopting the method that best suits them. This occurs naturally. The English Essay is one of the few subjects for which it is impossible to prepare on your own, regardless of your academic background. This is because English Essay requires practice, and those practice essays must be reviewed by another person. The outsider who reviews the essays provides insight that an individual cannot attain alone.
Consequently, a crucial step in preparing English Essays for the CSS examinations is to locate a reliable and qualified individual who can proofread the essays and provide constructive feedback. This will facilitate the student’s development, which is the ultimate objective. If someone proofreads their own essays, there will be little room for improvement because they will evaluate their work based on their own knowledge and expertise, to which only an outsider can add.
To begin preparation for the English Essay, it is necessary to conduct a self-evaluation, which can be conducted with the assistance of an outsider. Before beginning preparation, one must assess their command of the English language; if they do not know the difference between “then” and “than,” there is no point in beginning the essay itself. The individual must improve their elementary-level grammar and vocabulary.
It is unnecessary to use English with excessive eloquence. The purpose of the English Essay examination is not to impress the examiner with one’s vocabulary, but rather with one’s intellectual knowledge, capacity for critical thinking, persuasive style, and logical reasoning. English is merely the medium through which these mental abilities are communicated.
According to the most recent report published by the FPSC in 2017, 81 percent of those who took the English Essay exam failed because they presented random ideas, arguments devoid of logic or fact, and lacked creativity and structure. This demonstrates that for English Essay, one does not need an unheard-of level of English proficiency; rather, one must be able to communicate their ideas and present logical arguments.
Unfortunately, many students within the Pakistani educational system rely on rote memorization for their essays. A CSS student must learn how to develop arguments based on facts and logical reasoning while maintaining creativity and adhering to proper structure guidelines. And for this, practice is required!
First and foremost, one must understand how to interpret the exam topics. They must comprehend precisely what the examiner is requesting so that when they write their essay, the content and arguments are pertinent to the topic. In this regard, it is essential not only to interpret the topic as a whole but also to identify keywords. Additionally, one must be able to differentiate between “and” and “or.” They have entirely different meanings and influence the essay’s organization.
The student must also understand how to create an outline. They must choose and adhere to one method. Learning too many types of outlines can be confusing and result in a structure that is incoherent and illogical. Some instructors even claim that the outline is worth 20% of the total grade for the English Essay paper. Even if one does not believe this to be true, he or she must adhere to a policy of prudence, especially considering that learning how to create an outline does not require much effort.
The following step is to learn the basic essay structure, which consists of an introduction, body, and conclusion. Each is written so differently that even if the paragraphs of an essay are jumbled, the introduction and conclusion can be distinguished. They are, in some ways, the most important parts of an essay.
The thesis statement is the most important element of an introduction; without it, not only is the introduction incomplete but so is the entire essay. It is the foundation upon which the essay stands. The thesis statement is the final sentence of the introduction and clarifies the author’s position and highlights the essay’s primary arguments. Therefore, it serves as a mini-summary of the essay and provides the examiner with a sense of what to expect.
Similarly, there is a specific structure for paragraphs within the body and a method for writing the conclusion that must be learned. To pass, one must learn all of these rules and guidelines in order to write a well-defined and structured essay. Evidently, these have nothing to do with the English language; rather, they are technical aspects of essay writing that people tend to overlook.
Lastly, it goes without saying that one must possess a mental repository of facts to bolster their arguments. They may include anything from statistics to daily observations. Without facts or logical conclusions, an argument is considered to be without merit. The purpose of the essay’s arguments is to persuade the examiner of one’s point of view; without supporting evidence, the arguments are meaningless.
The National Officer’s Academy (NOA academy) provides multiple English courses. The first is a 30-day English Foundation course designed for individuals who need to strengthen their foundation and fundamentals. The next 30-day course is Advanced English Grammar and Writing, which aims to further develop students’ skills and teach them how to write at higher levels. The third course is English Essay and Composition, a 45-day course designed specifically for competitive English examinations.
