Always make an outline for an Essay. ALWAYS!!
I remember when I started my preparation, I would always ask my mentor about the tips and techniques to write. He would of course tell me, and I would take a mental note of everything. But when my curiosity didn’t match my efforts, because I was just asking and not writing enough pages a day, he got tired and asked me if I was really interested in passing this exam. 😑
I told him I would turn every stone to do it. I’d already gone from pillar to post, begging people to teach me things that I didn’t know. I met novices, half-gurus, gurus and seasonal voluntary teachers as well, just like I am these days. 😄
To cut the story short, I asked him to tell me one thing that would bring a drastic change to my overall writing habit because despite having good grip over grammar, moderate vocabulary (which was enough, by the way) and powerful ideas, I was unable to write. Sometimes, my pen would stuck at the first word of the opening sentence for many minutes. I would scratch my head but nothing would come out of it.
But, my mentor solved the issue, and he had only one thing to tell me because he was already exhausted. Like a meditating old monk, he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, raised his right hand and said these golden words. “MAKE AN OUTLINE, MY CHILD.”
And it was nothing short of Nirvana.
At that time, quite frankly, it didn’t impress me. I thought I knew this already, that had nothing new to offer. But when he emphasised on it and took almost half an hour to explain how it’s important, and that’s when I realised he wasn’t a monk, I started making it a habit. I’ll just tell you a few benefits of making an outline here.
1. You got the ideas, you have vocab, and your grammar is good. But still you can’t write. Its okay, not a big problem. Make an outline. It will organise your thoughts and help you plan your sentences ahead.
2. You got content, but when you start writing, you include irrelevant points? I understand. Make an outline. It will help you stay focused and precise. An outline will not allow you to deviate from the main idea.
3. You have a lot of information, but you can’t put it on paper. MAKE AN OUTLINE. That’s the only way to overcome your fear and doubts. Give it a try. It will prompt you into writing.
4. You don’t have ideas and that’s why you can’t write. Right? WRONG!!! You have the ideas you need, you just don’t know. Making an outline will help you generate ideas and bring clarity in your thought process.
5. Making an outline will reassure the checker that you have included all the major points and that you have written only relevant things. Impressed, he/she will give you decent marks generously.
Should you make an outline in Essay only?
No. Make an outline in every paper, except GSA and Précis & Composition. Baqi har paper k, har question ki, fair ya rough hi sahi, outline zarur banayen. Although, fair outline at the beginning of each answer will be a nice idea.
If you’re still a beginner and have just started writing single or two-three paragraphs, still make an outline to allow yourself some clarity and planning.
It’s my personal experience. I can’t stress it enough but make it a habit and thank me later.
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| Always make an outline for an Essay. ALWAYS!! |