Essay Instructions

Candidates will be required to write one or more Essay in English. A wide choice of topics will be given.

Candidates are expected to reflect comprehensive and research based knowledge on a selected topic. Candidate’s
articulation, expression and technical treatment of the style of English Essay writing will be examined.

English Essay Areas

1) Education: Policy options (National Education Policy, educational reforms, syllabus, exam system,
Medium/language issue etc. Co-education, Critical Evaluation, Purpose, Comparison of Pakistan with the
region.
2) Islam; Muslim Ummah vs West, Islam and Extremism, Islam and Peace, Muslim Ummah and OIC.
3) Socio Economic Crises:-
a. Natural Resources and Energy Crisis
b. Water Crisis
c. Food Crisis (Origin, Energy Profile, Solution, Reasons, effects and solution Kala Bag Dam and
other dams, Indian Dams)
d. Economic Crisis (World, Pakistan, Breakdown of economic terms, Policy options, Economic
Condition of Pakistan in All perspectives: Pakistan's economics problems, IMF, WB donations and
their terms and conditions, inflation, Poverty, Foreign Investment & New taxes.
e. Corruption & Accountability (International Scenario, Critical Evaluation of anti-corruption
organizations in Pakistan)
4) Crisis management: Disaster Management (Major disasters in world and Pakistan, Recent natural
disasters, Strategy to mitigate effects). Disaster Recovery Plan:- Flood , Earth quake, Terrorist attacks, Fire,
Mob aggressive attacks
5) Terrorism and Extremism:- Reasons, Causes, Psycho-socio-eco-politico effects, Solution. War against
terrorism and economic cost, Terrorism and Dialogue. From Global, Af-Pak and National perspectives and
a comprehensive strategy to curb it. Sectarian, Extremism and Ethnic Violence In Pakistan:-, Historical
Perspective, Effects, Remedial measures
6) Governance
a. Democracy:- Past, Present, Future & Failure, Suitability of democracy for Pakistan, Comparison
with dictatorial regimes (Dictatorship vs Democracy), Way Forward
b. Good Governance---:- Ideal Model, State of governance in Pakistan, Suggestions
c. National Integration:- Historical perspective, Current cleavages on various grounds, Role of
pressure groups, Way towards national integration.
7) Media :- Media and State, Media and Journalism Ethics, Media and Freedom of Speech, Media and its
power, Media Global National Role & Development, Media and Democracy, Yellow Journalism,
Consequences & Suggestions.
8) Environmental Issues: Global Warming and failure of whether forecasting, drastic changes in seasonal
patterns, Monsoon and floods, tsunami, Climate Change (Heat wave in Karachi, Role of major emitters,
Treaties
9) Pakistan
10) Science and Technology
11) UNO: Mission vs Action, Developed block and discriminatory trends, Past, Present and Future. Morever,
Different Essay topics regarding the organization from the past papers, Pakistan and UNO
12) Motivation: Discipline, Time management, success, spirituality, mind and heart
Past Paper Analysis

1) EDUCATION

2000= Education makes a people easy to lead, but difficult to drive, easy to govern, but impossible to enslave.
2002= Education ahs for its object the formation of character
2002= Need for serious planning in technical education in Pakistan.
2005= Reforms in Examination systems
2007= The present system of Education must assume some of responsibilities of our failure
2009= Co-education , Merits and Demerits
2012= A Critical Analysis of Education Systems in Pakistan
2013= Meaning and purpose of education
2014= There should be colleges and schools just for men/boys and some just for women/girls
HIGHER EDUCATION
2002= Higher Science Education in the developing countries.
2007= Higher Education as an agent of change
2014= Privatizing higher education-generating knowledge or making more money for the opulent.

2) ISLAM AND RELIGION

2004= Pluralistic vision of Islam.
2005= Islam versus the West
2007= The image of Islam in the western world and responsibilities of the Muslim Ummah
2008= Peace the essential message of our religion
1971= Art and Religion
1972= Relevance of Islam to Science
1973= Iqbal's Reinterpretation of Islam
1978= Religion and Science
1980= Islam and Democracy
1981= The Influence of Religion on Civilization
1982= Role of Zakat in Society Building
1983= Value of Faith in a Computerized World
1983= National Dynamism and Islamic Internationalism
1984= Islam as a Religion of Universal Love and Peace
1984= Pakistan and the Muslim World
1985= Example of the Holy Prophet Mohammad, Peace Be Upon Him, As a Perfect Human Being, Soldier and
Administrator
1985= Pakistan's Achievements Towards Islamisation
1987= Muslim Ummah at the Cross-Road
1987= Islam and Women
1991= Religious Toleration
1997= Muslim Perception of the West, And the Western Perception of Islam
1991= Pakistan as Leader of the Islamic World in 21st Century
1991= Renaissance in the Muslim World: Prospects and Perils
2004= Pluralistic Vision of Islam
2005= Islam Versus the West
2007= The Image of Islam in the Western World and Responsibilities of the Muslim Ummah
2008= Peace - The Essential Message of Our Religion
2009= Status of Women in Islam
2010= Religion Has Done More Harm Than Help to Human Relations in the World

3) SOCIO ECONOMIC PROBLEMS

ENERGY
1994= Energy: A Critical Factor in Pakistan's Economic Development
2003= Dilemma of the water and energy crisis in Pakistan.
2012= Energy Crisis in Pakistan: Causes and Consequences.
WATER
2000= We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.
POVERTY
2000= Progressive alleviation of poverty in Pakistan - an overview.
2005= Strategies for the alleviation of poverty.
2008= Moral depravity is the root cause of poverty.
CORRUPTION AND ACCOUNTABILITY
2010=Without independent Truth finding commission, accountability is unachievable

4) DISASTER MANAGEMENT
2011= Disaster management and government preparedness.

5) TERRORISM
2002= International Crisis in Terrorism.
2007= Terrorism as a new threat to the contemporary world
2009= Pakistan's War on terror and its impact on our psyche and politic-socio-economic fronts.
2010= Dialogue is the best course to combat terrorism.
2015=The War on terror has contributed to the growing abuse of human rights

6) DEMOCRACY and GOOD GOVERNANCE

2009= The Future of Democracy in Pakistan. .
2012= Democracy is a culture rather than a process.
GOOD GOVERNANCE
2000= Good governance and the role of the public servant.
2001= Public office is a public trust.
NATIONAL INTEGRATION
2001= National integration.
7) MEDIA
1971= The Art of Feature Films Made in Pakistan
1977= Our Movies and Our National Character
1978= Mass Media and Opinion Formation
1982= Role of Press in the Third World
1995= Press Freedom and Responsibility
1996= The Press and the Nation Rise and Fall Together
2009= Power of Media in the Modern World
2011= Truth Is a Rare Commodity Despite the Freedom Enjoyed by the Print and Electronic Media
2011= Without good communication skills, life becomes impossible in the modern world.
2012= The Emerging Power of Public Opinion
2013= Modern Day Communication Via Social Networks Puts an End of True and Sincere Relationships
2013= Free speech should have limitations.
2015=I disapprove what you say, but I defend to death your right to say
GLOBALIZATION
2007= Globalization and electronic media

8) GLOBAL WARMING
2006= Global Warming
2007= The future of mankind in a global warming perspective.
2008= Global Warming, fact or fiction?
9) PAKISTAN
1978= The Nuclear Power Programme in Pakistan
1994= Pakistan's Nuclear Program: Alternative Scenarios
2001= Devolution of power in Pakistan.
2002= World scenario in 21st century and Pakistan's Role in it.
2002= Austerity as a solution of all our economic problems.
2005= Socio-Economic Challenges faced by Pakistan.
2005= Foreign Direct Investment in Pakistan.
2009= The food crisis: problems, challenges and opportunities for Pakistan.
2009= English as the Medium of Education in Pakistan.
2010= Pakistan is rich in natural resources but very poor in their management.
2010= Why is there no status of the third gender in Pakistan?
2011= What Are the Hurdles in Our Way to Becoming a Truly Independent State?
2011= In this country reason does not apply to anything.

10) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1973= Solar Energy
1974= The Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy
1975= The Uses of Computers
1980= Impact of Science on Society
1983= Industrial Development and Environmental Pollution
1985= Past and Future Perspective of the Nuclear Disarmament Talks
1986= Nuclear Contamination - Is the Threat Real or Imaginary?
1986= We have entered the Computer Age. What are the dimensions and prospects of this modern technology?
1988= Machines and Emotions
1990= Science Without Conscience Is the Ruin of a People
1995= Universe Is the Light of Modern Scientific Discoveries
1997= Expanding Information Technology; A Curse Or Blessing?
1998= Danger of a Nuclear War in the Years to Come
1998= The Role of Science in the Next Century
1999= Is the World Ready for the Gene Age?
2000= Advancement in Science and Technology Is the Gateway to the Economic Prosperity of a Country
2006= Nuclear Weapon Are Not Only a Great Peril, But Also a Great Hope
2012= The Suffering Soul in the Scientific Age
2015= Luxury predecessors becomes the necessity of successors
2015= The introduction of new digital technologies has radically altered identities
2015= Govt Should eliminate subsidies and incentives for manufacturers and consumers of electric cars as they are
costly and do not do enough to protect environment
2015=Labor saving devices are more troublesome than they worth

11) UNO
2009= The future of UNO, hopes and hurdles
2010=The UNO has failed to measure up the demands of its charter
2012=The United Nations in the 21st century: Obligations and Limitations
12) MOTIVATION (DISCIPLINE)
2008=Time management is a key note of success
2008=Lack of discipline-a national disaster
2008=Materialism is the death of spirituality
2008=Dreams for future rely on the work of today
2011=without good communication skills, life becomes impossible in the modern world
2012=Brains, like hearts, go where they are appreciated
2013=Let me take care of today, tomorrow shall take care of itself
2015=When life throws you lemons make lemonade.
2015=Punctuality is virtue of bored
2015=Anticipation is often greater than realization

How to handle Essay Paper?

Well, many of you are quite worried about essay paper. We have here for you the technique of handling an Essay.
Before we start I would like you to take a deep breath and read this post slowly so as to understand everything
clearly. I would want you to put all the worries of your life behind. Everything’s gonna be all right, okay? Anyways,
there you go.

General Tips

Generally, essay depicts two things i.e. Knowledge and Mode of Expression. Now, by the end of you studying 10
subjects, you would have enough knowledge to appear in an essay. What really matters in an essay is its
“STRUCTURE”. Guys, fpsc examiners want to see if you have ‘FOLLOWED THE BASICS’ and given them what they
expect, this is what is known as discipline. Discipline is a prerequisite of essay writing. Discipline is, basically, when
you see the right person at the right place at the right time. Discipline is depicted in your structure. Well, we’ll get
back to part that later.

Technique of Starting With an Essay

Step 1: Topic Selection

The technique to select a topic is to read it, firstly, from UP to DOWN while grading the topic according to your
interest and knowledge e.g. A*, A, B etc. Secondly, you need to start reading the topics from DOWN to UP, again
doing the same thing. The reason behind doing this is as you start with the first topic your concentration level is
100%. As you move along, your concentration level decreases. So not to do injustice to your topic selection, you
need to repeat the process from downwards this time. Doing this will help you choose the right topic. Cool?

Step 2: Brainstorming
Once you have selected the topic, it is prime time for you to start brainstorming your topic. Now, I would like to
tell you that there are broadly two types of people in this world. The first type is known as LEFT-BRAINED who has
a calculated approach. That person goes by the rule in everything s/he does. The Second type is the RIGHT-
BRAINED who is quite creative and innovative in his approach. You’d be wondering why I would be telling you this
regarding essay writing.

Well, there are two ways of brainstorming. If you’re the Left-brained person you’d restrict your thoughts and
categorize them as they come in your mind. For example, if your essay is related to terrorism you may start
thinking firstly the causes, then the effects, and so and so forth. You would try to limit your thoughts. Whereas, if
you’re a Right-brained person, you’d let your ideas flow in a meaningless and category-less approach. This way, a
meaningless point may lead you to a very strong point if you put no limits to your thoughts. Once you’ve scribbled
all your ideas, then you may categorize them or code them.

Well, you may choose the approach that suits you, but personally, I would go with the latter.

Structure of an Essay

In this section we will be looking into the structure of an essay. This is how you need to attempt your essay in your
CSS exams. This is what discipline is all about that I mentioned earlier. To begin with, there are three parts of an
essay that are as follows;

1) Introduction: WILL; What we will Discuss

2) Body: AM; What I am discussing
3) Conclusion: Was; What I was discussing

Relation between Introduction and Conclusion

The Introduction is a mirror to a conclusion i.e. the conclusion is a mere restatement of an introduction. Whatever
your stance was in the Introduction part, it must be the same in your conclusion with a mere reshuffling of the
words or sequence.

The First Part of The Essay: Introduction

The Introduction has three parts.

1) Motivators/Brainwashing
a. This is to be your background indirectly coming to your topic
b. Should be General in nature, not specific
c. You may use a quotation, anecdote, Hadith, Ayat, recent news or historical event.
d. Attract the examiners attention (emotional trapping) in 4 to 5 lines.
2) Thesis Statement
a. One sentence opinion explaining your stance/ point of view
b. You CANNOT waver from your stance, stick to it till the end and defend it at all times.
c. It is the simplest and clearest sentence (no ambiguities)
d. It may be a risk for a few but you may use a blue marker to write down your thesis statement.
3) Sketch/Plan
a. Telling the sequence you’d be following.
b. It must depict connectivity and coherence.
c. It must be simply and clearly stated
 d. For instance, if you’re writing an essay on “My favorite Politician” Your introduction structure
may be as follows;
i. Motivators; The significance of politics and politicians
ii. Thesis Statement; Mr. ABC is my favorite politician.
iii. Plan; I will be discussing Mr. ABC’s sincerity, devotion, higher qualification, and courage.
e. Your plan tells the sequence of your body paragraphs.
f. The examiner may pick one random point from the list e.g. devotion and see if your second body
paragraph is about devotion or not. (Sequence matters a lot)

The Second Part of an Essay

The second part of your essay includes as your body Paragraphs. They may be 15 to 20 in number. It is imperative
to understand the technique of paragraph writing. All your paragraphs must be according to this technique. The
examiner may pick any paragraph to see if you’ve followed the technique or if you know what it is.

Paragraph Writing

Paragraph Writing just like essay writing has three parts. They are as follows;

1) Topic Sentence; WILL

a. It is the first single sentence.
b. It is the heading in a form of a sentence.
c. It must contain ONE MAIN Idea.
d. For example, if you’re writing an essay related to crime, and your first portion of paragraphs is on
‘causes of crimes’, then one of your paragraph may be on unemployment as a cause of crime.
Your topic sentence would be ‘ Unemployment is one of the causes behind crime’
2) Supporting Arguments/ Supporting Details; AM
a. This portion would have five to six lines while you’re justifying your topic sentence.
b. You may use logical reason, example or reference.
c. Even if you mention one example, that would be enough.
3) Concluding Sentence: WAS
a. A mere reflection of your topic sentence
b. Restatement of topic sentence

Coherence

Coherence is basically the flow that you have to maintain in your paragraphs as well as your whole essay. There are
mainly two types of coherence that are as follows;

1) Inter-paragraph Coherence; Between the first and the next paragraph

2) Intra-paragraph Coherence; Coherence within the paragraph

Coherence can be maintained with the help of Transitional words/Connectors such as therefore, however, firstly,
secondly, furthermore etc.

The Third Part of an Essay: Conclusion

While writing your conclusion, you must be very clear about your stance i.e. it must be the same as it was in your
introduction paragraph. It can range from five to six sentences. You must be like ‘What I was saying was right, I still
believe that I was right, I have proved above that I was right, and I am stating it again what I believe in’.
Furthermore, make sure that you finish your essay on a positive and optimistic note.

Some Misconceptions about Essay Writing

1) Quantity doesn’t matter. Quality does.

2) The Examiner needs to see your structure and knowledge i.e your own opinion expressed in clear and
simple English in a convincing manner.
3) Avoid using idiomatic verbosity or technical diction, nothing else can irritate the examiner more than this
so called stunt of yours.
4) The placement of your thesis statement and topic sentence must be correct. Give them what they want.
5) Try to improvise the knowledge you have gained from other subjects; relate your knowledge and extract
convincing arguments. You may come up with points from Islamic Studies or even General Science. Let
your creative juices flow.
6) Do not prepare pet essays. Essays are never asked on one topic, it is usually a relation between two or
more concepts.
7) Keep things simple, clear, and follow the basics.
8) Essay never decides your allocation so don’t try to impress the examiner, just try to pass. That’ll be a great
favor you’d be doing for yourself.

Well, a final word. I hope it helps you understand the basics of essay writings. Trust me, that’s all you need to know
and work on. You’ll be good to go. Thanks to our mentor for all the knowledge I was able to share with you today.
Do pass it on. Best of Luck everyone!

How to handle Précis Writing?

Here, I have for you a wonderful piece of advice from our highly honorable mentor regarding “Précis Writing”. I am
sure Précis Writing is a hard nut to crack for all the aspirants out there, but not anymore  I hope I do justice with
the transferring of the knowledge. Well, I try my level best. However, none of you is bound to follow this
technique. If you find it useful, great! If not, even better ;) I hope we all learn a lot. Enjoy!

Prerequisites of Précis Writing

1) Precision
2) Exactness
3) Coherence

General Tips

 Précis Writing is the first question of the subjective part.

 Follow the sequence of the English Composition and Précis paper, so the examiner knows that you don’t
lack self-confidence
 Spend almost 1 hour on this section
 Be confident
 The problems in précis writing are sometimes difficult vocabulary. Don’t Panic. There are two types of
meanings of difficult words.
o Lexical Meanings: exact meanings out of the dictionary
o Contextual Meanings: meaning of the word according to the context in which it is used.
  Contextual Meanings can be understood from the former sentence in which it is used or the latter.
( Remember: Word is not important, the position of the word is)
 Start practicing Precis from any Standard Punjab TextBook, and then later start Past Papers.

Step by Step Guidance

1) Read the passage for the first time slowly in order to grasp the overall idea. (Only 15-20% meaning will be
comprehended at this time)
2) In the second reading, highlight certain points. Points are divided into two categories;
a. ‘Are’s’: Facts and Figures (You cannot change them)
b. ‘Are nots’: Explanations and Details.

You are given 20 % permission to use words as they are, these are the facts and figures, Highlight
them! In a normal passage of 300 to 400 words, you will be able to find 8 or 10 or 12 points.

3) On a fresh page, write down a heading “Points for the Précis” and enlist all the points in YOUR OWN
WORDS in a chronological order.
4) On the next page, make a heading “Rough Draft”, with the help of Connectors/Transitional Phrases, write
down all the points you wrote on the previous page in a single whole paragraph.
5) Count the words of the original passage and the ones in your Rough Draft. Relaxation of 10 words is given
by the examiner so that you do not miss out the important points. (Do not try to be over-efficient and
avail this opportunity)
6) Start editing your Rough draft and apply one word substitution or other techniques where applicable.
7) On a fresh Page, make a heading “Neat Draft”. Write down the material left after editing your Rough
Draft. You need to write down your Neat Draft within 105-110 words(if the Original Passage is 300 words,
follow the 1/3rd Rule)
8) Using a Black Marker, write down “Words in the Original Passage=300 words” on a separate line. On the
next, write down “Required Number of Words=100 words”. On the next, “Words in the Precis=108” (This
is just a Sample)
9) “Title Giving” can be done by either giving “Points of The Precis” a read and come up with a title, or figure
it out through the Topic Sentence, which is either written in the first sentence or the concluding one. The
former method is more reliable.
10) How to write down the Title?
a. In a phrase: “Unemployment is one of the reasons behind Crime”
b. Like the Topic of an Essay
c. Like This: Unemployment: a cause behind crime (Most effective)
11) Go back to the portion where you wrote “Points of the Precis” and “Rough Draft” and put a cross using a
Black Marker. The whole point of this exercise is to make the examiner see that you have followed a
proper structure while attempting précis. S/He’ll be impressed.

Cheers!