What is looked for?

• Subject knowledge

• Clarity of thought

• Flow of ideas

• Examples

• Facts

• Correct usage of grammar

• Correct usage of words

• A neat hand-writing

How should you write?

• Always write in paragraphs

• It’s not a natural but learned skill

• Different paragraphs express different ideas that contribute to the main idea

• A paragraph should ideally contain :

(i) Topic Sentence: it is the 1st sentence expressing the main idea of the paragraph- Say what you are going to say

(ii) Supporting Sentences: they expand the main idea expressed in the topic sentence- Say it

(iii) Concluding Sentence: rounding off what has been said or a logical conclusion of the idea in the topic sentence- Say it again!!!

How should you write?

• Follow a flow of paragraphs

• Always let the first paragraph be an introduction to the subject matter

• Expansion/ support/ refutation of the idea must follow in subsequent paragraphs

• The last paragraph must have a conclusion of the main idea

• There could be two forms of writing- Deductive and Inductive

• You should have good knowledge of the topic to write about

• Read the directions carefully

• Recognize action words- discuss, evaluate, argue, comment etc.

• Focus on the issue rather than peripheries

• Choose words with precise meanings; avoid ambiguity

• Do not use Jargon

• Do not use Slang

• Do not use Cliché

• Do not use Abbreviations

• Do not use Quotations without acknowledgments

• Make tentative statements; avoid definitive statements- it leaves a scope for further discussion

How to prepare?

• Regular reading of:-

(i) Newspaper editorials

(ii) News papers

(iii) News websites

(iv) Non-fiction

• Discussions with friends and family

• Informational thinking

Topics XAT from past essays

• Gender Imbalance would lead to Third World War- XAT 2008

• Economic growth without environmental damage – a mirage or a reality. –XAT 2007

• ‘India has one of the largest pools of talented manpower, but few innovations and patented products.’ –XAT 2006

• More than one billion Indians: A gigantic problem or a sea of opportunities –XAT 2005

• Asked at the age of 83, as to which of his project would he choose as his master piece, Frank Lloyd Wright, the architect answered, “The next one” –XAT 2004

• To give real service, one needs to add something that cannot be bought or measured, like sincerity and integrity. –XAT 2003.

Source: Written by experts of CL on Career Launcher’s CAT Blog. If you want to know more then go CL’s Blog.

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