Hello guys

I just gave my interview for CSS 2006 and i would like to share my experience of preparing for Essay paper. It is for those who are aspiring to clear CSS.

I think essay writing is a very difficult task. It may not sound very difficult but trust me, it is. In CSS, the only paper that you should fear is that of Essay.

I think the first and foremost important factor in essay writing is that of the topic that you attempt. It's always better to know your strenghts and weaknesses before going for a topic. Myself, being equipped with the statistics and an overall picture of our economy attempted 'Foriegn Direct Investment in Pakistan' this year. I could have opted for 'Global warming' because i had read an extensive article on the said topic. But i didnt. Reason being, an article doesnt give you enough information to write a three hour essay.

The point that i am trying to make is that, only go for that topic that you think you have complete command over. An article or two for that matter arn't enough. My brother, who also cleared CSS 2006, attempted 'At times you have to set aside your principles'. Now this topic may seem too literary for some but he went for it and cleared it. Why? because he is good at literary topics. I, myself, couldnt have written more than two pages on this axiom, or whatever that is.

For those who find my suggestions a bit confusing and for those who don't know their strenghts and weaknesses, i recommend that they should read the daily Business page and weekly Business op-ed in dawn. This would arm them with enough analytical overview of Pakistani economy that they shouldn't find the economics related essays difficult. I think this is one of the safest bets to clear the essay paper because every year we get an essay related topic. It may vary from year to year but it, for sure, will be related to our economy.

Hand in hand, you should set aside an hour, every day, for Essay writing. An hour is enough (that is, if you have at least six months left in your exams. If not, try spending more time). Select any topic at random and start writing.
This brings us to the introduction. The introduction may vary from essay to essay. In my introduction to FDI in Pak, i started off with the globalization, then onto free movement of goods, services, people and capital and so on. Now this introduction doesnt explain the crux of my essay. What it does is that, it slowly builds up the case for FDI in Pak. I favor this method because you dont have to spend too much time over your words and sentences.

The Intro, body and conclusion of your essay must be synchronized. That is, the first must directly lead the reader to the second and then onto the third. Neither the intro nor the conclusion has to be bombastic; the simpler the better.

I had many things to add to this post but i seem to have forgotten some.
I hope it is of some help

Good luck