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Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team.
Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic.
Not all who wander are lost.
Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane.
Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands – two equally harmful disciplines.
Mathematics is the music of reason.
A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity.
Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.

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Essay Paper UPSC 2023 (Mains) Question Paper and Analysis

Last updated on September 27, 2023 by ClearIAS Team

UPSC conducted the Civil Service Mains exam for essay paper on 15 September 2023.

The CSE mains essay paper comprises two sections. Each section contains 4 essay topics. Out of which 2 topics of choice from each section need to be picked.

Candidates were supposed to answer about 1000-1200 words for each essay.

Table of Contents

UPSC CSE Essay Paper 2023 Instructions

General instructions mentioned on the essay paper, that need to be followed by every aspirant are provided here.

Total Marks: 250 marks, Time duration: 3 hours.
The essay must be written in the medium authorized in the admission certificate which must be stated clearly on the cover of this question-cum-answer (QCA) booklet in the space provided.
No marks will be given for answers written in a medium other than the authorized one.
Word limit, as specified, should be adhered to.
Any page or portion of the page left blank, must be struck off clearly.

Essay Question Paper: UPSC Civil Services Main Exam (Written) 2023

The question paper of the UPSC CSE mains essay paper is provided here.

Write two essays, choosing one topic from each of the following Sections A and B, in about 1000-1200 words each:

1: Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team.

2: Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic.

3: Not all who wander are lost.

4: Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane.

5: Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands- two equally harmful disciplines.

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6: Mathematics is the music of reasons.

7: A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity.

8: Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.

UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2023: Exam Analysis

The essay topics for the UPSC Civil Services Main Exam in 2023 were intellectually demanding and philosophical in nature.

They required candidates to engage in deep critical thinking and present their thoughts logically.

All the questions in this year’s paper aimed at assessing the candidates’ ability to handle abstract concepts and express their ideas effectively in a structured manner.

This year’s essay topics look like that UPSC has taken inspiration from a wide range of sources, including philosophical and literary works.

Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team

This topic seems to revolve around the idea that critical thinking often emerges in response to opposing viewpoints or challenges.

Candidates may have been asked to explore how the clash of ideas leads to innovation and progress.

Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic.

This famous saying belongs to Paul O’Brien.

This statement likely prompted candidates to discuss the balance between intuition and rationality in making important decisions.

It encourages a reflection on the role of both factors in effective leadership and problem-solving

Not all who wander are lost

This saying belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring.

The topic expected from candidates to think about how exploring and being spontaneous in life’s journey can be really good.

It’s a deep topic that can be understood in many different ways.

Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane

This essay topic appears to emphasize the idea that creativity is not limited to rare moments of inspiration but can be found in everyday experiences.

It probably asked people to think about where creativity comes from and how we can express it in our daily lives.

Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands- two equally harmful disciplines

This is the saying of Simone de Beauvoir

Simone de Beauvoir was a prominent French existentialist philosopher and feminist thinker. She made significant contributions to feminist philosophy through her work, including “The Second Sex,” where she discussed the concept of “The Other” and examined the role of societal expectations in shaping women’s lives.

The quote by Simone de Beauvoir presented the idea that both girls and boys or individuals of different genders, often face distinct but equally harmful forms of societal pressures and constraints.

It suggests that expectations placed on girls (referred to as “restrictions”) and boys (referred to as “demands”) can be damaging and limit their potential.

Mathematics is the music of reasons

The complete saying of James Joseph Sylvester is that mathematics is the music of reason. May not music be described as the mathematics of the sense, mathematics as music of the reason? The musician feels mathematics, the mathematician thinks music: music the dream, mathematics the working life.”

This statement suggests a poetic connection between mathematics and music. Candidates likely had to discuss the beauty and logic inherent in mathematics and its role in shaping our understanding of the world.

A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity

This topic seems to touch upon the ideas of social justice and charity, which have been discussed by philosophers like John Rawls and the concept of the “veil of ignorance.”

Candidates may have been asked to explore the relationship between justice, equality, and philanthropy in society.

Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school

Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school – Albert Einstein .

This essay topic likely demands from candidates to reflect on the value of education beyond rote memorization.

It may have expect discussion on the practical application of knowledge and lifelong learning.

What Should Aspirants Preparing for UPSC CSE for Next Year do for an essay paper?

Taking the essay paper in the UPSC exam seriously is important. This paper requires you to write 10-12 pages about abstract or philosophical topics, which can be challenging if you’re not well-prepared.

To succeed in this exam and perform well in the essay paper, you should work on improving your comprehension and analytical skills. To get additional guidance you can join the ClearIAS essay writing program as well.

One helpful way to prepare is by reading various types of essays, especially philosophical ones. Pay special attention to the ideas of famous philosophers like Immanuel Kant, Thomas Aquinas, John Locke, Friedrich Nietzsche, Karl Marx, and others.

Practice writing essays based on famous quotes, as this is a common format in UPSC exams.

Additionally, be ready to write essays on a wide range of topics, including society, politics, the economy, and technology. UPSC asks such types of questions too.

Keep in mind that there isn’t a fixed pattern for UPSC questions. Analyze previous year’s question papers to get valuable insight. So, focus on understanding the way UPSC frames questions rather than expecting a consistent trend.

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CSS English Essay Past Paper 2023

February 1, 2023
CSS Past Papers 2023

Here, you will find the CSS English Essay Past Paper 2023. You can view or download this CSS CSS English Essay Paper 2023 . The English Essay paper of CSS was held on 01-02-2023.

See the CSS English Essays and Topics here.

Get CSS English Essay Paper 2023

Following Essay Topics are given in this CSS 2023 Essay Exam.

Q1. Instruction in youth is like engraving in stone.

Q2. The one who uses force is afraid of reasoning.

Q3. Not all recycling projects are cost-effective.

Q4. The fool speaks, and the wise listen.

Q5. A friend walks in when everyone else walks out.

Q6. Online learning is not only convenient but often more effective than traditional classroom instruction.

Q7. To encourage healthy eating, higher taxes should be imposed on soft drinks and junk food.

Q8. People have become overly dependent on technology.

Q9. Both parents should assume equal responsibility in raising a child.

Q10. Boys will be boys.

View the CSS English Essay Paper 2023

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UPSC Essay Paper 2023 Analysis, Check PDF Download Link

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has administered the CSE Mains 2023 Essay Paper on September 15. Download PDF and Check the UPSC Essay Paper 2023 Analysis of question here.

Table of Contents

UPSC Essay Paper 2023 Analysis

The UPSC Essay Paper is an important component that evaluates candidates’ knowledge as well as their ability to clearly and simply express concepts. This analysis explores the subtleties of this exam section, revealing trends, approaches, and ideas for future civil employees. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducted the IAS Mains 2023 Essay Paper on September 15, 2023. Check here UPSC Essay Paper 2023 detailed analysis below with proper model answers.

UPSC Essay Paper 2023 PDF

The Essay Paper of UPSC Mains 2023 is available in PDF format. The exam was successfully administered by UPSC at Forenoon on September 15, 2023. 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, session. The UPSC Essay Paper is of 250 Marks. Candidates can check the UPSC Essay Paper 2023 PDF Link below

UPSC Essay Paper 2023 Questions

The questions asked in the UPSC Essay paper 2023 have been mentioned below:

Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team.
Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic.
Not all who wander are lost
Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane
Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands – two equally harmful disciplines
Mathematics is the music of reason
A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity
Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in the school

UPSC Essay Paper 2023 Section A

Check here 4 questions of a UPSC Essay Paper 2023 Section A.

UPSC Essay Paper 2023 Section B

Check here 4 questions of a UPSC Essay Paper 2023 Section B.

UPSC Essay Paper 2023 Detailed Discussion Question-wise

Check the Question-Wise detailed discussion on UPSC Essay Paper 2023 below:

1. Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team.

Approach :

Thinking as a human nature.
Features of thinking as a GAME – connecting thinking to a game.
Game is based on competition.
Various dimensions to connect

Thesis – Thinking (like a game) begins with a competition (it can be opposite views, adversary conditions/Challenges.

Philosophical basis : Hegels idea of dialectics.

Meaning/Context:

Thinking in simple terms is a problem-solving activity.
pondering or reflecting on something.
Analysing and evaluating options
Goal-directed behaviour.
From choosing a dress to wear to solving a mathematical problem, all activities involve thinking.

Historical Examples:

Ancient : To protect from animal attacks and other dangers , humans started to live in bands–thats the basis of community/society.
Modern: Masses of Indian -sub-continent as a united against the oppressive policies of the British in the National Movement.

Examples from Different Dimensions

Individual : In day to day life of individual, its the competition that drives our thinking from simple decisions like chosing a dress to major decisions like deciding on the careers.
Societal : Ex: Social reforms in Hindu society were initiated through Arya Samaj due to the fear of westernisation and threat of conversions.
Political : Fear of opposition from rival political parties in the Parliament checks the misuse of power by the incumbent government. (or) Presence of multiple political parties and their debates during the election campaigns ignites the thinking of the common man towards the major issues.
Ex: Presence of multiple competitors in the telecom sector resulted in faster adoption of 4g technology in India.
Governance : Competitive fedaralism by NITI Aayog giving best outputs,
Environmental : Modern Environmentalism started due to the opposition to industrial revolution.
International Relations : Countries’ goal to become superpower makes them to adher to the principles of peace.
Other examples – Covid, globalization

Anti-Thesis : Thinking does not always require Competition to begin.

Thinking can also happen by chance without any goal –For ex: it can happen through curiosity–Example: Newtons’ discovery of gravity, Human discovery of fire etc.
Destructive thinking: Hitler

2. Visionary decision making happen at the intersection of intuition and logic

Decision making in everyday life – basis of human survival. E.g. Evolution of Humans from apes and role of decision making
Role of Intuition in decision making ( Navigating Ambiguity, Intuition is a source of creativity, as are innovation, Making social and interpersonal decisions, Risk assessment: Personal Values and Ethics )
Logic as assistance in decision making ( Identifying Relevant Information, Analyzing Options, Consistency, Problem Solving)
Requirement of both intuition and logic for visionary decision.
How to develop intuition and logic and balance them for visionary decision making.

Thesis: Visionary decision possible at intersection.

Examples and Arguments:

Innovation and creativity – Steve Jobs’ visionary choice to create the iPhone – result of his creative vision and intuition about what consumers needed.
Financial innovations in the form of UPI – logic made it difficult as financial transactions were already happening, but intuitive ness about its adoption was the major factor for its success.
Risk-taking: Elon Musk’s visionary choice to use SpaceX – intuition about the significance of extraterrestrial colonisation drove him to take the risk despite logic’s assertions to the contrary.
Long-Term Perspective: Mahatma Gandhi had a brilliant idea to use nonviolent resistance – while logic might have suggested a more combative strategy, his gut feeling about the long-term advantages of nonviolence and unity resulted in a historic change.
Human and societal factors: requires knowledge of societal dynamics, human behaviour, and values. E.g. A doctor may have logical medical data but also needs to consider the patient’s emotional state and unique circumstances .
Transcending Conventions: Visionary choices go against accepted beliefs and norms. Nelson Mandela’s visionary choice to seek out forgiveness and reconciliation in South Africa after the end of apartheid.

More examples –

Watson and Crick’s Discovery of DNA’s Structure.
Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin.
Alfred Wegener’s intuition about continents drifting led to the plate tectonics theory and logic through dscoveries of fossils.
Charles Darwin’s intuition about natural selection and the evolution of species led to his groundbreaking work, “On the Origin of Species.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt – The New Deal: FDR’s intuition led him to understand the desperation and suffering caused by the Great Depression. The New Deal was a well-thought-out set of policies aimed at reviving the economy through public works projects, banking reforms, and social programs.

Anti Thesis: Why intuition and logic alone are not sufficient to achieve it.

Challenges and Pitfalls: Potential challenges of relying too heavily on intuition or logic in visionary decision making.

Over Reliance on logic: Nokia’s Missed Smartphone Revolution – Over Reliance on logic can lead to a reluctance to embrace disruptive innovations. Fall of Kodak cameras.
Over Reliance on intuition: Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of Theranos, had a vision to revolutionize blood testing. Holmes ignored red flags and critical feedback, ultimately undermining the company’s credibility . Also – 2008 economic crisis, NASA’s Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986 was partially attributed to a decision made based on intuition
Importance of self-awareness in decision-makers: Balancing intuition and logic is crucial in visionary decision-making. Self-awareness is the key to achieving this balance.

How to develop intuition and logic and balancing them for visionary decision making:

Cultivate Intuition: Self-Reflection, Trust Your Gut, Embrace Creativity, Mindfulness and Meditation etc.
Develop Logical Thinking: Analytical Exercises, Data Analysis, Scenario Planning
Balancing Intuition and Logic: Collaborate, Feedback Loops, Continuous Learning

Conclusion: Visionary decision-making resulted from the harmonious interplay of intuition and logic. Intuition provided the overarching purpose and direction, while logic offered the means to translate those visionary goals into practical, achievable outcomes. – “Intuition alone can be a powerful guiding force, but logic is the tool that transforms vision into reality.”

3. Not all who wander are lost

Introduction with anecdote
Arguments on essence of wandering – Integrating examples
Counter viewpoints
Pre-conclusion – Administrative dimension – Need of balancing wandering with clarity of purpose

Introduction – Story of Siddhartha Gautama/ Columbus’ quest of exploring the unknown

The topic reflects the idea that those who may appear lost or aimless may, in fact, be on a heroic quest . This perspective challenges preconceived notions and encourages us to look beyond appearances.

Essence of Wandering

Leads to exploration – Societal level, Individual introspection (Linking this with introductory story of Gautam Buddha)
Personal growth and self-discovery (Introspection leads to critical thinking, we understand why one behaves in a certain way). Example – Philosophy of Tao
Quest for knowledge (Such deep wandering into the psyche of oneself and others may lead to gaining significant knowledge). Ex – Ferdinand Magellan discovery of the nature of Earth surface.
Creativity and innovation (Insights and knowledge acquired through wandering may lead to creativity and innovation) Thomas Alva Edison
Breaking free from conformity (Innovation/Creativity will challenge deep seated stereotypes and prejudices and in turn lead to breaking the conformity bias)
Struggling for change/reform – Cuba cost effective health care and education despite being wandering with revolutions and system of government

Embracing uncertainty/Resisting the fear of unknown

It suggests that not having a fixed destination can be liberating, allowing us to adapt to the unexpected and be open to new experiences. This is particularly relevant in a rapidly changing world where flexibility and adaptability are highly valued.

Movements for social justice – LGBTQIA+, Environment, Women Empowerment, Caste equality movements.

Counter viewpoint

Survivorship bias

Bias for those who do not get lost after wandering – but what about those who have / will lose after wandering?

Potential for Wasted Time :

Wandering without a purpose or goal can lead to a significant amount of time and resources being spent without tangible results.
In certain contexts, such as education or career planning, meandering aimlessly may result in missed opportunities or delayed achievements.

Risk of Disconnection

Individuals who prioritise aimless exploration over obligations to family, work, or community may find themselves isolated or struggling to meet their obligations.

Pre conclusion remarks – Linkage with Indian administration –

How wandering in the realm of bureaucratic rigidities led to the loss of purpose (welfare state). However, the decision to explore the path of “Digital world” has made governance citizen-centric. Balancing the wandering/exploration with clarity of purpose is paramount to achieve the dreams of AMRIT KAAL.

“Not all who wander are lost” invites us to navigate the complexities of life with an open heart and a curious mind, to embrace uncertainty and spontaneity, and to recognize that even those who appear to be wandering aimlessly may be on profound journeys of self-discovery and growth. It is an intellectual call to balance the pursuit of goals and the pursuit of wisdom, acknowledging that both are valuable and, at times, intertwined in the tapestry of human existence.

4. Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane

Idea of creativity and basis for inspiration
Creativity thrives when we uncover the extraordinary within the ordinary—finding magic in the mundane.
This drives innovation across art, science, and technology, spurring personal growth, solving everyday problems, and shaping history.
It serves as a catalyst for progress and enriches the human experience.

Anecdote for Introduction

Walking on the sand – taking a stroll on a beach, same sand – Silicon – semiconductors , Uranium – nuclear weapons/energy.

Thesis: Creativity is the spark that ignites our imagination, enabling us to see the extraordinary in the ordinary. What fuels this inexhaustible well of creativity?

It is the ability to see the extraordinary within the ordinary, to find the magical in the mundane.

It reminds us that the world is full of wonder waiting to be discovered, even in the most ordinary of circumstances.

Dimensions:

Art and Aesthetics

Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night.”

Artists take commonplace objects, scenes, and emotions and elevate them to the realm of the extraordinary.

Startups and small businesses
Companies like Uber and Airbnb turned everyday tasks like transportation and lodging into magical, on-demand experiences, revolutionizing their respective sectors.
The “Dabbawalas” of Mumbai , who efficiently deliver home-cooked lunches to workers across the city.
Science and Innovation
Think of Isaac Newton’s observation of an apple falling from a tree, which led to his groundbreaking insights into gravity.
Consider Iphones ( Steve Jobs) , initially designed for communication but now integral to our lives, connecting us to an expansive digital world.
Economy/Finance
UPI Payments – brining financial revolution – from McDonalds to Street vendors
Energy Security
Renewable energy – like Solar – tapping the potential of Sun
Biofuels – driving vehicles with cleaner, simple fuels
Administrative Innovation : Bureaucrats using simple /mundane solutions for fixing societal issues.
Armstrong Palme – People’s Road
Operation Sulaimani – Prashant Nair – ‘’Compassionate Kozhikode’ – hunger and food security
Problem Solving/ Challenges

Consider a chef in a bustling restaurant kitchen. They take ordinary ingredients—flour, water, and yeast—and transform them into the magical delight of freshly baked bread.

On a personal level, seeking the magical in the mundane is a pathway to self-discovery and personal growth. The daily routines and tasks of life may seem routine, but they can be opportunities for mindfulness and reflection.

Antithesis /Alternate Perspective

AI usage – killing creativity – only some will use AI for creativity but for the majority, creativity will get killed.
Specific class of intellectuals – Gramsci’s Manufacturing Consent
Circumstances for thinking – societal norms controlling mind – reducing innovation

Conclusion:

Embracing the idea that inspiration can be found in everyday experiences is crucial for fostering innovation and ensuring a brighter, more imaginative future.
As we navigate the complexities of our ever-changing world, let us remember that even the most ordinary of things can hold the spark of creativity and the potential for magic.
The magic is not just out there; it’s within us, waiting to be uncovered in the world around us.

5. Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands – two equally harmful disciplines

Introduction

Breaking down the first part- Girls are weighed down by restrictions
Breaking down the second part – Boys are weighed down with demands
Why such a scenario
Multidimensional Impact of these harmful disciplines – Family level, society, nation, Political, economical, etc.
Are these two disciplines equally harmful?

Countering these harmful disciplines

India, a nation heralded for its rich cultural heritage and a history spanning millennia , is also a place where gender disparities have endured for generations.
The intricate web of expectations placed upon girls, often characterised by social, familial, and cultural restrictions, can inhibit their aspirations, education, and personal freedoms.
Simultaneously, boys face the weight of societal demands that prescribe specific notions of masculinity, often emphasising stoicism, competitiveness, and emotional restraint

Girls are weighed down by restrictions

Traditional gender roles and expectations may dictate that girls should prioritise domestic responsibilities over personal aspirations, conform to rigid standards of beauty and behaviour , and shy away from traditionally male-dominated fields.
Emotional: Cannot express anger /aggressiveness–only love, empathy, care etc. are acceptable.
Family and Marriage: Patriarchy; Restrictions on choosing life partner; child birth etc.
Career: Restrictions on taking up professions like Mechanical Engineering , Combat role in Army etc. ( Gender ceiling ; Pink collared jobs etc.)
Economy: Restrictions/ non-inclusion /no independence in major financial decisions.
Consequences : These restrictions can stifle their ambitions, self-expression, and personal growth.

Boys with demands

Boys often grapple with societal demands that pressure them to conform to notions of masculinity that may not align with their authentic selves.
Emotional : Boys are not supposed to cry even in bitter conditions.
Clothes : Colours and style as set up the society Ex: Pink is almost not acceptable
Physical : Physical Strength
Relationship : Not to show equality towards spouse
Marriage: Taking Dowry
Career : Towards Engineering, Army, Police etc.
Economy: To bear the financial burden of the entire family
Culture: To carry out the legacy of family
Consequences : These demands may include suppressing emotions, pursuing aggressive behaviours, and demonstrating dominance. The pressure to meet these demands can lead to emotional repression, mental health issues, and a perpetuation of harmful stereotypes about masculinity.

Why? – Social norms, Perpetuation of stereotypes through social interactions, misinterpretation of religious texts, popular culture, cinema, etc.

Impact of these two harmful disciplines:

Limiting Personal Growth
Impeding social progress – Not conducive for national development
Non inclusive society

Are the two disciplines equally harmful or not?

Arguments in favour
Reinforces Gender stereotypes – limits individual freedom and self expression
Adversely impacts emotional well being .
Perpetuates gender inequality and disturbs social peace–Men Vs. Women debate will continue.
Limits life choices thereby repressing personal autonomy and Individual freedom
Arguments against
Biological limitations: Physical strength is a natural fact. Therefore, such limitations may not be harmful for certain segments.
Cultural limitations: To preserve the culture to bind together the families through division of work and responsibilities.
Societal Limitations: Society is not yet matured enough to accept breaking the gender roles and stereotypes.
Infrastructural Limitations: Ex: Lack of Toilets and other necessary infrastructure for women is an issue to recruit women in combat roles in the army.
More harmful to girls than boys as boys through demands at least get opportunities. However such opportunities are denied to girls due to restrictions.

Breaking barriers and building the nation – Countering the two harmful disciplines.

Conclusion:

There are examples of women breaking their restrictions. Ex- Kiran Bedi
Matrelinial societies build on breaking restrictions.
Husbands also contributing in breaking limitations. Ex – division of house work.

6. Mathematics is the ‘music of reason’

Similarity between Maths and Music
Linkage between Maths and Reason
Why Maths is considered as the ‘Music of Reason’
Way Ahead – Steps which can be taken to build Passion for Maths among young people

Similarity between Maths and Music

Similar to Music, to do mathematics is to engage in an act of

Discovery of Pythagorous
Ex Srinivisa Ramanujan contribution to pure mathematics, without any formal knowledge, which led to many discoveries.
His last notebooks just before his death caused excitement among Mathmaticians
Aryabhatta discovery of zero
to be in a state of confusion— Do not know what your creation can lead to
Newton contributions in calculus, technology of telescope etc and how it helped in Modern Physics
Recent research, in which Math models were used to gain new insight on how breast cancer metastasizes.
to be frustrated as an artist;
to be awed and overwhelmed by an almost painful beauty; to be alive, damn it.”

Linkage b/w Maths and Reason

Mathematics is often described as a discipline rooted in pure reason. While it is influenced by empirical observations and practical applications, it is ultimately built on a foundation of abstract reasoning and logical deduction.

Reason why Mathematics is considered the ‘Music of Reason’

Requires Passion

Continuous pursuit of Knowledge

Can lead to collaborations for greater good

Inculcates logical Thinking and Reason

Results in creation which stand the test of time

Provides Harmony in patterns – music of reason because it emphasized beauty of patterns, symmetry and harmony.
Mathematical concepts underpin various technological advancement.
Mathematical equation and concepts reveal the inherent order in the Universe.
Transcends cultural and linguistic barriers → Universal language Understood by scientist, engineering and Finance
International collaboration in the above field takes place.
Cultivates Problem solving skills and logical thinking → Helps tackle real world problems.
Cultivates Reason → Valuable in decision making
Forms the basis of artificial intelligence, cryptography and data science etc.
Ancient times – Jantar Mantar,
Add examples –
Economic Significance → Role played by Maths in economics finance, resource allocation etc.
for example calculus is used to determine the rate of speed required for the spaceship to successfully reach space from the Earth.
India’s achievements in space exploration, especially Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), Chandrayaan 3 mission which was celebrated for its cost-effectiveness and precision in trajectory calculations, demonstrating the role of mathematics in space endeavours.
Educational and Skill development → Provides Individuals with analytical skills and problem solving → example of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) will help develop future professionals.
Interdisciplinary Connections: Intersects with various other disciplines such as Computer Science, economics and Social Science. Thus, helps with Interdisciplinary research to provide Innovative solutions to the problems

Way Ahead – Change in culture to make Maths be seen as an artistic pursuit

Talk about why Maths should be taken as an intellectually engaged, artistic pursuits.
Take Maths as a a tool for collaboration (Similar to Music where artists collaborate example of collaboration in field of Space), persistence (similar to music work towards persistently finding new algorithms etc.), growth mindset (offer praise, nurturing the passion for Maths among student), Make students love Maths (stop the culture of hating Maths etc.)

7. A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity

Meaning/Context : A just society is one that strives to eliminate the root causes of inequality and suffering , thereby reducing the need for charitable assistance.
Idea of Justice
Historical dimension
Interplay of Justice and Charity through multiple layers of society
Significance of charity in today’s society

Historical Dimension

Concept of charity started when social justice took a backseat with caste and gender divisions–charity in fact shows the inequalities in society (where rich are able to donate to poor).

Different Dimensions of Society

Ex: Stephen Hawking’s disability did not let him to depend on charity.
Community : Historically Disadvantaged sections of Indian society like SC/STs- were ensured with social justice through affirmative action in the constitution.
Subnational level : Hilly and tribal regions are provided with special provisions in the constitution. (Fifth and Six Schedule )
Social Justice has no room for freebies in elections , farm loan waivers etc.
World : Inclusion of African Union to G20–African nations need no charity but chances for opportunities for growth.

Significance of Charity in Current Times

Historical injustices have perpetuated inequalities in the society in the form of caste class, gender , religion etc.— constitution ensures social justice to these sections– but it will take a long time to correct these (even though progress has been significant) -hence charity (from individuals. Corporates and institutions) provide support to the desired sections of population to a certain extent.
Global North vs Global South
Impact of Climate Change – Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR)
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – balancing profits with the social needs.

Conclusion : The ultimate goal of society is to reduce the need for charity.

8. Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in the school

Meaning of Education and significance for humans.
Role of learning: Learning is a process which results in a more or less permanent modification of behaviour as a result of practice or experience.
Distinguish between education and schooling/learning → Only positive or desirable learning contributes to the process of education while negative or undesirable learning is not considered a part of education.
The Importance of Lifelong Learning and how education inculcates this.

Meaning/Context

Education has different contextual meaning – the economist would see education as a commodity in which it is profitable for the community to invest. Sociologists would tell people that education is a socializing force, Education as a Spiritual Pursuit: According to the Upanishads, “Education is that whose end product is salvation”
Nevertheless, education is there in all of the above and each one is linked to the process of education, yet it lies above all these.
It is believed that education should prepare individuals for active participation in a democratic society.

Historical Dimension

Education is derived from – “Educare”, which refers to “to bring up’ or “to nourish”.
In India, the concept of education is traced back to the “Gurukula Parampara” which developed in ancient times.

Distinguish between education and schooling/learning

Value system/ wisdom comes from experience while learning teaches academic knowledge and information. Example – only after seeing pain, death and suffering Siddhartha became Buddha.
True education extends beyond memorization and tests, leaving a lasting imprint on an individual’s character, values, and ability to navigate the complexities of life. E.g. NEP fosters foundational learning away from rote learning.
Education exposes individuals to diverse cultures, histories, and perspectives, nurturing cultural and social awareness. This understanding promotes tolerance, inclusivity, and the ability to thrive in a globalized world.

The success of renowned entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, who dropped out of college, highlights how the problem-solving skills and innovative thinking acquired in their educational journey laid the foundation for their groundbreaking careers.

The Importance of Lifelong Learning and how education inculcates this?

Adaptation to Change : In a rapidly changing world.
Personal Growth : Lifelong learning fosters personal growth and self-improvement.
Career Advancement : Lifelong learners are often more competitive in the job market.
Problem Solving : Lifelong learning enhances critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Cognitive Health : Continuous learning helps maintain cognitive health and may delay cognitive decline associated with aging.
Increased Confidence : Acquiring new knowledge and skills boosts self-confidence and self-esteem.
Enhanced Communication : Lifelong learning can improve communication skills, including written and verbal communication.
Social Engagement : Lifelong learners often engage in social activities related to their interests, fostering connections and a sense of belonging within communities of learners.
Innovation and Creativity : Exposure to diverse ideas and experiences through lifelong learning can inspire innovation and creativity.

Way Forward: John Dewey’s 7 principles: Experiential Learning, Child-Centered Education , Learning by Doing, Integration of Subjects, Democratic Education, Continuous Learning, Problem-Centered Curriculum, Social Interaction.

Conclusion: Aristotle advocated for a balanced education that included the cultivation of moral virtues, intellectual virtues, and practical skills. In essence, education endures as a beacon that guides individuals throughout their lives, illuminating the path toward personal growth, societal progress, and the betterment of humanity as a whole.

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UPSC Essay Paper 2023 Analysis FAQs

What are the rules for writing essay in upsc.

Candidates have to select a topic from each section and write about it in 1,000 to 2,000 words within the given time of three hours.

How to score good marks in essay UPSC?

Here are a few tips to help you achieve this score: - Understand the essay topic: Read the topic carefully and analyze its various dimensions. Develop a clear understanding of what the essay demands. - Plan your essay: Spend some time brainstorming and organizing your thoughts before you start writing.

Do essay questions repeat in UPSC?

Yes, UPSC does repeat its previous year's questions in the Prelims exam.

Can essay be written in bullet points?

Yes. There is no hard and fast rule; that being said, if this is for a course assignment, I would be careful about it. Some instructors might consider bullet points too informal for an essay.

What is a decent score in essay UPSC?

As the essay paper is out of 250, marks which are above 50% can be considered good, ie. 125. Marks between 110-125 is considered as average.

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UPSC Mains 2023 Essay Question Paper - Download PDF

The UPSC Mains exam commenced on 15 September 2023. It started with the UPSC Essay paper. It is an important paper and counts for 250 marks in total in the UPSC Mains exam. In this article, you can download the UPSC Mains essay paper PDF. There are a total of nine papers in the IAS mains exam. On the first day, i.e., 15 September, only one paper, the UPSC Mains essay paper was conducted. Candidates can go through the UPSC calendar for a detailed schedule of the UPSC mains 2023 exam.

UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2023

The UPSC essay paper was held at 9 AM on 15 September. You can download the UPSC essay paper 2023 from the link below.

UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2023 – Question Paper Download Download PDF Here

UPSC Mains 2023 Essay Paper Topics

Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team.
Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic.
Not all who wander are lost.
Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane.
Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands – two equally harmful disciplines.
Mathematics is the music of reason.
A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity.
Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school

Download the other UPSC 2023 Mains question papers in the link.

UPSC Essay Paper Pattern

The UPSC Essay paper segment consists of two sections A and B.
Both sections have about four questions each.
The candidates have to choose one topic from each section, thus having to answer 2 essay questions in total.
The word limit for each question is to be within the range of 1000-1200 words.
The marks for each question is 125, thus the total allotted marks are 250.
The paper will be included for merit ranking and is not just for qualifying purposes.
The candidates are expected to keep close to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion and to write concisely. To understand how to approach the essay paper and the topics to be focused on during preparation, check the link here .

Candidates can download the UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2022 in the linked article.

For more information about the UPSC essay paper and preparation strategy, check the links below.

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UPSC Essay Paper Analysis 2023, Important Questions Asked, PDF

UPSC Essay Paper Analysis: The UPSC Essay Paper analysis sheds light on the trends, challenges, and strategies that shape the essay-writing dimension of India's prestigious Civil Services Examination.

UPSC Essay Paper Analysis 2023

UPSC Essay Paper Analysis 2023: The Union Public Service Commission is prepared to administer the Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2023 on September 15 and over the course of five days, including September 16, 17, 23, and 24, 2023, at multiple examination centers. This exam will consist of two sessions: one in the morning and another in the afternoon.

Candidates who lack clear photographs on their e-admit cards must bring a passport-sized photograph for each session, along with an Undertaking. It’s important to note that if a candidate appears at a different center, sub-center, or chooses an optional subject or Indian language other than what’s specified on their e-Admit Card, their answer scripts will not be evaluated, and their candidature may be canceled.

UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2023 Analysis

On the first day of the UPSC Civil Services Mains 2023 exam, which is September 15, 2023, the Commission will conduct Paper-I Essay examination during the morning shift, while there will be no paper held in the afternoon shift. Examinees are advised to arrive at the examination hall 30 minutes before the scheduled start time for each session, and entry to the Examination Hall will close 10 minutes before the commencement of each session.

Here are some important guidelines for the UPSC Civil Services Mains 2023 exam:

1. You can use Scientific (Non-Programmable type) Calculators, if necessary, which candidates may bring with them. However, programmable type calculators are not allowed in this examination.

2. The possession or use of Mobile Phones and other Electronics or Communication devices is strictly prohibited at the examination premises. Any violation of these rules will result in disciplinary action, including a ban from future examinations.

3. It is advisable not to bring valuable or costly items to the Examination Halls as their safekeeping cannot be guaranteed, and the Commission will not be held responsible for any losses.

4. Candidates should bring a black ballpoint pen to the Examination Hall for making entries in the attendance list.

5. All candidates are required to adhere to COVID-19 norms, including social distancing and personal hygiene, while inside the Examination Halls/Rooms and within the examination venue premises.

Candidates must remember to carry their admit cards to the exam center, as this document is crucial for verification and entry into the examination venue. For additional information, please refer to the official UPSC website.

UPSC Essay Question Paper 2023 – Section A

UPSC Essay Paper 2023 – Section B

UPSC Essay Paper 2023 PDF

UPSC Mains Essay Paper Analysis – First Reaction By UPSC Aspirants

UPSC Essay Paper Analysis by PWOnlyIAS

UPSC Essay Paper Analysis: UPSC Essay Paper is a crucial component that not only assesses candidates’ knowledge but also their ability to articulate ideas concisely and effectively. This analysis delves into the nuances of this examination segment, uncovering trends, strategies, and insights for aspiring civil servants.

On September 16, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducted the first paper of CSE Mains 2022, which was the Essay Paper. This year in 2023, the UPSC Mains Paper is going to take place from 15th September 2023.

Watch the YouTube video of UPSC Essay Paper Analysis by PWOnlyIAS:

Instructions for UPSC Essay Paper Analysis 2022

Total Marks: 250 marks
Time duration: 3 hours
The essay must be written in the medium authorized in the admission certificate, clearly stated on the cover of the question-cum-answer (QCA) booklet.
No marks will be given for answers written in a medium other than the authorized one.
Adherence to the specified word limit is required.
Any blank page or portion must be struck off clearly.
Candidates are required to write two essays, choosing one topic from each of the following Sections A and B, with a word limit of approximately 1000-1200 words each.

UPSC Essay Analysis 2023

There has been a trend of increased philosophical essays in recent years, and this year’s benchmark was higher than in previous years.
The philosophical nature of the questions made them challenging for many candidates.
Writing 1000 words on each topic within the time constraints was not easy.
UPSC ensured that the essay topics differed significantly from the General Studies (GS) questions.
Rather than asking candidates to write on familiar topics, UPSC assessed essay writing skills by providing abstract or philosophical topics.
This year, most of the themes were proverbs or famous quotes.
All eight topics tested applicants’ spontaneous thinking, understanding, writing, and time management.
The topics required broad interpretation.

UPSC Essay Paper 2022 Analysis

Poetic language as a tool to re-institute order in human society.
Getting out of one’s comfort zone.
Do the right things at the right time.
You won’t get the exact time/experience twice.
Importance of a smile.
Theme related to choices and decision-making.

Importance of the UPSC Essay Paper Analysis

The essay paper serves as a window for examiners to assess the thought process, viewpoints on critical matters, clarity in thinking, ability to explain ideas concisely and effectively, coherence, and the ability to organize ideas in an orderly fashion of aspirants. It evaluates if a candidate possesses the traits required of a potential civil servant, making it a crucial component of the UPSC examination.

Common Misconceptions About UPSC Essay Paper Analysis

No preparation required: Some candidates believe that GS and optional knowledge are sufficient. However, the essay paper assesses more than just content.
Championing English: Using technical jargon and vocabulary is not necessary. Simpler language is often better.
Similarity with language paper essay: The essay paper is distinct from language paper essays, focusing on evaluating the traits of a potential civil servant.
Difficulty in preparation: Preparation for the essay paper is possible, and improvement is achievable with the right strategy.
Source of preparation: General studies and optional preparation provide content, but reading non-fiction, collecting anecdotes, stories, quotes, facts, and figures, and referring to magazines, newspapers, and essay transcripts of previous year toppers are valuable for preparation.

How to Prepare for the UPSC Essay Paper

Read essay transcripts of previous year toppers to understand what constitutes a well-written essay.
Maintain a separate notebook for collecting material from various sources, including quotations, facts, anecdotes, and government schemes.
Prepare material on general topics that have been asked in previous exams.
Emphasize understanding the topic and its various dimensions.
Read different kinds of essays, particularly philosophical essays.
Practice previous year essay papers under exam conditions and seek feedback.

UPSC Essay Paper Analysis Approach for Writing

Have a clear plan for essay paper attempt, including time management.
Choose the right topic and interpret it correctly.
Prepare a skeleton for the essay, including introduction, body, and conclusion.
Structure the essay with clear, simple language, short sentences, proper subheadings, and smooth transitions.
Avoid one-sided arguments, excessive focus on one dimension, and criticism of the government.
Do not use bullets, diagrams, figures, or charts; essays should be in continuous paragraph format.

The essay paper in UPSC CSE is often overlooked, but it plays a significant role in scoring well in the examination. Proper preparation and a strategic approach can lead to substantial improvements in essay scores, giving candidates an advantage in the highly competitive civil services examination.

UPSC Essay Important Topics

here are some important and recurring themes that candidates should be prepared for:

Gender equality
Women’s empowerment
Education and literacy
Poverty and inequality
Social justice
Economic growth and development
Inclusive growth
Agriculture and rural development
Industrialization
Employment and unemployment
Democracy and its challenges
Electoral reforms
Role of media in democracy
Political polarization
Federalism and center-state relations
Climate change and its impact
Conservation of natural resources
Pollution and its effects
Biodiversity and wildlife conservation
Sustainable development
Role of technology in governance
Space exploration
Information technology and its challenges
Artificial intelligence and ethics
Biotechnology and its applications
India’s foreign policy
Indo-Pacific strategy
International relations and global conflicts
Terrorism and its global implications
Regional cooperation and integration
Cultural diversity in India
Heritage and conservation
India’s freedom struggle
Ancient civilizations and their relevance today
Ethics in governance
Moral dilemmas in public service
Integrity and accountability
Role of ethics in international relations
Values in a changing world
Public health infrastructure
COVID-19 pandemic and lessons learned
Healthcare reforms
Access to healthcare services
Education policies and reforms
Skill development and employment
Online education and its challenges
Quality of education

Remember that in the UPSC essay paper, you have to choose one out of several essay topics provided in the exam, and you have to write an essay of around 1000-1200 words. The key is to demonstrate your ability to provide a structured and balanced argument, cite relevant examples, and express your ideas clearly and coherently.

UPSC Essay Examples

Here are a few examples of essay topics that might be relevant for the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) examination, along with brief outlines of how you could approach them. Remember that UPSC essays often require a balanced and comprehensive analysis, so these outlines are just starting points:

Introduction: Briefly introduce the concept of climate change and its global significance.
Causes of Climate Change: Discuss factors like greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and industrialization.
Impact on India: Explore how climate change affects India’s agriculture, water resources, coastal regions, and health.
Government Initiatives: Mention policies and initiatives taken by the Indian government to address climate change.
Conclusion: Summarize the importance of addressing climate change and the role India can play in mitigating its effects.
Introduction: Define women empowerment and its significance in a diverse country like India.
Historical Perspective: Discuss the status of women in India throughout history.
Challenges Faced: Analyze the socio-cultural and economic challenges that hinder women’s empowerment.
Government Initiatives: Highlight government programs like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Women Entrepreneurship schemes.
Role of Education: Discuss the role of education in empowering women.
Conclusion: Emphasize the need for continued efforts to empower women and the benefits it brings to society.
Introduction: Introduce the Digital India campaign and its objectives.
Achievements: Discuss the progress made in areas like e-governance, digital infrastructure, and digital literacy.
Challenges: Analyze the challenges faced in achieving digital inclusivity and cybersecurity.
Socio-economic Impact: Explore how digitalization has impacted various sectors, such as healthcare, education, and finance.
Future Prospects: Discuss the potential of Digital India in transforming India’s economy and governance.
Conclusion: Summarize the significance of digitalization for India’s development.
Introduction: Define the concept of nation-building and its importance.
Youth as Agents of Change: Discuss how the youth can contribute to nation-building through education, entrepreneurship, and social activism.
Challenges Faced by Youth: Analyze the hurdles faced by young people, such as unemployment and lack of opportunities.
Government Initiatives: Highlight government schemes aimed at youth development and employment.
Conclusion: Emphasize the pivotal role that the youth play in shaping the future of the nation.
Introduction: Present an overview of the healthcare scenario in rural India.
Challenges: Discuss issues like inadequate healthcare infrastructure, lack of access, and low healthcare awareness.
Government Initiatives: Explore government programs like Ayushman Bharat and the National Rural Health Mission.
Role of Technology: Highlight the role of telemedicine and mobile health clinics in addressing rural healthcare challenges.
Conclusion: Summarize the need for continued efforts to improve healthcare in rural India.

These are just a few examples of essay topics that you might encounter in the UPSC examination. Remember to approach each essay with a structured format, providing a balanced view and supporting your arguments with facts, data, and examples. Additionally, practice writing essays regularly to improve your skills and time management.

UPSC Essay Paper Analysis FAQs

How essay is evaluated in upsc, what is a decent score in essay upsc, how to score 150 in essay upsc, how to score good marks in essay upsc.

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UPSC Essay Topics - Important Essay Topics for UPSC Mains 2023

By vajiram & ravi.

Essay Course for UPSC

UPSC CSE Mains 2023 Essay Question Paper

UPSC Mains Optional Test Series

Mentorship Program for UPSC 2024

Understanding UPSC Essay Topics holds significant importance as it evaluates the candidate's ability to analyse, present arguments, and communicate effectively. In this article, we will explore the diverse range of UPSC essay topics, their significance, and essential tips to excel in this section. Get ready to enhance your writing and analytical skills and make a strong impression on the evaluators with well-crafted essays.

UPSC Essay Paper

The Essay paper in the UPSC Mains examination requires candidates to write multiple essays , each on a different topic, chosen from a given list of options. The essay topics for UPSC cover a wide range of issues, including social, economic, political, cultural, and philosophical aspects, both national and international.

The essay paper holds significant weightage in the UPSC Mains examination, contributing 250 marks out of the total 1750 marks . Scoring well in this section can have a considerable impact on the overall ranking and selection for the coveted civil services.

Weekly UPSC Essay Topics By Vajiram & Ravi

The UPSC Essay Paper is an opportunity for candidates to demonstrate their proficiency in expressing ideas and analysing complex issues. Vajiram & Ravi Pensive-Weekly Essay Writing Programme provides you with two Essay Topics every Saturday based on the previous year's question papers and the changing trends analysis. You can submit your Essay for peer evaluation on vajiramandravi.com. This will help you nourish your writing skills, give you clarity of thought, and build the capacity to express opinions in a logical and coherent manner.

Important Essay Topics for UPSC 2023

The purpose of the essay paper is to assess the candidate's ability to critically analyse a topic, present well-structured arguments, and communicate their ideas effectively. It also evaluates their knowledge of various issues, their clarity of thought, and their capacity to express opinions in a logical and coherent manner.

Some of the Important Essay Topics to prepare for the UPSC Mains Examination 2023 are:

Gender Equality
Environment/Urbanization
Economic Growth
Federalism/Decentralization
Agriculture
Economics

UPSC Essay Topics on Philosophy

Every year, UPSC typically provides you with two or more essay topics centred around philosophical thoughts, Indian philosophical schools, or quotes from notable personalities. To effectively address these philosophical topics, you should refer to Philosophy Books to gain a foundational understanding. Here is a list of UPSC Essay Topics on Philosophy :

Everything comes to him, who hustles while he waits.
We are always blind as we want to be.
You cannot step twice in the same river.
A disciplined mind brings happiness.
The price of Greatness is Responsibility.
People would rather Believe than Know.
Mind - A beautiful Servant? Or a dangerous Master?

UPSC Essay Topics on Art and Culture

The UPSC Essay Topics related to Indian society, art, and culture cover a wide range of subjects, offering great diversity. To gain knowledge about the static content on these topics, you should rely on fundamental books on society, as recommended for the exam. Here is a list of UPSC Essay Topics on Indian Art and Culture :

Culture changes with economic development.
Culture is what we are, Civilization is what we have.
Social reform is a myth if places of worship are open only to all castes and not to all genders.
Impact of Globalization on Indian Art and Culture.
Caste System - India’s Enduring Curse.
Godmen - A Threat to Indian Art and Culture?

UPSC Essay Topics on Science and Technology

UPSC essay topics on Science and Technology can largely be addressed through current affairs. You may also benefit from consulting a Science and Technology Book for UPSC to compose a comprehensive and well-rounded essay. Here are some UPSC Essay Topics on Science and Technology:

Deglobalisation is good for the world.
Science is organised Knowledge. Wisdom is Organised life.
Technology is a Weapon against Poverty.
Prioritising Education Technology for Global Growth.
Technology is the silent factor in International Relations.
Scientific and Technological Progress cannot be equated with Human Progress.

UPSC Essay Topics on Education

Education stands as one of the preferred UPSC Essay Topics, with an essay related to this subject often appearing in the paper each year. To tackle this topic effectively, you should stay abreast of Current Affairs , incorporating significant changes and advancements in the field. Let's explore some of the Essay topics for UPSC centred around education:

Self Education is a lifelong curiosity.
Education Breeds Peace.
Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.
Education must also train one for quick, resolute and effective thinking.
Schooling is not Education.

UPSC Essay Topics on Polity and Governance

To comprehensively address Polity and Governance topics, you should acquire fundamental knowledge from Polity Books for UPSC and Current Affairs. These resources offer static information about relevant issues and their historical context, which proves valuable while writing UPSC Essay Topics on Polity. Here are some Essay Topics on Polity and Governance:

The Role of Politics in Development.
Should Youth in India Consider Politics as a Career?
Art, Freedom and Creativity will change society faster than politics.
The politics of Identity is the Politics of the Weak.
People should not be afraid of their Government. The Government should be afraid of its people.
Government Surveillance - Good or Bad?

UPSC Essay Topics on Economy

Essays concerning economic growth are frequently included in the Essay Paper. To tackle these topics effectively, you should refer to Economy Notes for UPSC to gain a comprehensive understanding. Once the fundamentals are grasped, you can enhance their essays by incorporating examples, data, and statistics to create a multidimensional perspective. Here is a list of UPSC Essay Topics on Economy:

We don't have to sacrifice a Strong Economy for a Healthy Environment.
India, a $5 trillion Economy - Dream or Reality?
Digital Economy: A leveller or a source of Economic Inequality?
Innovation is the key determinant of social welfare and economic growth.
Labour Reforms in India and its Role in Economic Growth.

UPSC Essay Topics on Social Issues

Social issues are a significant aspect of the UPSC essay paper, reflecting the candidates' understanding of societal challenges and their ability to propose viable solutions. These essays provide a platform for candidates to analyse, critique, and suggest measures for pressing social concerns. Topics related to social issues in the UPSC Essay paper may include:

Inclusivity and Plurality are the hallmarks of a Peaceful Society.
A Gender-sensitive Indian Society is a prerequisite for Women and Child Empowerment.
The weaker sections of Indian Society - are their Rights and Access to Justice getting Better?

Previous Year UPSC Essay Topics

Practising previous year's essay topics will help you become familiar with the UPSC exam pattern , word limit, and the types of essay questions frequently asked in the Mains Examination. Analysing past essay topics will also allow you to identify recurring themes and trends, enabling you to prioritise their preparation accordingly. Regular practice with past essay topics will instil confidence in you, helping you feel more comfortable and prepared for the actual exam.

Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence.
Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.
History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man.
A ship in the harbour is safe, but that is not what a ship is for.
The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.
A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities.
Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right.

Tips to Excel in UPSC Essay Paper

Understand the Topics: Thoroughly comprehend the essay topics, including the keywords and instructions. Choose a topic that aligns with your strengths and interests.
Plan and Structure: Devote some time to plan your essay. Create an outline and organise your thoughts in a structured manner, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
Be Objective: Present balanced arguments and avoid a biased or one-sided approach. Consider multiple perspectives and present a holistic view.
Provide Examples and Evidence: Support your arguments with relevant examples, data, quotes and evidence to strengthen your essay.
Maintain Clarity: Write in a clear and concise manner. Use simple language and avoid jargon or overly complex vocabulary.
Practice Regularly: Regular practice is essential to improve Essay writing skills. Write essays on diverse topics to enhance your versatility.
Time Management: Allocate appropriate time for planning, writing, and revising each essay to manage time effectively during the examination.
Revise and Edit: Review your essays for coherence, grammar, and structure. Make necessary edits to refine your work.

FAQs on UPSC Essay Topics

What are the important UPSC Essay Topics?

Here is a list of UPSC Essay Topics asked in Mains Examination previously:

Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
What is research but a blind date with knowledge?
Best for an individual is not necessarily best for society.
Wisdom finds truth.
Ships don’t sink because of water around them, ships sink because of water that gets into them.
Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality.
Technology as the silent factor in international relations.

How do I Prepare for the UPSC Essay?

To prepare for the UPSC essay, focus on understanding the essay syllabus and past topics to identify recurring themes. Regularly practise writing essays on various topics to improve your writing skills and time management. Structure your essays with a clear introduction, main body, and conclusion.

Which is the best source to practise UPSC Essay Topics?

The best sources to prepare Essay for UPSC include official UPSC materials, newspapers, and magazines like The Hindu, Yojana , and Kurukshetra for current affairs, standard books on diverse subjects, government reports and publications, online platforms like PIB and PRS India, UPSC previous year papers for understanding the exam pattern, and regular practice of essay writing on various topics.

FREE interesting essay topics FOR STUDENTS

essay topics | Screenshot 2021 08 25 at 19 58 00 Top 25 Essay topics for 2021 — Literacy Ideas | Top 25 Essay Topics for 2024 | literacyideas.com

FOR STUDENTS NEEDING A VISUAL PROMPT TO WRITE A GREAT ESSAY

essay topics | Screenshot 2021 08 25 at 20 03 42 FREE essay writing prompts for students — Innovative Teaching Ideas Teaching Resources | Top 25 Essay Topics for 2024 | literacyideas.com

ESSAY TOPICS YOUR STUDENTS WILL LOVE TO WRITE ABOUT

Zoos are sometimes seen as necessary but not poor alternatives to a natural environment. Discuss some of the arguments for and/or against keeping animals in zoos.
Imagine that your teacher wants to teach a new subject for the next few weeks. Your teacher will take suggestions, and then let the students vote on the new subject. What subject should your class choose? Write an essay to support your choice and to persuade the other students to vote for your choice.
Are actors and professional athletes paid too much?
Should teachers have to wear uniforms or have a dress code?
Since the invention of nuclear weapons we have had a long period of GLOBAL peace and stability. Are nuclear weapons global peacemakers or killing devices?
Should boys and girls be in separate classes?
Is the death penalty effective?
To what extent is the use of animals in scientific research acceptable?
What age is appropriate for dating?
Pretend you woke up one day and there were no rules. People could suddenly do whatever they wanted! Explain what the world would be like. Use your imagination!
Should student’s textbooks be replaced by notebook computers?
Should students be allowed to have cell phones in elementary and high schools?
Should wealthy nations be required to share their wealth among poorer nations?
Should money be spent on space exploration?
Is fashion important?
Are we too dependent on computers?
If you had the opportunity to bring any person — past or present, fictional or nonfictional — to a place that is special to you (your hometown or country, a favorite location, etc.), who would you bring and why? Tell us what you would share with that person
Most high level jobs are done by men. Should the government encourage a certain percentage of these jobs to be reserved for women?
Should students be allowed to grade their teachers?
In your opinion what factors contribute to a good movie?
The destruction of the world’s forests is inevitable as our need for land and food grows. Do you agree?
Many parents give their children certain chores or tasks to do at home. Should children have to do chores or tasks at home? Be sure to explain why you think it is a good idea or a bad idea. Include examples to support your reasons.
Should the voting age be lowered to thirteen?
Should the government place a tax on junk food and fatty snacks?
Should more be done to protect and preserve endangered animals?

How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay

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10 Essays To Read Again in 2023

A list of our staff’s favorite essays from the past year.

Hello, New Lines readers,

We hope you’re enjoying a much-needed holiday break. We have a lot in store for 2023, particularly the launch of our print edition. In the meantime, as has become tradition, we wanted to share with you a list of our staff’s favorite essays from the past year. We hope you’ll find something of interest in this eclectic collection of stories.

Wishing you a Happy New Year from the New Lines team!

The Day My Wartime Cat Went Missing, by Rasha Elass

Riada asimovic akyol, strategic initiatives editor.

Many of my close friends tell me that, despite my irrational fear of cats, I’d be a perfect “cat person,” once I dared to confront those fears. I’ve acknowledged the joy and glow in their eyes, when my friends speak of their pets. I’ve observed such bonds curiously and in a more mindful way in the last few years, especially after becoming a mother, responsible for someone else’s life.

The essay “The Day My Wartime Cat Went Missing” was published early in 2022, and was an instant classic. Our Editorial Director, Rasha Elass, writes masterfully about her adventures with adopted cats Pumpkin and Gremlin, whom she first met in Abu Dhabi. She beautifully depicts how they survived a tough war, and the different challenges they’ve been through in the Middle East and the United States. She shares her genuine love and nurturing care, as well as her dread at the possibility of losing them, whether in peacetime or war.

The essay is a gorgeous reminder of the bonds that matter. Check it out for yourself.

How I Survived a Syrian Gulag, by Jaber Baker

Rasha al aqeedi, middle east deputy editor.

The terms “dictatorship,” “fascism,” “authoritarianism” and “totalitarianism” are thrown around today to describe various ruling systems in the world to such an extent that they have lost their actual meaning. Inconveniences such as losing access to a social media platform are compared to the conditions that led to the Holocaust, while wearing a pandemic-imposed mask is akin to living in a gulag.

The Syrian author Jaber Baker takes us on a dark journey through his time in an actual gulag run by Bashar al-Assad’s Baath Party. For me personally, the essay is a masterclass in storytelling and struck more chords and triggered more memories of my childhood and adolescence in Saddam Hussein’s Iraq than I wish it had. The true experiences and traumas of dictatorship face the threat of being drowned out by the noises of victimhood culture. While no one has a monopoly on trauma, Syrians have the right to tell the stories of their torture and suffering. It is a reminder that not all injustices are created equal.

The Last of the Bougainvillea Years, by Zeina Hashem Beck

Erin clare brown, north africa editor.

When faced with an impending move to Paris from Dubai in search of more stability for her family, poet Zeina Hashem Beck is suddenly filled with the pangs of loss — not for the Emirates, where she’d lived since 2006, but for her home in Lebanon. She explores this abstract sense of displacement and longing in her gorgeously crafted essay, written in a pitch-perfect prose that carries the music of poetry through her attempts to sort her belongings, prepare her children, and reassure herself that the displacement is the right call. Through it all Hashem Beck mourns the impending loss of her bougainvillea vines, whose clouds of pink blossoms and wicked thorns come to symbolize in turns her beloved hometown, her Mediterranean identity and in ways, the author herself.

It’s a beautiful meditation on loss and longing, displacement and belonging that reminds us that when we are the right amount of thirsty, we blossom.

What Ukraine Means for Lithuanians Haunted by Soviet Past, by Inga Rudzinskaite-Colman

Amie ferris-rotman, global news editor.

When reading this essay, one feels that an entire generation of Eastern Europeans is speaking, in a single, defiant voice, suddenly with renewed urgency. The globe is so focused on Russia’s horrific assault on Ukraine, and the grim atrocities the Russian military commits practically every day, that we often forget, or perhaps do not realize, the impact the war has on Moscow’s previous victims. In this essay, the analyst Inga Rudzinskaite-Colman, who was born and raised in Vilnius, dives into complicated issues like collective trauma and self-identity. She tells us, in poignant detail, how she and her fellow countrymen and women strived for decades to disassociate themselves from Russia and their Soviet past. But belonging to the Western “club” has also meant uncomfortable compromises, like being “Russiasplained” to. Read this beautifully written essay to peer into the new realities facing the Baltics, Poland and other countries once in Russia’s orbit, who are now finding themselves united by survival.

Rushdie Is India’s Forgotten Child of Midnight, by Pratik Kanjilal

Surbhi gupta, south asia editor.

Earlier this year, when Salman Rushdie was attacked before his talk in western New York, his supposed safe haven, much of the discussion in the media and reports in the news cycle focused on the politics of that infamous fatwa by the Ayatollah Khomeini calling for the writer’s death and its repercussions on the Muslim world. Yet, despite the fact Rushdie has roots in India and the subcontinent has been a constant source of inspiration for his writing, I could find no essay that delved into this relationship and work with South Asia — before this one.

While many were focused on the backlash against Rushdie’s novel, “The Satanic Verses,” the South Asian connection in the story was being overlooked. The first protests against the book happened not in Iran but in Pakistan, and this prompted the Indian government to ban its import from the U.K. It was, indeed, in a review in an Indian magazine that the Ayatollah is said to have first learned of the book. That’s why I loved this essay by Pratik Kanjilal, a veteran journalist and books editor in India, who has followed Rushdie’s journey closely through the years and was the best person to write it. He packs a lot into this essay: He writes about Rushdie, critiques his work, discusses what his Booker Prize wins meant for English writing in India, his relationship with India and Pakistan, and the irony of the attack, coinciding as it did with the 75th Independence Day celebrations in India.

Faith and Vengeance: the Islamic State’s War in Afghanistan, by Fazelminallah Qazizai and Chris Sands

Tam hussein, associate editor.

This piece tells the story of the rise of the Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP), and its fall and rebirth, told through the character of Abu Omar Khorasani, “the most feared and despised prisoner in Directorate 40.” It takes you on a journey from the Afghan Jihad in the 1980s all the way to the present. I love deep dives and investigations. This particular piece is very original and will no doubt populate the citations of many books on the topic for years to come. To produce an essay of such quality requires a supportive editorial team and journalists willing to follow the story all the way. For me, that is embodied in this investigation. When I read it, I can almost see the legwork and local knowledge put in by Fazelminallah Qazizai. I see the crisp writing style of Qazizai’s co-author Chris Sands, the beautiful artwork of Joanna Andreasson and the background work that the editorial team puts in months before publication. And so it’s not just an enjoyable and interesting read, it’s what our managing editor Ola Salem says the best essays are — a work of art.

When Uganda Expelled Its Asian Population in 1972, Britain Tried to Exclude Them, by Saima Nasar

Kwangu liwewe, africa editor.

When I read this essay, it reminded me of the writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s The Danger of a Single Story. For five decades, the narrative about the expulsion of Uganda’s Asians has been that they went to Britain, were welcomed there and lived as refugees, then successfully assimilated into society and have contributed to all spheres of British life.

This essay puts the spotlight on how the narrative changed from unwanted Asian immigrants to one of a humanitarian response, when the plight of Asians became international news and Britain feared a backlash. The writer Saima Nasar lifts the lid on this narrative and tells the story of how, in actual fact, the Asians were British passport holders and were initially not welcome in Britain.

Nasar writes, “While Ugandan Asians have no doubt shaped Britain’s economic, political and socio-cultural landscapes, it is important to avoid celebratory narratives that overlook histories of struggle and discrimination.”

It is an important essay that challenges society to re-examine historical narratives.

A Film Critic Reflects on the Artistic Journeys and Vision of the Late French Director Jean-Luc Godard, by Jonathan Rosenbaum

Danny postel, politics editor.

When I saw the news on Sept. 13 that the legendary filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard had died, I immediately called Jonathan Rosenbaum, the longtime film critic for my local alt-weekly newspaper, the Chicago Reader, and the author of multiple books on world cinema. Rosenbaum had written extensively about Godard’s films over the years and had interviewed the grand poobah of French cinema’s New Wave movement on more than one occasion. I was thrilled that Rosenbaum agreed to write for us, despite being unfamiliar with New Lines (he later informed me that Sight and Sound, the magazine of the British Film Institute, also asked him to write something on Godard but we got to him first).

In the essay, he discusses several of Godard’s films — “Breathless” (1960), “Alphaville” (1965), “Tout Va Bien” (1972), “Every Man for Himself” (1980), “Passion” (1982), “Nouvelle Vague” (1990) and “Histoire(s) du Cinéma,” an eight-part experimental video series made between 1988 and 1998 — but it’s far from a survey of the late director’s filmography. Instead, it’s a deeply personal meditation on his poetic vision and colossal global influence, and on the relationship between art and commercial success and failure. “Marketplace value has little or nothing to do with the love of art,” Rosenbaum writes, and “there’s no way of gauging the latter via the former, especially insofar as the intensity of the love and the qualities of the audience experiencing and expressing it aren’t even remotely quantifiable.” Godard once said to Rosenbaum: “I like to think of myself as an airplane, not an airport.” Reflecting on that quip, Rosenbaum writes that “vehicles that take us places, and the destinations of those who make them don’t have to be the same as the destinations of those who climb into those vehicles.”

Between Two Rivers, Between Two Myths, by Sophus Helle

Lydia wilson, culture editor.

I wanted to choose a history essay for two reasons: It’s one of the genres that we do particularly well and, second, this type of long-form history is not given much space in other outlets. Our history essays are always deep-dive explorations of stories from the past from experts on the subject, showing us something new about the world, whether a new perspective on a familiar topic or a previously hidden gem.

“Between Two Rivers,” by the Mesopotamian scholar Sophus Helle, exemplifies what we’re trying to do. It is based on deep expertise, exploring the identities of societies going back millennia in the territory now called Iraq. Helle looks at the labels these cultures gave themselves and were given by later invaders or historians. But it does not only tell the story of the historical material. Crucially, it explains why these facts, controversies and debates about old identities are relevant today, and the obfuscation of the past realities on the ground in Iraq does not serve its present inhabitants. History matters, and this essay brings that home.

An Exile Returns to Find Syria Changed Forever, by Nizar Kinaan

Faisal al yafai, international editor.

It’s been a year of war — as too many of the past few years have been — this time dominated in Europe by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. At the magazine, we’ve certainly published a lot about the Ukraine war, but we’ve also kept a close eye on other conflicts.

This essay by Nizar Kinaan, a pseudonym for obvious reasons, is one of those, revisiting the still-simmering Syrian conflict. The author returned to the coastal city of Latakia after years away and found a city, and country, drastically changed by the war. We called the essay “No Country for Young Men” because of the profound changes in gender roles wrought by the war.

“‘Where are the young men?’ I asked my friends in the cafe bar we were drinking in. ‘They are dead, in the army or they left like I should have done.’”

“The taboos against women working in certain specific jobs have definitely been broken,” wrote Kinaan, quoting a Syrian woman who said, “I am not saying all taboos have been completely shattered … but things have definitely shifted. Now women can work in most jobs, stay out late, and be a little bit more independent.”

Many will applaud that change, but the reasons that brought it about have destabilized the entire society. This is what makes Kinaan’s encounter with Latakia so interesting; he doesn’t judge what has happened by any moral standard except that of Syria itself. He doesn’t applaud changes in isolation without understanding what it took to make them change.

As Indian Elections Near, a Delhi Chief Minister’s Arrest Raises Concern

Against tyranny: two stories told in pictures warn us to fight on, the failures of an american muslim and jewish dialogue, looking for the roots of today’s germany, ‘four daughters’ breaks the mold to give an honest picture of a mother’s loss, sign up to our newsletter.

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Sample Essays: Writing with MLA Style

Congratulations to the students whose essays were selected for the 2023 edition of Writing with MLA Style! Essays were selected as examples of excellent student writing that use MLA style for citing sources. Essays have been lightly edited.

If your institution subscribes to MLA Handbook Plus , you can access annotated versions of the essays selected in 2022 and 2023.

Writing with MLA Style: 2023 Edition

The following essays were selected for the 2023 edition of Writing with MLA Style. The 2023 selection committee was composed of Ellen C. Carillo, University of Connecticut (chair); Rachel Ihara, Kingsborough Community College, City University of New York; and Tarshia L. Stanley, Wagner College.

Caroline Anderson (Pepperdine University)

“ L’Appel du Vide : Making Spaces for Sinful Exploration in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde ”

Hunter Daniels (University of South Carolina, Aiken)

“Biblical Legalism and Cultural Misogyny in The Tragedy of Mariam ”

Aspen English (Southern Utah University)

“Putting the ‘Comm’ in Comics: A Communication-Theory-Informed Reading of Graphic Narratives”

Raul Martin (Lamar University)

“The Book-Object Binary: Access and Sustainability in the Academic Library”

Grace Quasebarth (Salve Regina University)

“Finding a Voice: The Loss of Machismo Criticisms through Translation in Isabel Allende’s The House of the Spirits ”

Writing with MLA Style: 2022 Edition

The following essays were selected for the 2022 edition of Writing with MLA Style. The 2022 selection committee was composed of Ellen C. Carillo, University of Connecticut; Jessica Edwards, University of Delaware (chair); and Deborah H. Holdstein, Columbia College Chicago.

Kaile Chu (New York University, Shanghai)

“Miles Apart: An Investigation into Dedicated Online Communities’ Impact on Cultural Bias”

Sietse Hagen (University of Groningen)

“The Significance of Fiction in the Debate on Dehumanizing Media Portrayals of Refugees”

Klara Ismail (University of Exeter)

“Queering the Duchess: Exploring the Body of the Female Homosexual in John Webster’s The Duchess of Malfi ”

Yasmin Mendoza (Whittier College)

“Banning without Bans”

Niki Nassiri (Stony Brook University)

“Modern-Day US Institutions and Slavery in the Twenty-First Century”

Samantha Wilber (Palm Beach Atlantic University)

“‘Pero, tu no eres facil’: The Poet X as Multicultural Bildungsroman”

Writing with MLA Style: 2019 Edition

The following essays were selected for the 2019 edition of Writing with MLA Style. The 2019 selection committee was composed of Jessica Edwards, University of Delaware; Deborah H. Holdstein, Columbia College Chicago (chair); and Liana Silva, César E. Chavez High School, Houston, Texas.

Catherine Charlton (University of King’s College, Nova Scotia)

“‘Coal Is in My Blood’: Public and Private Representations of Community Identity in Springhill, Nova Scotia”

Alyiah Gonzales (California Polytechnic State University)

“Disrupting White Normativity in Langston Hughes’s ‘I, Too’ and Toni Morrison’s ‘Recitatif’”

Meg Matthias (Miami University, Ohio)

“Prescriptions of (Living) Historical Happiness: Gendered Performance and Racial Comfort in Reenactment”

Jennifer Nguyen (Chaminade University of Honolulu)

“The Vietnam War, the American War: Literature, Film, and Popular Memory”

Emily Schlepp (Northwest University)

“A Force of Love: A Deconstructionist Reading of Characters in Dickens’s Great Expectations ”

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How to Write the Harvard University Essays 2023-2024

Harvard University, perhaps the most prestigious and well-known institution in the world, is the nation’s oldest higher learning establishment with a founding date of 1636. Boasting an impressive alumni network from Sheryl Sandberg to Al Gore, it’s no surprise that Harvard recruits some of the top talents in the world.

It’s no wonder that students are often intimidated by Harvard’s extremely open-ended supplemental essays. However, CollegeVine is here to help and offer our guide on how to tackle Harvard’s supplemental essays.

Read this Harvard essay example to inspire your own writing.

How to Write the Harvard University Supplemental Essays

Prompt 1: Harvard has long recognized the importance of enrolling a diverse student body. How will the life experiences that shape who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard? (200 words)

Prompt 2: Briefly describe an intellectual experience that was important to you. (200 words)

Prompt 3: Briefly describe any of your extracurricular activities, employment experience, travel, or family responsibilities that have shaped who you are. (200 words)

Prompt 4: How do you hope to use your Harvard education in the future? (200 words)

Prompt 5: Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you. (200 words)

Harvard has long recognized the importance of enrolling a diverse student body. How will the life experiences that shape who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard? (200 words)

Brainstorming Your Topic

This prompt is a great example of the classic diversity supplemental essay . That means that, as you prepare to write your response, the first thing you need to do is focus in on some aspect of your identity, upbringing, or personality that makes you different from other people.

As you start brainstorming, do remember that the way colleges factor race into their admissions processes will be different this year, after the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in June. Colleges can still consider race on an individual level, however, so if you would like to write your response about how your racial identity has impacted you, you are welcome to do so.

If race doesn’t seem like the right topic for you, however, keep in mind that there are many other things that can make us different, not just race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and the other aspects of our identities that people normally think of when they hear the word “diversity.” That’s not to say that you can’t write about those things, of course. But don’t worry if you don’t feel like those things have played a significant role in shaping your worldview. Here are some examples of other topics that could support a strong essay:

Moving to several different cities because of your parents’ jobs
An usual hobby, like playing the accordion or making your own jewelry
Knowing a lot about a niche topic, like Scottish castles

The only questions you really need to ask yourself when picking a topic are “Does this thing set me apart from other people?” and “Will knowing this thing about me give someone a better sense of who I am overall?” As long as you can answer “yes” to both of those questions, you’ve found your topic!

Tips for Writing Your Essay

Once you’ve selected a topic, the question becomes how you’re going to write about that topic in a way that helps Harvard admissions officers better understand how you’re going to contribute to their campus community. To do that, you want to connect your topic to some broader feature of your personality, or to a meaningful lesson you learned, that speaks to your potential as a Harvard student.

For example, perhaps your interest in Scottish castles has given you an appreciation for the strength of the human spirit, as the Scots were able to persevere and build these structures even in incredibly remote, cold parts of the country. Alternatively, maybe being half Puerto Rican, but not speaking Spanish, has taught you about the power of family, as you have strong relationships even with relatives you can’t communicate with verbally.

Remember that, like with any college essay, you want to rely on specific anecdotes and experiences to illustrate the points you’re making. To understand why, compare the following two excerpts from hypothetical essays.

Example 1: “Even though I can’t speak Spanish, and some of my relatives can’t speak English, whenever I visit my family in Puerto Rico I know it’s a place where I belong. The island is beautiful, and I especially love going to the annual party at my uncle’s house.”

Example 2: “The smell of the ‘lechón,’ or suckling pig greets me as soon as I enter my uncle’s home, even before everyone rushes in from the porch to welcome me in rapid-fire Spanish. At best, I understand one in every ten words, but my aunt’s hot pink glasses, the Caribbean Sea visible through the living room window, and of course, the smell of roasting pork, tell me, wordlessly yet undeniably, that I’m home.”

Think about how much better we understand this student after Example 2. If a few words were swapped out, Example 1 could’ve been written by anyone, whereas Example 2 paints us a clear picture of how this student’s Puerto Rican heritage has tangibly impacted their life.

Mistakes to Avoid

The biggest challenge with this particular “Diversity” essay is the word count. Because you only have 200 words to work with, you don’t have space to include more than one broader takeaway you’ve learned from this aspect of your identity.

Of course, people are complicated, and you’ve likely learned many things from being Puerto Rican, or from being interested in Scottish castles. But for the sake of cohesion, focus on just one lesson. Otherwise your essay may end up feeling like a bullet-point list of Hallmark card messages, rather than a thoughtful, personal, reflective piece of writing.

The other thing you want to avoid is writing an essay that’s just about your topic. Particularly since you’re going to be writing about an aspect of your identity that’s important to you, you’ll likely have a lot to say just about that. If you aren’t careful, you may burn through all 200 words without getting to the broader significance of what this piece of your personality says about who you are as a whole.

That component, however, is really the key to a strong response. Harvard receives over 40,000 applications a year, which means that, whether you write about being Puerto Rican or Scottish castles, it’s likely someone else is writing about something similar.

That doesn’t mean you need to agonize over picking something absolutely nobody else is writing about, as that’s practically impossible. All it means is that you need to be clear about how this aspect of your identity has shaped you as a whole, as that is how your essay will stand out from others with similar topics.

Briefly describe an intellectual experience that was important to you. (200 words)

Harvard admissions officers are being considerate here, as they’re telling you explicitly what they would like you to write about. Of course, there are still nuances to the prompt, but in terms of brainstorming, just ask yourself: What is an intellectual experience that’s been important to me?

Keep in mind that “intellectual” doesn’t necessarily mean “academic.” You absolutely can write a great response about a paper, project, or some other experience you had through school. But you could also write about attending a performance by the Berlin Philharmonic, or about a book you read for fun that made a big impact on you. So long as the experience was intellectually stimulating, you can write a strong essay about it.

Once you’ve picked an experience, the key is to describe it in a way that shows Harvard admissions officers how this experience has prepared you to contribute to their classrooms, and campus community as a whole. In other words, don’t just tell them what you did, but also what you learned and why that matters for understanding what kind of college student you’ll be.

For example, say you choose to write about a debate project you did in your American history class, where you had to prepare for both sides and only learned which one you would actually be defending on the day of the debate. You could describe how, although you came into the project with pre-existing opinions about the topic, the preparation process taught you that, if you’re thoughtful and open-minded, you can usually find merit and logic even in the polar opposite position from your own.

Alternatively, you could write about a book you read that had been translated from Danish, and how reading it got you interested in learning more about how to translate a text as faithfully as possible. After watching many interviews with translators and reading a book about translation, you have learned that sometimes, the most literal translation doesn’t capture the spirit from the original language, which to you is proof that, in any piece of writing, the human element is at least as important as the words on the page.

Notice that both of these examples include broader reflections that zoom out from the particular experiences, to show what you took away from them: increased open-mindedness to different perspectives, for the first, and a more nuanced understanding of what makes art, art, in the case of the second.

A strong response must include this kind of big-picture takeaway, as it shows readers two things. First, that you can reflect thoughtfully on your experiences and learn from them. And second, it shows them a skill or perspective you’d be bringing with you to Harvard, which gives them a better sense of how you’d fit into their campus community.

The only real thing you need to watch out for is accidentally selecting an experience that, for whatever reason, doesn’t allow you to incorporate the kind of bigger-picture takeaway described above. Maybe the experience just happened, so you’re still in the process of learning from it. Or maybe the lessons you learned are too nuanced to describe in 200 words.

Whatever this reason, if you find yourself unable to articulate the broader significance of this experience, head back to the drawing board, to select one that works better for this prompt. What you don’t want to do is try to force in a takeaway that doesn’t really fit, as that will make your essay feel generic or disjointed, since the “moral of the story” won’t clearly connect to the story itself.

Briefly describe any of your extracurricular activities, employment experience, travel, or family responsibilities that have shaped who you are. (200 words)

This is a textbook example of the “Extracurricular” essay . As such, what you need to do is well-defined, although it’s easier said than done: select an extracurricular activity that has, as Harvard says, “shaped who you are,” and make sure you’re able to articulate how it’s been formative for you.

As you brainstorm which extracurricular you want to write about, note that the language of the prompt is pretty open-ended. You write about “any” activity, not just one you have a lot of accolades in, and you don’t even have to write about an activity—you can also write about a travel experience, or family responsibility.

If the thing that immediately jumps to mind is a club, sport, volunteer experience, or other “traditional” extracurricular, that’s great! Run with that. But if you’re thinking and nothing in that vein seems quite right, or, alternatively, you’re feeling bold and want to take a creative approach, don’t be afraid to get outside the box. Here are some examples of other topics you could write a strong essay about:

A more hobby-like extracurricular, like crocheting potholders and selling them on Etsy
Driving the Pacific Coast Highway on your own
Caring for your family’s two large, colorful macaws

These more creative topics can do a lot to showcase a different side of you, as college applications have, by their nature, a pretty restricted scope, and telling admissions officers about something that would never appear on your resume or transcript can teach them a lot about who you are. That being said, the most important thing is that the topic you pick has genuinely been formative for you. Whether it’s a conventional topic or not, as long as that personal connection is there, you’ll be able to write a strong essay about it.

The key to writing a strong response is focusing less on the activity itself, and more on what you’ve learned from your involvement in it. If you’re writing about a more conventional topic, remember that admissions officers already have your activities list. You don’t need to say “For the last five years, I’ve been involved in x,” because they already know that, and when you only have 200 words, wasting even 10 of them means you’ve wasted 5% of your space.

If you’re writing about something that doesn’t already show up elsewhere in your application, you want to provide enough details for your reader to understand what you did, but not more than that. For example, if you’re writing about your road trip, you don’t need to list every city you stopped in. Instead, just mention one or two that were particularly memorable.

Rather than focusing on the facts and figures of what you did, focus on what you learned from your experience. Admissions officers want to know why your involvement in this thing matters to who you’ll be in college. So, think about one or two bigger picture things you learned from it, and center your response around those things.

For example, maybe your Etsy shop taught you how easy it is to bring some positivity into someone else’s life, as crocheting is something you would do anyways, and the shop just allows you to share your creations with other people. Showcasing this uplifting, altruistic side of yourself will help admissions officers better envision what kind of Harvard student you’d be.

As always, you want to use specific examples to support your points, at least as much as you can in 200 words. Because you’re dealing with a low word count, you probably won’t have space to flex your creative writing muscles with vivid, immersive descriptions.

You can still incorporate anecdotes in a more economical way, however. For example, you could say “Every morning, our scarlet macaw ruffles her feathers and greets me with a prehistoric chirp.” You’re not going into detail about what her feathers look like, or where this scene is happening, but it’s still much more engaging than something like “My bird always says hello to me in her own way.”

The most common pitfall with an “Extracurricular” essay is describing your topic the way you would on your resume. Don’t worry about showing off some “marketable skill” you think admissions officers want to see, and instead highlight whatever it is you actually took away from this experience, whether it’s a skill, a realization, or a personality trait. The best college essays are genuine, as admissions officers feel that honesty, and know they’re truly getting to know the applicant as they are, rather than some polished-up version.

Additionally, keep in mind that, like with anything in your application, you want admissions officers to learn something new about you when reading this essay. So, if you’ve already written your common app essay about volunteering at your local animal shelter, you shouldn’t also write this essay about that experience. Your space in your application is already extremely limited, so don’t voluntarily limit yourself even further by repeating yourself when you’re given an opportunity to say something new.

How do you hope to use your Harvard education in the future? (200 words)

Although the packaging is a little different, this prompt has similarities to the classic “Why This College?” prompt . That means there are two main things you want to do while brainstorming.

First, identify one or two goals you have for the future—with just 200 words, you won’t have space to elaborate on any more than that. Ideally, these should be relatively concrete. You don’t have to have your whole life mapped out, but you do need to be a lot more specific than “Make a difference in the world.” A more zoomed-in version of that goal would be something like “Contribute to conservation efforts to help save endangered species,” which would work.

Second, hop onto Harvard’s website and do some research on opportunities the school offers that would help you reach your goals. Again, make sure these are specific enough. Rather than a particular major, which is likely offered at plenty of other schools around the country, identify specific courses within that major you would like to take, or a professor in the department you would like to do research with. For example, the student interested in conservation might mention the course “Conservation Biology” at Harvard.

You could also write about a club, or a study abroad program, or really anything that’s unique to Harvard, so long as you’re able to draw a clear connection between the opportunity and your goal. Just make sure that, like with your goals, you don’t get overeager. Since your space is quite limited, you should choose two, or maximum three, opportunities to focus on. Any more than that and your essay will start to feel rushed and bullet point-y.

If you do your brainstorming well, the actual writing process should be pretty straightforward: explain your goals, and how the Harvard-specific opportunities you’ve selected will help you reach them.

One thing you do want to keep in mind is that your goals should feel personal to you, and the best way to accomplish that is by providing some background context on why you have them. This doesn’t have to be extensive, as, again, your space is limited. But compare the following two examples, written about the hypothetical goal of helping conservation efforts from above, to get an idea of what we’re talking about:

Example 1: “As long as I can remember, I’ve loved all kinds of animals, and have been heartbroken by the fact that human destruction of natural resources could lead to certain species’ extinction.”

Example 2: “As a kid, I would sit in front of the aquarium’s walrus exhibit, admiring the animal’s girth and tusks, and dream about seeing one in the wild. Until my parents regretfully explained to me that, because of climate change, that was unlikely to ever happen.”

The second example is obviously longer, but not egregiously so: 45 words versus 31. And the image we get of this student sitting and fawning over a walrus is worth that extra space, as we feel a stronger personal connection to them, which in turn makes us more vicariously invested in their own goal of environmental advocacy.

As we’ve already described in the brainstorming section, the key to this essay is specificity. Admissions officers want you to paint them a picture of how Harvard fits into your broader life goals. As we noted earlier, that doesn’t mean you have to have everything figured out, but if you’re too vague about your goals, or how you see Harvard helping you reach them, admissions officers won’t see you as someone who’s prepared to contribute to their campus community.

Along similar lines, avoid flattery. Gushy lines like “At Harvard, every day I’ll feel inspired by walking the same halls that countless Nobel laureates, politicians, and CEOs once traversed” won’t get you anywhere, because Harvard admissions officers already know their school is one of the most prestigious and famous universities in the world. What they don’t know is what you are going to bring to Harvard that nobody else has. So, that’s what you want to focus on, not vague, surface-level attributes of Harvard related to its standing in the world of higher education.

Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you. (200 words)

Like Prompt 2, this prompt tells you exactly what you need to brainstorm: three things a roommate would like to know about you. However, also like Prompt 2, while this prompt is direct, it’s also incredibly open-ended. What really are the top three things you’d like a complete stranger to know about you before you live together for nine months?

Questions this broad can be hard to answer, as you might not know where to start. Sometimes, you can help yourself out by asking yourself adjacent, but slightly more specific questions, like the following:

Do you have any interests that influence your regular routine? For example, do you always watch the Seahawks on Sunday, or are you going to be playing Taylor Swift’s discography on repeat while you study?
Look around your room—what items are most important to you? Do you keep your movie ticket stubs? Are you planning on taking your photos of your family cat with you to college?
Are there any activities you love and already know you’d want to do with your roommate, like weekly face masks or making Christmas cookies?

Hopefully, these narrower questions, and the example responses we’ve included, help get your gears turning. Keep in mind that this prompt is a great opportunity to showcase sides of your personality that don’t come across in your grades, activities list, or even your personal statement. Don’t worry about seeming impressive—admissions officers don’t expect you to read Shakespeare every night for two hours. What they want is an honest, informative picture of what you’re like “behind the scenes,” because college is much more than just academics.

Once you’ve selected three things to write about, the key to the actual essay is presenting them in a logical, cohesive, efficient way. That’s easier said than done, particularly if the three things you’ve picked are quite different from each other.

To ensure your essay feels like one, complete unit, rather than three smaller ones stuck together, strong transitions will be crucial. Note that “strong” doesn’t mean “lengthy.” Just a few words can go a long way towards helping your essay flow naturally. To see what we mean here, take the following two examples:

Example 1: “Just so you know, every Sunday I will be watching the Seahawks, draped in my dad’s Steve Largent jersey. They can be a frustrating team, but I’ll do my best to keep it down in case you’re studying. I also like to do facemasks, though. You’re always welcome to any of the ones I have in my (pretty extensive) collection.”

Example 2: “Just so you know, every Sunday I will be watching the Seahawks, draped in my dad’s Steve Largent jersey. But if football’s not your thing, don’t worry—once the game’s over, I’ll need to unwind anyways, because win or lose the Hawks always find a way to make things stressful. So always feel free to join me in picking out a face mask from my (pretty extensive) collection, and we can gear up for the week together.”

The content in both examples is the same, but in the first one, the transition from football to facemasks is very abrupt. On the other hand, in the second example the simple line “But if football’s not your thing, don’t worry” keeps things flowing smoothly.

There’s no one right way to write a good transition, but as you’re polishing your essay a good way to see if you’re on the right track is by asking someone who hasn’t seen your essay before to read it over and tell you if there are any points that made them pause. If the answer is yes, your transitions probably still need more work.

Finally, you probably noticed that the above examples are both written in a “Dear roomie” style, as if you’re actually speaking directly to your roommate. You don’t have to take this exact approach, but your tone should ideally be light and fun. Living alone for the first time, with other people your age, is one of the best parts of college! Plus, college applications are, by their nature, pretty dry affairs for the most part. Lightening things up in this essay will give your reader a breath of fresh air, which will help them feel more engaged in your application as a whole.

Harvard is doing you a favor here by keeping the scope of the essay narrow—they ask for three things, not more. As we’ve noted many times with the other supplements, 200 words will be gone in a flash, so don’t try to cram in extra things. It’s not necessary to do that, because admissions officers have only asked for three, and trying to stuff more in will turn your essay into a list of bullet points, rather than an informative piece of writing about your personality.

Finally, as we’ve hinted at a few times above, the other thing you want to avoid is using this essay as another opportunity to impress admissions officers with your intellect and accomplishments. Remember, they have your grades, and your activities list, and all your other essays. Plus, they can ask you whatever questions they want—if they wanted to know about the most difficult book you’ve ever read, they would. So, loosen up, let your hair down, and show them you know how to have fun too!

Where to Get Your Harvard Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your Harvard essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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IELTS Preparation with Liz: Free IELTS Tips and Lessons, 2024

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New IELTS Essay Topics for 2023

Below are new IELTS essay topics in 2023 for Writing Task 2. I’ve also included useful ideas for each topic so that you can prepare for your test more quickly.

The majority of essay questions you will get in IELTS writing task 2 will be recycled topics from previous years. This is because there are so many common topics to choose from. However, occasionally new topics are introduced which reflect our changing world and new current issues in society. I haven’t put the precise wording for the essay questions as IELTS often rephrase their essay questions using different wording.

To prepare fully for your test, you must also prepare ALL common essay questions. Please click here: 100 IELTS Essay Questions

In addition, please note that all the topics below can also appear in the speaking test as well (part 3).

2023 New IELTS Essay Topics with Useful Ideas

These essay questions could appear in both the IELTS Academic and GT writing task 2 test. Please remember, these are topics with ideas so that you can use them and adapt them to the question in the test because questions will usually be paraphrased and tasks will vary from test to test.

Essay Topic: Poor concentration due to social media
Short attention spans can affect us by not focusing on detail and poor performance at school or work
Pop up ads are intrusive and interrupt our focus
Temptation to chat on social media cuts into people’s concentration
Social media encourages a shorter attention spam with short punchy media, such as on TikTok and Instagram
Note: I’ll post a page with useful language for the topic of concentration in a few weeks as this topic is very common in the speaking test.

2. Essay Topic: Children learn how to grow vegetables or farming

Growing vegetables and caring for livestock is part of essential life skills for a healthy future
As a species we should never forget our basic life skills for future survival
Homegrown vegetables have more nutrition which children should learn about
Vegetables can be grown on balconies as well as patios
It allows children to reconnect to nature which is important in a world where they are so focused on gadgets
This might encourage children to also take an interest in cooking, which is another essential life skill

3. Essay Topic: Taking risks in personal and professional life

“to keep people on their toes” – idiom – keep people alert and prepared for potential problems (an idiom suitable for WT2)
+ Risks help us grow and learn new skills
+ Life is always changing and full of risks so people should embrace this aspect of life rather than try to avoid it
– Risk can lead to negative consequences for individuals and families
– It is better to be safe than sorry
(note: this topic is very similar to the topic about “people who like change vs people who do not like change in their life” – that topic has been used for years by IELTS

4. Essay Topic: Streaming Films Online vs cinema

Streaming online is cheaper and more accessible
Streaming online is more enjoyable at home
Streaming online offers a wider choice of options
Cinema has better sound systems and bigger screens
Cinema allows you to share emotional responses with an audience
Cinema is a special experience for groups and couples

5. Essay Topic: Children & active or passive leisure activities

Active activities: sport, photography, hiking, camping
These activities help children get fresh air, build physical health, learn new skills and engage in socialising with others face to face.
Passive activities: reading, watching TV, social media
These activities help children gain insight, can be educational or inspirational, help children develop creativity and technological skills.

6. Essay Topic: Men’s and women’s sports shown on TV and social media

Traditionally most sports were male based so audiences are historically more attracted to male sports
Women’s sports are just as exciting as male sports
Women’s sports don’t often get the same amount of sponsoring from companies which impacts their sport
Women’s football already has large followings on social media

7. Essay Topic: Truth in people’s communication is most important

+ Truth helps people develop honest, meaningful relationships
+ Truth develops open communication instead of repressed relationships
+ Without truth, there is only deceit which is toxic to relationships and erodes trust
+ Truth leads to trust
– Social media encourages people to present a version of truth rather than the whole truth in order to impress others and create a particular impression – this can lead to misconception and lead others in the wrong direction
– Sometimes the truth can be hurtful and needs to be approached step by step rather than directly
– Some people are not ready to hear the whole truth
– Truth may be something that needs time to emerge in cases such as abuse or where someone may be at risk
– Truth sometimes has to be edited for children

8. Essay Topic: Sense of Community

+ People used to know their neighbours well and have a sense of community
+ Community meant that people took care of each other and looked out for one another
+/- Doctors and teachers used to live in the community and become leaders of the community but now they often live in other areas and play little part in the community as a whole
– Social media does not encourage relationships with neighbours but rather between people at a distance
Note: a similar essay topic is one such as “adults should be required to do obligatory community service for a period of time”. That essay leans towards the benefits of community service vs time and obligation.

9. Essay topic: Graffiti on city walls

+ Freedom of expression
+ Some graffiti can be a work of art
+ It creates a colourful environment in a drab urban setting (drab = dreary, dull, lifeless)
+ Graffiti can stimulate creativity in others
+ Graffiti can be cultural which benefits society
– It is often unregulated art
– Graffiti could contain indecent or violent images or words
– It could incite racism, hatred or political unrest

10. Vaping and Children (Predicted Topic)

Vaping was originally introduced to help smokers quit, but now vaping is becoming popular amongst people who never previously smoked.
Vaping can be addictive and their use has grown dramatically in the last five years, particularly in high school children
E-cigarettes are less harmful than normal cigarettes, but they do still contain harmful ingredients such as nicotine, flavourings and other chemicals
Vaping could lead to increase in asthma
While this is only a predicted topic, it is something you can easily introduce into essays or into your speaking test as it is a current world issue

11. Organised Tours to Remote Places (Tourism)

+ Travellers get to see places that are largely untouched by the modern world
+ Remote places are steeped in culture and interest
+ Remote places can benefit from a boost in their economy
– The culture in such places will be altered by so many tourists
– Such tourism can have a negative impact on the local eco system
With tourism comes the threat of pollution

12. Museums should focus on local works of art

+ Focusing on local art exhibits means local artists are supported and encouraged
+ Part of the task of a museum is conserving local history and culture so this should be their primary goal
+ This is a way of promoting local culture and history to tourists which could benefit the economy of the country
– Many museums have international collections of art that people travel from around the world to see
– The history of some countries is interconnected with other countries and other cultures – history is not always confined within a boarder
– We now live in a global world and museums should reflect that

13. Values from family and parents play a greater role in future success than skills and knowledge from schools

+ from parents we can learn discipline and the meaning of hard work which are vital for future success
+ from family we can learn the value of determination and never giving up
– schools provide the building blocks of knowledge upon which our future hangs, such as reading, writing, comprehension, maths etc
– without education, most people would be reduced to menial work and success would be much harder to attain
– some careers require specific education and training without which success would be impossible

Useful Links:

Click Below:

Writing Task 2 Model Essays and Tips

Writing Task 1: Model Answers and Tips

Note: IELTS do not use topics based on religion or politics because IELTS is non-political and non-religious . IELTS tests tend to aim for topics that reflect the world we live in by focusing on social issues and everyday issues that are more familiar and less emotional for people to write or speak about. So, please pay attention to which resources you use online when you prepare for your test and make sure you aren’t wasting your time preparing for topics that definitely won’t appear.

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I had posted a comment regarding GT Writing Task2, few minutes back. Earlier it was mentioned that it is awaiting moderation. But now, I don’t see it at all. Has it been unapproved? If yes, can you please explain why?

To explain why your comment was waiting in moderation: 1) your first comment arrived at 6.30am UK time. I would be asleep. 2) your second comment arrived at 8am. I still hadn’t started work. As I work part time, I work alone and I’m sick, I don’t work every day. On top of that there are over 26,000 comments waiting in moderation, it is not humanly possible for a sick person or even a healthy person to read and answer them all. I do by best to help people for free, but I am not superwoman – I’m just a teacher who tries her best with the time I have.

You asked about personal experiences for an IELTS essay. This isn’t about you, your family or friends because those examples are generally informal and IELTS essays are formal in tone and content. It’s about your experience of the world and your opinions. This means you don’t refer to “a person I know does not own a car”, you write “although most people are car owners, a number of people still do not own cars”. That is how you phrase your knowledge and experience.

Regarding addressing parts of the essay question and ideas, part of your preparation is to prepare ideas for topics. This is the reason I created an e-book called Ideas for IELTS Essay Topics. The more topics you prepare for, the better. There is a list of over 100 essay topics on the main writing task 2 page of this website and I also published a list of potential topics for 2024 which you should also use for your preparation. Look through the lists and find the ones you know nothing about, then educate yourself. Obviously my e-books helps a lot with that process because it contains ideas and vocabulary for over 150 common essay topics. But the rest of the work, you must do yourself.

One of the marking criterion for writing task 2 is Task Response, which counts for 25% of your marks for writing task 2. This is your ability to address everything in the essay question, have a highly focused essay, have relevant ideas that are well developed and understand the issues given. So, if you haven’t prepared enough and you fail to address part of the essay question, or if part of your essay is irrelevant because you misunderstood it, then your score in Task Response will be lower. The band score descriptors published by IELTS for your benefit show that for a band score 5 in TR, “the main parts of the prompts are not addressed”. So, to fail in addressing the issues or including irrelevant information will hold you at around band 5 or band 6 depending at how poorly you do at this. For that reason, you need to prepare ideas for topics and also ensure that you are following current world issues, such as global warming, early education, international aid etc etc. All this information is explained on various pages of my website. This website is extensive and contains well over 200 pages of advice, tips, topics, examples, information and model answers. It is your task to use all the free information I have already provided to learn.

Thank you for providing such a comprehensive reply. Kudos to you !

You’re welcome

Hello Liz, Greetings from India. Hope you are doing well now. Thank you for uploading such wonderful material. I was hoping if you could help with the “include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and experience” part in GT Writing Part2. What phrases are suitable for mentioning personal experience in a formal essay? Moreover, if a topic is such that I don’t have any relevant experiences or ideas, then is it okay to skip over this part of the essay?

could you please rate my Essay and give me tips how to improve? I have sat the IELTS twice but always fail to achieve Bandscore 8.0. I always end up with Bandscore 7,5 in writing, but need a 8. My next test is in a few weeks and I am getting anxious now. I am having issues with developing paragraphs well as I should not write much more than 300 words, but I do not know how to fully develop an argument in just 250 words (or a bit more). Thank you in Advance, Cheers, Tara

There is a lot of pressure on young people today to succeed academically. As a result, some people believe that non-academic subjects, such as physical education and cookery, should be removed from the school syllabus so that children can concentrate on academic work. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people argue, that non-vital subjects such as sports or cooking lessons should be banned from the curriculum in order to facilitate students to focus on exam relevant courses. Personally, I support the idea of maintaining extracurricular activities in school as it benefits childrens health and supports them in developing life skills.

First and foremost, students who undergo physical training during school hours and learn how to cook meals from scratch are best equipped for life. To be more precise, even though such classes seem to be irrelevant at first sight, they prove to be essential to teach pupils how to keep themselves fit, how to nourish and nurture their bodies and overall how to lead a healthy lifestyle. Students who regularly attend sports classes do not only gain muscles, accelerate their endurance and develop their stamina. They also improve on skills to succeed in academic life and in everyday’s life, such as motivation, resilience, persistence, agility, strength and motivation

Furthermore, they develop core skills such as self-awareness and confidence, which may in turn not only help strengthen their mental health but also to gain invaluable skills, such as for presenting in front of an audience.

However, there might be some students who do not lead a healthy lifestyle at all and are in favour of getting low-nutritional meal options at the next available food stall, in order to gain more time to focus on their studies. Alternatively, they would rather buy take-away meals or frozen food in the supermarket, that they can simply reheat or prepare at home in a short period of time.

To conclude, I strongly support the idea of keeping subjects such as physical training and cookery courses in the curriculum, in order to allow students to develop an understanding of how to lead a healthy lifestyle, which in turn raises their chance to succeed academically as well.

It looks like you haven’t read the band score descriptors. If your body paragraphs are not equally developed, you won’t get a high score in Coherence and Cohesion. It’s a very simple thing to learn and to do, but so many people don’t pay attention to it and it costs them a good band score. You’ve also got two body paragraphs where you don’t even mention the school curriculum or subjects. If your sentences are not fully written and fully connected to the topic given, you will get a lower score. Just because you’ve connected the points in your head, doesn’t mean it works in IELTS essays. For example, your second body paragraph is about awareness and confidence – who are you referring to? which subject are you referring to? how does this connect to the school curriculum and the balance of subjects? Not one single mention is given to explain anything in that body paragraph. You do a similar thing in the third body paragraph. In your introduction, you also completely change the essay topic by writing about extra-curricular activities. This topic is not about such activities, it’s about subjects such as cookery and physical education which form part of the curriculum – they are each a valid subject. Each time you paraphrase be very careful because if you paraphrase incorrectly or use the wrong words, you might completely go off topic. And that’s what you’ve done here. Finally, you’ve completely ignored the fact that the essay topic is about comparing these subjects with academic subjects (such as science, maths, literature etc) – you’ve failed to tackle that in your essay. I see many issues with the way you are writing and forming your essay. Even though your level of English is strong, Task Response and Coherence & Cohesion together form 50% of your marks and you are struggling with them both. You need to know what to aim at otherwise your score will be unpredictable. I suggest you get my advanced lessons and also my Grammar E-book which also contains information about linking, referring and much more: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/ . An IELTS essay is not just an essay. It an IELTS essay with specific requirements for higher band scores and you need to know what it’s all about.

Thanks,your informations are very useful )))

Hello Dear Liz. I wrote my test yesterday on the 30th. Waiting task 1 I wrote more than 150 words and the task 2 I wrote more than 250 words. Would that affect my score?

What a strange question to ask. Your task is to write more than 150 words in task 1 and to write more than 250 words in task 2. Did you get confused about the task? The word count task has remained the same for many years.

Hi Liz, this essay topic is a bit confusing. How do you advise to handle this? Many people think that more money will make them happier. How important is money for happiness?

You need to decide if money can make people happier or if there is anything else that can. If you think there are other things that can make people happy, you write one paragraph about how money affects people and then one or two other body paragraphs about the other factors of happiness.

Liz! My scores are in S8 L8.5 R9.0 W7. 5. We did it!!!

Excellent!! Very well done to you 🙂

The cultures of many countries around the world becomes more similar than they used to be. What are the reasons for this trend? Is it positive or negative? Hey Liz! How do I answer a double question essay

You would give a direct answer in your thesis statement in the introduction to both questions. Then, each body paragraph would tackle one question with a clear main point and explanation. Always remember to keep the organisation of your essay very logical for a high score.

Hello Liz, Thank you so much for providing us with a treasure store for IELTS preparation materials. I tried to pay for some e-books from the website, but it didn’t work. I have booked my exam on November 19, so I thought it would be beneficial to buy those books.

Could you please guide me?

All the payments at the moment for my advanced lessons and e-books go through paypal. Some countries can’t use paypal unfortunately, but you can always ask a friend to make the payments for you. If you use paypal, but you struggle to make a payment, check your paypal settings – you might need to ensure that they are set to allow for international payments. To purchase something, go to my store, click on the item you wish to purchase (CLICK HERE) and then click (BUY NOW). Contact me if you continue to have problems: [email protected] and this is a link to my online store: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

DEAR LIZ Where can we get information of updated writing topics of september and october 2023

The writing topics and questions are changed with each test – there is not one set of topics for certain months.

I just went for the exam last week. Academic sample October 2023 Writing task 1- table on male and female of 6 different sectors for 3 different period. Writing task 2 – more people are moving into mega-cities: with 20 billion population, is this a negative or positive development?

For task 1 – I panicked and could not summarized as well I would normally do. For task 2 – completed but locked out no time to check.

I got my score for my compute based and got 6.5 for writing, i need to re sit for writing alone. Feeling demotivated,

Sorry to hear of your struggle. Tables can be challenging because there is so much information in them. You need to spend a lot of time just looking at tables and writing overviews. Once you have mastered the overview, you then need to look at lots of tables and simply decide what information to group together in which body paragraphs. It’s all about learning to select information. For writing task 2, planning should only take 5 mins and the introduction should be written very quickly because all introductions are similar – paraphrase and then state your position/main points. Only the body paragraphs take time to write, but you can only succeed in the body paragraphs if you have done enough planning before you start writing. All your sentences (information for each sentence) should have been planned before you start writing. Think carefully about how you prepare. You need to develop skills and strategies for both task 1 and task 2. I’m sure you can nail this. Just see it as another challenge that you will succeed in. Never let your emotions deter you. Your brain is a powerful tool and I have faith in you!! Good luck next time!!

Thank you Liz, will try again and re-sit soon with this strategies in mind.

hi mam, i am Nitharshini from srilanka. i am going to write exam coming December. so can you tell what are the topics expecting? please tell some tips and technic for eassy writing

The essay topics vary with each test. They are not seasonal. So, just stick with all the topics above and my 100 essay questions which cover a large range of topics that appear most years and can easily appear this year and next year: https://ieltsliz.com/100-ielts-essay-questions/

People’s shopping habits depend more on the age group that they belong to then other factors. To what extent do you agree or disagree? I was asked this on my test yesterday. Good luck for your exam!

It’s an interesting essay question. Thanks for sharing. Hope your test went well 🙂

Hi, Liz! Voraciously consuming your page in preparation for my 2nd attempt. Thank you for the easy-to-follow IELTS content. Indeed, very helpful! Would like to share the question I got last week on Task 2:

Nowadays public transport prices are rapidly increasing. Why do you think it is happening? How can this problem be solved?

For the first question, it does require an opinion, right? I mistook the question as only asking for causes and solutions and failed to express/give my opinion. In retrospect, I regretted not analyzing the question very carefully before answering. Hoping to get my desired band next time.

Your task asks you for causes and solutions. You could easily say “I think the main reason that X is happening is because …” or you could write “The main reason X is happening is because …”. Both are fine. In this case it doesn’t matter. You’ve chosen your ideas and presented them. The problem with IELTS essays only comes when you are asked to choose and to present a clear position, but you fail to give any position at all. Failure to choose when you are asked to choose is the problem. So, don’t worry with cause solution essays – present them as you wish.

Thank you, Liz! I reviewed your tips carefully and focused on writing task 2 essays for a week before trying out again. From 6.5 on my 1st attempt to 7.5 on my next. The next topic I got was about children’s freedom nowadays, whether it is a positive or negative development. Thank you very much! I will keep recommending your page to my friends who will take IELTS.

I pray that just as we’ve claimed victory over IELTS, you will emerge victorious in your fight against your disease. May God heal you and bless you!

Great to hear your news!! It’s wonderful to see someone push their writing score up like that. Very well done 🙂 And thanks for your support in my fight to win my health back – much appreciated.

Hello Liz , Thank you so much for sharing the new topic for IELTS. Hope , it Will help us. Get well Soon.

Glad it’s useful. Thanks 🙂

Hey liz, my task 2 qn was: constructing bigger roads may help to prevent traffic problems. what is your opinion?

May i know what type of qn is this..i approached this as agree/ disagree type. In my answer i made it clear that even though i consider constructing bigger roads help to tackle the issue , people should be encouraged to use public transport. Is this the correct strategy.

unfortunately, my writing score decreased from 7 to 6.5 this time. I don’t know the reason but i was sure that i wrote it better than my 1st attempt by following most of your suggestions.

It is an Opinion Essay. An opinion essay is the same as an agree disagree essay. Don’t get confused by the way teachers name essays. An opinion essay is one where IELTS present you with an opinion such as “some people think that constructing bigger roads may help to prevent traffic problems”. Your task is to decide if you agree, disagree or partially agree with the opinion given. You might have your own specific opinion. If you partially agree as you did, you would have one paragraph explaining the benefits of constructing bigger roads. Then you would have another paragraph explaining that bigger roads is only one solution and more public transport is needed as well. Both ideas would need a separate paragraph and full explanation. IELTS essays are not just about what ideas you have, they are also about how you present them, how you connect them and how you explain them. Another possible issue with your essay is your choice of ideas. If bigger roads will reduce traffic congestion, encouraging people to use public transport probably isn’t of vital importance because you no longer have congestion. This doesn’t mean you can’t use this idea, but it does mean you need to address this. Having ideas isn’t enough for a high score. You need to think your ideas through and address them in a way that makes sense. So, you might want to address the point that even widening roads won’t be effective enough and needs to be in conjunction with improving public transport, and encouraging people to use it. The higher the band score, the more you have properly thought through your ideas. I’ll post a model answer for this essay shortly so you can compare it to your own. And don’t forget that your overall writing score also includes task 1 which is one of the main reasons people struggle to push their score above band 7. Many people think that because task 1 is only 33% of their marks, they won’t focus on it. But 33% can actually have a huge effect on your overall score.

Huge thanks Liz for your reply and effort to put a model answer for the qn.

I got a letter qn asking to address the manager of the company to tell him about the how the employees felt about the foreign language course given by the company to them. Also asked to request for more such classes and suggest the available time to join them. In a rush i concluded it with the designation yours sincerely (bcz my salutation was Dear Mr, Robert Peterson). I thought that i addressed the manager by name then it could be considered as an informal letter. Should i have written yours faithfully instead? I worry it might affected my band score bcz i have framed my essay structure as that you have stated above.

You used the correct sign off. We use “Yours sincerely” when we know the name of the person we are writing to, for example “Dear Mr Smith”. We use “Yours faithfully” when we don’t know they name and in which case we might start “Dear Sir”. An informal letter is usually to a friend. We might start “Dear John” or “Hi John” and sign off “All the best” or “Take care” – something friendly and informal. Just because you knew the manager’s name “Mr Robert” does not mean it is informal. He is your manager, not your friend. It is a work related letter, not a letter related to a social party. So, relax, you did it right. Here’s a link for others to my essential tips for letter writing for IELTS General Training Writing Task 1: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-letter-writing-essential-tips/ Good luck with your results!

Extremely I’m grateful to you.I hope i’ld be able to get my desired band score in the next attempt.

Really praying for your health and happiness. Be blessed ❤️

I’m really pleased for you. Well done 🙂

Thank you so much

Madam,You are the best mentor i have ever seen Despite being ill ,you are keen on helping students .I appreciate your dedication and mentor .Get well soon.Love from India 🇮🇳.

You’re welcome 🙂

Dear Liz Today I had IELTS general training test, so I would like to share topic of writing task 2 for your useful website, if possible please post a sample answer for the below topic

Fast food is a part of life in many place. Some people think this has bad effects in lifestyle and diet. Do you agree or disagree?

Hi Liz, Thank you for the topics and the outline. You really make writing task 2 seem easy.

Thanks for sharing 🙂 Hope your test went well 🙂

Just now wrote this; please liz guide me on this. As I am going have my GT Ielts on coming weekend, InshAllah. Many modern societies have normalized the concept of fast food. Mostly, people eat fast food as their routine diet. In this essay I will write my view point regarding negative impact of fast food in lifestyle and diet.

I strongly believe that fast food is a reason of bad eating habit. As it is instantly ordered or cooked food with unmeasurable quantity of unhealthy ingredients, people usually don’t need to hustle or think before eating. This results in nonserious behavior towards the healthy eating style.

Secondly, fast food also influences the unwell way of living. For instant, if an irregular food is being eaten on a frequent basis will consequently result in illness and suffering. Therefore, people tend to end up in hospitals and so their lifestyle gets disturbed and miserable.

On the contrast, many people argue that fast food is good and easy to eat. They think like eating fast food is a part of modern era and brings them a social status. As far as I am concerned, I think they are unaware that this easiness and modernization will ultimately cause them illness and laziness. Because, they have become so much habitual of eating such type of edibles that they cannot think or realize further.

In conclusion, fast food makes a person unhealthy and ruins their lifestyle. In a way that people start to possess wrong eating choices and start to have health conditions after eating swiftly made food. In my opinion awareness of balanced diet should be encouraged across the globe.

Please review all my free lessons and tips for writing task 2 on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/ . If you need training in each type of essay, get my advanced lessons which you can find in my online store: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/ . Make sure you aim for between 270-290 words more or less. Try not to write such short essays and please review your paragraphing and linking words.

Are these the ways that Essays are sent in IELTS exams ,the bullet points under the main topic are we to use them to develop points that is paraphrasing them?

These are essay topics, not questions. If you go to the links I provided to the 100 essay questions, you’ll see examples of questions for most topics. Essay questions are great to practice with at home: https://ieltsliz.com/100-ielts-essay-questions/ . But you can’t possibly practice so many essay questions in full. Instead, you practice with as many questions as you can and the rest you tackle as just topics by preparing useful ideas you can use. Above, I have provided some of the new topics that have appeared in the test this year and provided you with ideas you can use in your essays. You will adapt those ideas depending on how the essay question is rephrased and depending on the task given. As I explained on the page, IELTS like to change the task and change the wording which is why your preparation needs to be flexible. If you wish to see model essays for different types of tasks for writing task 2, see this page for model essays and more tips: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

Hi liz , can we write “a survey conducted by the department the UK depicted that 45 % of people fo not respect their elders ” in task 2 of writing module

The examiner has no interest in data or numbers in writing task 2 essays and no interest in studies or research. None of that will boost your score. Instead, explain your points and illustrate them using a range of good language: “the majority of younger people nowadays seem to lack respect for their elders compared to previous generations”. “the majority” is better English than “75%”. Alternatively, “almost half of all young people” is better English than “45%”. Writing task 1 is about data in the academic test, but task 2 is not. Also expand your sentence by adding comparatives to previous generations to show the examiner more language skills.

thank you so much dear

Grateful to you 🙏 appreciate your efforts 😊 bless you dear ❣️

Hello, Thank you for your lesson. I would like to learn the vocabulary that you published (very useful material, for me) concerning crimes, punishments, etc .. but the page is protected. If it’s possible, please, to give me the permission to copy that page? For free or with a paiement? Thank you very much for your answer! Best regards, Andreia ,

Sorry, my website doesn’t allow coping. The act of making notes is part of language learning. The more you use the language both in writing and speaking, the quicker you will learn it.

Thank you very much mam . Your lessons have inspired and encouraged me to take the IELTS test . But I have a problem, I can’t really figure out how to create a link in task 2 general writing.

I don’t understand what you mean by create a link. Do you mean using linking words? You can find linking words for task 2 on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/linking-words-for-writing/

Such a wonderful topics, thank you so much dear Liz

I got my IELTS GT score today, and I wanted to thank you. I am so grateful for your website. While I had practiced Listening and Reading tests before, I ended up havinvg barely 1 day to prepare for the Writing (including familiarising myself with the format for GT) and Speaking owing to my sudden work demands. Your platform was instrumental in supporting me, especially with the Writing. During Speaking, I became a tad nervous, and I thought that had messed up, but that was just the post-exam fear.

My IELTS GT result: Overall 8.5 (L8.5, R8.5, W8.0 and S8.5). I had taken IELTS Academic back in 2019 but my Writing and Speaking bands back then were lower (Overall 8 with L9, D9, W7 and S7.5).

I currently reside in Australia, and I wanted to add the topics I had in my writing in case they may help someone else. – Task 1 was a formal letter to a teacher asking for reference. Prompts included why I’m writing to this particular teacher, the details of the job and why I think I’m fit for the role. -Task 2 was a two-question essay. It suggested that nowadays different generations in a family spend less time doing activities together. What is/are the reason(s)? Is this a positive or negative development?

Your tips on introduction paragraph writing and paragraph structuring helped me immensely. I established technology as the reason and took my stance on this gap causing a negative impact. In paragraph 1, I talked about how technology causes this from the older generations perspective. In paragraph 2, I used smart phones and social media as the technology advancements to suggest how gaps arise from the younger generations’ side. In paragraph 3, I establish how it negatively affects the development families and the community as a whole. Finished it up with the conclusion starting with “to conclude” just like you’ve recommended. If I hadn’t watched your content, I would’ve tried to be unnecessarily fancy, and lost points.

Again, I am truly grateful for your website, and all the work you’ve put into it.

Great results!! And I’m so pleased to see how you’ve improved. I’m glad you kept your essay focused – this is what IELTS writing task 2 is all about – focused and relevant sentences, each one serving a purpose. Thanks for sharing your writing tasks, it’s always useful to keep up-to-date. Wishing you all the best in your future 🙂

Hi Akash , I’m about to take my IELTS GT test please it would be of great help to me if you could help me with some questions and guidance

Thank you Liz,ur teachings are more easier and understandable 🙏

I’m glad it’s all useful 🙂

it seems that these topics do not have the task

Tasks can be altered in the same way that essay questions can be recorded. Don’t expect questions and task to appear the same in the test. This is the reason you need to prepare ideas for topics which you then adapt to the question and task.

Thank you mam for helping us ,from my bottom of heart your lessons give me more confidence to prepare my ielts exam…

welcome back Liz. Hope you are feeling much better now. Happy to see you back again. waiting for more videos . ❤️❤️😍

Thanks. I’m still struggling but I’m going to try and post up posts more regularly if possible. Fingers crossed 🙂 It’ll take me longer to make videos though.

helpful website

Thank you very much Liz. for those topics. I hope you are fine and strong again.

Thank you Liz,this email is so helpful.

Thank you very much.

Hi Liz , could you make video on music , history and comedy movie topics for IELTS speaking test ( part 2) ? How to tackle these topics ? Thanks Shazia

Sure, I’ll add them to my list of videos to make but as I’m still sick, it’ll be a while before I can make videos again. I do intend to get back to video making whenever I can.

Hi liz, Am very happy to be one of your student.May God bless you and your family for the good heart.Thanks Thanks

Much appreciated Liz. Your ideas are really helpful in opening up one’s mind

just thank thankful to you

Madam you are hope and inspiration of many of us.

Thank u madam

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Writing Tips

7 Essay Writing Contests to Look Out For in 2023

7-minute read
28th December 2022

Essay contests are not only a great way to exercise your essay-writing skills but also an awesome way to win cash prizes, scholarships, and internship or program opportunities. They also look wonderful on college applications as awards and achievements.

In this article, you’ll learn about 7 essay writing contests to enter in 2023. Watch the video below, or keep reading to learn more.

1. Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest

Deadline: Now–April 30, 3023

Who may enter:

This is an international contest for people of all ages (except for residents of Syria, Iran, North Korea, Crimea, Russia, and Belarus due to US government restrictions).

Contest description:

● The contest is organized by Winning Writers, located in MA, USA.

● They accept stories and essays on any theme, up to 6,000 words each. This contest defines a story as any short work of fiction and an essay as any short work of nonfiction.

● Your stories and essays must be submitted in English.

● You may submit published or unpublished work.

Entry fee: USD 22 per entry

● Story: First Prize is USD 3,000.

● Essay: First Prize is USD 3,000.

● 10 Honorable Mentions will receive USD 300 each (any category).

● The top 12 entries will be published online.

Official website

Please visit the competition’s official website for more information on judges and submissions.

2. 2023 Calibre Essay Prize

Deadline: Now–January 15, 2023, 11:59 pm

Who may enter: All ages and any nationality or residency are accepted.

● This contest is hosted by the Australian Book Review.

● Your essay must be between 2,000 and 5,000 words.

● You may submit nonfiction essays of all kinds, e.g., personal, political, literary, or speculative.

● You may enter multiple essays but will need to pay separate fees for each one.

● Your essay must be unpublished.

Entry fee: AU 30 for non-members

Prize: AU 7,500

Official website:

For more information on this contest, please visit its official website.

3. John Locke Institute Essay Competition

Deadline: June 30, 2023

● Students from any country.

● Students aged 15 to 18 years by the competition deadline.

● Students aged 14 years or younger by the competition deadline are eligible for the Junior prize.

● The contest is organized by the John Locke Institute.

● Your essay cannot exceed 2,000 words.

● There are seven subjects or categories for essay submissions: Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology, Theology, and Law.

Entry fee: Free to enter

● The best overall essay winner receives an honorary John Locke Fellowship, which comes with a USD 10,000 scholarship to attend one or more summer schools or gap year courses.

● There is also a prize for the best essay in each category. The prize for each winner of a subject category and the Junior category is a scholarship worth USD 2,000 toward the cost of a summer program.

● All winning essays will be published on the Institute’s website.

For more information about this competition and the John Locke Institute, please visit the official website . Also, be sure to check out our article on all you need to know about this contest.

4. The American Foreign Service Association 2023 Essay Competition

Deadline: April 3, 2023

● Students in grades 9–12 in any of the 50 states, DC, the US territories, or if they are US citizens or lawful permanent residents attending high school overseas.

● Students attending a public, private, or parochial school.

● Home-schooled students.

● Your essay should be 1,000–1,500 words.

Find this useful?

Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.

● You will select a country or region in which the United States Foreign Service has been involved at any point since 1924 and describe how the Foreign Service was successful or unsuccessful in advancing American foreign policy goals – including promoting peace – in this country or region and propose ways in which it might continue to improve those goals in the coming years.

● Your essay should follow MLA guidelines.

● Your essay should use a variety of sources.

● The first-place winner receives USD 2,500, a paid trip to the nation’s capital from anywhere in the U.S. for the winner and their parents, and an all-expense-paid educational voyage courtesy of Semester at Sea.

● The runner-up receives USD 1,250 and full tuition to attend a summer session of the National Student Leadership Conference’s International Diplomacy program.

Please visit the American Foreign Service website for more information.

5. The Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) 2023 Essay Contest

Deadline: Mid-February 2023–June 1, 2023

Who may enter: High school (including homeschooled), college, and graduate students worldwide.

● The 2023 essay contest topic is marriages and proposals.

● High school students may focus on Pride and Prejudice only or bring in other Austen works.

● Undergraduate and graduate students should discuss at least two Austen novels of their choice.

● Your essay must be in MLA format and 6 to 8 pages (not including your Works Cited page).

● Your essay must be written in English.

● First place wins a USD 1,000 scholarship.

● Second place wins a USD 500 scholarship.

● Third place wins a USD 250 scholarship.

● Winners will also receive one year of membership in JASNA, publication of their essays on this website, and a set of Norton Critical Editions of Jane Austen’s novels.

For more information and submission guidelines, please visit JASNA’s official website .

6. 2023 Writing Contest: Better Great Achievements by EngineerGirl

Deadline: February 1, 2023

● Students in Grades 3–12. If international or homeschooled, please select your grade level based on if you were attending a public school in the U.S.

● This contest is organized by EngineerGirl.

● Students should write a piece that shows how female or non-white engineers have contributed to or can enhance engineering’s great achievements.

● You should choose one of the 20 Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century as a topic and explore the technologies developed in the last century and the new ones being developed today. Make sure to follow the specific guidelines for your grade level.

● Essays should be 650–750 words based on your grade level.

● Please visit the contest’s website to see specific requirements based on your grade.

Winners in each grade category will receive the prizes listed below:

● First-place winners will be awarded USD 500.

● Second-place entries will be awarded USD 250 .

● Third-place entries will be awarded USD 100 .

For more information and submission guidelines, please visit the official website .

7. World Historian Student Essay Competition

Deadline: May 1, 2023

Who may enter: Students enrolled in Grades K–12 in public, private, and parochial schools and home-study programs worldwide.

● Your essay must address the following issue: In what way has the study of world history affected my understanding of the world in which I live?

● Your essay should be 1,000 words.

Prizes: USD 500

For more information and submission requirements, please visit the contest’s official website.

Essay contests are a great way to expand your writing skills, discuss a topic that is important to you, and earn prize money and opportunities that will be great for you in the long term. Check out our articles on writing thesis statements, essay organization, and argumentative writing strategies to ensure you take first place every time.

If you need help with your essays and would like to make sure that every comma is in place, we will proofread your first 500 words for free !

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Announcing the NeurIPS 2023 Paper Awards

Communications Chairs 2023 2023 Conference awards , neurips2023

By Amir Globerson, Kate Saenko, Moritz Hardt, Sergey Levine and Comms Chair, Sahra Ghalebikesabi

We are honored to announce the award-winning papers for NeurIPS 2023! This year’s prestigious awards consist of the Test of Time Award plus two Outstanding Paper Awards in each of these three categories:

Two Outstanding Main Track Papers
Two Outstanding Main Track Runner-Ups
Two Outstanding Datasets and Benchmark Track Papers

This year’s organizers received a record number of paper submissions. Of the 13,300 submitted papers that were reviewed by 968 Area Chairs, 98 senior area chairs, and 396 Ethics reviewers 3,540 were accepted after 502 papers were flagged for ethics reviews .

We thank the awards committee for the main track: Yoav Artzi, Chelsea Finn, Ludwig Schmidt, Ricardo Silva, Isabel Valera, and Mengdi Wang. For the Datasets and Benchmarks track, we thank Sergio Escalera, Isabelle Guyon, Neil Lawrence, Dina Machuve, Olga Russakovsky, Hugo Jair Escalante, Deepti Ghadiyaram, and Serena Yeung. Conflicts of interest were taken into account in the decision process.

Congratulations to all the authors! See Posters Sessions Tue-Thur in Great Hall & B1-B2 (level 1).

Outstanding Main Track Papers

Privacy Auditing with One (1) Training Run Authors: Thomas Steinke · Milad Nasr · Matthew Jagielski

Poster session 2: Tue 12 Dec 5:15 p.m. — 7:15 p.m. CST, #1523

Oral: Tue 12 Dec 3:40 p.m. — 4:40 p.m. CST, Room R06-R09 (level 2)

Abstract: We propose a scheme for auditing differentially private machine learning systems with a single training run. This exploits the parallelism of being able to add or remove multiple training examples independently. We analyze this using the connection between differential privacy and statistical generalization, which avoids the cost of group privacy. Our auditing scheme requires minimal assumptions about the algorithm and can be applied in the black-box or white-box setting. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our framework by applying it to DP-SGD, where we can achieve meaningful empirical privacy lower bounds by training only one model. In contrast, standard methods would require training hundreds of models.

Are Emergent Abilities of Large Language Models a Mirage? Authors: Rylan Schaeffer · Brando Miranda · Sanmi Koyejo

Poster session 6: Thu 14 Dec 5:00 p.m. — 7:00 p.m. CST, #1108

Oral: Thu 14 Dec 3:20 p.m. — 3:35 p.m. CST, Hall C2 (level 1)

Abstract: Recent work claims that large language models display emergent abilities, abilities not present in smaller-scale models that are present in larger-scale models. What makes emergent abilities intriguing is two-fold: their sharpness, transitioning seemingly instantaneously from not present to present, and their unpredictability , appearing at seemingly unforeseeable model scales. Here, we present an alternative explanation for emergent abilities: that for a particular task and model family, when analyzing fixed model outputs, emergent abilities appear due to the researcher’s choice of metric rather than due to fundamental changes in model behavior with scale. Specifically, nonlinear or discontinuous metrics produce apparent emergent abilities, whereas linear or continuous metrics produce smooth, continuous, predictable changes in model performance. We present our alternative explanation in a simple mathematical model, then test it in three complementary ways: we (1) make, test and confirm three predictions on the effect of metric choice using the InstructGPT/GPT-3 family on tasks with claimed emergent abilities, (2) make, test and confirm two predictions about metric choices in a meta-analysis of emergent abilities on BIG-Bench; and (3) show how to choose metrics to produce never-before-seen seemingly emergent abilities in multiple vision tasks across diverse deep networks. Via all three analyses, we provide evidence that alleged emergent abilities evaporate with different metrics or with better statistics, and may not be a fundamental property of scaling AI models.

Outstanding Main Track Runner-Ups

Scaling Data-Constrained Language Models Authors : Niklas Muennighoff · Alexander Rush · Boaz Barak · Teven Le Scao · Nouamane Tazi · Aleksandra Piktus · Sampo Pyysalo · Thomas Wolf · Colin Raffel

Poster session 2: Tue 12 Dec 5:15 p.m. — 7:15 p.m. CST, #813

Oral: Tue 12 Dec 3:40 p.m. — 4:40 p.m. CST, Hall C2 (level 1)

Abstract : The current trend of scaling language models involves increasing both parameter count and training dataset size. Extrapolating this trend suggests that training dataset size may soon be limited by the amount of text data available on the internet. Motivated by this limit, we investigate scaling language models in data-constrained regimes. Specifically, we run a large set of experiments varying the extent of data repetition and compute budget, ranging up to 900 billion training tokens and 9 billion parameter models. We find that with constrained data for a fixed compute budget, training with up to 4 epochs of repeated data yields negligible changes to loss compared to having unique data. However, with more repetition, the value of adding compute eventually decays to zero. We propose and empirically validate a scaling law for compute optimality that accounts for the decreasing value of repeated tokens and excess parameters. Finally, we experiment with approaches mitigating data scarcity, including augmenting the training dataset with code data or removing commonly used filters. Models and datasets from our 400 training runs are freely available at https://github.com/huggingface/datablations .

Direct Preference Optimization: Your Language Model is Secretly a Reward Model Authors: Rafael Rafailov · Archit Sharma · Eric Mitchell · Christopher D Manning · Stefano Ermon · Chelsea Finn

Poster session 6: Thu 14 Dec 5:00 p.m. — 7:00 p.m. CST, #625

Oral: Thu 14 Dec 3:50 p.m. — 4:05 p.m. CST, Ballroom A-C (level 2)

Abstract: While large-scale unsupervised language models (LMs) learn broad world knowledge and some reasoning skills, achieving precise control of their behavior is difficult due to the completely unsupervised nature of their training. Existing methods for gaining such steerability collect human labels of the relative quality of model generations and fine-tune the unsupervised LM to align with these preferences, often with reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF). However, RLHF is a complex and often unstable procedure, first fitting a reward model that reflects the human preferences, and then fine-tuning the large unsupervised LM using reinforcement learning to maximize this estimated reward without drifting too far from the original model. In this paper, we leverage a mapping between reward functions and optimal policies to show that this constrained reward maximization problem can be optimized exactly with a single stage of policy training, essentially solving a classification problem on the human preference data. The resulting algorithm, which we call Direct Preference Optimization (DPO), is stable, performant, and computationally lightweight, eliminating the need for fitting a reward model, sampling from the LM during fine-tuning, or performing significant hyperparameter tuning. Our experiments show that DPO can fine-tune LMs to align with human preferences as well as or better than existing methods. Notably, fine-tuning with DPO exceeds RLHF’s ability to control sentiment of generations and improves response quality in summarization and single-turn dialogue while being substantially simpler to implement and train.

Outstanding Datasets and Benchmarks Papers

In the dataset category :

ClimSim: A large multi-scale dataset for hybrid physics-ML climate emulation

Authors: Sungduk Yu · Walter Hannah · Liran Peng · Jerry Lin · Mohamed Aziz Bhouri · Ritwik Gupta · Björn Lütjens · Justus C. Will · Gunnar Behrens · Julius Busecke · Nora Loose · Charles Stern · Tom Beucler · Bryce Harrop · Benjamin Hillman · Andrea Jenney · Savannah L. Ferretti · Nana Liu · Animashree Anandkumar · Noah Brenowitz · Veronika Eyring · Nicholas Geneva · Pierre Gentine · Stephan Mandt · Jaideep Pathak · Akshay Subramaniam · Carl Vondrick · Rose Yu · Laure Zanna · Tian Zheng · Ryan Abernathey · Fiaz Ahmed · David Bader · Pierre Baldi · Elizabeth Barnes · Christopher Bretherton · Peter Caldwell · Wayne Chuang · Yilun Han · YU HUANG · Fernando Iglesias-Suarez · Sanket Jantre · Karthik Kashinath · Marat Khairoutdinov · Thorsten Kurth · Nicholas Lutsko · Po-Lun Ma · Griffin Mooers · J. David Neelin · David Randall · Sara Shamekh · Mark Taylor · Nathan Urban · Janni Yuval · Guang Zhang · Mike Pritchard

Poster session 4: Wed 13 Dec 5:00 p.m. — 7:00 p.m. CST, #105

Oral: Wed 13 Dec 3:45 p.m. — 4:00 p.m. CST, Ballroom A-C (level 2)

Abstract: Modern climate projections lack adequate spatial and temporal resolution due to computational constraints. A consequence is inaccurate and imprecise predictions of critical processes such as storms. Hybrid methods that combine physics with machine learning (ML) have introduced a new generation of higher fidelity climate simulators that can sidestep Moore’s Law by outsourcing compute-hungry, short, high-resolution simulations to ML emulators. However, this hybrid ML-physics simulation approach requires domain-specific treatment and has been inaccessible to ML experts because of lack of training data and relevant, easy-to-use workflows. We present ClimSim, the largest-ever dataset designed for hybrid ML-physics research. It comprises multi-scale climate simulations, developed by a consortium of climate scientists and ML researchers. It consists of 5.7 billion pairs of multivariate input and output vectors that isolate the influence of locally-nested, high-resolution, high-fidelity physics on a host climate simulator’s macro-scale physical state. The dataset is global in coverage, spans multiple years at high sampling frequency, and is designed such that resulting emulators are compatible with downstream coupling into operational climate simulators. We implement a range of deterministic and stochastic regression baselines to highlight the ML challenges and their scoring. The data (https://huggingface.co/datasets/LEAP/ClimSim_high-res) and code (https://leap-stc.github.io/ClimSim) are released openly to support the development of hybrid ML-physics and high-fidelity climate simulations for the benefit of science and society.

In the benchmark category :

DecodingTrust: A Comprehensive Assessment of Trustworthiness in GPT Models

Authors: Boxin Wang · Weixin Chen · Hengzhi Pei · Chulin Xie · Mintong Kang · Chenhui Zhang · Chejian Xu · Zidi Xiong · Ritik Dutta · Rylan Schaeffer · Sang Truong · Simran Arora · Mantas Mazeika · Dan Hendrycks · Zinan Lin · Yu Cheng · Sanmi Koyejo · Dawn Song · Bo Li

Poster session 1: Tue 12 Dec 10:45 a.m. — 12:45 p.m. CST, #1618

Oral: Tue 12 Dec 10:30 a.m. — 10:45 a.m. CST, Ballroom A-C (Level 2)

Abstract: Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) models have exhibited exciting progress in capabilities, capturing the interest of practitioners and the public alike. Yet, while the literature on the trustworthiness of GPT models remains limited, practitioners have proposed employing capable GPT models for sensitive applications to healthcare and finance – where mistakes can be costly. To this end, this work proposes a comprehensive trustworthiness evaluation for large language models with a focus on GPT-4 and GPT-3.5, considering diverse perspectives – including toxicity, stereotype bias, adversarial robustness, out-of-distribution robustness, robustness on adversarial demonstrations, privacy, machine ethics, and fairness. Based on our evaluations, we discover previously unpublished vulnerabilities to trustworthiness threats. For instance, we find that GPT models can be easily misled to generate toxic and biased outputs and leak private information in both training data and conversation history. We also find that although GPT-4 is usually more trustworthy than GPT-3.5 on standard benchmarks, GPT-4 is more vulnerable given jailbreaking system or user prompts, potentially due to the reason that GPT-4 follows the (misleading) instructions more precisely. Our work illustrates a comprehensive trustworthiness evaluation of GPT models and sheds light on the trustworthiness gaps. Our benchmark is publicly available at https://decodingtrust.github.io/.

Test of Time

This year, following the usual practice, we chose a NeurIPS paper from 10 years ago to receive the Test of Time Award, and “ Distributed Representations of Words and Phrases and their Compositionality ” by Tomas Mikolov, Ilya Sutskever, Kai Chen, Greg Corrado, and Jeffrey Dean, won.

Published at NeurIPS 2013 and cited over 40,000 times, the work introduced the seminal word embedding technique word2vec. Demonstrating the power of learning from large amounts of unstructured text, the work catalyzed progress that marked the beginning of a new era in natural language processing.

Greg Corrado and Jeffrey Dean will be giving a talk about this work and related research on Tuesday, 12 Dec at 3:05 – 3:25 pm CST in Hall F.

2023 Conference

Announcing NeurIPS 2023 Invited Talks

Reflections on the neurips 2023 ethics review process, neurips newsletter – november 2023.

Newsletters

IE 11 Not Supported

Study: ai used in 11% of student papers since april 2023, a study by anti-plagiarism platform developer turnitin, which reviewed over 200 million student papers worldwide since april 2023, found that over 22 million of them used ai to generate at least 20 percent of the writing..

AI writing,Robot,Hand,Writing,The,Book,ChatGPT

BY THE NUMBERS

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Environmental Science: Nano

2023 outstanding papers published in the environmental science journals of the royal society of chemistry.

a Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China

b Carnegie Mellon University Department of Chemistry, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

c Department of Civil and Resource Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

d Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK

e Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Portugal

f Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, USA

g Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA

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Graphical abstract: 2023 Outstanding Papers published in the Environmental Science journals of the Royal Society of Chemistry

This article is part of the themed collection: Outstanding Papers 2023 – Environmental Science: Nano

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Z. Cai, N. Donahue, G. Gagnon, K. C. Jones, C. Manaia, E. Sunderland and P. J. Vikesland, Environ. Sci.: Nano , 2024, Advance Article , DOI: 10.1039/D4EN90012J

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AI Index Report

Welcome to the seventh edition of the AI Index report. The 2024 Index is our most comprehensive to date and arrives at an important moment when AI’s influence on society has never been more pronounced. This year, we have broadened our scope to more extensively cover essential trends such as technical advancements in AI, public perceptions of the technology, and the geopolitical dynamics surrounding its development. Featuring more original data than ever before, this edition introduces new estimates on AI training costs, detailed analyses of the responsible AI landscape, and an entirely new chapter dedicated to AI’s impact on science and medicine.

Read the 2024 AI Index Report

The AI Index report tracks, collates, distills, and visualizes data related to artificial intelligence (AI). Our mission is to provide unbiased, rigorously vetted, broadly sourced data in order for policymakers, researchers, executives, journalists, and the general public to develop a more thorough and nuanced understanding of the complex field of AI.

The AI Index is recognized globally as one of the most credible and authoritative sources for data and insights on artificial intelligence. Previous editions have been cited in major newspapers, including the The New York Times, Bloomberg, and The Guardian, have amassed hundreds of academic citations, and been referenced by high-level policymakers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, among other places. This year’s edition surpasses all previous ones in size, scale, and scope, reflecting the growing significance that AI is coming to hold in all of our lives.

Steering Committee Co-Directors

Ray Perrault

Steering committee members.

Erik Brynjolfsson

John Etchemendy

Katrina Ligett

Terah Lyons

James Manyika

Juan Carlos Niebles

Vanessa Parli

Yoav Shoham

Russell Wald

Staff members.

Loredana Fattorini

Nestor Maslej

Letter from the co-directors.

A decade ago, the best AI systems in the world were unable to classify objects in images at a human level. AI struggled with language comprehension and could not solve math problems. Today, AI systems routinely exceed human performance on standard benchmarks.

Progress accelerated in 2023. New state-of-the-art systems like GPT-4, Gemini, and Claude 3 are impressively multimodal: They can generate fluent text in dozens of languages, process audio, and even explain memes. As AI has improved, it has increasingly forced its way into our lives. Companies are racing to build AI-based products, and AI is increasingly being used by the general public. But current AI technology still has significant problems. It cannot reliably deal with facts, perform complex reasoning, or explain its conclusions.

AI faces two interrelated futures. First, technology continues to improve and is increasingly used, having major consequences for productivity and employment. It can be put to both good and bad uses. In the second future, the adoption of AI is constrained by the limitations of the technology. Regardless of which future unfolds, governments are increasingly concerned. They are stepping in to encourage the upside, such as funding university R&D and incentivizing private investment. Governments are also aiming to manage the potential downsides, such as impacts on employment, privacy concerns, misinformation, and intellectual property rights.

As AI rapidly evolves, the AI Index aims to help the AI community, policymakers, business leaders, journalists, and the general public navigate this complex landscape. It provides ongoing, objective snapshots tracking several key areas: technical progress in AI capabilities, the community and investments driving AI development and deployment, public opinion on current and potential future impacts, and policy measures taken to stimulate AI innovation while managing its risks and challenges. By comprehensively monitoring the AI ecosystem, the Index serves as an important resource for understanding this transformative technological force.

On the technical front, this year’s AI Index reports that the number of new large language models released worldwide in 2023 doubled over the previous year. Two-thirds were open-source, but the highest-performing models came from industry players with closed systems. Gemini Ultra became the first LLM to reach human-level performance on the Massive Multitask Language Understanding (MMLU) benchmark; performance on the benchmark has improved by 15 percentage points since last year. Additionally, GPT-4 achieved an impressive 0.97 mean win rate score on the comprehensive Holistic Evaluation of Language Models (HELM) benchmark, which includes MMLU among other evaluations.

Although global private investment in AI decreased for the second consecutive year, investment in generative AI skyrocketed. More Fortune 500 earnings calls mentioned AI than ever before, and new studies show that AI tangibly boosts worker productivity. On the policymaking front, global mentions of AI in legislative proceedings have never been higher. U.S. regulators passed more AI-related regulations in 2023 than ever before. Still, many expressed concerns about AI’s ability to generate deepfakes and impact elections. The public became more aware of AI, and studies suggest that they responded with nervousness.

Ray Perrault Co-director, AI Index

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ESSAY QUESTION PAPER - UPSC Civil Services IAS Mains - 2023 . DOWNLOAD ESSAY QUESTION PAPER : UPSC CSE MAINS 2023 [here] Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team. Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic.
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Essay Paper UPSC 2023 (Mains) Question Paper and Analysis

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UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2023: Exam Analysis

Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team

Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic.

Not all who wander are lost

Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane

Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands- two equally harmful disciplines

Mathematics is the music of reasons

A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity

Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school

What Should Aspirants Preparing for UPSC CSE for Next Year do for an essay paper?

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1. Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team.

2. Visionary decision making happen at the intersection of intuition and logic

3. Not all who wander are lost

4. Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane

5. Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands – two equally harmful disciplines

6. Mathematics is the ‘music of reason’

7. A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity

8. Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in the school

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