TISS/XAT/MICAT Essay Writing

Hi for all those who are preparing for TISS/XAT essay writing.

Evaluation parameters

Content (70 % weight age ): in content the following points are looked at :relevancy to the topic, no. of facts and examples provided to substantiate your point ( remember what you have written if it is an attitude based topic because your questions in the PI are based on the same)
Language : should be grammatically and technically correct (refer the editing section for details on)
Presentation style (simple and precise)
Types of topics: topics based on current affairs (Global warming is about the developed vs.the developing nations)
Attitude based: (Ships are kept in the harbour, but they are not meant to be
        kept there)
Essay pattern:
Going back to school ☺
Follow the IBC pattern: introduction, body and conclusion
Introduction:
Should be catchy (can be done by using a quote, anecdote, example, punch line)
Should convey your point of view (whether you agree or disagree)
Should give the reader an idea of what is to follow in the paragraphs
Body: a minimum of 2 paragraphs and a maximum of 3 paragraphs
Each paragraph should have one opinion and a fact to support your opinion. You can also give related opinions. The more facts you give the better and easier it is for a reader to understand the topic.
Conclusion: reiteration of the idea (don’t bombard the reader with another point on which he has to think on his own)
Style of writing: argumentative
Editing: generally happens into two areas: content and structure
Structural editing: it involves looking out for mistakes we do while writing. Can be done in the following fields:

• Sentence construction: use simple sentence. Maximum length of the sentence should be two lines. Please remember a sentence has to begin with a capital letter and end in a full stop (for most of us the concept of punctuation does not exist ☺)
• You need not use synonyms of words you are not comfortable with (we still believe in the         maxim : beauty lies in simplicity)
• Grammar watchers : verbs and tenses (the same tense through out),look out for number agreement between the noun ,the pronoun and the verb
• Keep an eye on prepositions (not mentioning articles : this is an slippery area, still look out for the usage of articles with proper nouns)
• Punctuations : follow the comma, full stop (at the end of every sentence),question mark ,use of apostrophe ,exclamatory marks (for interjections)
• Use the appropriate case : the upper and the lower (some times merely a case difference          changes the meaning of the words : Catholic (religion),catholic (universal)
•  Check out spelling mistakes (generally in the doubling of consonants, the difference between         ie/ei) No slang or regional language words or phrases.No short forms like lol,btw,asap,r,den etc......