Happy New Year

Happy New Year

With New Year,

Set in, I say.

Move on from,

Yesterday to today.

Bury all worries,

In gone past.

Shift gear of life,

And just re-start.

Renew hope,

Reshape dream.

Can get anywhere,

Under your steam.

Learn to blow,

From wind ever.

Let your self flow,

Like restless river.

Fear not failure,

Success comes.

After succession

Of failures.

Nothing impossible,

In the world is.

Often stubbornness,

Achieves impossibilities.

Forgive all,

Forget insults.

Give hugs,

With new cult.

Persuade sulking,

Sweetheart and friends.

Love tames all,

Sets a new trend.

Wake up Virat Kohli,

In you and fix.

Play 2020,

Hit ball for six.

Mukesh here pray,

For far and near.

Wishes you all,

Happy New Year.

By Mukesh Sharma

January 1, 2020

Practical Essay-writing in English

Practical Essay-writing in English

Structurally speaking, an essay is a group of paragraphs where each para represents a factual thought related to the subject matter

By Mukesh Sharma

The students who have completed their schooling through Hindi medium, and have studied English as a subject to pass out 10^th or 12^th, often find the question on essay in competitive exams for government services rather challenging. Of course, at school level, the questions which are based on prescribed text books, can be answered by mugging up the answers – a common practice, but the question on essay in competitive exams is usually based on some proverbs/quotations or some socio-politico happenings; it needs general awareness; it needs the practical knowledge of English language related to human life, society, politics, religion and nature.

What is noteworthy, whenever one sits down to write something, his/her mind uses pre-conceived sentences available in mind collected, unconsciously, through academic pursuit and life-journey of years. However, if one writes down in second language and the needed sentences are not available in mind in that language, a quick mental translation process starts from first language (mother tongue) to second language. Since languages, usually, defy translation, one ends up with non-standardised sentences or fractured English e.g:

Wo apne baal khule rakhti hai (Hind sentence)

She keeps her hair loose (translated non-standardised sentence)

She wears her hair unkempt (Standardised English sentence)

Furthermore, as a computer stores the information in the form of tiny pixels, the mind stores it in the form of pictures. To a mind, a word is just a sound if not represented symbolically, and it gets dissipated in the unknown maze of memory lanes of mind. But a sentence represents an action and creates a mental picture. And the mind is picture retentive rather than sound. So, to write well one needs to feed the mind with the variety of readymade sentences related to different aspects of life as much as possible. It can be possible if one has good reading habit and is a voracious reader. It is simple as one learns to speak by repeatedly hearing sentences, one learn to write too by reading the written sentences. More one reads, more one learns to write –  man begins to learn by imitation only. Only a well-read man can write well.

That is why with the poor vocabulary and poor feeding of English sentences, the students are not able to think in English – If one can think correctly, one can  write accurately. Translation often upsets the apple-cart.

In this age of cut-throat competition and confusion,  people want short cuts to success – there is rat race for success not for knowledge. No doubt, smartness is the need of the hours. So, even if one has not read many books, one can commit to memory at least some short-listed useful proverbs/quotable quotes. The use of right quote at the right place not only helps one to endorse his/her views with the thought of others but also passes himself/herself off as a learned person. Therefore, this blogger sincerely suggests his valued readers/students to read and cram the proverbs and quotations. Proverbs have been given in Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary also. Quotations of famous writers can be read from any good book on quotation. Student-writers must make their own collection of socially, politically  etc. relevant quotations, and it can be collected from internet too.

Before practical writing is discussed at length, the students first must understand the characteristics of an essay. Oxford dictionary says: “an essay is a literary composition on any subject.” In other words, it is an exercise in expression of one’s own exclusive thoughts on some topic; it must reflect the unity, order, brevity, style, and a personal touch in the expression of thought. Further on the basis of style and subject  matter, essays can be divided into five categories:

1.      Narrative Essay – It seeks to narrate the subject matter e.g. story of Lakshmi Bai etc.

2.      Expository Essay – It is an expression of exclusive thoughts on the subject matter e.g. on some social practice, religion, habit etc.

3.      Reflective Essay – It is an expression of exclusive thoughts on the subject matter e.g. on some social practice, religion, habit, etc.

4.      Imaginative Essay -  consists of expression of imagination on the topic e.g. if I were a  superman.
5.   Descriptive Essay – consists of description of some event/happenings. It is commonly asked in the exams.

If one wishes to know how essays are written, one must read some renowned essayists of the yester- years such as Francis Becon (16^th century) – known for his short and sententious essays; Joseph Addition (17thcentury) – known for his thought provoking average length essays; Thomas Babinghan Macaulay (19^th century) -  known for his long but quintessential  and critical essays.

What is common in all types of essays is the exclusive thoughts of the author couched in paragraphs. Structurally speaking, an essay is a group of paragraphs, where each para represents a factual thought related to the subject-matter. Each para is headed by a factual statement/outline. On the basis of keywords, this statement/outline can further be expanded, elaborated, illuminated and exemplified that collectively give it a shape of a well-written para. Likewise, para after para may be developed to pen down a complete essay on any topic. Valued readers may take the clue from this blogger’s well acknowledged and acclaimed blog entitled ‘Of Paragraph-writing’. As discussed in the said blog, chunks and connectives play a crucial role in the development of the paras, the same is applicable to the development of paras in an essay. Here this blogger seeks to suggest a standardised format for the essay, particularly, for the students who feel that their English is not strong enough to think and write correctly and comfortably. This blogger sincerely believes that  the valued readers would find this very helpful. Here are suggested common chunks and connectives for the development of paras.

Common chunks

-          It is very much significant that . . .

-          It throws light on the wholesome truth. . .

-          But as a matter of fact

-          It is maintained that

-          But every coin has two sides

-          It is generally believed that . . .

-          It doesn’t mean that . . . .

-          It is the received wisdom

-          Truth can’t be created; it exists in nature, only a true truth seeker can discover it.

-          Nothing is absolute in this world except God.

-          It still holds water that

-          A mound can’t be made without digging a hole

-          It is very well acknowledged and acclaimed fact that

Common Connectives

-          As a matter of fact

-          It is believed that

-          It is maintained that

-          It is obvious that

-          It is evident that

-          It is contended that

-          It is well said

-          There is no doubt that

-          Interestingly enough

-          It is an irony

-          Keeping in view

-          There is no knowing what is next

-          Needless to say

-          Under the circumstances

-          It can be concluded

-          In other words

-          It won’t be wrong to say that

Suggested format

 Introductory Paragraph

Explain and elaborate the topic with the help of chunks and incorporate different keywords related to topic to spell out the scope of the essay. Numbers of keywords may be set as per the prescribed limit of words for essay as each key word has to be developed into a para.

Factual thought/outline- Para 1

-          Use chunks and connectives  to expand and explain on the basis of key words in outline

-          Negative and positive aspects of the fact may be discussed to expand para

-          Endorse it with the quotation/proverb of a renowned writers

-          It may be illuminated with examples too

-          Restrict it to 80-100 words

Factual thought/outline – Para 2

-          Develop para on the same guideline as given in para 1

Concluding para

In the light of all the discussed factual thought, draw a conclusion using the chunks and connectives. It may be restricted to 30-50 words.

It is evident that with the help of this format students may write essay on any topic of any prescribed word limit.

Write two essay in 100-1200 words from each A & B  (UPSC 2019 Mains)

A

             1       Wisdom finds truth

                   OR

2         Best for an individual is not necessary best for the society

B                                           

3         Biased media is a real threat to Indian society

                                 OR

4         Neglect of or primary health care and education in India are the reasons for its backwardness.

SPECIMEN

Answer

Wisdom finds truth

The statement ‘Wisdom finds Truth’ is very much significant and sententious. It throws light on wholesome truth. It is a hard fact that born in the laboratory of the world, the wisdom reflects the ways of the world. No doubt, wisdom is an empirical knowledge; it is a consequential experience; it is a circumstantial credible evidence; it is a reality of life; it is timeless; it is a gift from one generation to another; the world without wisdom shall be like a time rudderless vessel in the ocean of time knowing nothing how to swim ashore. As sunshine leads to the sun, wisdom leads to truth.

N.B. (Nota bene): read carefully the abovementioned introductory para and note how the factual thoughts have been incorporated.

Para-1

It is a well acknowledged and acclaimed fact that the wisdom is an empirical knowledge. There are two types of knowledge – one acquired from books and another from the experience of life. The bookish knowledge is theoretical but the knowledge acquired from the experience of life is called practical or empirical knowledge. It is a proven knowledge that stands in good stead in difficult time of the life. If a curd is knowledge, wisdom is the churned out butter.

N.B. (Nota bene): Read carefully and note how the para has been developed with the help of chunks and key words. It can be expanded further, if need be.

Para-2

It won’t be wrong to say that the wisdom is a consequential experience. It is a fact that the wisdom is born out of the resultant experience. It is well said that even truth is not absolute; it changes with the circumstances. The sun rises is East is a truth on the earth. But sun rises and sets in space after every three hours. The earth has one moon but the Jupiter has eight moons. In other words, truth may change with the circumstances but wisdom remains unchanged in the circumstances. So it can be said that the wisdom is a consequential experience.

N.B. (Nota bene): Note how with the help of key words, in outline, a para has been developed.

Para-3

It is also contended that the wisdom is circumstantial credible evidence. Of course, it holds water under specific circumstances irrespective of age and time. It can’t be refuted. “Anger starts with foolishness and ends with repentance.”This quotation can’t be proved wrong. It is an axiomatic saying. There is wisdom in the statement. It is obvious that wisdom is a circumstantial evidence.

N.B. (Nota bene): Note how the para-2 has been developed on the basis of key words

Para-4

It is generally believed that wisdom is the reality of the life. “Nothing is absolute in this world except God” says Newton. Only God can create the truth. Man can simply make discoveries. Truth exists in nature; it remains hidden in nature; only a resolute truth seeker can discover it. All the scientists, philosophers or intellectuals make incessant efforts to winnow the wheat of the reality out of the visible chaff of truth. And thus refined truth is called wisdom. Wisdom is the true reality of the life.

Para-5

Wisdom is timeless. Of course, the truth may change with time and circumstances. For instance, Killing someone in self defense may not fall under the category of murder. So the truth may change. It depends on the circumstances. But wisdom doesn’t change either with the circumstances or time. Wisdom doesn’t let the inimical circumstances be developed. What seems imminent can be averted by the wisdom. Mahatama Buddha changed the heart of killer Angulimar by his wisdom. So, wisdom is timeless. It doesn’t change with time or circumstances. On the contrary, it has power to change the circumstances.

Para-6

Wisdom is a gift from one generation to another. To be on lighter side, even wisdom tooth is cut after many years of experience in matured age. And elders always taunt at the foolishness of a youngster by saying he/she has yet to cut the wisdom tooth. All the religious scriptures of all the religions are endowed with nothing but wisdom. All the saints and philosopher lay their hand on wisdom after years of experiment, experience and observations. Such wisdom when put out in books, it can easily be transferred from one generation to another. Armed with the wealth of wisdom, new generation further makes new discoveries and new observation, and a new knowledge is produced. As living being bear the living beings, wisdom begets the wisdom. Evidently enough, wisdom is a gift from one generation to another.

Para -7

The world without wisdom shall be like a rudderless vessel in the ocean of time knowing nothing how to swim ashore. In fact, life is governed by the wisdom. The knowledge is transferred by one generation to another. Based on that a new knowledge is produced. Thus produced knowledge furthers the progress of human civilization. The little knowledge of Wright Brothers in the flying of an air craft laid the foundation for the today’s jet and supersonic planes. Their discovery was the prototype of today’s high teach planes. Wisdom is an asset created by one generation and is used by the posterity. Without wisdom the world would be like a rudderless vessel not knowing how to swim ashore.  Without light, one can’t see even with the healthy eyes.

Concluding Para

In the light of above mentioned factual thoughts, it can be convincingly concluded that truth is wisdom and wisdom is truth. As sunshine leads to sun, wisdom leads to truth. Wisdom finds truth.

******

Mind you, there is no hard and fast rule for writing. Each learned writer can create his/her own style and diction. Here this blogger doesn’t claim any high erudition. Take it just a suggestion. And this blogger sincerely believes that the students, particularly, from Hindi medium and from Hindi heartland- UP, Harayana, MP and Bihar, with poor English, would find this format very helpful and useful. it might be conducive to the fulfillment of their cherished dream.

Practice improves skill. Read and re-read your own written essay, you will be able to refine it. For practice, attempt at least 20 essays that will bring confidence in you and hone your writing skill.

Of Note making

Of Note-making

An exercise in making short notes of a given passage with the help of headline, subheadings, recognizable abbreviations and arithmetic symbols

By Mukesh Sharma

When there were no tape-recorders/mobiles,  jotting down notes was the only option for the journos to cover any interview, event, incident or happening. However with the advent of internet, life has changed phenomenally. But to students, note-making is still a popular choice to take down notes in the class. And, of course, in academic exams at senior secondary level, note-making is also one of the questions in English paper as per CBSE syllabus where examinees are asked to make notes of a given passage; it is also one of the compulsory questions in several competitive exams for government services.

Note-making

As far as exams are concerned, note-making is an exercise in making short-notes of a given passage with the help of headline, subheadings, recognizable abbreviations and arithmetic symbols.

Ground rules

While making notes of a given passage, the student must keep in mind certain important points that reflect the characteristic of notes, as follows:

1.       All important sentences/main points of the given passage must be given an appropriate sub- heading.

2.       If the main point under sub-heading  has many other important details, it must be mentioned through points.

3.       If point has other inevitable details, it must be mentioned with proper indentation.

4.       Use keywords to denote certain ideas with the help of abbreviation e.g. UNO, NCERT, etc. and arithmetic symbols such as > <,  kg, %, etc.

5.       As used by the newspaper, use coined short words e.g. SC, govt., Eng., etc.

6.       Use invented words e.g. edu., mfg, etc.

7.       Must follow the logical sequence of ideas/thoughts discussed in the passage.

8.       Must include important information in brief.

9.       Must be short to the point.

10.   Give a suitable headline/title to the given passage.

Suggest standardized format

Though a student can go by his/her own format that conforms to all above said important characteristics of  note-making, generally speaking, the under mentioned suggested standardized format may help the students in attempting the question on note-making, easily, comfortably and confidently.

Note-making format

How to start

1.        Read the passage carefully to have the idea of theme/central idea under discussion.

2.       Underline the leading sentence/outline in each para that leads to development of a fact in the para.

3.       Look at the last para that concludes the theme/central idea.

4.       Give the central idea/theme discussed in the passage a headline.

5.       Now give each para a sub-heading based on the fact/idea discussed.

6.       Mark related/relevant details and mention it as point-1, point-2, and so on.

 7.       Underline the words/key words that can be abbreviated and any increase or decrease of something may be mentioned through arithmetic symbols

Specimen

Question:

On the basis of your reading of the passage, make notes on it using recognizable abbreviation (minimum-4) wherever necessary. Use a format that you consider appropriate. Also suggest a suitable title.

Write a summary of the passage in 80 words.

Toddlers with graying hair, an 8 year old with high pressure and cholesterol, a pre-adolescent who has the physique of a 20 year old – the sign are ominous. Biological clocks in children are ticking rapidly and the rate at which their organs are aging in faster than their chronological age.

The country’s medical fraternity may take pride in improving life expectancy, but  the spurt in life style disease, especially among children has resulted in premature aging. This means the increase life expectancy doesn’t necessary translate into improved quality of life. Every organ in human body has an age and when a child suffers from life style disease like cholesterol and diabetes, his or her organ takes a beating. Thus the functionality of eight year old child’s organ is that of a 30 years old. Manifestation of their problems are evident, with children as young as sporting glasses, early sign of facial hair in boys.

Doctors in India say that they are treating more children with ailments usually associated with adults.

Diabetes and hypertension is leading to stress on organs. Children’s organ are aging, though they may be young in terms of years. Genetic factors account for a meager 20 % of premature aging. The main reasons are the environmental and dietary. Pediatric obesity, which is reaching epidemic proportion, high stress level, sedentary and changing lifestyles and various chemical used in food contribute to premature aging.

When diabetes sets in at an early stage, the child’s blood vessels start stiffening which happens only in older people. Technically, we are starting at a scenario where the child is aging much faster than his chronological age.

Courtesy: Times of India

                                                                                                                                                           

Answer

Premature Aging

Toddler with grey hair -1

      a)      BC > CA -1

Lifestyle disease – 2

       a)      Chol and Diabetes

        b)      Org. has age

Main reasons – 3

        a)      Env and diet – 1

        b)      Genetics – 20% - 2

        c)       PO (Pediatric obesity) –3

         d)      Sedentary lifestyle – 4

Diabetes early age-4

       a)      Aging of CA(chronological age)

Keywords:

BC – Biological Clock

CA – Chronological Age

Org- Organs

PO- Pediatric obesity

Summary 

PREMATURE AGING

Biological clocks in children are ticking faster than chronological age. Children with grey hair, high BP and cholesterol, are getting older than their age. Life style disease like diabetes and cholesterol are causing pre mature aging. Genetics is responsible just 20%. But environment and diet coupled with sedentary lifestyle are causing pre mature aging among children.

Mind you, practice improves the skill. All kinds of writing needs only three things : practice, practice and practice.

Of Report-Writing

Of Report-writing

Besides competitive exams, it is one of the important parts of work in administrative services

By Mukesh Sharma

In the morning and I will

Report-writing is an exercise in giving words to an observation made about some happenings and penning it down in a right order without missing any important/key fact. In other words, it is a brief about an event or incident based on investigation/research work carried out by the official concerned for the submission to authority concerned.

Of Report-Writing

In administrative services, report-writing is an important part of the work. As an appointed officer, IO (investigation officer), the Commission or an instituted Committee, one is directed to hold inquiry into any contentious matter and file report on findings.

A report can be classified into three categories:

1.       Report by an official concerned to authority.

2.       Report (news) by a reporter for a newspaper.

3.       Report for school/college magazine by a student (report writing in exams)

Report to Authority

As far as a report is concerned, it can be just a two line or a voluminous one running into hundreds of pages like the bound volumes of a book. Usually in government services, a high ranking official is appointed as IO to inquiry into the lapses/ allegations of subordination, misconduct or abuse of power by an accused employee of a department, and file the report to authority concerned. Courts also order an inquiry into a petitioned complaint where IO (a police officer) is directed to inquiry into a case and file the report before the Court. CAG (Comptroller Auditor General) constitutional body authorized to examine and audit the accounts of government departments/organizations and file the annual report. While filing report, the official concerned follows an standardized format as under:

Title

Title of the matter under investigation

By line

 Name of IO

Date and Place

Date and place

Introduction

Report in nutshell

Investigation and outcome

Details of investigation and outcome

Conclusion and recommendation

Conclusion drawn and recommendation

Report for newspaper

The duty of a reporter/ journalist working with a newspaper is to collect the news worthy information about some happening/event/incident in the largest interest of public, and disseminate it through the newspaper what is called a news story. News paper reports also follow a standardized format. Look at the diagram as under:

All news stories follow an inverted pyramid format which is standardized format. In fact, a news story is a collection of facts. And the facts are arranged in descending order of importance. The most important fact goes to top and the least important goes to bottom. In other words, the most important fact makes the headline and the least important fact makes the tail. The standardized contents of a news story/report are as follows:

Headline

The most important fact makes the headline; it is always catchy capable of attracting the attention of the reader; it also tells the complete story in nutshell; it is, mostly, in present, and is also anti-grammar and anti-syntax.

By line

It is the name of the reporter/journalist who has filed the report/news.

Date and Place

Just beneath the byline, date and place is also mentioned from where the news has been reported/ filed.

Intro

The very first Para of a news story in journalism is called INTRO that conforms to 5w and 1H (who, where, what, when, why and How). It means even the very first Para gives the complete information about the news in nutshell.

Paras

In a news story, paras are not interconnected. Each Para presents a new fact. And these facts are arranged in descending order of importance. Thus, the more important precedes  the less important one. And the least important makes the tail of the story.

Report in exams

Attempting a question on report-writing in exams also follows a standardized format as acknowledge and approved by the CBSE at school level. Look at the diagram below:

Specimen 

Question:

 You are Sanjay / Sarita, Head of English Literature club of your college, Ramjas college, University of Delhi. Your college organized a debate on " Rote-learning is killing the creativity". Write a report in 125 words. Use invented details.

Answer:

Rote-learning Kills Creativity 

“The rote-learning which is a product of wrong education system, is killing the creativity of young learners” said Mr. Raman Chauhan, one of the participants in the debate, organized by the English literature club on 15 December, 2019, in the auditorium, Ramjas College, North campus, Delhi University.

The fierce debate was organized under the aegis of ZEE TV hosted by Mr. Sandeep Chaudhary and the panelist were Sh. Deepak Karlekar, Vice Chancellor, DU, Chetan Bhagat, writer Mrs. Rosy Joan, HOD, English Department, St. Stephen College, DU.

The rote-learning,” said Rajni Kapoor. “It is the very basis of learning. A child begins to learn by imitation and repetition. All of us must have mugged up tables at our primary school level only by rote-learning.”

“Rote-learning inhibits thinking process” said Ritu Raj, yet another participant. “Our exam system promotes rote-learning. It measures the capacity of the students to store the material. It doesn’t assay their creativity.”

Raman Chauhan begged the best speaker award and the awards were conferred on by the Vice Chancellor. The other participants were given conciliation prizes.

The total 7 participants took part in the debate. Raman Chauhan, Rajni Kapoor, Shiva Garg, Sachin Tomar, Ramesh Singh, Ramlal and Preeti Garg.