Master Class

On
Descriptive Writing
Content is Not Supreme
 Objective

1. Write Excellent Answers even with Average Content

2. Tricks to Fetch high marks
3. Live Practice so that you can apply what you learn
 3 Step Framework

1. Finding Keywords in the Question

2. Framing Micro Questions Discussion using PYQs

3. Guidelines to Write Good Body, Intro and Conclusion

Pre-Requisites
 3 Step Framework

1. Finding Keywords in the Question

2. Framing Micro Questions

3. Guidelines to Write Good Body, Intro and Conclusion

What are Keywords in a Question ?
a word or concept of great significance.
What are Keywords in a Question ?
a word or concept of great significance.
 3 Step Framework

1. Finding Keywords in the Question

2. Framing Micro Questions

3. Guidelines to Write Good Body, Intro and Conclusion

Micro-Questions?

Highlight the salient features of the Union Budget 2013-14.

Micro-questions

What are the Salient Features of Union-Budget 2013-14

Micro-Questions?

Discuss the positive and negative implications of service sector growth in the process of
economic development.

Micro-questions

What has been the positive impact of Service Sector Growth on Economic Development?
What has been the negative impact of Service Sector Growth on Economic Development?
Micro-Questions?

Explain the causes of India’s rising sexual crime graph. What measures would you suggest to
prevent the same?

Micro-questions

What are the causes of India’s rising sexual crime graph?

What are measures to prevent the sexual crime graph in India?
Micro-Questions?

“Money holds the key to work motivation at workplace”. Discuss and give the role of non-
financial incentives in motivation

Micro-Questions

1. To what extent does money motivate at workplace?

2. To what extent does non-financial Incentives motivate at workplace

How Non-financial Incentives are better than Money in motivating workers?

Micro-Questions?

Motivation is the Core of Management”. Discuss

Micro-Questions

1. What are the Objectives of Management?

2. How Motivation helps in achieving those Objectives?
Micro-Questions?

Deepening challenge of the climate change is the area that requires immediate global
attention”. Discuss.

Micro-Questions

1. What are various challenges with respect to climate change?

2. Is it really something grave that needs to be tackled immediately?
Let's Practice

Review the achievements and failures of Indian planning in reaching its targets and policies

‘Development projects are considered as temples of modern India ’. Justify your answer
with reference to their impact on environment and health
Let's Practice

Monetary policy is not a panacea for India’s long term economic challenges?

Explain the linkage between environment and economic development

 3 Step Framework

1. Finding Keywords in the Question

2. Framing Micro Questions

3. Guidelines to Write Good Body, Intro and Conclusion

 Introduction in Descriptive Writing

Components of Good Intro

Examples of good/average/poor Intro

 Components of Good Introduction

Relevant to question (Relevance)

10-12% of Word limit (Conciseness)

Connecting Line with Body (Linking)

 Possible Types of Introductions

Fact/Data: GDP Growth, Data on NPAs, Data on Frauds

etc.
Definition

Recent Context (Current Affair)

Quote/Real-Life Example
 Possible Types of Introductions

Banking Industry has been grappling with NPAs inspite of so many steps
Fact/Data: GDP Growth, Data on NPAs,
Data on Frauds etc.
being taken by the RBI and government? Discuss

Definition
What is Fintech and how it is changing the Landscape in Banking Sector?

Recent Context (Current Affair) RBI needs to Tame Inflation for a better Economic Growth?

Quote/Real-Life Example
What is the role of Money in motivation? Discuss
 Possible Types of Introductions
Fact/Data: GDP Growth, Data on NPAs,
Data on Frauds etc.
Definition
Recent Context (Current Affair)
Quote/Real-Life Example
The dark clouds of non-performing assets (NPAs) are looming over the
banks in India”. Comment. Also discuss the reasons for NPA in India and
suggest the way forward to tackle the menace of NPA.
Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cautioned individuals and small
businesses against falling prey to the growing number of unauthorized
digital lending platforms and mobile applications. In the view of the above
news, discuss the challenges associated with the Digital Lending in India.
Also suggest the measure to overcome the challenges.
“Change is absolutely necessary; all resistance to change is bad”. Do you
agree?
 Example 1

“The dark clouds of non-performing assets (NPAs) are looming over the banks in India”. Comment. Also discuss the
reasons for NPA in India and suggest the way forward to tackle the menace of NPA.

INTRODUCTION – SAMPLE # 1 PARAMETERS OF EVALUATION

Non-performing assets or NPAs are the credits advanced by RELEVANCE CONCISENESS LINKS TO BODY

financial institutions on which they have not received any interest
or principal payment for more than 90 days. These are stressed
assets which affect the balance sheets of the banks and their
profitability.
REMARK:
1. Intro not closely connected to what is being asked in
the question.
2. Presenting data to show the rising trend of NPAs in
the recent times would have been the most
appropriate intro for this question.

RESULT: POOR INTRODUCTION

 Example 1

“The dark clouds of non-performing assets (NPAs) are looming over the banks in India”. Comment. Also discuss the
reasons for NPA in India and suggest the way forward to tackle the menace of NPA.

INTRODUCTION – SAMPLE # 2 PARAMETERS OF EVALUATION

Financial stability report released by RBI in 2020 estimated total RELEVANCE CONCISENESS LINKS TO BODY

Non performing assets (NPAs) of 7.5% on of September 2020 and REMARK:

projected to reach to 13.5% by September 2021. NPAs in public
sector banks account for 80-90% of total NPAs and top 35
corporate contribute 30% of it. This problem of NPA is not new to
India, this is are as old as the banking system. But the issue has
1. The good thing about this intro is that it does have
data about the rising trend of NPAs in India.
2. However, intro has certain unnecessary phrases
(highlighted in yellow) that increase the length
without adding any value.

aggravated in last two decades since the times india has started RESULT: AVERAGE INTRODUCTION
going for growth to have mark in the world
 Example

“The dark clouds of non-performing assets (NPAs) are looming over the banks in India”. Comment. Also discuss the
reasons for NPA in India and suggest the way forward to tackle the menace of NPA.

INTRODUCTION – SAMPLE # 3 PARAMETERS OF EVALUATION

As per the 22nd Financial Stability Report, released by RBI, it is RELEVANCE CONCISENESS LINKS TO BODY

projected that, under the normal baseline scenario NPA of the
India banks will rise to 13.5% (September 2021) and in extreme
case the NPA figure can rise to alarming levels of 14.8%. This will
be all time high levels in history of Indian banking. Thus, dark cloud
of NPAs are looming over the Indian banking industry. Let us see
what are the reasons for such high levels along with remedies to
control them
REMARK:
1. Intro is relevant, concise and links well to the
upcoming body of the question.
2. Value addition by presenting facts from an
authoritative report makes a solid first impression.
RESULT: GOOD INTRODUCTION
 Example

What role can the E-commerce sector play in the growth of the MSMEs in India? What are the constraints faced by the
E-commerce sector in India? What measures can be taken to enable rapid and sustainable growth of this sector?

INTRODUCTION – SAMPLE # 5 PARAMETERS OF EVALUATION

E-commerce is the usage of technology to trade goods and services RELEVANCE CONCISENESS LINKS TO BODY
in the economy. With the advancements in the technologies like
REMARK:
fintech, faster payment methods, the MSME’s have a fantastic 1. This introduction is relevant, concise and links well to
opportunity to grab a pie in this rising trade. For example, Amazon the body.
has tied up with Maharashtra to support the MSMEs of the state. 2. Real life example of tie up between Amazon and
Maharashtra also helps in adding value.
However, e-commerce sector faces several constraints, which if
removed, will help in the faster growth of the broader Indian RESULT: GOOD INTRODUCTION
economy. Let us discuss the opportunities for MSME’s in context of
E-commerce followed by constraints to realize the same and
measures that can be taken to enable rapid growth of MSME’s.
 Example
It has been 75 years since independence, yet the pledge that India made to its girls and women remain unfulfilled.
Comment.
INTRODUCTION – SAMPLE # 4
The Gender gap refers to the difference in attainment of women
with respect to men in social, economic, political, spiritual spheres.
India stood at 112th position out of 153 countries in "Gender Gap
Index 2020" released by the World Economic Forum. This is
worrisome. It has been 75 years since independence, yet we, the
people of India, could not create the level playing field for women
in the world of men. As country went under series of changes since
Independence, some necessary steps were taken to remove the
gender disparity and differences, however the pledge of
independence for girls and women has not been fully redeemed.
Let us see the various reasons for the same and ways to overcome
them
PARAMETERS OF EVALUATION
RELEVANCE CONCISENESS LINKS TO BODY
REMARK:
1. Referring to India’s performance on Gender Gap Index
to bring out the poor state of gender empowerment
across social, economic and other in India makes for a
strong start.
2. Intro also refers to ‘necessary steps’ that have been
taken, which indicates that the body will elaborate
upon the positive steps taken on gender issues in
India. By stating the pledge of independence is not
fulfilled, intro sets the stage to discuss shortcomings.
RESULT: GOOD INTRODUCTION
 3 Step Framework

1. Finding Keywords in the Question

2. Framing Micro Questions

3. Guidelines to Write Good Body, Intro and Conclusion

Body of an Answer: Important Points

MICRO Q. ANS Paragraphs/Points/Subheadings

LOGICAL FLOW

STATS/EX/CASE. Order of Importance

 Example 1

“The dark clouds of non-performing assets (NPAs) are looming over the banks in India”. Comment. Also discuss the
reasons for NPA in India and suggest the way forward to tackle the menace of NPA.

-Category 1- assets as nonperforming for period 30 days

-Category 2- assets as non performing for period 30-90 days
-Category 2- assets as non performing for period more that 90 days
If assets is not giving any income for more than 90 days then declared as non-performing assets and may be showed
as default.
Concern
Banks are take deposit and lends the same money to the individal or company as per their needs of credit. This
credit is in the lakhs and crores for companies on which bank earns interest. If this principal and interst is not paid to
bank by debtor on time-to-time basis then it is loss of earning and at the same time money lost is of depositors hard
earned money. Thus bank undergeos credit risk, operational risk,reputation risk.
Recently in financial stability report RBI has projected GNPA 13.5 % for FY 22 and may rise upto 14.8 % in case of
stressful situation. According to the Kamath committee constituted by RBI, The stressed asset for FY21 is around 22
lakh crore after pandemic struct. Thus in total i.e. before and after of COVID-19 pandemic stressed assets is around
37 lakh crore which is around 39 % of banks assets is under stress.
ANSWER BODY – SAMPLE # 1
Measures-
-Prompt Corrective action - By observing threshold set for capital adequacy ratio, Risk weighted asset
ration and NPA, Banks are kept under PCA action i.e. under observation and plans, strategy to be
made for banks to bring at normal position.
-IBBI - Insolvency and Bankruptcy of India had been formulated in 2016 to work on investment
options. to guide and take measures for company to make the principal and interest back to bank.
-SARFAESI act-
-Restructuring of assets- Recently RBI had announced restructuring of accounts which were not NPA
on or before February 28, 2020. Kamath committee constituted to recommend measures on the
same.

MICRO Q. ANS Paragraphs/Points/Subheadings

LOGICAL FLOW
Order of Importance

STATS/EX/CASE.
ANSWER BODY – SAMPLE # 2
There are various reasons behind the NPAs in the banking sectors:
- Improper screening: Many banks, especially public sector banks, are not employing right
techniques in the screening of loan applications due to lack of data of modern technologies.
- Legacy assets: Many big loans that turned sour during the Global Financial Crisis of 2008 were
restructured for a long time and they came to light during the Asset Quality Review (AQR) or even
after that
- Stress in NBFC Sector: The NBFC sector has been dealing with shortage of funds after the IL&FS
crisis in 2018. This has made increased their inability to repay the funds borrowed from banks.
- Corruption: Certain loans are extended by the banks of a fraudulent basis. As evident in the
Punjab National Bank and Nirav Modi case, few officials extend loans in an unethical manner that
later turn out to be NPAs
- Willful defaulters: There are defaulters who are capable of repaying the loans but still don’t repay
it and get out of India, for example, the kingfisher airlines case.
- Connected lending: As in the case of PMC bank, the promoters have to indulge in connected
lending that eventually harms the bank
ANSWER BODY – SAMPLE # 2
Various methods have been employed in the past by the RBI to tackle this problem like 5:25 rule, Joint Lenders Forum (JLF)
etc. but have not reaped desired result. To tackle the NPA problem of the changing world, better methods have to be
adopted. The formation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 is such a step in the right direction.
Few other strategies to tackle the NPA menace are:
- Data analytics: Banks must upgrade their credit models and invest in modern technologies like data analystics and
artificial intelligence.
- Secondary Market: A secondary market for the banks’ loans is the requirement of the day. It will help banks remove such
assets that it suspects of turning bad and fetch the market price for it.
- Strict disclosures: If a loan account defaults and it has no visible chance of being healthy again, banks must report it as
NPA and should not restructure them for any reason
- Corporate governance: The top leadership of banks have to improve the corporate governance and culture in their
organisation. An aware, motivated employee is less like to indulge in unethical activities and will align the interests of the
banks with his own.
MICRO Q. ANS Paragraphs/Points/Subheadings

LOGICAL FLOW

Order of Importance
STATS/EX/CASE.
 Example 2

Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cautioned individuals and small businesses against falling prey to the growing
number of unauthorized digital lending platforms and mobile applications. In the view of the above news, discuss the
challenges associated with the Digital Lending in India. Also suggest the measure to overcome the challenges.
ANSWER BODY – SAMPLE # 1
Some of the major challenges of the digital lending are –
A. Zombie firms – These are a special type of companies which dupe the consumer by providing
high return on their investment and they also lend to some restricted parties and which is national
cause of concern.
B. Mind games – Digital lending companies plays various mind games with their borrower if they
didn’t pay on time. For example, if the borrower misses out the payment on due date, digital
lending companies will make some public statements which will impact the goodwill of the
borrowers, which is ethically not correct.
C. No or less regulation – Currently, there is very low or less regulatory standards to which these
digital lending companies adhered too. There is a need to develop optimum standards, which
would ensure that digital lending market grows but not at the cost to others or borrowers.
D. Lack of infrastructure – The main challenge which these digital lending companies faces is the
lack of potent infrastructure, especially in the rural, where the credit flow is very low.
ANSWER BODY – SAMPLE # 1
Digital lending also offers various other advantages too, some of them are –
A. Low cost funds – Digital lending companies ensures that the rate of interest which is charged
from the borrowers is comparatively low, as there is low cost of operating in the digital companies.
B. Less time – Because of internet the loan is approved within hours, and it helps the businesses to
acquire the loan a faster pace and keep business’ activities running smoothly.
C. Less paper work – Owing to the above point there is very less or no paperwork in the market of
digital lending. It reduces negatives of the environment as well and moreover the overall hanling
cost of paper files also falls
D. Reduces the role of 3rd party – There is no 3rd party and an ecsrow account is used for faster
transmission of the loan funds.

MICRO Q. ANS Paragraphs/Points/Subheadings

LOGICAL FLOW

STATS/EX/CASE. Order of Importance

ANSWER BODY – SAMPLE # 2
Although there are numerous benefits of transacting via digital medium, it is also prone to certain
issues. The same are discussed below:
i. Rise of unscrupulous sites: There are a lot of dummy sites online who promise easy credit to the
borrowers at minimal interest rate. However, people fall prey to this when they realize that there
are hidden transaction costs associated to the deal.
ii. Major Lucrative offers online: Nowadays companies provide major lucrative offers to the
customers to promote their products. Huge amount of cashbacks, instant discounts etc. are offered
in order to lure customers. However, in absence of detailed study of the terms and conditions
might cause major financial loss to the customer.
iii. Financial Awareness: As per census 2011 figures, literacy rate in India is around 73%. However,
the digital literacy is very less. This has resulted in many cases where financial unaware citizens rely
on the words of the seller and enter into a transaction.
iv. Security Infrastructure: Although the digital infrastructure in India has improved drastically, the
same has immense room for improvement. With the rise of numerous hacking events, a strong
digital infrastructure is the need of the hour to combat the same.
ANSWER BODY – SAMPLE # 2
RBI, along with the GoI, has taken various measures to handle the issue of large frauds online.
Some of them are discussed as under:
i. Financial Literacy: This is a supply side measure. RBI has taken many steps to increase the
financial literacy among the citizens by initiating events like financial literacy weeks, educating
school children, advertisements etc.
ii. ReBIT: RBI has also launched ReBIT in 2016 to improve the digital infrastructure of our country.
iii. Improving Grievance handling: With the presence of a Digital Banking Ombudsman, a large
number of complaints related to online frauds can be made online. RBI has taken multiple steps to
ease the process of the filing complaints and getting it resolved.
iv. Sachet Platform: RBI has launched Sachet Platform for the general public wherein they can act
as whistleblowers and raise issues of concern to the RBI

Paragraphs/Points/Subheadings
One big Bonus Point
MICRO Q. ANS

LOGICAL FLOW Relate the solutions to the

Order of Importance problems
STATS/EX/CASE.
Body of an Answer: Other Points

MICRO Q. ANS Paragraphs/Points/Subheadings

LOGICAL FLOW Order of Importance

Headings Conveying the idea properly

STATS/EX/CASE.

NO SPELLING MISTAKE

Relation between Problems and Solutions

 Conclusion in Descriptive Writing

Need of Good Conclusion

Outline of a Conclusion

Tips for Good Conclusion

 Conclusion Outline

Are Dogs better Pets than Cats?

Fresh rephrasing of thesis Dogs make the best pets in

Conclusion
Starter statement the world

• Summarize or wrap up the main

Dogs are cleaner, better at
Supporting points in the body of the essay
showing affection, and
Sentences ultimately easier to train.
• Explain how ideas fit together

• Provide Solution to end on positive note

Closing • Provocative question
Sentence Would you still want
• Why should we care? someone cute or someone
with affection and Loyalty?
 Conclusion Outline

Are Dogs better Pets than Cats?

There is no doubt that dogs make the best pets

in the world. They provide a cleaner
environment for your home, are not afraid to
show their feelings, and can be trained to do a
variety of tricks and jobs. Would you still want
someone cute or someone with affection and
Loyalty?
 Conclusion Outline

Should students be allowed to have cell phones in

E.1 elementary school?

Conclusion Starter: Though cell phone would be convenient for after-school,

there is too much evidence to show that it's generally not a good idea

Supporting ideas: Use of Cell phones can lead to negative impact on studies,
addiction to screen time, cyber bullying and irrevocable impact on physical
health

Closing Sentence (Why should we care?) Children are the future of our
country and giving them cell phones at elementary level can be disastrous
 Conclusion Outline

Should students be allowed to have cell phones in

E.1 elementary school?

Conclusion Starter: Although it's easy to see why allowing an elementary

school child to have a cell phone would be convenient for after-school pickups
or arranging playdates with friends, there is too much evidence to show that
it's generally not a good idea

Supporting ideas: Use of Cell phones can lead to negative impact on studies,
addiction to screen time, cyber bullying and irrevocable impact on physical
health

Closing Sentence (Provide Solution) Clearly, elementary school-aged

children are not emotionally mature enough to handle the responsibility of a
smart phone, and the borrowing of a parent's cell phone should be highly
monitored to ensure safe and healthful usage.
 Conclusion Outline

Should students be allowed to have cell phones in

E.1 elementary school?

Conclusion Starter: Although it's easy to see why allowing an elementary

school child to have a cell phone would be convenient for after-school pickups
or arranging playdates with friends, there is too much evidence to show that
it's generally not a good idea

Supporting ideas: Use of Cell phones can lead to negative impact on studies,
addiction to screen time, cyber bullying and irrevocable impact on physical
health

Closing Sentence (Provocative Question) Clearly, elementary school-aged

children are not emotionally mature enough to handle the responsibility of a
smart phone. Would you prefer convenience or safety of your child?
 Conclusion Outline
Banks are still grappling with NPAs inspite of
E.2 so many steps being taken by RBI and
Government. Discuss
Conclusion Starter: No doubt the banks are still grappling with NPAs and
more innovative measures needs to be taken but the situation could have
been more worse if timely steps had not been taken by RBI and Government

Supporting ideas: On one hand like Mission Indradhanush infused the

much needed capital in the banks, on the other hand steps like IBC and
amendment in SARFESAI Act made sure that banks are able to recover their
money without lengthy arbitrations.

Closing Sentence (Provide Solution to end on positive note):

Government needs to introduce more reforms related to corporate
governance to tame the NPAs
 Conclusion Outline
Banks are still grappling with NPAs inspite of
E.2 so many steps being taken by RBI and
Government. Discuss
Conclusion Starter: No doubt the banks are still grappling with NPAs and
more innovative measures needs to be taken but the situation could have
been more worse if timely steps had not been taken by RBI and Government

Supporting ideas: One on hand like Mission Indradhanush infused the

much needed capital in the banks, on the other hand steps like IBC and
amendment in SARFESAI Act made sure that banks are able to recover their
money without lengthy arbitrations.

Closing Sentence (Why should we care?): The increased NPAs put

pressure on recycling of funds and reduces the ability of banks for lending
more .Thus, the increased incidence of NPAs not only affects the
performance of the banks but also affect the economy as a whole
 Example 1

“The dark clouds of non-performing assets (NPAs) are looming over the banks in India”. Comment. Also discuss the
reasons for NPA in India and suggest the way forward to tackle the menace of NPA.

NPAs is the big elephant in the room which can derail Indian
economy. Lack of screening of loans and incompetent data
analytics are the major factors that has lead to NPAs. All the
stakeholders including governments, regulators and corporates
must come together to work on the issue. A resilient banking
system and a robust credit sanctioning and recovery mechanism
will lead to poverty alleviation, income augmentation and help
India achieve the goal of becoming $5 trillion economy by 2024-25.
 Example 2

Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cautioned individuals and small businesses against falling prey to the growing
number of unauthorized digital lending platforms and mobile applications. In the view of the above news, discuss the
challenges associated with the Digital Lending in India. Also suggest the measure to overcome the challenges.

It is need of the hour that gullible section of the society shall be

prevented from falling prey to notorious practices followed by
unauthorized digital lending platforms and mobile applications.
There are roadblocks like Lack of financial awareness or unsecured
digital infrastructure, but with RBI taking steps to promote financial
inclusion and ramp up digital infrastructure in the country we can
look forward to more space for digital lending in Indian banking
system. Do you think Convenience can be compromised over
safety?
 Conclusion in Descriptive Writing

Need of Good Conclusion

Outline of a Conclusion

Tips for Good Conclusion

 Avoid these For Good Conclusion

Following words shall not be used

“ In conclusion”, “As shown in Answer” etc.
Including evidence (quotations, statistics, etc.) that should be in the body of the paper

Making sentimental, emotional appeals that are out of character with the rest of an analytical paper.

Criticism of Government Bodies

 Avoid these For Good Conclusion

In conclusion, we can say that video games are

problematic for our society Video games are problematic for our society as they
promote violence. As per report by XXXX organization, 93%
As shown in answer, sexual education is of the children playing video games found themselves low
necessary for our society on self-esteem

Video games are problematic for our society as they

promote violence.

Let us take a pledge that we will force the regulators to ban

all these violent video games for the better future of our
society
 ANSWER BLUEPRINT
• Read carefully Sample Question
• Note KWs and make ________________________________ PARAMETERS OF EVALUATION
Micro questions ________________________________
RELEVANCE
START WITH FOCUS ON TOPIC/THEME
Introduction CONCISENESS

LINKS TO BODY
SUB-HEADING 1
• Order of Importance
• Paragraph/Points
• No Spelling Mistakes
• Headings Conveying the idea
properly SUB-HEADING 2
• Relation between Problems and MICRO Q. ANS
Solutions
Main Body LOGICAL FLOW

STATS/EX/CASE.

Value Addition Elements:

• Statistics
• No Data/Facts • Schemes / Reports Conclusion Starter
• No Harsh Criticism • Case Studies
• No Sentimental Appeals • Current Affairs Synthesis
• No usage od words like ‘In
Conclusion’ or ‘As shown in the WAY AHEAD / NEED OF THE HOUR Conclusion Ender
Conclusion
Question’