RESTRICTED

HOW TO WRITE A GOOD MIL ESSAY/ SVC PAPER: GUIDELINE TO

MY 58 L/C COURSEMATES

General

1. The guidelines provided by me may not be perfectly agreed upon by

the scholars. It may not be comprehensive or ideal. However, following
those I got good dividend, and it gave me good scores. You may not follow
it blindly rather consider only the portion useful for you. The guideline is
purely based on my experience and understanding on military essay/svc
paper writing. I have comprehended these ideas from my svc experience,
srs guideline and serving in SI&T. Notable, this guideline of mine
deviates from std layout of mil svc paper and uses mil abbr
indiscriminately. None of my friends is to consider this paper as a svc
paper. This is merely a guideline developed sequantially.

2. Pl remember that, SD is a very imp aspect of mil paper. Yet, at this

stage SD cannot give you more than an AVERAGE score. You have to go
in-depth of the subj matter. Henceforth, understanding the topic is very imp.

3. As mil writers, we have the tendency to ‘sit the aprc’ rather than
‘aprc the sit’. We tend to write which we have prep at home but
unfortunately topic asks something else. That harms the logical dev of the
paper, and we falter to achieve desired std.

4. We like to write more on the part of the paper where we have good
grip. Say for example, a topic is given as fol:

‘UNITED STATES-IRAN CRISIS: SPECULATIVE SECURITY

CONCERN AND WAYS AHEAD FOR WORLD SUPER POWERS
AND UNITED NATIONS TO MITIGATE THE CRISIS’ (My today’s
guideline is based on this topic)

Now, we have very good grip on the causes of tension/genesis of conflict

because these are aval on internet. So we write more under this group
head. We can also find out few sy concerns like rise of terrorism, nuclear
1
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

threat etc. So we write medium on the second group head. However, at the
last end, either our fuel exhaust or time ends, due to which we write very
scanty suggestions. As a result our paper looks like this:

GENESIS OF CONFLICT

SPECULATIVE SECURITY
CONCERNS
WAYS AHEAD BY
WORLD SUPER
POWERS AND UN

Diag-2: Improper Distr of Words for Gp Heads

5. We have to understand the purpose of writing any military paper. The

purpose of any paper is to suggest solutions, not to discuss the genesis.
We have to understand that Genesis is known to everybody that’s why the
paper has been selected for us. That’s why we have to be rational while
writing mil essay. So the ideal paper should have been:

GENESIS OF
CONFLICT

SPECULATIVE SECURITY
CONCERN

WAYS AHEAD BY WORLD SUPER

POWERS AND UN

2
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

Diag-2: Rational Distr of Words for Gp Heads

6. The proportion of a mil paper is very important. Henceforth,

writing mil paper is a mathematical task, not a literature analysis. We
may fol the guideline to frame your paper which consists of 1500
words:

a. Introduction-150 words.
b. Aim- As nec (It usually does not exist more than 20 words).
c. First Gp Head: Gensis of Conflict- 200 words

d. Second Gp Head: Speculative Security Concern- 300 words

e. Third Gp Head: Suggested Measures by World Super

Powers and United Nations- 450 words.

f. Conclusion- 300 words.

g. Recom- As nec (Max it takes 30 words).

h. Total: 1450 words (50 words unforeseen).

How to dev Synopsis/Framework of the Paper

7. To dev the paper, you should read the topic for at least thrice.
Thereafter, you should try to ident the maj group heads as per the reqr of
the paper. Ident of gp heads is most important part at his stage. Where can
you find the probable gp heads? It is in the second para of given topic
which starts with ‘In light of above……’. Remember the exam pressure
will provoke all of us to think few exceptional group heads. However, we
should strict to basics as it helps to formulate a viable paper within shorter
time frame. The basic is Genesis/Background of the Problem, Impact of the
Problem and Suggested Ways to Solve the Problem. It is always better to
divide the mil paper in to three gp heads, not two or four. For example, in
my exam, the topic was given:

3
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

After receiving the topic, I was in dilemma and initially thought of dev gp
heads as fol:

8. Option-1
a. Security Concern in the Middle –East Region.
b. Measures to be taken by World Superpowers.
c. Measures to be taken by United Nations.
9. Option-2
a. Genesis of Conflict.
b. Security Concern in the Middle –East Region.
c. Measures to be taken by World Superpowers.
d. Measures to be taken by United Nations.
10. Option-3
a. Genesis of Conflict.
b. Security Concern in the Middle –East Region.

4
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

c. Measures to be taken by World Superpowers and United

Nations.
11. Finally, I decided to remain strict to my basics and opted for option 3
even the paper did not ask the first portion. I had two logics behind this:

a. If I don’t write root cause, how do I ident the concerns or

how do I suggest to solve? We need to diagnose the disease to
prescribe medicine.

b. I was confident that I will cover Suggested ways to

overcome both for UN and world super powers adequately under
the last gp head, hence I discarded option 2. Again remember
that, it is better not to go for four group heads in mil svc paper
writing. It will upset our mathematical calculation and the paper
may lose its rationality (I draw your attn on diag 2). If we remain
strict to that, we don’t have any issue if we integrate both c and
d of option-2 (given topic example) together under one group
head. That helped me in my decision making.

12. Once I finalized Group heads of Synopsis, then I thought of pertinent

points under the heads and I dev my synopsis. It is your own style. One
titbit to fol: when you see you have many points in mind but you cannot
write so many paras, add a para as ‘General’ as the first para which
generalize the discussion under the group head.

13. Without finalizing the synopsis, you should not start your writing.
Again, after finalizing your synopsis, you should not change while writing.
You should remain strict and believe in yourselves. After finalizing
synopsis, you should finalize your title of the paper. When you will finish
structure, automatically, you will understand what can be a befitting
heading/Title of the topic. Remember, your topic heading/Title, scope of
the paper and aim of the paper will maintain a ‘Trinity’. They must be
similar and maintain uniformity. In case of mine I wrote something
similar as mentioned below:

5
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

a. Title. UNITED STATES-IRAN CRISIS: SPECULATIVE

SECURITY CONCERN AND WAYS AHEAD FOR WORLD SUPER
POWERS AND UNITED NATIONS TO MITIGATE THE CRISIS.

b. Scope. The paper will initially highlight the genesis of US-

Iran conflict. Thereafter, the paper will narrate the speculative security
concerns raised due to US-Iran conflict. Finally the paper will suggest
few plausible measures to be undertaken by world super powers and
United Nations to mitigate the crisis.

c. Aim. The aim of the paper is to suggest few plausible

measures to be undertaken by world super powers and United
Nations in order to mitigate US-Iran crisis (Remember the correct
wording, don’t write solve, see ques paper).

How to Write Introduction of the Paper

14. Introduction bears the image of the paper. While writing Introduction
we must understand that correct introduction writing is a prerequisite to
score good marks. This part of the paper will be read by examiner and he
will possess a generic impression about you and the std of the paper
reading the intro. Your intro should ans three basic ques: What,
Why/so what and how? Few guidelines on intro writing is shared below:

a. General. Basing on your handwriting you should earmark

how many pages you will write. In my case, I will write 1.25 page
since I normally write 120 words per page. I will write total 150 words
and three paras for a 1500 word paper. I shall write 60-60-30 words
and use 5-7 sentences max for para 1, 2 and 3 sentence for para 3.

b. First Para of Intro. First para of intro should ans the ques:
What? That means, what the topic has asked for? To write this para, I
read the given topic very carefully and try to extract the key words
from the first para of the given ques. Then I try to frame my para
basing on the essence. The beginning should be with a broad
sentence like US-Iran relationship is structurally conflictual since
1979 with the ………thereafter you have to bring the scenario to
6
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

present perspective and leave it exactly like this …………………

have pushed the nations closer to the brink of a war…. Here the
first para should end which will suggest that, if that brings them closer
to the war sit..then what will happen (raising the nec of ans the ques
so what? in second para). This is called linking or funneling of the
subj.

Diag 3: Funneling the Topic

b. Second Para of Intro. Second para of intro should ans the

ques: So What? That means, If the countries are closer to the brink of
war, then what? You have to again start from where you left, then you
have to narrow down that, such war like sit will be devastating for
peace, stability etc……..and lastly you have to say that, therefore it is
imperative that world superpowers and UN should come fwd with
plausible solution of the crisis. Remember thumb rule: Big to small-
Funneling- Leaving the para in such a place which nec the scope of
the paper i.e. para 3 of intro. Write 60 word, 5 to 7 sentences, easy
language, without grammatical mistakes.
7
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

c. Third Para of Intro. Here only the scope of the paper to be

mentioned.

‘Example: At this backdrop, the paper will initially highlight the

genesis of US-Iran conflict. Thereafter, the paper will narrate
the speculative security concerns raised due to US-Iran conflict.
Finally the paper will suggest few plausible measures to be
undertaken by world super powers and United Nations to
mitigate the crisis’.

How to Write Aim of the Paper

15. I have already said that Title, scope and aim of the paper are
interrelated (not same). So, while writing your aim, Pl see the title and
scope of the paper. We write any paper basically to find solution of the
problem. Henceforth, I fol the following:

‘The aim of the paper is to suggest few plausible measures to be

undertaken by world super powers and United Nations in order to
mitigate US-Iran crisis’.

However, you may also write like this (this is a common pattern):

‘The aim of the paper is to highlight the security concerns of US-Iran

crisis and suggest few plausible measures to be undertaken by world
super powers and United Nations with a view to mitigating US-Iran
crisis’.

How to Dev First Group Head

16. General. Remember, this part starts the beginning of your main
body. Here, you have to mention few striking aspects which will lead you to
your next gp head. Write maximum 4-5 paras under this gp head. You
should not write more than 7 sentences under one paragraph. I will prefer a
5 sentence paragraph which helps me to keep stock of my words. I will
write max 2 page under this gp head. Adding any map/charts or graph may
take little more space. Few tit bits are mentioned in subseq paras.
8
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

17. How to frame Paragraphs. You may follow PEEL theory while
writing a para of a paper. Always start with a sentence which intro the para.
This is called point sentence (P of peel). Thereafter, give the explanation of
the sentence what you have tried to highlight (E of PEEL). Then give an
example/evidence related to your claim (E of PEEL). Finally leave the para
in such a place which links you to subseq paras/gp heads (L of PEEL). If
you can remember this, paper writing will be easier. Please, also note that,
it is not always mandatory that you have to always give example/link in all
pras. However, it will certainly add credibility of your writing.

18. Add Charts/Maps/Graphs. I will always advocate you to use maps,

charts and graphs to express/validate or str your thoughts. For example, I
drew a Map of Iran along with neighbouring states and strait of Hurmuz to
signify the geo-strat sig of Iran. It also relieves examiner of a monotonous
reading. Pl make sure the data or info is nearly correct.

How to Dev Second Group Head

19. General. Remember, this part is significant. Here, you have to

mention few striking aspects which genuinely express your concerns and
nec the solutions. Write maximum 6-8 paras under this gp head. You
should not write more than 7 sentences under one paragraph. Here you
must use para heads (in fact you should use all through). I will write max
2.5-3 page under this gp head. Any map/charts or graph may be added.

20. Follow Service Paper Writing Style. Remember, this is svc paper
writing not operational writing. So, you should not write merely one or two
lines under one para. You should not do listing as well (like a. AAA, b. VVV
etc vertical column). You can fol PEEL theory to keep your writing on the
track. The first sentence should support your para heading. Then your Disc
matter should be sp by elaboration and relevant info/example/argument.
One para should focus one issue only. More imp, these disc should lead
you towards suggested solns.

9
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

How to Dev Third Group Head

21. General. Remember, this is the most imp part of any svc paper. I
will always keep 450 words (out of 1500) for me to suggest solns of any
paper. And I shall write 4-4.5 pages. You should not write more than 7
sentences under one paragraph. Here you must use para heads (in fact
you should use all through).

22. No Vague Expressions. Write suggestions as you feel. However,

you need to elaborate your statement. Remember, most important of the
suggestions will be mentioned in the recom. So your suggestions need to
be elaborately explained so that it leads you to a specific recom.

23. Analyze what has been Asked by the Examiner. In our case,
suggestions were asked how world superpowers and UN can mitigate the
crisis. I felt these two stake holders have different roles, so I wrote their
roles separately under two par head. Each of my para heads contained 5-6
sub-paras with heading. In case of yours, if such ques rise up, you have to
decide wisely.

Writing Conclusions

24. To me, writing conclusion is the easiest part of a mil paper. You
should segment your conclusion in three para. You cannot intro or describe
a new subj matter in the conclusion which you have not described in the
body of the paper. The conclusion should be of 300 words and may contain
2.5-3 pages. The first para of conclusion should summarize first gp head.
The second para should summarise second gp head and the last para
should summarize third gp head. Basing on your proportionate distr of the
gp heads, size of the paras in the conclusion should be allotted by you.
Remember three basic rules of writing conclusion:

a. Para Begins with reminding reader about the problem.

b. Summary of Findings of each Disc Pt.
c. No new findings to be brought.

During my exam, I often turned my pages to check what I had written and
accordingly I summarized my writing.
10
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

Writing Recommendations

25. Recom is not a mandatory part of svc paper writing. But I will strongly
recom you to write recom in a mil svc paper. Recoms should ans few ques.
Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? In short 5WH. To ans those
ques, you need to articulate all the ans in the body of the paper primarily
and thereafter in the recom portion. An example is stated below:

‘UN must arrange bilateral meeting between Key stake holders

of US and Iran in a neutral venue to begin the process of
mitigation’.

Concluding Suggestions

26. Writing a military svc paper is not as difficult as we perceive. Again,

logical dev of the paper certainly needs careful attn. Finishing the paper
does not complete the job. Revision is also very imp. Pl remember last few
points to score good mks in the paper writing. These points are listed
below:

a. In no case, use mil abbr.

b. Pl fol SD aspects as per JSSDM. Use gp heads instead of main

heading. Consider the subj heading as main heading. That will make
the paper writing easier.

c. Express your thoughts clearly. Write correct sentences. If you

can use linking words (moreover, in addition, etc) to connect
sentences, your paper will be credible.

d. No spelling mistake Pl.

e. No shortcut in synopsis dev Pl. Max time allotted for synopsis

dev is 45 mins. Max time allotted to complete paper is 3 hrs.

f. No shortcut in revision. You have to revise for 15 mins.

g. Writing should be formal. Avoid using first and second person.

11
RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

h. No confusion after starting the paper. All confusions should be

killed while dev synopsis.

j. Beautiful handwriting is not a must but clear handwriting is!! If

wrong word has been used, strike through like this!!

k. Don’t worry much. Insha Allah you will write a very good paper.
Best wishes to you.

- NAHID

12
RESTRICTED