I practised writing 12-15 essays easily, learnt a lot of quotes and tried building essay on temporal scale (ancient, medieval, modern etc) and/or covering multiple dimensions like social, political, economical etc.I  Linked the topics with current affairs. Did not use headings but always tried that the person reading the essay should find it like reading a story and used very simple language. I tried to ensure linkage/continuity between successive paragraphs (eg: If I am discussing social aspect of some issue after its economic aspect, I would write “Not only does ABC issue has economic implications but it also has social implications”).

I used many quotes. I also used Question answer format in my answers eg: I chose the essay “Realisation of Modern woman is a myth” in UPSC exam. Here I kept asking Questions and then wrote Ans to these Questions to build on my essay like  “Who is a modern woman?…………….” “ What is it that she wants?………………….”  “Why is it difficult to realise her?………………..”

Please note that I wrote fewer full fledged essays (around 5-7), rather I focused more on drawing the rough structure of the essays, this helped me in covering a whole range of topics in lesser time. I would pick up a topic  and build a rough draft in about 15-20 minutes.

There are broadly 10 themes which I covered for Essay preparation

• Political (eg cooperative federalism, devolution of powers, Panchayati Raj)
• Economic (eg WTO relevance today)
• Social (Women, Education etc)
• Agriculture
• Environmental (Climate change)
• Technology (4th Industrial revolution, AI, Internet of things etc)
• Philosophical (eg Child is the father of man)
• Soft power vs hard power
• Globalisation- boon or bane

Some Quotes: (Few are given below, rest I covered from G Subbarao ethics book)

I have not failed. I’ve just found 10000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas A. Edison

Happiness is when what you say, what you think and what you do are in harmony- Gandhi

Einstein-

Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them.
Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character.
Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.

The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.
Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.
Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.
World is not a dangerous place because of bad people but because of people who do not do anything about it.

Buddha

What we think, we become.
Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.

You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.
Be kind to everyone you meet for everyone is fighting a hard battle

Martin Luther

You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say.