7-5-3 Rule of Answer Writing
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: November 14th, 2023
7-5-3 Rule of Answer Writing is one of the most famous techniques that aspirants can follow while writing the answers for the UPSC Mains papers. If candidates follow the 7-5-3 Rule of Answer Writing, then he/she will be able to manage their time properly and fetch good marks in Civil Services Mains Exam. It is a simple and effective approach that helps students to structure their answers and present their ideas in a clear and concise manner. By using the 7-5-3 Rule of Answer Writing candidates can write answers in a comprehensive, logical, and easy-to-understand manner, thereby increasing their chances of scoring higher marks in exams.
In this article, we will be discussing the 7-5-3 Rule of Answer Writing in detail and how candidates can use it to their advantage. We will also be sharing the guidelines on how to organize the content of an answer with this technique. However, it is important for the candidates to improve their writing skills, and then only the 7-5-3 Rule of Answer Writing rule will be effective.
Table of content
What is 7-5-3 Rule of Answer Writing?
The UPSC Mains exam includes 9 papers, and all of these papers are descriptive in nature. Before getting into the 7-5-3 Rule of Answer Writing, let’s take a look at the types of questions asked in the Mains exam. It would help the aspirants how to implement their stagey and ace the papers. The Major types of questions asked in UPSC mains include
- Discuss
- Evaluate
- Comment
- Elucidate
- Critically Examine
Candidates can go through UPSC Previous Year Question Papers to understand the paper pattern and most commonly asked questions. Now, getting back to the 7-5-3 Rule of Answer Writing. The name of the rule has been taken from the code of discipline used by martial artists. Here the 7 stands for the time duration candidate should take per question. Five means 5 points related to the Keywords should be written, and 3 is about showing three dimensions in the answer. Let’s discuss the rule in detail below.
7-5-3 Rule of Answer Writing – Explained
Let’s know the real meaning behind the 7-5-3 Rule of Answer Writing in detail below.
Seven – Candidates need to give 7 minutes per question.
Five – Make sure you write 5 points related to the keyword. You can represent your answers in bulleted points.
Three – Try to explain the answer in 3 dimensions. Some useful pointers are:
- What/how/why
- For, against, and conclusion
- Write down from economic, social, geographical, and political perspectives.
How to Implement the 7-5-3 Rule of Answer Writing?
To write answers in UPSC, you have to come up with a solid structure that would make your answer crisp, concise and would make a good impression in front of the evaluator. Let’s see how you can come up with a great structure while writing the answers.
- First, you need to find the keyword of the question
- Come up with a good introduction
- Write 5 key points related to that particular keyword
- In some questions, you are required to write a conclusion or summarise the whole answer.
- Some questions may demand an essay the answer, and you need to justify the argument with the right facts, diagrams, or flowcharts.
- Make sure you keep the 7-5-3 Rule of Answer Writing and perform writing practice to ace the paper.
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