CSS 2019 – English Essay: Examiner’s Feedback and Student Guide
Introduction
The English Essay is the most feared paper in CSS. It not only tests your command of English but also your ability to think critically, structure arguments, and write persuasively. In CE-2019, the essay paper once again proved to be a nightmare for many aspirants. The examiner’s report shows that while a handful wrote good essays, the majority failed due to lack of planning, poor language, and superficial content. Let’s unpack what went wrong, the examiner’s observations, and how you can prepare to make the essay your strength.
Examiner Feedback (2019)
The examiner noted the following:
- Failure rate was extremely high. Most candidates could not produce a structured, coherent essay.
- Many lacked the ability to differentiate between an essay and a general answer. Instead of presenting arguments around a thesis, they wrote descriptive narratives.
- Weak outlines were a major problem — candidates listed headings without developing them in the essay.
- Essays were full of irrelevant, repetitive content with little focus on the actual topic.
- Candidates showed weak grammar, spelling, and vocabulary, which ruined even good ideas.
- A few candidates who demonstrated clarity of thought, originality, and structured arguments wrote excellent essays and stood out【Examiner-Reports-CE-2019.pdf†L20-L32】.
Common Mistakes by Candidates
- No clear thesis statement
- Essays lacked a central argument or stance.
- Poor outlines
- Outlines were vague lists of headings that did not match the essay body.
- Over-generalized content
- Instead of focusing on the topic, many wrote broad discussions without relevance.
- Weak introduction and conclusion
- Many started abruptly without introducing the topic and ended without a proper conclusion.
- Language and grammar errors
- Frequent mistakes in sentence construction, tenses, and spelling.
- Over-reliance on memorized material
- Essays on topics like democracy, CPEC, or terrorism were often copied from notes.
Practical Preparation Strategies
- Understand the nature of an essay
- It’s not about writing everything you know — it’s about building an argument around a thesis.
- Practice outlines regularly
- Before writing, make outlines that are logical and connected to the thesis. Ensure the essay follows the outline.
- Write full essays under timed conditions
- At least one essay per week. Practice 1500–2000 words with 30–40 minutes spent on planning.
- Improve language skills
- Revise grammar basics and practice writing clear, concise sentences. Reading good newspapers and journals will naturally improve style.
- Focus on critical analysis
- Always look at both sides of an issue before presenting your stance. Example: In an essay on globalization, discuss both benefits and challenges before giving a way forward.
- Stay updated with facts and examples
- Use data, quotations, and current affairs to strengthen your arguments.
- Seek feedback
- Get your essays checked by mentors or peers. Constructive criticism will help you fix recurring mistakes.
Encouraging Closing Note
The CSS 2019 examiner’s report confirms what we already know: the essay paper is a test of clarity, analysis, and expression. Memorization won’t work here. Those who wrote with original thought, structured outlines, and simple, correct English succeeded, while others failed.
Remember: Essay writing is a skill — and like any skill, it improves with practice. Each outline you prepare, each essay you write, takes you one step closer to mastery. With consistency and patience, you can turn this daunting paper into an opportunity to showcase your thinking power.
Stay motivated: you don’t need to be Shakespeare — you just need to be clear, logical, and persuasive. The examiner is looking for thinkers, not note-repeaters. Be that thinker, and you will shine.