A focused plan starts from the words in the question, not from the topic in general. Mark the key words, choose points that answer them, and give each point its own paragraph job.
This lesson is part of SPM Tamil writing and development. After planning, continue with developing one point with a worked example.
How do you find the key words?
Read the question twice and mark three things.
- The topic: what is the essay about?
- The question word: ஏன் (why), எவ்வாறு (how), நன்மை தீமை (benefit and harm).
- The limit: whom or what is it about?
Each mark tells you something about the answer. The question word decides the shape, and the limit decides which points are relevant.
Worked example: an original question
The question is: “மாணவர்களுக்கு நூல் வாசிப்பு ஏன் அவசியம்? உங்கள் கருத்துகளைக் கட்டுரையாக எழுதுக.”
- Topic: நூல் வாசிப்பு (book reading).
- Question word: ஏன் அவசியம் (why necessary). This asks for reasons.
- Limit: மாணவர்களுக்கு (for students). Points must be about students.
Now turn the marks into a plan with one job per paragraph.
| Paragraph | Job | Key word in Tamil |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction: name the topic and the answer | நூல் வாசிப்பு, மாணவர் |
| 2 | Reason one | சொல்வளம் |
| 3 | Reason two | சிந்தனை ஆற்றல் |
| 4 | Reason three | மன அமைதி |
| 5 | Conclusion: state the answer and act | வாழ்நாள் பழக்கம் |
Each reason answers “why necessary for students”, because the question word asked for reasons. The plan has no sentence that could fit a different question.
The mistake to avoid
The common mistake is to plan around the topic only. Seeing “நூல் வாசிப்பு”, a student writes everything they know about reading: the history of libraries, types of books, famous writers.
| Unfocused plan | Focused plan |
|---|---|
| History of libraries | Reading builds vocabulary |
| Types of books | Reading builds thinking |
| Famous writers | Reading calms the mind |
The left column is about reading. The right column answers why students need it. Only the right column answers the question.
Checking the plan before you write
Put the question next to the plan and ask each point: if a marker read only this point, would it answer the question? Replace any point that does not.
Then check the order. Put your strongest reason in paragraph 2 and the smallest point last in the body, so the essay starts firmly and ends steadily.
Check yourself
Mark the key words and write a three-point plan for this original question: “கைப்பேசியால் மாணவர்களுக்கு ஏற்படும் தீமைகளை விளக்குக.”
Answer
Key words: கைப்பேசி (topic), தீமைகள் (harms, so the points must be negative), மாணவர்களுக்கு (limit: students), விளக்குக (explain, so each point needs an explanation, not only a statement).
One possible plan: (1) கவனச் சிதறல், distraction from study; (2) தூக்கக் குறைவு, loss of sleep from late-night use; (3) உடல்நலப் பாதிப்பு, eye strain and less physical activity.
Each point is a harm to students. A plan with benefits would not answer the question, because the question word asks for harms only.
What to study next
Move on to developing one point with a worked example, then try the writing and development practice set.
If you want a teacher to plan your real essay questions with you, see online one-to-one Tamil tuition.