In almost all premier institutions, especially the Indian Institutes of Management, the face-to-face selection process has an important segment called - WAT or AWT, where they evaluate the ability of the candidates. This process explores not only the awareness of the topics, but also the ability to write cogent and compelling essay on the issue at hand. This presentation shares the salient points to be kept in mind to write this compelling essay!

1. WAT / AWT
Career Launcher
Inspiring Leadership

2. Importance of WAT / AWT
• WAT has replaced GD in most of the IIMs
• IIM L and Shillong have GDs
• IIM L has WAT too.
• New IIMs have WAT.
• IIM A and B have essays .
• IIM A also asks a question in the form

3. What happens in WAT / AWT
• Has two forms:-
A- Essay
B- Summary
• 20 minute exercise (essay) in most of the IIMs
• IIM B has a 30 minute essay
• IIM A has a 10 minute essay
• IIM I has a 40 minute exercise:-
A- 20 minute Essay
B- 20 minute Para Summary
• No rough sheet given, only plain paper given

4. • IIM Ahmedabad – Effects of corruption; In today's world, business
and ethics don't go hand in hand
• IIM Bangalore - Foreign coaches are a waste of money in Indian
sports
• IIM Lucknow- Advertising is legalized lying
• IIM Indore - An MBA can showcase his managerial skills better in
a family managed business rather than professionally run
organizations
• New IIMs Common Admission Process - Financial Crisis in
Europe will lead to adverse economic conditions in India
Some WAT topics from the past

5. Another form of WAT / AWT
IIM A Question this year:-
In about 150 words describe what according to you is the most
important quality that any citizen of India must possess and how
should this quality be inculcated in the children and youth of our
country?

6. What does WAT
assess?
Subject knowledge
Clarity Flow of ideas
Examples Facts
Correct Grammar
Correct Spelling
Correct word usage
Neat handwriting

7. Format of an essay
Introduction Attention grabber
Body of the essay Expresses your
writing skills
Conclusion The final touches

8. Introduction Interesting fact
Anecdote
Dialogue
Quotation
Definition
Body of the essay 2-3 paragraphs.
Each paragraph speaks a specific point.
The first sentence of the paragraph is the topic
sentence
Each specific point should be converted into a
paragraph
Conclusion Recapitulate the strongest points, restate main ideas
in different words.
Suggest a plan of action. personal opinion or a
visionary statement
Format of an essay

9. One of the biggest mistake while answering the essay question is
NOT ANSWERING THE QUESTION!
What should government do to attract the youth to armed forced?
Voting should be made compulsory.
Is climate change alert an exaggeration?
1. Spend time to grip the question
2. Constantly remind yourself of the question as you write

10. • Always write in paragraphs
• It’s not a natural but learned skill
• Different paragraphs express different ideas that
contribute to the main idea
• A paragraph should ideally contain :
(i) Topic Sentence: it is the 1st sentence expressing the main
idea of the paragraph- Say what you are going to say
(ii) Supporting Sentences: they expand the main idea
expressed in the topic sentence- Say it
(iii) Concluding Sentence: rounding off what has been said or a
logical conclusion of the idea in the topic sentence- Say it
again!!!

11. • Notes on punctuation
• Full Stop (Period)(.): indicates the end of a sentence
e.g. New Delhi is the capital of India.
• Comma (,) : is used to separate two or more things
e.g. (i) At first, I didn’t know where to use a comma
(ii) My friend, a desolate and lonely man, shot himself
(iii) My friend solved the problem, a feat which no one
had attempted
(iv) I succeeded, but Sonia failed
(v) We saw the Eiffel tower, the Qutab minar, and the Big
Ben
(vi) Ritu was angry; Rahul, fuming

12. • Semi-colon(;) : used between two independent clauses
e.g. (i) I went to the club; I was told it was closed due to
maintenance.
(ii) I am not alone; my dog came back to me.
• Colon(:) : used to indicate a logical effect/ consequence/
further description of the fact stated before
e.g. (i) There was only one possible conclusion: it was a fake
encounter.
(ii) I have two friends: Apoorva and Abhay.
• Apostrophe(‘) : indicates possessions and omissions
e.g. (i) This is Ritu’s book.
(ii) It’s raining.

13. • Do not use Jargon
• Do not use Slang
• Do not use Cliché
• Do not use Abbreviations
• Do not use Quotations without acknowledgments
• Make tentative statements; avoid definitive statements- it leaves a
scope for further discussion
e.g. (i) Television viewing is the cause of decline in reading habits
(definitive)
(ii) An addiction to television might be encouraging poor reading
habits in people. (tentative)
Exceptions:- Universal truths (the sun rises in the East; the literacy rate in
Kerala is the highest in the country)

14. Completely filled/finished/opposite
Consensus of opinion
(During the) course (of)
Definite decision
Few in number
Final outcome
Foreign imports

15. It made my blood boil
That rubbed me the wrong way
They couldn’t see eye to eye.
There was a little give and take.
The film was great, I want to see it again
I collapsed on the sofa, exhausted by a
long day at work

16. Write an essay on-
SHOULD HOUSEWIVES BE PAID
FOR THEIR WORK?

17. Write an essay on-
THE WHITE ELEPHANT IS NOT
ALWAYS BAD.

18. Now taking the Extreme Position
How to be argumentative and grab
the attention
Following 1-3-1 Structure

19. What you learn today can applied anywhere!
Are newspapers still
relevant in this era of
mobile and internet?
Interview Question
Group Discussion Topic
AWT Topic
Core Argument
Counter Question
Multiple Arguments
Counter Arguments
Group Dynamics
Multiple arguments
Organization & Writing

20. Past AWT Topics
•Reading pure science is a waste of time
•Is democracy the best form of government
•Indian politicians need training in communication skills
•Recently a law has been passed to ban adult A-rated films on Television. Why do you think this decision has been
taken?
•Print media and Television shows gives importance to the negative issues. They arepenchanted towards cynicism and
negativity. Do u feel Print media and Television presents anything positive to our society? If yes how do they do it.
•The freedom of choice is more important than freedom of want
•Patriotism has become an obstacle in path of human progress

21. AGENDA
What can create
an impact?
What to tell? How to tell?

22. AGENDA
What can create
an impact?
What to tell? How to tell?

23. Which style you want to choose?
Descriptive Analytical
Argumentat
ive
What is your purpose?
to inform to explain to persuade

24. What reaction do you want the reader to
have after reading your essay?
Argumentat
ive
to persuade

25. Take a position!
Argumentat
ive
to persuade
You will write powerful essays when you take a position
The TRICK
Accept the obvious.. And then ‘attack’ a specific issue..
Topic: PK should be banned
PK hurt sentiments and some of the scenes were in bad taste
and does show organized religion in bad light.. But there is a
larger issue- freedom of speech. And it must be protected.

26. Suggested Structure: 1-3-1 Essay Structure
Advantages Disadvantages
Easy to plan Rigid Structure… Less
Creativity
Don’t have to worry
about organization and
frees you to
concentrate on
content
Can be boring to read
(sometimes)
Helps you to write an
essay quickly
But… it works!

27. 1-3-1 Essay Structure
Tell them what
you want to say
Say it
Tell them what
you just said
THESIS
CONCLUSION
ARGUMENT 1 ARGUMENT 2 ARGUMENT 3

28. Should there be a minimum educational qualification for being an
M.P.?
More than one billion Indians: A gigantic problem or a sea of
opportunities.
Education in India should be privatized

29. Pre-Writing Process
THESIS
CONCLUSION
ARGUMENT 1 ARGUMENT 2 ARGUMENT 3
STEP 1
Take a Position
Should there be a minimum educational qualification for being an M.P.?
STEP 2
Think of 3 Reasons

30. AGENDA
What can create
an impact?
What to tell? How to tell?
1-3-1 Structure

31. Some Ideation Techniques
Big Picture History
Stakeholde
r
S L E P T
Counter
Arguments

32. Big Picture helps you get the opening sentence
Should there be a minimum educational
qualification for being an M.P.?
Education as a NECESSARY condition
Vs
Education as a SUFFICIENT condition
Big Picture
STEP 1 – Understand the issue
STEP 2 – Understand the big picture
What does India want?
Where do you want India to be?
What is the role of MP?
What is the role of education?

33. Bringing the historical context helps in writing a good opening
paragraph.
History

34. This is helps in getting the 3 reasons
Stake
holderTopic: Ban PK
Cine Artists+
Employees
Movie
Industry
Religious
Organization
Censorship
BoardMovie-goersSociety
Government

35. This is helps in getting the 3 reasons
S L E P TTopic: Love Marriage is better
SOCIAL
LEGAL
ECONOMIC
POLITICAL
TECHNOLOGICAL
Caste politics?
Dowry?
Khap?
Social Media?
Uniform Code?

36. 1 reason – makes it look objective
Counter
Arguments
STEP 1 : Think of the most obvious counter argument
STEP 2 : Understand the assumption
STEP 3 : Attack it
Topic: Alcohol should be banned
Alcohol kills. Alcohol is the primary cause of
domestic violence
Banning Alcohol will lead to substantial decrease in
the consumption of alcohol.
Your Position : NO!

37. Before you start writing….
1 : What’s your position
2 : Three reasons
Topic: Alcohol should be banned
Alcohol is bad. But banning alcohol is a bad idea
1. Black Market  health issues, money is wrong
hands
2. Additional trauma of committing crime  wont stop
drinking
3. (WEAK ones) Ingrained in the ‘culture’.. Social
drinkers..

38. AGENDA
What can create
an impact?
What to tell? How to tell?
1-3-1 Structure 3 Reasons for your position

39. 1-3-1 Essay Structure
Tell them what
you want to say
Say it
Tell them what
you just said
THESIS
CONCLUSION
ARGUMENT 1 ARGUMENT 2 ARGUMENT 3

40. 1-3-1 Essay Structure
Tell them what
you want to say THESIS
Hook
Issue
Thesis
3 Sentences
4 Possible Hooks
1. Joke
2. Quote/Proverb
3. Anecdote
4. Big Picture

41. 1-3-1 Essay Structure
Tell them what
you want to say THESIS
Topic: Indian Politician need training in communication skills
4 Possible Hooks
1. Joke
2. Quote/Proverb
3. Anecdote
4. Big Picture

42. 1-3-1 Essay Structure
Tell them what
you want to say THESIS
Topic: Indian Politician need training in communication skills
4 Possible Hooks
1. Joke
2. Quote/Proverb
3. Anecdote
4. Big Picture
“How long a minute is, depends on what side
of the bathroom door you're on.”
Caveat: Joke is to be used as an attention grabber.. The rest of the essay
must have a serious tone

43. 1-3-1 Essay Structure
Tell them what
you want to say THESIS
Topic: Indian Politician need training in communication skills
4 Possible Hooks
1. Joke
2. Quote/Proverb
3. Anecdote
4. Big Picture
“Political language is designed to make lies
sound truthful and murder respectable.”
-George Orwell
“An army of sheep led by a lion can defeat an
army of lions led by a sheep”
-Ghanaian Proverb
Caveat: This might be a cliché.

44. 1-3-1 Essay Structure
Tell them what
you want to say THESIS
Topic: Indian Politician need training in communication skills
4 Possible Hooks
1. Joke
2. Quote/Proverb
3. Anecdote
4. Big Picture
“Why has it taken so long?”. To that question
asked by Arnab, Rahul Gandhi said, “I have
done a little media interaction, prior to this.” .
We all know how that story went.
Caveat: It can be challenging to think of an anecdote.

45. 1-3-1 Essay Structure
Tell them what
you want to say THESIS
Topic: Indian Politician need training in communication skills
4 Possible Hooks
1. Joke
2. Quote/Proverb
3. Anecdote
4. Big Picture
Politics is a discussion among many
interested parties — lawmakers, policy
analysts, journalists and ordinary citizens.
Being a good politician means being a good
conversationalist.
Caveat: While this is the safest, it could give a boring start.

46. 1-3-1 Essay Structure
Tell them what
you want to say THESIS
Hook
Issue
Thesis
3 Sentences
Topic + Opinion = Thesis

47. 1-3-1 Essay Structure
Tell them what
you want to say THESIS
Politics is a discussion among many interested parties — lawmakers, policy analysts,
journalists and ordinary citizens. Being a good politician means being a good
conversationalist. While this is true for any country, this ‘conversation’ becomes
challenging in India, given its diversity. Since communication is a trainable skill, training
politicians in the art of communication is a significant step.
Safe….

48. 1-3-1 Essay Structure
Tell them what
you want to say THESIS
“Action speaks louder than words.” However, both Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi might
disagree with this statement, albeit for different reasons. In politics, ‘action’ is paramount,
but ‘words’ have an important role – a role which in many ways is the cornerstone of
democracy. Our politicians must get trained in communication so that they can use all the
modern communication channels so as to take our great country forward.
Bold….

49. 1-3-1 Essay Structure
Say it
THESIS
ARGUMENT 1 ARGUMENT 2 ARGUMENT 3

50. 1-3-1 Essay Structure
Say it ARGUMENT 1 ARGUMENT 2 ARGUMENT 3
3 reasons that you identified using ideation
1. Don’t use extreme words  only, always, never, impossible
Use  plausible, highly likely, most probably, significant, conceivable, credible
2. Facts and figures must be as accurate as possible.
3. Facts without reason is coke without rum..
Reasons without facts is rum without coke.. Hard to swallow, but still effective!
Reasons gives the ‘kick’… Facts makes it easy to ‘drink’!
3 basic rules that you must follow

51. 1-3-1 Essay Structure
Say it ARGUMENT 1 ARGUMENT 2 ARGUMENT 3
Argumentation formula
Argument 1  Negate the counterview
Topic: Alcohol should be banned
STEP 1 : Think of the most obvious counter argument
STEP 2 : Understand the assumption
STEP 3 : Attack it

52. 1-3-1 Essay Structure
Say it ARGUMENT 1 ARGUMENT 2 ARGUMENT 3
Argumentation formula
Ban! That seems to be the mantra. Seems to be, the solution to virus is anti-virus
software. Install an antivirus software - problem solved. This is how a ban on
alcohol sounds. The question that needs to be asked is: Will banning be effective?
Will the ‘drunkards’ stop drinking because alcohol is illegal. If half of them choose to
disobey, it will create a significantly bigger issue. One can learn from American
history with regards to the rise in mafia after an alcohol ban. This is an issue that
the State will have to handle. And there are issues that the families will have to live
with.
Topic: Alcohol should be banned
TONE: tad sarcastic! (You must choose a tone that
reflects you)

53. 1-3-1 Essay Structure
Say it ARGUMENT 1 ARGUMENT 2 ARGUMENT 3
Ban! That seems to be the mantra. Seems to be, the solution to virus is anti-virus
software. Install an antivirus software - problem solved. This is how a ban on
alcohol sounds. The question that needs to be asked is: Will banning be effective?
Will the ‘drunkards’ stop drinking because alcohol is illegal. If half of them choose to
disobey, it will create a significantly bigger issue. One can learn from American
history with regards to the rise in mafia after an alcohol ban. This is an issue that
the State will have to handle. And there are issues that the families will have to live
with.
[Keeping the interest alive]

54. 1-3-1 Essay Structure
Say it ARGUMENT 1 ARGUMENT 2 ARGUMENT 3
Ban! That seems to be the mantra. Seems to be, the solution to virus is anti-virus
software. Install an antivirus software - problem solved. This is how a ban on
alcohol sounds. The question that needs to be asked is: Will banning be effective?
Will the ‘drunkards’ stop drinking because alcohol is illegal. If half of them choose to
disobey, it will create a significantly bigger issue. One can learn from American
history with regards to the rise in mafia after an alcohol ban. This is an issue that
the State will have to handle. And there are issues that the families will have to live
with.
[The argument which attacks the assumption]

55. 1-3-1 Essay Structure
Say it ARGUMENT 1 ARGUMENT 2 ARGUMENT 3
Ban! That seems to be the mantra. Seems to be, the solution to virus is anti-virus
software. Install an antivirus software - problem solved. This is how a ban on
alcohol sounds. The question that needs to be asked is: Will banning be effective?
Will the ‘drunkards’ stop drinking because alcohol is illegal. If half of them choose to
disobey, it will create a significantly bigger issue. One can learn from American
history with regards to the rise in mafia after an alcohol ban. This is an issue that
the State will have to handle. And there are issues that the families will have to live
with.
[Creating a link for the next paragraph]

56. 1-3-1 Essay Structure
Say it ARGUMENT 1 ARGUMENT 2 ARGUMENT 3
While there are issues that the State will have to handle, the families will have to
deal with two very real problems which could be worse that the original one. First,
that the ‘drunkard’ is still drinking even after the ban. Not only has the problem not
solved, but now the person is doing an ‘illegal’ activity. Second, the ‘drunkard’ is
now drinking unregulated liquor which can lead to more serious health issue.
Reason:
Health issues… Trauma of doing illegal activity.

57. THANK YOU