How To Read Newspaper Efficiently? | Effective Newspaper Reading.

 How To Read Newspaper Efficiently?

Introduction

While preparing for Civil Services Exams reading newspapers and maintaining track record of all the major current events and affairs is very crucial part of the preparation. Current affairs mainly gives you the crisp factual data which could be used in mains as value-addition in Mains Answer. A well articulated includes conceptual clarity with appropriate examples and fact/figures. Its like adding cherry to the cake. Well for this you must have to develop a proper methodology of reading news papers. 

Lets discuss them one by one:-

1. Knowing the Syllabus.

Well people have a misconception about the Syllabus that make them say "Everything Under The Sun Is The Syllabus.", but in-fact its not true. UPSC has a well organized and described syllabus. To know the syllabus you can visit the official site of  UPSC or could download the UPSC syllabus pdf below. 

Newspaper have a huge plethora of diversified information which gets updated on daily basis. But do you know that you don't have to go through all such information line by line. If you do I will take minimum of 3-4hours of time only reading it thoroughly. That not a good idea. Yes, if you are a beginner and you are also struggling with the English Language then in your part their comes practice, prepare, and improve. 

Thus all the serious candidates must first build a road map of syllabus in their mind for the examination to get it cleared and also to start efficient newspaper reading. The syllabus will guide over the topics that you need to read and topics that you need to skip.

2. Which Newspaper To Read?

Most of the aspirant prefer "The Hindu" but I believe it always better to start with the paper which I am able to understand more, where I am not struggling as well as giving my major time only on newspaper reading. The alternative that could be taken into consideration are newspapers like "The Economic Times", "Hindustan Times", "The Times of India", "Indian Express" etc. Remember that reading newspaper basic motive is to get idea about the concepts with factual information which must be specifically syllabus oriented and any newspaper that serves your motive the best way is the one you should go with.

3. What To Read And What Not To Read?

The candidate must go through the news related to National Security, Environment, Government Policies/Schemes, Survey Reports published by different National and International Agencies, Science and Technology, Inter-Governmental Organizations and their Summits, Issues/Challenges and the possible remedies of Regional/National/International concern, business sections, Finance and may more.

The candidate can ignore news related to road accident, local/regional party politics, offensive and defensive statements given by political parties members, major portion of sports news, and any other advertisements related to missing section, opportunities section and other such non-relevant content which are not mentioned in the syllabus.

4. How To Read?

After completing 3 points mentioned above. One can start with the News Headline. Headline actually describes what that particular article will talk about. While reading the Headline consequently look after its relevance according to syllabus. If you feel like yes it is relevant then ask second question to your self that do you have previously read about the topic or have previous knowledge about it then you can sort of overview it (quick lookout for the crucks/facts). But if the article is new to you and is important for exam point of view, take time and read line by line and understand the content properly you can also google to know about it.

5.What To Remember?

When you have finished the first reading of the newspaper go back to it again with a note book to note down some important points which you could present in your Mains Answer if asked. Generally all the W, H, questions (What, Why, Where, When, Who, Whom, How etc.) are taken into consideration. 

You may have been thinking why not read and make notes together so that we don't need to waste time revisiting it for second time. But my friend let me be clear with you, the success behind cracking this exam can be defined in 3 words i.e. Determination, Practice and Revision. So, when you revisit the newspaper actually the facts and figure stay in your mind for a long duration and could click when ever you read about it ahead or ever you are asked in prelims. So nothing goes in vain.

If you are an experience player in this arena of Civil Service then you can develop and follow your own strategy. 

6. Is Note Making Compulsory?

Yes note making is important in preparation period but is not compulsory at all. If you are about to write your mains examination and while reading newspaper you find some important points/facts/figures which could work as a value addition to you answer then you can note it down in your note book under the particular topic section as example.

But if you are to appear for your prelims you don't need to prepare that hard for note making of the newspaper, rather you can look after various sources available in the market which contains the monthly/weekly compilation which so ever best suits you. You don't need to invest huge time on current affairs rather be more focus on completing Mains Syllabus.

7. How Many Time I Should Revise my Notes(Newspaper)

Well when you go through the content of various General Papers, the topic that you read for grasping concepts at that moment you should open your Newspaper Notes of Monthly/weekly magazines and look after some example form them. This will typically improve your ability to grasp the concept with the help of relevant example. By the time when you realize what you gained, your confidence level improves and you will say your self "Yes I Can Crack This Exam".

All the best to readers aspiring to crack this exam.