Asked by: IIM Ahmedabad (2023)
WAT Topic: "Religion: a curse or blessing for society?" - abstract category, hard difficulty. Consider 2 perspectives for a balanced essay.
Acknowledge religion's dual nature. State: the institution, not the impulse, is the problem.
Para 1: Positive contributions (community, charity, meaning)
Para 2: Historical and current harms (conflicts, discrimination)
Para 3: Distinction between personal faith and institutional religion
Personal spirituality is valuable. Institutional religion needs reform and secularization of public sphere.
Being dismissive of religion entirely
Being defensive of all religious practices
Not distinguishing personal faith from institutional religion
Making it about any specific religion
This is sensitive. Stay philosophical, avoid specific religions. Distinguish faith from organized religion.
Rhetoric (4th Century BC)
Insight: Persuasion requires ethos (credibility), pathos (emotion), and logos (logic) working together.
How to apply: Structure your WAT with logical arguments (logos), establish credibility through data/examples (ethos), and connect to human impact (pathos). IIM evaluators look for all three.
Made to Stick (2007)
Insight: Ideas that stick are Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, and tell Stories (SUCCESs).
How to apply: Open with an unexpected fact or angle. Use concrete examples, not abstractions. Ground arguments in credible data. Make it memorable.
The Sense of Style (2014)
Insight: Good writing is about showing the reader something in the world, not performing your knowledge.
How to apply: Don't write to impress—write to illuminate. Avoid jargon and pompous language. Show you understand the issue, don't just list points.
Politics and the English Language (1946)
Insight: Clear thinking leads to clear writing. Never use a long word where a short one will do.
How to apply: Prefer active voice. Cut unnecessary words. If you can cut a word, cut it. Clarity beats complexity in 200-word essays.
Values original thinking and nuanced positions over conventional wisdom.
Tip: IIMA loves contrarian but well-reasoned takes. Don't be afraid to challenge the premise of the topic itself.
Practical, business-oriented evaluation. Values structured thinking.
Tip: IIMB appreciates when you connect topics to business/management implications. Always include "so what" for managers.
Rigorous analytical approach. Values data and economic reasoning.
Tip: IIMC loves numbers. Include at least one relevant statistic. Show you understand economic trade-offs.
Balanced evaluation of content and expression.
Tip: IIML values clear structure. Use explicit transitions and signposting.
Ethics-focused, values human-centric perspectives.
Tip: XLRI's Jesuit heritage means they value ethical dimensions. Always consider the human/social impact angle.
There's no "right" stance. What matters is taking a clear position and defending it well. This is sensitive. Stay philosophical, avoid specific religions. Distinguish faith from organized religion.
This topic has been asked by: IIM Ahmedabad (most recently in 2023).
Acknowledge religion's dual nature. State: the institution, not the impulse, is the problem. Your body should cover: Para 1: Positive contributions (community, charity, meaning); Para 2: Historical and current harms (conflicts, discrimination); Para 3: Distinction between personal faith and institutional religion.
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