Essays in the UPSC Mains should generally be around 1000–1200 words, with a structured approach to presenting arguments and supporting points. Each essay should have a clear introduction that sets the context, several well-developed body paragraphs that explore the main ideas, and a conclusion that synthesizes the arguments. This format allows for coherence and depth in writing, essential to scoring well. Adherence to the prescribed word limit is also important to ensure coverage of the topic without excessively verbose writing.