GRE Analytical Writing

  • overview of the analytical writing measure 
    • the analytical writing measure asses your critical thinking and analytical writing skills and your ability to articulate and support complex ideas, construct and evaluate arguments, and sustain a focused and coherent discussion. It does not contain content on specific knowledge 
    • the analytical writing measure consists of two separately timed analytical writing tasks 
      • a 30 minute " analyze an issue" task 
      • a 30 minute " analyze an argument" task 
        • the issue task presents an opinion on an issue of broad interest followed by specific instructions on how to respond to that issue
        • the argument task presents a different challenge from that of the issue task: it requires you to evaluate a given argument according to specific instructions. you will need to consider logical soundness of the argument rather than to agree or disagree with the position it presents
  • preparing for the analytical measure 
    • the tasks in the analytical writing measure relate to a broad range of subjects- from the fine arts and humanities to the social and physical sciences- but no task requires specific knowledge.
  • general strategies 
    • it is important to budget your time 
      • within the 30 minute time limit for the issue task, you will need to allow sufficient time to consider the issue and the specific instructions, plan a response, and compose your essay. 
    • save a few minutes at the end of each timed task to check for obvious errors 
  • analyze an issue task 
    • understanding the issue take 
      • the analyze the issue task assesses your ability to think critically about a topic of general interest according to specific instructions and to clearly express your thoughts about it in writing. 
      • before beginning your written response, be sure to read the issue and instructions carefully and think about the issue from several points of view, considering the complexity of ideas associated with those views. Then, make notes about the position you want to develop and list the main reasons and examples that you could use to support that position. It is important that you address the central issue according to the specific instructions. Each task is paired by one of the following instructions
        • write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your positions, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position 
        • write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the recommendation and explain you reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, describe specific circumstances in which adopting the recommendation would or would not be advantageous and explain how these examples shape your position
        • write a response in which you discuss which you agree or disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons and/or examples that could be used to challenge your position 
        • write a response in which you discuss which view more closely aligns with your position and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should address both of the views presented 
        • write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim and the reason on which that claim is based 
        • write a response in which you discuss your views on the policy and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider the possible consequences of implementing the policy and explain how theses consequences shape your position 
          • the readers are evaluating the skill with which you address the specific instructions and articulate and develop an argument to support your evaluation of the issue   
    • understanding the context for writing: purpose and audience 
      • the issue task is an exercise in critical thinking and persuasive writing.
      • the purpose of the task is to determine how well you can develop a compelling argument supporting your own evaluation of an issue and communicate that argument in writing to an academic audience 
        • your audience consists of GRE readers who are trained to apply the scoring criteria 
    • preparing for the issue task 
      • It has been designed any particula

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