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GRE Issue Essay: Elements, Structure, Strategies & Samples

Feeling overwhelmed by the GRE Issue Essay? This writing task can be a challenge for even the most skilled essay writers. The GRE Issue Essay tests your critical thinking and analytical writing skills within a strict time limit. It requires you to take a stance on a complex issue, develop a sound argument, and support it with clear reasoning and well-chosen examples.

In this blog, we’ll provide you with the strategies and knowledge you need to write a winning Issue Essay. We’ll break down the format, provide effective writing tips, and share the secrets behind strong arguments. Plus, we’ll share five real student essays that exemplify top-notch writing to inspire you.

What is the GRE Issue Essay?

The GRE Issue Essay is a writing task designed to assess your critical thinking and analytical writing skills. Unlike the Argument Essay, which focuses on evaluating the logic of a presented argument, the Issue Essay asks you to take a stance on a broad, debatable topic.

The prompt will typically be a statement that you’ll need to analyze and form an opinion on. This statement could be about the merits of a particular approach to a problem, the value of a certain quality, or the impact of a specific trend. Your job is to develop a well-reasoned argument for either agreeing or disagreeing with the statement.

Key Elements of a GRE Issue Essay Task

1. nature of the topic.

You can expect prompts from diverse fields like education, politics, or technology. Deep subject knowledge isn’t crucial, but a well-rounded understanding helps. You can draw on your own experiences and general knowledge to develop a strong response.

2. Type of writing

Use logic and justification accurately. Build a well-reasoned argument supported by strong evidence. You can also use real-life examples to bolster your stance and show your awareness of current events. However, avoid fabricated examples, as they will question your credibility.

3. Agreeing and disagreeing

Unlike the Argument essay’s predetermined problematic thesis, the Issue essay encourages acknowledging opposing viewpoints. Briefly discuss situations where the opposing view might hold weight. It’s easier to agree with the prompt, but a well-argued disagreement is equally valid.

4. Perspectives

There’s no right or wrong answer. The essay tests your ability to choose a side and defend it convincingly. Unlike the Argument essay’s intentionally flawed thesis, here you’ll analyze and critique the prompt itself.

5. Reasoning vs. exposing

The Argument essay focuses on dismantling a flawed argument. On the other hand, the Issue essay emphasizes building your own argument from scratch using logic and examples.

6. Freedom to express

The Argument essay restricts you to the author’s evidence and arguments. The Issue essay grants you complete freedom to draw on any relevant information to support your perspective.

Suggested: GRE Exam Pattern 2024

How to Structure the GRE Issue Essay?

The GRE Issue essay shares similarities with the classic 5-paragraph structure used in short essays. While 4–6 paragraphs are acceptable, you should limit it to a 5-paragraph approach. According to the official GRE website, graders evaluate your “skill with which you address the specific instructions and articulate and develop an argument to support your evaluation of the issue.” A well-organized essay makes your argument clear and persuasive.

Paragraph 1: Introduction

Start by clearly restating the issue you’re asked to address. Follow by expressing your position on the issue in a single sentence. Briefly introduce the key points you’ll develop in the following paragraphs. If the prompt asks you to address opposing viewpoints, mention them here. Show your understanding of the complexities of the issue.

Paragraphs 2–4: Body paragraphs

Start with your strongest point, use a clear transition phrase, and present your most impactful reason first. Provide specific examples and logical analysis to back your claim. Examples can come from various fields like history, science, or even personal experience. Clearly explain how they support your reason and, ultimately, your thesis.

Use transition phrases and follow the same structure for the remaining body paragraphs. Each paragraph should focus on one distinct reason supporting your thesis. In one body paragraph, you can acknowledge a strong opposing view and explain why it’s ultimately flawed. This shows a well-rounded understanding of the issue.

Paragraph 5 (optional): Conclusion

Briefly restate the issue and your position. Remind the reader of the key arguments you presented. While not essential, a conclusion provides a sense of closure. If time is limited, focus on completing the final body paragraph with a strong supporting example. The conclusion, though desirable, can be omitted without penalty.

Suggested: GRE AWA Sample Essays

5 Strategies to Ace the GRE Issue Essay

1. structure is key.

Even a passionate and well-reasoned response can fall flat without a solid essay structure. The classic format with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion ensures your message is clear and organized.

2. Engaging writing

Repetitive sentence structure leads to a monotonous reading experience. Include variety in your writing! Don’t be afraid to experiment with colons, dashes, and semicolons. Similarly, play with syntax. Avoid the monotonous “noun-verb-adjective” pattern, as it can make your writing sound hesitant. Utilize impactful modifiers, active voice, and cause-and-effect sentences to add confidence and distinction to your writing. For example, “It is unacceptable for the president to permit this unconstitutional overreach of power by Congress” conveys a stronger message than “The president shouldn’t allow Congress to pass the law…” Remember that engaging writing goes beyond analysis and organization; it shapes the overall impression your essay leaves on the reader.

3. Specificity is important

Hypotheticals can be useful tools, but only if they convincingly support your point. Vague generalities like “some people,” “mankind,” or “you” lack impact. For example, if you’re arguing that knowledge can be destructive, stating “Oppenheimer’s knowledge of nuclear fusion allowed him to create the most destructive weapon the world had ever known” is far more impactful than the bland “scientists can sometimes use knowledge to hurt us.”

4. Stay on point

Perhaps the most important element (especially if you don’t want a failing grade) is staying on topic. Imagine you’re writing about the destructive potential of knowledge. Don’t veer off course by discussing technology’s downsides and smartphone addiction. That discussion, while potentially interesting, doesn’t address the prompt of “knowledge as a destructive force.” Focus on the most compelling examples that directly relate to your chosen topic.

5. Choose a side and stick to it

Pick a stance and defend it with conviction. It doesn’t matter which side you choose; just avoid presenting both sides as if you’re undecided. This “waffling” approach weakens your argument.

5 Essay Prompts and Samples

We’ve explored the key objectives and strategies of the GRE Issue Essay. Now, let’s look at some prompts and sample essays. All the essays analyzed here were written in response to actual GRE Issue prompts.

GRE Issue Essay Prompt 1: Universities should require students to take courses only within those fields they are interested in studying.

In contemporary academia, the question of whether universities should mandate students to solely pursue courses within their chosen fields of interest has sparked contentious debate. Advocates argue that such a measure fosters student engagement, enhances academic performance, and streamlines career pathways. On the other hand, opponents contend that exposure to diverse disciplines cultivates well-rounded individuals capable of addressing multifaceted challenges. Despite the opposing viewpoints, the advantages of requiring students to focus solely on their areas of interest outweigh the potential drawbacks.

Firstly, mandating students to pursue courses within their fields of interest promotes intrinsic motivation and engagement. When students study subjects they are passionate about, they are more likely to show enthusiasm, persistence, and dedication. This enthusiasm translates into higher levels of academic performance, as students are more inclined to invest time and effort in mastering the subject matter. Consequently, universities can expect to witness improved graduation rates and academic achievements, contributing to their reputation and academic excellence.

Furthermore, focusing on specialized courses enables students to develop expertise and proficiency in their chosen fields. In an era characterized by rapid technological advancements and specialized knowledge, possessing in-depth knowledge and skills in a particular domain is essential for professional growth. By concentrating their efforts on courses relevant to their interests, students can acquire specialized knowledge, hone their skills, and cultivate a competitive edge in the job market. Consequently, graduates are better prepared to meet the demands of the workforce and make meaningful contributions to their respective fields.

Moreover, requiring students to concentrate on their areas of interest streamlines the educational process and facilitates timely degree completion. Oftentimes, students are required to fulfill numerous general education requirements that are unrelated to their majors, leading to prolonged graduation timelines and increased financial burdens. By eliminating non-essential coursework and focusing solely on relevant subjects, universities can optimize students’ academic trajectories and ensure efficient degree completion. This not only alleviates financial strain on students but also enables them to enter the workforce sooner, thereby accelerating their professional development.

Critics may argue that exposure to diverse disciplines cultivates critical thinking skills and promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, both of which are essential for addressing complex real-world challenges. While this contention holds merit, it is imperative to recognize that students can still engage with diverse perspectives and disciplines within the context of their chosen fields. Many specialized courses incorporate interdisciplinary approaches, allowing students to explore diverse perspectives while maintaining a focused academic trajectory. Thus, the benefits of specialization need not come at the expense of interdisciplinary engagement.

GRE Issue Essay Prompt 2: Those who see their ideas through, regardless of doubts or criticism others may express, are the ones who tend to leave a lasting legacy.

In the annals of history, there is a prevailing notion that individuals who tenaciously pursue their ideas despite facing skepticism or opposition are more likely to carve out a lasting legacy. While it holds some truth, a nuanced examination reveals that the relationship between perseverance and legacy is complex and multifaceted. While unwavering dedication to one’s ideas can indeed lead to significant accomplishments, it is equally important to acknowledge the role of adaptability, collaboration, and critical self-reflection in shaping a lasting legacy.

Undoubtedly, there are countless examples of individuals who have cemented their place in history through their unwavering commitment to their ideas. Consider the case of Mahatma Gandhi, whose steadfast belief in nonviolent resistance against British colonial rule led to India’s independence. Despite facing criticism, doubt, and even imprisonment, Gandhi remained resolute in his conviction, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire movements for social justice around the world. Similarly, visionaries like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk have reshaped industries and revolutionized technology through their relentless pursuit of their visions, despite encountering skepticism and resistance along the way.

However, while perseverance is undeniably a key ingredient in leaving a lasting legacy, it is not the sole determinant of success. In many cases, the ability to adapt and evolve in response to changing circumstances is equally crucial. History is replete with examples of individuals who clung stubbornly to their ideas in the face of overwhelming evidence or societal change, only to see their legacies fade into obscurity as a result. The most enduring legacies are often those that can adapt to new challenges and embrace innovation, rather than remaining rigidly fixed in their original vision.

Moreover, the importance of collaboration and receptivity to criticism cannot be overstated in the context of legacy-building. While it is important to have confidence in one’s ideas, it is equally important to recognize that no individual possesses a monopoly on wisdom or insight. By engaging in dialogue with others, soliciting feedback, and fostering collaboration, individuals can enrich their ideas and increase their likelihood of leaving a lasting impact. History is filled with examples of groundbreaking innovations that emerged from the exchange of ideas and collaboration among diverse perspectives.

GRE Issue Essay Prompt 3: The luxuries and conveniences of contemporary life prevent people from developing into truly strong and independent individuals.

In contemporary society, luxuries and conveniences have become ubiquitous, permeating nearly every aspect of daily life. From advanced technologies to streamlined services, modern individuals enjoy unprecedented levels of comfort and ease. However, amid this abundance of convenience lies a paradox: does the prevalence of luxuries hinder the development of individuals, preventing them from attaining true strength and independence? In this essay, I will explore the nuanced interplay between modern comforts and personal growth, arguing that while luxuries offer convenience, they also present challenges that can foster resilience and fortitude.

One of the primary arguments against the proliferation of luxuries is that they cultivate a sense of dependency among individuals. In an era where tasks are automated, and services are readily available at the touch of a button, people may become accustomed to relying on external aids to accomplish even the most basic activities. This overreliance on conveniences can diminish one’s ability to adapt and problem-solve in the face of adversity. For instance, the convenience of food delivery apps may deter individuals from learning cooking skills, leaving them vulnerable in situations where such services are unavailable or unaffordable.

Moreover, the comfort provided by modern luxuries may breed complacency, inhibiting individuals from pushing beyond their comfort zones and pursuing personal growth. When life’s challenges are cushioned by convenience, there is little incentive to confront difficulties head-on and develop resilience. This phenomenon is evident in the reluctance of some to engage in physically demanding activities or to undertake ambitious endeavors that require perseverance and determination. As a result, individuals may remain stagnant in their personal development, lacking the drive to strive for excellence and overcome obstacles.

However, it would be overly simplistic to dismiss the role of luxuries and conveniences as wholly detrimental to individual development. In reality, these amenities offer opportunities for personal growth and empowerment when approached with intentionality. Rather than stifling independence, the availability of resources can catalyze self-discovery and skill acquisition. For example, access to online educational platforms enables individuals to pursue lifelong learning and acquire new competencies at their own pace, fostering a sense of autonomy and self-reliance.

Furthermore, the convenience afforded by modern technologies can free up time and energy that can be redirected toward pursuits that nurture personal development. By delegating mundane tasks to automation and outsourcing, individuals can focus their efforts on cultivating their passions, honing their talents, and building meaningful connections with others.

While it is true that the luxuries and conveniences of contemporary life pose challenges to individual development, it would be shortsighted to overlook their potential benefits. Rather than viewing these amenities as impediments to strength and independence, we should recognize them as tools that can be leveraged to foster resilience, autonomy, and personal growth. By embracing the opportunities afforded by modern comforts while remaining mindful of their potential pitfalls, individuals can navigate the complexities of the modern world with confidence and emerge as truly strong and independent individuals.

GRE Issue Essay Prompt 4: It is no longer possible for a society to regard any living man or woman as a hero.

While traditional notions of heroism may have shifted in the modern age, it is overly simplistic to conclude that society is categorically unable to recognize heroism in the present day. A closer examination reveals that heroism continues to manifest in diverse forms, and individuals are still capable of achieving heroic status in the eyes of the public, albeit through different avenues and under altered societal frameworks.

Historically, heroes were often revered for their exceptional bravery, selflessness, or extraordinary achievements in the face of adversity. Figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, and Rosa Parks exemplify this traditional archetype of heroism, having spearheaded movements for civil rights and social justice that transformed societies and inspired generations. However, in contemporary society, the parameters of heroism have expanded to encompass a broader spectrum of traits and actions. Heroes are no longer confined to battlefield valor or grand acts of altruism; instead, they may emerge from everyday contexts and show heroism through acts of kindness, resilience, and advocacy for marginalized communities.

Moreover, the advent of digital media and the 24-hour news cycle have democratized the dissemination of heroic narratives, allowing ordinary individuals to attain widespread recognition for their deeds. Social media platforms serve as amplifiers for stories of courage and compassion, enabling grassroots movements and amplifying the voices of previously overlooked heroes. From healthcare workers on the front lines of a global pandemic to activists advocating for environmental sustainability, contemporary heroes emerge from diverse backgrounds and engage in a myriad of endeavors aimed at fostering positive change in society.

However, it is essential to acknowledge that the contemporary scenario of heroism is not without its complexities and challenges. In an era characterized by skepticism and disillusionment, the pedestal upon which heroes are placed is often precarious and subject to scrutiny and revision. The ubiquity of social media also means that heroes are more susceptible to scrutiny and criticism, with their actions subject to heightened scrutiny and public debate. Additionally, the proliferation of misinformation and the politicization of hero narratives can distort perceptions of heroism, leading to the idolization of individuals whose actions may not align with universally recognized ethical standards.

Nevertheless, despite these complexities, society remains capable of recognizing and celebrating heroism in its myriad forms. Whether it be the courage of a whistleblower exposing corruption, the compassion of a community rallying to support those in need or the advocacy of individuals championing social justice causes, heroism endures as a timeless and universal concept that transcends temporal and cultural boundaries. While the definition of heroism may evolve and adapt to changing societal norms, the intrinsic human capacity for empathy, courage, and selflessness ensures that heroes will continue to emerge and inspire admiration and reverence in the collective consciousness.

GRE Issue Essay Prompt 5: Governments should place few, if any, restrictions on scientific research and development.

The question of whether governments should impose restrictions on scientific research and development is a contentious issue that implicates a delicate balance between innovation, ethical considerations, and societal welfare. While proponents of minimal government intervention argue that unrestricted scientific inquiry fosters progress and innovation, opponents contend that certain safeguards and regulations are necessary to mitigate potential risks and ethical concerns. In this essay, I will explore the complexities of this debate and argue that while governments should strive to facilitate scientific advancement, they must also enact prudent regulations to safeguard against potential harm and ensure that research serves the broader interests of society.

Advocates of unrestricted scientific research often invoke the imperatives of innovation and progress as primary justifications for minimal government intervention. They argue that scientific discovery thrives in an environment of intellectual freedom and unfettered exploration, unhampered by bureaucratic red tape or regulatory constraints. Indeed, history is full of examples of groundbreaking advancements that have emerged from unfettered scientific inquiry, from the discovery of penicillin to the development of vaccines and space exploration. By allowing researchers the freedom to pursue their inquiries without undue interference, governments can catalyze innovation and propel society forward into new frontiers of knowledge and understanding.

Furthermore, proponents of minimal restrictions on scientific research emphasize the importance of preserving academic freedom and protecting researchers from censorship or political interference. They contend that governmental regulations, particularly those motivated by ideological or political agendas, risk stifling scientific creativity and impeding the pursuit of truth. In an era marked by increasing polarization and skepticism among experts, safeguarding the autonomy of scientific inquiry is paramount to upholding the integrity of the scientific enterprise and maintaining public trust in the scientific community.

However, while the benefits of unrestricted scientific research are undeniable, it is equally important to recognize the potential risks and ethical considerations inherent in certain areas of inquiry. Scientific advancements have the potential to yield profound benefits for humanity, but they also carry the risk of unintended consequences and ethical dilemmas. With the development of biotechnologies and the potential for misuse of research with implications for environmental sustainability and public health, the ethical implications of scientific research cannot be overlooked or dismissed.

Moreover, the pursuit of scientific knowledge does not occur in a vacuum; it is inexorably intertwined with broader societal concerns and values. Governments have a responsibility to enact regulations that safeguard against potential harm and ensure that scientific research serves the collective good. This may entail implementing ethical guidelines, establishing oversight mechanisms, and enacting legislation to address emerging ethical dilemmas and technological risks. By striking a balance between promoting scientific innovation and protecting societal interests, governments can harness the transformative power of science while mitigating potential risks and maximizing the benefits for society as a whole.

Want to know more about the GRE essay writing? Go through Yocket Prep Premium !

From the Desk of Yocket

The purpose of the GRE exam Issue Essay is to assess a candidate’s ability to develop a well-reasoned argument. It pushes test-takers to think critically about complex topics, develop a clear position, and support it with evidence. This ability to understand an issue, form an opinion, and articulate it persuasively is important for success in many graduate programs.

However, the Issue Essay format also has limitations. The short time frame restricts the depth of analysis one can achieve. Real-world writing often involves collaboration, revision, and access to research materials. Additionally, the focus on a single, predetermined topic can feel somewhat artificial compared to the more nuanced and open-ended writing tasks encountered in academic settings. With Yocket GRE prep , you will receive valuable assistance in essay writing, helping you refine your skills and tackle the GRE essays with confidence.

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GRE Essay: Tips on Approaching the GRE Analytical Writing Section

Woman writing for the GRE Essay, the GRE Analytical Writing Essay Issue Task

Though the GRE used to have two essay questions on the Analytical Writing section (prior to 2024), nowadays there’s only one GRE essay. That means the original Argument Essay no longer exists, and the only thing you need to write is the Issue Essay. Great news! So, how do you prepare for the new GRE essay? Read on to find out.

What is the GRE Essay?

Where can i find sample issue topics, how is the gre essay scored, what do the graders look for, how do i practice for gre analytical writing, how do i improve my grammar and style, sample gre essays to study, how long should my gre essay be, where can i get my practice gre essays graded.

The GRE essay is a 30-minute task which requires reading an opinion of an issue and then crafting a well-supported argument. The GRE essay not only tests your ability to form a cogent thesis statement but also how well you defend your position over the course of several paragraphs. The clarity and organization of your writing also factor into your final score.

The GRE essay is also known as the Issue Task because you have to analyze a provided issue. What kinds of issues will you be asked to write about? The topics generally fall under categories such as education, technology, art, society, government, philosophy, and more. The following example prompt belongs to the technology category.

Example of a GRE Issue Essay Prompt Related to Technology

Prompt: It could be argued that the most important technological breakthroughs have happened by chance and through surprise discoveries. However, others argue that deliberate, well-planned research with specific goals is the only way to ensure technological advancement.

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 position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position

ETS (the makers of the GRE) publishes the entire pools of Issue topics on its website. The topics you see on your exam will be drawn from those pools , so this is an essential resource.

The GRE Essay is scored on a scale from 0 to 6. This score is separate from and does not factor into your overall GRE scaled score (which considers only your performance on the math and verbal sections).

The majority of test takers end up with a score between 3.0 and 5.0. You can see the exact percentiles here in this article: GRE Score Percentiles – What Does Your Score Mean for You?

What exactly do those scores mean? Any essay scored a 2 or below has serious flaws. An essay that receives a 4 is adequate. And the rare essay that gets a 6 is truly outstanding. You can read more about each score level in ETS’s article on GRE Analytical Writing Scoring .

Note that your final GRE Analytical Writing section score is really the averaged score of two graders: a human grader and an AI grader. The human essay grader takes around 30 seconds to grade an essay. He or she scans to make sure that you have clearly organized your information, and that your paragraphs start with a topic sentence and flow into specific examples that support your analysis. The grader looks to make sure you have a conclusion that articulates what you’ve already stated. He or she gives you a score and they move on to the next essay.

And if for some reason the human and AI greatly disagree, a 2nd human is brought in to score your essay instead.

The graders look for the three C’s: clarity, coherency, and cogency.

First off, you must express your ideas in a clear manner. If you jumble your words, or simply throw in unnecessary words, doing so compromises clarity. But your essay is not just one sentence with a clearly expressed idea; it is a set of ideas that should logically connect to one another. That is coherency.

Next you want to provide convincing evidence to back up your thesis. You can throw in some vague example, but doing so means your essay will probably lack cogency. Develop an example that cogently reinforces your thesis is key to a high essay score.

Other Factors

There are some other factors that play into the human grader’s assessment of a GRE essay. Style is important; an essay with choppy sentences and unsophisticated vocabulary will be awarded a lower score, all other things being equal, than an essay with mature syntactical development and GRE-level vocabulary deployed felicitously.

There is also the issue of grammar. Even though the graders don’t set out to nitpick at grammar, as soon as you make the tiniest mistake, he or she will notice. Anything from improper use of pronouns to misspelling common words can negatively impact your score. At the same time, a grammatical flub or two won’t preclude an essay from getting a perfect score, as long as everything else about the essay is top-notch.

GRE essay graders look for clarity, coherency, and cogency

By simply writing often you will be able to write with greater command and facility. With diligent practice, words will not seem submerged deep in your subconscious but will instead spring to life on the page.

2. Don’t forget to outline/brainstorm

You must think about what you are going to write before you write. I’m sure many amongst you subscribe to the school of thought that if you write, they will come: the words, the compelling examples, and the nuanced logic. When practicing for the GRE essay, you must avoid this tendency and instead spend a few minutes coming up with a roadmap (either in your head or on the computer screen). At first this step will slow you down and you will want to go back to the old method. Be patient. Once you become adept at outlining, the essay will write itself.

3. Spend lots of time editing your practice essays

Though you won’t get much of an opportunity to edit your essay on test day, sedulously editing your practice essays will make you more aware of your mistakes, both grammatical and logical. Correcting these mistakes will not only help you anticipate them in the future, but will also make the writing and logic in your future essays clearer.

4. Constantly read sample essays

By reading other students’ essays , you will develop a sense of what ETS is looking for. You’ll also be able to better judge your own essays. Throughout practice sessions, you should keep tweaking your essays, so they get closer and closer to the next score up. So, if you started at a ‘3’, focus on getting to a ‘4.’

5. Improve grammar

ETS explicitly states that it is looking for the quality and clarity of thought and not grammar per se. Yet the two are closely related. If you struggle to articulate something—and in doing so break a grammatical rule (or three!)—you will sacrifice clarity. Even minor grammatical errors (faulty pronouns, subject/verb agreement) will mar the overall quality of your writing.

Between grammar and style, grammar is much easier to improve. Great style is much more elusive. Indeed, many writers have cultivated their prose style over years of assiduous practice. Rest assured though—to score well on the GRE your prose does not have to be fit for The New York Times . You do want to avoid choppy sentences by varying up your sentence structure. And you shouldn’t be averse to trading a simple word for a more complex one as long that word is appropriate for the context.

A great book that offers writing advice, from dangling modifiers to how to construct compelling, dynamic sentences, is William Zinsser’s On Writing Well .

For a more stern approach to writing, Strunk and White’s Elements of Style has helped students for over half a century.

The only reason I mention both of these books is they focus not only grammar but also on style. Many grammar books should suffice as far as grammar goes, but they fall short on teaching writing style, which is a great skill to have for the GRE (and beyond!).

It is one thing to read the guidelines for what constitutes a ‘6’ essay on the GRE Analytical Writing section. In essence, you are just interpreting the information. But by actually reading real essays, you learn what the graders are looking for.

The best source for sample essays are the released sample essays (completed with grader comments!) from ETS . The essays here are actual student essays. Use these essays to assess your own level of writing. In other words, determine where in the 0.0 – 6.0 range you fall, based on the scores given to the other essays.

Additionally, you can see sample GRE essays from Magoosh students along with our own commentary here: GRE Issue Essay: Strategies + 8 Real Student Essays with Scores

Believe it or not, out of two GRE essays that are identical, save for length, the longer will receive the higher score. That doesn’t mean you should frantically scribble away, hoping that a seven-paragraph essay will automatically confer the much coveted ‘6’. Substance matters greatly. But as long as all the parts of your essay are there, you should shoot for a five-paragraph essay: an intro, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

I should also point out that paragraph length matters, too. 5 two-sentence paragraphs is not really a long essay. And, of course, don’t forget that each of those paragraphs has to flow logically and clearly from your thesis.

While there is no better teacher than feedback, having someone give you an honest critique of your essay is difficult. ETS offers a service to score your practice GRE essays , but that’s all you will get. Just a score, no feedback.

Over the years, I’ve seen many students asking for feedback on forums—such as The GradCafe or Reddit—and sometimes munificent souls (usually GRE test takers with strong writing skills) provide insightful analysis. While that may not sound all that reassuring, remember that this feedback is free of charge and there really isn’t much else out there in terms of essay feedback.

To take advantage of the latest technology, you can now sign up for Magoosh Premium Plan today to access our AI Expert Tutor that will grade your essay and give pointers on how to improve your score!

Lastly, you yourself will want to critique your essays. Magoosh as a downloadable GRE essay rubric for you to use. And for even more writing tips, check out 12 Tips to Ace GRE Writing .

Chris graduated from UCLA with a BA in Psychology and has 20 years of experience in the test prep industry. He’s been quoted as a subject expert in many publications, including US News , GMAC , and Business Because .

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Please leave any questions or suggestions in the comments, we try our best to respond within a few days! Your email address will not be published.

11 responses to “GRE Essay: Tips on Approaching the GRE Analytical Writing Section”

Hi how much time does it take for the practice AWA to be graded?

Hi Gunjan, I’m not sure if I understand your question. Which practice AWA are you talking about? If you are asking about feedback from forums or other online resources, you’ll have to check with those websites or perhaps post your essay again. Please note that Magoosh does not provide essay grading and feedback at this time.

I got 2.5 score in awa how can i improve

These blog posts might be helpful for you: 12 tips to ace GRE Writing GRE Issue Strategies and practice essays

In order to improve in the AWA section, you should understand what the graders are looking for, have a strategy for writing a strong essay, and practice as MUCH as possible. I think these blog posts will help you to make a good strategy–don’t forget to keep practicing!

Thank you, Really it helps me a lot. but still i have confusion in argument Section, can you please tell me the deference between issue and argument

Hi Prachi! Sure 🙂 The Issue Task requires you to take a position and defend it. Usually it’s for or against some issue. The Argument Tasks asks you to read a short argument and then explain why it’s terrible. Hope that helps!

Hi! I got a poor score in AWA (2) and I did detect my fault that, in my issue task, I didn’t thoroughly agree or disagree, rather I agreed partially to the prompt and another mistake was I couldn’t conclude my essay with clear conclusive stand of mine, neither I finished my last sentence, let alone editing. Could u plz explain weather partially agree or disagree is allowed in issue task in AWA?

It sounds like you have done a good job of reflecting on your performance and identifying areas for improvement! That’s a great first step. In the AWA Issue task, it’s important to have a strong argument and clearly state your side. Your concession point shows that you have thought about the issue from different angles, but it’s important to stick to your argument and show how it is superior. We do not recommend that students take the “partially agree” approach, since it tends to ‘water down’ your argument and weaken your essay. Remember that this is an essay you are writing for a specific assignment–it doesn’t have to reflect your personal beliefs or ideas, as long as you can craft a strong argument. We have a lot of great resources for you to use to improve on the AWA, take a look 🙂

Thank you for this overall guide with lots of quality information for someone who is new to GRE like me. At the moment, this is quite sufficient for me to kick start my preparation for the test, which roughly happens in two weeks. Anyway, Thanks!

You’re welcome! Best of luck, Huy. 😀

i think it give us more idea in gre test.

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GRE Issue Essay: Practice Sample Prompts

Gre issue essay sample prompt #1.

1. The emergence of the online “blogosphere” and social media has significantly weakened the quality of political discourse in the United States. Reason: When anyone can publish political opinions easily, standards for covering news and political topics will inevitably decline.

Write a response in which you examine your own position on the statement. Explore the extent to which you either agree or disagree with it, and support your reasoning with evidence and/or examples. Be sure to reflect on ways in which the statement might or might not be true, and how this informs your thinking on the subject.

GRE Issue Essay Sample Prompt #2

2. Some people believe it is imperative for individuals living in developed nations to reduce their energy consumption and lead a more sustainable lifestyle, given the evidence for global climate change. Others believe that such drastic lifestyle changes are unwarranted, based on the existing evidence for global climate change.

Write a response in which you discuss which view more closely aligns with your own position and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should address both of the views presented.

GRE Issue Essay Sample Prompt #3

3. So long as they are aware of the dangers involved, adults should not be legally bound to use seat belts.

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 position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.

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How to Write a Great GRE Argument Essay

When you take the GRE , you’ll have to write two essays : an Issue essay and an Argument essay. In your GRE Argument essay, you’ll get to demonstrate how well you can understand, analyze, and evaluate an argument. Here are ten GRE Argument essay tips you should know.

Fact #1: It doesn’t matter who is right

Fact #2: you'll have just 30 minutes for the gre argument essay, fact #3: graders will not pore over your essay, fact #4: quality matters, but so does quantity, fact #5: the prompt will tell you everything you need to know.

Make sure you read the prompt two or three times. You’ll want to make sure you truly understand it. Pay attention to what evidence is provided, what is stated in the prompt, and what is claimed by the author. A great way to identify fallacies is to determine what the author has assumed, and then try to explain why that assumption may be wrong. Here are four things to look for:

Lack of evidence to support an assumption : You’ll want to mention this dearth in your essay—and note the type of information that would strengthen the argument.
Non-specific language : Does the author make generalizations without providing specifics? You will want to point that out!
Jumping to conclusions : Most Argument prompts will jump to conclusions at least once. As you read each sentence in the prompt, look for the author’s reasoning. If you can’t find a clear line of argument, you should note that the author has jumped to conclusions.
Data values : Just because the author provides numbers doesn’t mean they’re necessarily objective or even true. Consider—and discuss within your essay—the reliability of any data, or data collection methods, that are presented in the prompt.

Fact #6: Structure will save you

After you read the prompt, brainstorm the logical fallacies you want to address. Then, choose your top three or four, and formulate a brief outline before you start your essay. There is nothing worse than having to stop writing your essay to come up with new ideas, so you’re going to want to follow a strict organizational format. Here’s a good general template to keep in mind:

Intro : This should consist of three or four sentences in which you provide an overview of all the fallacies you plan to address.
Fallacies : Each should get its own indented paragraph. You’ll want to discuss it in detail, and you may even opt to quote from the prompt in making your case.
Suggestions for improving the prompt argument : Time-permitting, you’ll ideally want to include a paragraph in which you detail how the author could make a stronger case.
Conclusion : As short as the introduction, this should summarize your body paragraphs (the fallacies and suggestions) and tie up any loose ends. Don’t skip this part! Even if you only have time for a single sentence, write one. An essay without a conclusion will almost certainly receive a lower score than one that is finished.

Fact #7: Clear writing is key

Fact #8: you’ll get one combined score for both essays, fact #9: you don’t have to be perfect to earn a perfect score, fact #10: you can plan ahead.

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The GRE ® General Test

One test for graduate, business and law school

Select a step to learn more about your GRE ® General Test journey.

Analyze an Argument Task (in General Tests administered before September 22, 2023)

The "Analyze an Argument" task assesses your ability to:

understand, analyze and insightfully evaluate an argument written by someone else according to specific instructions
effectively communicate your evaluation in writing

Each topic consists of a brief passage in which the author makes a case for some course of action or interpretation of events by presenting claims backed by reasons and evidence.

Where to begin

Your task is to discuss the logical soundness of the author's case by critically examining the line of reasoning and the use of evidence. This task requires you to read the argument and instructions carefully. Read the argument more than once and make brief notes about points you want to develop more fully in your response. Pay special attention to what is:

offered as evidence, support or proof
explicitly stated, claimed or concluded
assumed or supposed, perhaps without justification or proof
not stated, but necessarily follows from or underlies what is stated

In addition, consider the structure of the argument — the way in which these elements are linked together to form a line of reasoning . You should recognize the separate, sometimes implicit steps in the thinking process and consider whether the movement from each step to the next is logically sound. In tracing this line, look for transition words and phrases that suggest the author is attempting to make a logical connection (e.g., however, thus, therefore, evidently, hence, in conclusion).

What you aren’t being asked to do

An important part of performing well on the Argument task is remembering what you are not being asked to do. You aren’t being asked to:

discuss whether the statements in the argument are true or accurate
agree or disagree with the position stated
express your own views on the subject being discussed (as you were in the Issue task)

Instead, you’re being asked to evaluate the logical soundness of an argument of another writer and, in doing so, to demonstrate the critical thinking, perceptive reading and analytical writing skills that university faculty consider important for success in graduate school.

Task instruction sets

Each task is accompanied by one of the following sets of instructions that you must be sure to address when writing your response:

Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.
Write a response in which you examine the stated and/or unstated assumptions of the argument. Be sure to explain how the argument depends on these assumptions, and what the implications are for the argument if the assumptions prove unwarranted.
Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide whether the recommendation and the argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the answers to these questions would help to evaluate the recommendation.
Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide whether the advice and the argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the answers to these questions would help to evaluate the advice.
Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide whether the recommendation is likely to have the predicted result. Be sure to explain how the answers to these questions would help to evaluate the recommendation.
Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide whether the prediction and the argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the answers to these questions would help to evaluate the prediction.
Write a response in which you discuss one or more alternative explanations that could rival the proposed explanation and explain how your explanation(s) can plausibly account for the facts presented in the argument.
Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be addressed in order to decide whether the conclusion and the argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the answers to the questions would help to evaluate the conclusion.

"Analyze an Argument" is a critical thinking task requiring a written response. Consequently, the analytical skills displayed in your evaluation carry great weight in determining your score; however, the clarity with which you convey ideas is also important to your overall score.

Understanding the context for writing: Purpose and audience of the Argument task

The purposes of the task are to see how well equipped you are to insightfully evaluate an argument written by someone else and to effectively communicate your evaluation in writing to an academic audience. Your audience consists of GRE raters carefully trained to apply the scoring criteria identified in the scoring guide for the "Analyze an Argument" task. To get a clearer idea of how GRE raters apply the Argument scoring criteria to actual essays, you should review scored sample Argument essay responses and rater commentary. The sample responses, particularly those at 5 and 6 score levels, will show you a variety of successful strategies for organizing and developing an insightful evaluation. The rater commentary discusses specific aspects of analytical writing, such as: cogency of ideas; development and support; organization; syntactic variety; and facility with language. The commentary points out aspects that are particularly effective and insightful as well as any that detract from the overall effectiveness of the responses.

Preparing for the Argument task

The Argument task is meant to assess analytical writing and informal reasoning skills you’ve developed throughout your education. You won’t be expected to know specific methods of analysis or technical terms.

Understand key concepts

You should be familiar with the directions for the Argument task and with certain key concepts, including the following:

alternative explanation — a competing version of what might have caused the events in question that undercuts or qualifies the original explanation because it too can account for the observed facts
analysis — the process of breaking something (e.g., an argument) down into its component parts to understand how they work together to make up the whole
argument — a claim or a set of claims with reasons and evidence offered as support; a line of reasoning meant to demonstrate the truth or falsehood of something
assumption — a belief, often unstated or unexamined, that someone must hold to maintain a particular position; something that is taken for granted but that must be true in order for the conclusion to be true
conclusion — the end point reached by a line of reasoning, valid if the reasoning is sound; the resulting assertion
counterexample — an example, real or hypothetical, that refutes or disproves a statement in the argument
evaluation — an assessment of the quality of evidence and reasons in an argument and of the overall merit of an argument

Published topic pools

An excellent way to prepare for the "Analyze an Argument" task is to practice writing on some of the published Argument topics (PDF) . Even if you choose not to write a full essay response, you should find it helpful to practice evaluating a few of the arguments and sketching out your responses.

There’s no one way to practice that’s best for everyone. Some prefer to start practicing without adhering to the 30-minute time limit, so they have all the time they need to evaluate the argument and craft their response. Others prefer to take a “timed test” right away.

Plan your response

Regardless of which approach you take, consider the following steps:

Carefully read the argument and the specific instructions — you might want to read them more than once.
Identify as many of the argument's claims, conclusions and underlying assumptions as possible and evaluate their quality.
Think of as many alternative explanations and counterexamples as you can.
Think of what specific additional evidence might weaken or lend support to the claims.
Ask yourself what changes in the argument would make the reasoning more sound.

Write down each of these thoughts. When you've gone as far as you can with your evaluation, look over the notes and put them in a good order for discussion (perhaps by numbering them). Then write an evaluation according to the specific instructions by fully developing each point that is relevant to those instructions.

When you become quicker and more confident, you should practice writing some Argument responses within the 30-minute time limit so that you will have a good sense of how to pace yourself in the actual test. For example, you will not want to discuss one point so exhaustively or to provide so many equivalent examples that you run out of time to make your other main points.

Evaluate your response

When you’re finished writing your practice response, assess how you did to see how and where you can improve.

Get feedback on your response(s) from a writing instructor, philosophy teacher or someone who emphasizes critical thinking in their course
Trade papers on the same topic with fellow students and discuss each other's responses in terms of the scoring guide. Focus less on the "right scores" and more on seeing how the responses meet or miss the performance standards for each score point and what you need to do to improve.
Look at the scoring guide for the Argument topic and try to determine how your essay meets or misses the criteria for each score point in the guide. Comparing your own response to the scoring guide will help you see how and where to improve.

How to interpret numbers, percentages and statistics in Argument topics

Some arguments contain numbers, percentages or statistics offered only as evidence in support of the argument's conclusion. For example, an argument might claim that a certain community event is less popular this year than it was last year because only 100 people attended this year as compared with 150 last year, a 33% decline in attendance.

It is important to remember that you are not being asked to do a mathematical task with the numbers, percentages or statistics. Instead, you should evaluate these as evidence intended to support the conclusion. In the example above, the conclusion is that a community event has become less popular. You should ask yourself, "Does the difference between 100 people and 150 people support that conclusion?" In this case, there are other possible explanations, e.g., the weather might have been much worse this year, this year's event might have been held at an inconvenient time, etc.

Any one of these could explain the difference in attendance and weaken the conclusion that the event was "less popular." Similarly, percentages might support or weaken a conclusion depending on what actual numbers the percentages represent. Consider the claim that the drama club at a school deserves more funding because its membership has increased by 100%. This 100% increase could be significant if there had been 100 members and now there are 200 members, whereas the increase would be much less significant if there had been five members and now there are 10.

Remember that any numbers, percentages or statistics in Argument tasks are used only as evidence in support of a conclusion, and you should always consider whether they actually support the conclusion.

Tips for the Argument Task

Keep the following tips in mind:

You’re free to organize and develop your response in any way that will enable you to effectively communicate your position.
You can incorporate writing strategies you learned in English composition or writing-intensive college courses.
GRE raters will not be looking for a particular developmental strategy or mode of writing. In fact, when GRE raters are trained, they review hundreds of Argument responses that, although highly diverse in content and form, display similar levels of critical thinking and persuasive writing.
For example, raters will see some essays at the 6 score level that begin by briefly summarizing the argument and then explicitly stating and developing the main points of the evaluation. The raters know that a writer can earn a high score by developing several points in an evaluation or by identifying a central feature in the argument and developing that evaluation extensively. You might want to look at the sample Argument responses, particularly those at the 5 and 6 score levels, to see how other writers have successfully developed and organized their responses.
Make choices about format and organization that you think support and enhance the overall effectiveness of your evaluation. This means using as many or as few paragraphs as you consider appropriate for your response, e.g., create a new paragraph when your discussion shifts to a new point of evaluation.
You might want to organize your evaluation around the structure of the argument itself, discussing it line by line. Or you might want to first point out a central questionable assumption and then move on to discuss related weaknesses in the argument's line of reasoning.
Using examples can help illustrate an important point in your evaluation or move your discussion forward. However, remember that it’s your critical thinking and analytical writing that is being assessed, not your ability to come up with examples. What matters is not the form your response takes, but how insightfully you evaluate the argument and how articulately you communicate your evaluation to academic raters within the context of the task.

Sample Argument task, strategies, responses and rater commentary

For more information, review a sample Argument task, including strategies for the topic and essay responses with rater commentary at each score level.

The sample responses, particularly those at 5 and 6 score levels, will show you a variety of successful strategies for organizing and developing an insightful evaluation. The rater commentary discusses specific aspects of analytical writing, such as:

cogency of ideas
development and support
organization
syntactic variety
facility with language

The commentary also points out aspects that are particularly effective and insightful, as well as any that detract from the overall effectiveness of the responses.

Pool of Argument topics

When you take the GRE General Test, you’ll be presented with one Argument topic from the pool. To help you prepare, we’ve published the entire pool of tasks from which your issue will be selected.

Learn 7 simple GRE essay tips from these real GRE essay examples

GRE essay tips with real GRE essay examples

For many GRE test-takers, the most intimidating portion is the Analytical Writing or Essay Section. You also have to write two essays in which you explain and defend your answers, with only 30 minutes for each. There’s a lot to consider: How long should your GRE essay be? How should it be formatted? And how do you answer?

To help you prepare for the test, we are sharing valuable GRE essay tips learned from our collective experience reviewing and grading thousands of student essays. You’ll be able to gain insight into the acceptable length of the essay, the structure and answer format, as well as have access to scored GRE essay examples to study and review. This will help you reach your target GRE percentiles for the Writing section.

We’ll also break this out by the two types of GRE essay prompts: the GRE issue essay and GRE argument essay. These GRE formats come with specific instructions and require distinctly different approaches. But both will test your ability to write a persuasive statement.

The GRE Issue Essay

Example issue essay, how to improve this issue essay:, the gre argument essay, example argument essay, how to improve this argument essay:, learn more with achievable.

In our opinion, the easier essay task you’ll face on the GRE test is the Issue essay. Here, you are asked to analyze a statement then respond by either agreeing or disagreeing with it. You will have to elaborate and support your answer with data, logic, and real-world examples.

In order to score well in the GRE issue essay, you need to choose a side. There is no gray area or middle ground.

To better understand the way this test is structured and answered, here is a scored essay example with detailed tips on how to further improve the score.

People’s behavior is largely determined by forces not of their own making.

I believe that people determine their own behavior through their actions because reacting to challenging situations changes greatly depending on the person, people with similar situations such as siblings differ to great extremes and as the brain evolves making choices for oneself is a lot more probable. First, the way in which people react to challenging situations largely depends on their own control of their emotions thus affecting their outward behavior. A study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Human Development by Professors John Krakour and Diana Arnold analyzed people’s reactions to a challenging situation through a controlled experiment. A group of fifty participants was randomly selected consisting of people with similar socio-economic backgrounds, racial identities and age and gender to reduce the number of external variables. Each person was asked to order a cup of coffee from the same local establishment; the baristas were instructed to stall that person’s order and eventually get it wrong. Professor Krakour and Arnold observed the study participants’ reactions to this unfavorable situation and found no patterns in their data sets. They concluded based on this data that people’s reactions are largely determined by their own control of their behavior and the same situation will provoke different behaviors even from people with similar backgrounds creating evidence that people’s behaviors are not determined by forces outside of their control. The previous paragraph described how people react and behave differently to the same situation, another persuasive argument is that siblings whose nurture, home and family situations and genetic makeup are extremely similar to each other behave differently providing evidence that forces outside of own’s control are not very prominent in determining behavior. Researchers Joanna Goldstein and Andrea Schmid conducted a study at Stanford University evaluating 25 sets of siblings and their behavior patterns in different situations. Their experiment consisted of controlled interviews with each of the siblings individually and asking them a series of questions about how they would behave given a certain situation. Their evidence presented large ambiguities between sibling responses and displayed little correlation between responses. Goldstein and Schmid concluded that behavioral actions are dependent on the individual rather than forces outside of their control such as genetic make-up or home environment. In addition to the previous stated arguments, there is sufficient evidence that as the brain evolves, behavioral actions become more of a choice and within a person’s control. A study at the University of San Francisco examined behavioral control of a group of 30 people aged five, 30 people aged twenty-five and 30 people aged fifty finding sufficient evidence that with age behavioral actions become more contained and conformed to society’s standards. In conclusion, my belief that people largely determine their own actions rather than outside factors and forces out of their control is supported by a variety of studies examining different aspects of behavior and manipulating a variety of variables.

Score: 4.0 (55th percentile)

▪ Write more. This submission is around 480 words. Ideally, students should aim to produce nearly twice as much content within the time limit. Incorporating free-write exercises into their prep can help students tone down the internal censor that blocks the liberal flow of content.

▪ Cite a fake study. You need evidence to back up your position, and you’re probably not an expert on whatever you’re writing about, so just fake it! The trick is to concisely present your supporting information and make it plausible by sprinkling in specifics. You can follow the DRI template that we teach over at Achievable GRE to breeze through this part. Remember – a robot grades this, not a human.

▪ Provide some orienting context before offering one’s opinion on the matter. This helps ensure the autograder detects your thesis and concluding sentences. Including more fluff in both the intro and the outro will improve readability while also increasing word count.

For the GRE Argument Essay, you are not asked to agree or disagree. Instead, you are being asked to look at an argument and assess its logical soundness. You will need to critically examine the line of reasoning and evidence presented by the author.

Remember this: your response should be able to point out the weakness of the statement and find the flaws in the argument.

The following appeared in an article written by Dr. Karp, an anthropologist. “Twenty years ago, Dr. Field, a noted anthropologist, visited the island of Tertia and concluded from his observations that children in Tertia were reared by an entire village rather than by their own biological parents. However, my recent interviews with children living in the group of islands that includes Tertia show that these children spend much more time talking about their biological parents than about other adults in the village. This research of mine proves that Dr. Field’s conclusion about Tertian village culture is invalid and thus that the observation-centered approach to studying cultures is invalid as well. The interview-centered method that my team of graduate students is currently using in Tertia will establish a much more accurate understanding of child-rearing traditions there and in other island cultures.”

Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.

Dr. Field is exploring the difference between to methods of studying the rearing behaviour of the children of Tarsis. Dr. Feild compares her study process to Dr. Karp’s process; however, comes to an unsupported conclusion that her process by using interviews is more accurate than the observation centered process of Dr. Field. This conclusion is in accurate because Dr Karp makes inappropriate assumptions, correlates two behaviors that are not related and provides insufficient information. One of the primary falicies that Dr. Karp makes an inappropriate assumption about the relatioship between children raised in Tarsis and parental influence. For instance, Dr Karp assumes that becase the children of Tarsis speak more about thier parents during interviews than other adults in the village. From the interview, Dr Karp assumes that the children must not have been reared by the village. This is an inappropriate assumption to make, because there is no proof that the two are correlated. Without the total number of children studied and data that supports the asumption it is difficult to understand if the interview indeed we telling about the population. Dr. Karp could solve this by speaking to all adults in the village and understand if they indeed had raised more children than their own. This missing information from the parents in the village would help determine the percentage of children that had been influenced by other people in the village. The second falicy of the argument made by Dr. Karp is that she confused the correlation between childrens rearing behariour and their speaking about thier parents. For example if a child gets a ride home from school every day by the same person from the village, they should be considered to be raised at least partially by members of the village. However, that same student may talk about his/her biological parents during that trip. Because kids talk more about their parents does not prove that the observation approach to studying characteristics is in correct. The Interview process does not account for the actions and interactions that a child has with the people of the village. Without identifying how often a child of Tarsis interacts with other people of the village the study is in accurate. Dr. Karp could solve this correlation confusion by asking – during interviews, about their intereactions with other people from the village. Knowing the information would weaken Dr Karps argument by confirming if the children indeed interact and are indflunced by people in their village. To strengthen Dr. Karp’s argument, she could be using her interview process to confirm that children are more influenced by their biological parents than others in the village. The last fallicie that is made by Dr karp is that in order to make the conclusion that the interview process of studying a culture is supirior to the observation method additional information and data is needed. For example, the interview process does not account for the behaviours of the children. This is a concern and does not prove Dr. Karps point because she does not have suffient data on regarding the childrens actions and interaction with the others of the village. To solve this, Dr. Karp should interview the families to understand what percentage of children from the village spend time with other people from the village. It should be understood what activies the childre learn outside the home with their biological parents. In conclusion, Dr. Karps argument that the interview process is superior to the observation process can not be concluded as there is incorrect collelations made, insuffiecient evidence and inappropraite assumptions.

▪ Spell check! This response is filled with spelling and grammar issues. We recommend you move fast and ignore spelling mistakes at first in order to get more words on the page, but you should make a second pass over your essay to clean up any obvious errors. Your spelling and grammar doesn’t need to be perfect, but it can’t be so poor that it sounds an alarm.

▪ Open with a non-judgmental summary of the presented argument. This boosts word count and helps to make the submission internally consistent. This response is a little shy of 600 words, and ideally, students should strive to write several hundred additional words within the time limit. So it doesn’t hurt to repeat part of the prompt.

▪ Explicitly describe how the additional information could both strengthen and weaken the presented argument. Doing both is an easy way to increase word count (while improving compliance with the instructions of the prompt). Achievable GRE teaches you an easy-to-follow 7-step body paragraph rubric.

▪ Differentiate your arguments. Though three fallacies are listed in the thesis statement in the introduction (which is good), the subsequent body paragraphs tend to restate the same problem. Rather: strive to identify three distinct problems with the presented argument. Remember to grab the low-hanging fruit!

We know that the Analytical Writing section of the GRE test can be daunting especially for the unprepared. But we do hope that our GRE sample essays have given you some helpful context for how we approach this section of the GRE exam.

Our goal is to help you reach your target GRE score so you can get into your top choice school. And with Achievable’s GRE test prep, you will.

Achievable GRE offers 10 sample essay prompts and an automated GRE essay grader that uses techniques similar to the official ETS to help approximate your score. Learn the perfect GRE essay template and other strategies that will make writing a great essay simple.

Our GRE test prep materials include our easy-to-read online textbook, an infinite amount of quantitative review questions, and plenty of full-length mock exams. The full program is $299, and you can get started for free. Learn more here: https ://achievable.me/exams/gre/overview/

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GRE Argument Essay Template and Sample Argument Essay

July 7, 2021 April 6, 2023

The second essay you’ll have to write when you sit down to take the GRE is the GRE Argument Essay. It’s only 30 minutes and can be a bit of a challenge…

So you need a strong game plan.

But should you really worry about the essays since they don’t factor into your quantitative and verbal scores?

Absolutely!

We tell our students that while the essay scores may not be of importance to graduate programs, the ease of writing them should be important to you. The Analysis of an Issue and Argument essays are the first sections of the GRE. You don’t want to go into them frazzled and anxious. You definitely don’t want to finish them feeling like you could have done better. Unfortunately, this anxiety will carry into the rest of the test and NOT pave the road to earning your best GRE score.

To help you relax into the essays and the rest of the test, we’re sharing the exact template and sample essay we show our GRE students. Before you take a look, read these tips on how to practice with them.

GRE Argument Essay Practice Tips

1. Words to use in every argument essay are in blue on the template.

You want to have these transitions and links well practice so that you can use them automatically on the test. Obviously, this essay is HIGHLY dependent on the one provided in the prompt, so much of what you write is unique to the question.

2. Your GRE argument essay should be 4 or 5 paragraphs depending on the question.

Some questions ask you to evaluate another opinion, discuss a disadvantage, or give an opposing viewpoint. Therefore, you need another body paragraph to respond to that part of the prompt.

3. The sample GRE argument essay is directly from ETS, so don’t copy the essay.

Think about how your examples and reasons can be used to respond to the prompt.

PEEL means Point – Example – Explanation – Link. The blue in the sample essay shows how well the body paragraphs conform to the PEEL writing format.

5. Always outline your essay first.

It is very obvious to a trained reader when students don’t outline their essays first. You just have to jot down your opinion and reasons or examples in a quick list. This quick outline will help keep you focused and make your writing more cohesive.

6. Check out the full list of GRE argument essay prompts .

You shouldn’t write essays for each prompt (there are a lot). However, you should read over the whole list looking for differences in the ways questions are asked. Then, pick 10 prompts to practice outlining. Of those 10, pick 5 essays to write fully.

7. For extra practice, work on the parts, rather than the whole.

Just write an introduction, a body paragraph, or a conclusion for some of the essay prompts. After outlining, of course. This type of focused writing will improve the individual parts of the essay, resulting in an entire essay that is much better overall. You don’t have to write the parts for the same essay. Switch it up!

8. When you write a full essay, do it in 30 minutes.

Practice the way you are going to perform. By the time you write your second full essay, you should be writing in only 30 minutes. Set a timer and type the essay on the computer without using spell check or Grammarly. Ideally, you will write the essays when you do a full-length GRE practice test . It’s important to develop stamina for the full 4-hour test.

GRE Argument Essay Template

In the argument provided [or letter or memorandum] , the author asserts that [his recommendation or proposal]. The author’s argument does not make a persuasive case for [goal of the argument]. This argument lacks sufficient logical reasoning and appropriate evidence, and thus, is not strong enough to [goal of the argument].

First, write your first reason that the argument is not sound here. For example, put your example of the assumptions the argument depends on here. You can use quotation marks if you directly reference the text. Explain your example with consideration of the stated and unstated assumptions. To strengthen her argument, the author would benefit from add the link to your thesis about the argument here.

In addition, write your second reason that the argument is not sound here. For instance, put your example here. Explain your example with consideration of the stated and unstated assumptions. Unless add specific link to the argument, it can not be used to effectively back the author’s argument.

[You may need another paragraph depending on what the prompt asks you to do.]

The conclusion should consist of a restatement of the argument goal, a restatement of your thesis, and a closer. The location of these in the paragraph will be different based on how you choose to write it.

GRE Argument Essay Sample Prompt

In surveys, Mason City residents rank water sports (swimming, boating and fishing) among their favorite recreational activities. The Mason River flowing through the city is rarely used for these pursuits, however, and the city park department devotes little of its budget to maintaining riverside recreational facilities. For years there have been complaints from residents about the quality of the river’s water and the river’s smell. In response, the state has recently announced plans to clean up Mason River. Use of the river for water sports is therefore sure to increase. The city government should for that reason devote more money in this year’s budget to riverside recreational facilities.

Write a response in which you examine the stated and/or unstated assumptions of the argument. Be sure to explain how the argument depends on the assumptions and what the implications are if the assumptions prove unwarranted.

Sample GRE Argument Essay

[Restatement of the given argument] In the argument provided, the author asserts that the Mason City government ought to devote more money to riverside recreational facilities. [Your thesis] The author’s argument does not make a cogent case for increased resources based on river use. [Overview of reasons related to goal] This argument is rife with holes and assumptions, and thus, not strong enough to lead to increased funding.

[First reason] Citing surveys of city residents, the author reports city resident’s love of water sports. It is not clear, however, the scope and validity of that survey. [Example] For example, the survey could have asked residents if they prefer using the river for water sports or would like to see a hydroelectric dam built, which may have swayed residents toward river sports. [Explanation] The sample may not have been representative of city residents, asking only those residents who live upon the river. The survey may have been 10 pages long, with 2 questions dedicated to river sports. We just do not know. [Link] Unless the survey is fully representative, valid, and reliable, it can not be used to effectively back the author’s argument.

[Second reason] Additionally, the author implies that residents do not use the river for swimming, boating, and fishing, despite their professed interest, because the water is polluted and smelly. [Explanation] While a polluted, smelly river would likely cut down on river sports, a concrete connection between the resident’s lack of river use and the river’s current state is not effectively made. Though there have been complaints, we do not know if there have been numerous complaints from a wide range of people, or perhaps from one or two individuals who made numerous complaints. [Link] To strengthen his/her argument, the author would benefit from implementing a normed survey asking a wide range of residents why they do not currently use the river.

[Third reason] Building upon the implication that residents do not use the river due to the quality of the river’s water and the smell, the author suggests that a river clean up will result in increased river usage. If the river’s water quality and smell result from problems which can be cleaned, this may be true. [Example] For example, if the decreased water quality and aroma is caused by pollution by factories along the river, this conceivably could be remedied. But if the quality and aroma results from the natural mineral deposits in the water or surrounding rock, this may not be true. [Explanation] There are some bodies of water which emit a strong smell of sulphur due to the geography of the area. This is not something likely to be afffected by a clean-up. Consequently, a river clean up may have no impact upon river usage. [Link] Regardless of whether the river’s quality is able to be improved or not, the author does not effectively show a connection between water quality and river usage.

[Closer] A clean, beautiful, safe river often adds to a city’s property values, leads to increased tourism and revenue from those who come to take advantage of the river, and a better overall quality of life for residents. [Restatement of the given argument/goal] For these reasons, city government may decide to invest in improving riverside recreational facilities. [Restatement of thesis] However, this author’s argument is not likely significantly persuade the city goverment to allocate increased funding.

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