gre analytical writing examples

Lucky Smart

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01-10-2024

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Cracking the GRE Analytical Writing Section: Examples and Strategies

The Analytical Writing section of the GRE is a crucial component of your overall score. It assesses your ability to analyze arguments, develop coherent and well-supported essays, and demonstrate your critical thinking skills. This section consists of two tasks: Analyze an Issue and Analyze an Argument.

This article delves into the world of GRE Analytical Writing, providing examples and strategies to help you excel.

Understanding the "Analyze an Issue" Task:

In this task, you are presented with a broad issue and asked to analyze it and present your perspective. You have 30 minutes to write a well-structured essay that:

• Clearly defines your position.
• Provides supporting reasons and evidence.
• Acknowledges opposing perspectives and offers counter-arguments.
• Concludes with a strong restatement of your position.

Example Issue:

"The best way to learn about a country's culture is by traveling and experiencing it firsthand."

Strategies for Success:

• Identify the core argument. What is the main point the issue statement is making?
• Brainstorm supporting reasons. Consider various perspectives and examples that support your stance.
• Consider opposing viewpoints. Acknowledge alternative perspectives and address them with counter-arguments.
• Organize your ideas logically. Structure your essay with clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Example Essay Structure:

• Introduction: Briefly introduce the issue and state your position.
• Body Paragraph 1: Present your first supporting reason, providing examples and evidence.
• Body Paragraph 2: Present your second supporting reason, providing examples and evidence.
• Body Paragraph 3: Acknowledge an opposing viewpoint and offer a counter-argument.
• Conclusion: Summarize your main points and reiterate your position.

Analyzing the "Analyze an Argument" Task:

This task presents you with a short argument and asks you to critique its logical reasoning and identify any weaknesses or flaws. You have 30 minutes to write an essay that:

• Clearly identifies the argument's main claim.
• Analyzes the argument's reasoning and evidence.
• Identifies flaws, assumptions, and potential weaknesses.
• Presents alternative explanations or evidence.
• Concludes with a clear assessment of the argument's validity.

Example Argument:

"The number of students enrolled in online courses has increased significantly in recent years. This indicates that online education is becoming more popular and effective than traditional classroom instruction."

Strategies for Success:

• Identify the argument's premises and conclusion. What assumptions is the argument based on? What is the author trying to prove?
• Examine the evidence. Is the evidence relevant and sufficient to support the conclusion?
• Look for logical fallacies. Does the argument rely on flawed reasoning or unsubstantiated claims?
• Consider alternative explanations. Are there other possible reasons for the observed trend?
• Organize your analysis logically. Structure your essay with clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Example Essay Structure:

• Introduction: Summarize the argument and state your overall assessment.
• Body Paragraph 1: Analyze the argument's reasoning and identify any flaws or weaknesses.
• Body Paragraph 2: Examine the evidence presented and its relevance to the conclusion.
• Body Paragraph 3: Present alternative explanations or evidence that could challenge the argument's validity.
• Conclusion: Restate your assessment of the argument's strength and reiterate your main points.

Examples from Academia.edu:

Example 1: Analyze an Issue - "The best way to learn about a country's culture is by traveling and experiencing it firsthand."

• Professor David S. (University of California, Berkeley): In his analysis, Professor David highlights the limitations of this statement, arguing that while travel provides valuable experience, it offers a limited and often superficial understanding of a country's culture. He emphasizes the importance of engaging with academic research, historical texts, and diverse voices within a culture to achieve a more comprehensive understanding.
• Professor Sarah M. (Harvard University): Professor Sarah focuses on the idea of cultural immersion, suggesting that living within a culture for an extended period and interacting with its people provides a deeper and more nuanced understanding than a short-term tourist experience.

Example 2: Analyze an Argument - "The number of students enrolled in online courses has increased significantly in recent years. This indicates that online education is becoming more popular and effective than traditional classroom instruction."

• Professor John P. (Stanford University): Professor John emphasizes the need to consider factors beyond enrollment numbers, such as student demographics, access to technology, and changing societal priorities, when analyzing the popularity and effectiveness of online education. He argues that while online courses may be gaining popularity, their effectiveness compared to traditional instruction remains inconclusive.
• Professor Emily R. (Yale University): Professor Emily points out that the argument relies on a correlation between enrollment growth and effectiveness, which is a fallacy. She argues that increased enrollment could be due to factors other than improved effectiveness, such as affordability or convenience.

Additional Tips for Success:

• Practice regularly: Writing essays under timed conditions is crucial to improve your speed and accuracy.
• Review past GRE essays: Analyze strong and weak essays to identify effective strategies and common mistakes.
• Seek feedback from others: Ask friends, teachers, or tutors to review your essays and provide constructive criticism.
• Develop a strong vocabulary: A rich vocabulary will help you express your ideas more clearly and effectively.

Conclusion:

The GRE Analytical Writing section is a challenging yet rewarding aspect of the exam. By understanding the task requirements, analyzing examples, and practicing effective writing strategies, you can significantly improve your chances of achieving a strong score and demonstrating your analytical and critical thinking skills to the admissions committees.