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Two essays in 6u minutes:
(1) Analysis of an ISS0E (Su min)
(2) Analysis of an ARu0NENT (Su min)

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You must "uiscuss the logical soununess of the authoi's case accoiuing to the
specific instiuctions by ciitically examining the line of ieasoning."
You aie N0T being askeu foi youi own opinion on the topic.

The thiee big steps:

(1) Finu the aigument's conclusion, anu examine how the piemises link togethei to
make a "chain of logic."

(2) Wheie is the "chain of logic" bioken. Biainstoim flaws, counteiexamples, anu
assumptions maue by the speakei.

(S) Nake suie to "hit all the maiks" iefeienceu in the instiuctions accompanying the
topic.


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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.

Flaws to Watch Out For

Unjustified Assumptions

Extreme Language

Predicting the Future

The Troubled Analogy

Whats Their Motivation?

Confusing Signs of a Thing for the Thing Itself

The Ever-Changing Pool

Correlation Does Not Equal Causation

Missing Premises

Skill & Will

Nothing is Quantified

Terms are Too Vague

Sample Isnt Representative

Sample Too Small

How Was It Before?

No Control Group

Alternate Cause

Short Term vs. Long Term


Argument Essay Outline

I. Intro: Briefly restate the argument & establish your "take."
II. Body: Explain one main point in each of 2-3 paragraphs.
III. Conclusion: Re-summarize your critique

Make sure to hit your marks as given by the instructions: Be sure to explain how your
explanation(s) can plausibly account for the facts presented in the argument.


Style Points

I. Varied Language: Aim for a mix of long and short sentences. Throw in an occasional
semicolon, colon, or rhetorical question.

II. Vocabulary: Use GRE-type words in your writing (but only if youre sure you can use
them correctly!) aver, extrapolate, contend, underpin, postulate, propound, concur

III. Length: Length on the GRE essay is highly correlated with scores. Write as much as
you can in the time allotted.


How to Practice

Read Official Guide pages 25-36 for sample essays and further insight into the scoring
process.

Browse Argument topics at:
http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/prepare/analytical_writing/argument/pool

Complete sample essay and turn in to instructor next week for comments. This offer
good one week only must be turned in on time!

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