GRE Analytical Writing Examples: A Guide to Mastering the Writing Section

The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) analytical writing section is an important component of the test that evaluates your ability to articulate complex ideas, support arguments with evidence, and present your thoughts in a logical and organized manner. It requires you to write two essays - the Issue and the Argument tasks - within a specific time limit.

Understanding the GRE Analytical Writing Section

The Issue task presents you with a general statement or claim about a particular subject and asks you to discuss your perspective on it. On the other hand, the Argument task requires you to critically analyze an argument provided by the test makers, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses.

While understanding the format of the GRE analytical writing section is crucial, it is equally important to study examples to gain insights into how to craft well-written essays. Let's explore some useful examples that can help you succeed in this section:

1. Issue Task Example: "To be an effective leader, a public official must maintain the highest ethical and moral standards."

In this example, you can discuss the importance of leaders upholding ethical and moral standards, providing real-life examples of renowned public figures who demonstrated ethics or lacked them. You can also explore the potential consequences when leaders fail to live up to these standards.

2. Argument Task Example: "The following is taken from a letter to the editor of a national newspaper: 'The recent surge in violence in the city is due to a lack of police officers. In order to reduce crime, the city council should increase the number of police patrols.'"

For this example, you can analyze the argument by assessing the assumptions made and the evidence provided. Critically evaluate whether an increase in police patrols is the sole solution to reducing crime and discuss alternative factors that may contribute to the surge in violence and how they can be addressed.

These examples provide a glimpse into the types of prompts you may encounter in the GRE analytical writing section. Remember, the key to producing exceptional essays is practice and adequate preparation.

Tips for Acing the GRE Analytical Writing Section

• Plan your essays: Take a few minutes to outline your ideas before starting your essay. This helps in organizing your thoughts and developing a coherent structure.
• Include specific examples: To support your arguments, incorporate relevant examples from history, literature, current events, and your personal experiences.
• Craft a strong thesis statement: Clearly state your main point in the introduction, ensuring it reflects your stance on the given topic.
• Use transitional words: Employ words such as 'however,' 'conversely,' 'moreover,' 'in addition,' etc., to establish logical connections between sentences and paragraphs.
• Revise and proofread: Allocate time to review your essays, checking for grammatical errors, clarity of expression, and coherence of arguments.

By familiarizing yourself with GRE analytical writing examples and implementing effective strategies, you can enhance your chances of achieving a high score. Remember, practice makes perfect, so dedicate ample time to refine your essay-writing skills before sitting for the exam.