GMAT essay Lesson 2- Analysis of Issue

In the Analysis of Issue question you discuss your opinion toward an issue. You write a well-balanced analysis of the issue the test presents to you.

These are the most common topics:

Government's role in ensuring the welfare of its citizens
Culture and social mores, attitudes, values
Management/organizational structure/behavior

Business: advertising and marketing
Business: labor and employment issue
Business-its overall role and objectives in society
Government's regulatory responsibilities.

Here is an example of an Analysis of Issue question:

Following the Colorado massacre of schoolchildren, many lawmakers have proposed that an international body regulate the internet so that sites which provide information to terrorists should be eliminated.

Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the above opinion. Support your opinion with reasons and examples.

The people who grade the Analysis of Issue for the GMAT expect the following:
i) A well-developed essay that is logical and coherent;
ii) An essay that demonstrates critical thinking skills;
iii) An essay which uses varied sentence structure and vocabulary;
iv) An essay that uses the language of standard written English;
v) An essay that is free of mechanical errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization; and
vi) An essay that follows the conventions of standard written English.

Analysis of Issue: Content

How do I write a well-balanced essay?

You should always acknowledge both sides of an issue. Among the sample essays there is not one irrefutable essay, yet you must pick a side. The trick to doing this is to persuade the reader that, despite the counter-arguments, your position is the strongest one overall.

Try to "straddle the fence" between both sides of the issue by making limited use of qualifiers. This will allow you to acknowledge the opposing view and appear scholarly. (Note that overuse of qualifiers will make the essay appear too vague and dilute an argument you are making.)

In general, take a politically correct opinion or an opinion that a majority of top scorers might take. However, if you do not think you can write an effective politically-correct essay, adjust your content to fit what you can comfortably express. In general, though, stay incontroversial and balanced. Do not use it as a forum to be an ideologue. Writing a highly charged essay might evoke a bias from the reader (if he disagrees with you) and it also may confuse the E-rater, since you essay will not resemble any essays it has stored in its database. Try to approach each issue in a dispassionate and balanced manner.

Nevertheless, you must be sure to take a stand. You must pick a side that will "win out" in the conclusion/introduction. The test instructions specifically tell you to pick a side. Make sure to disagree or agree with the question's statement.

How in-depth should the essays be?

Your essay is short (you have only 30 minutes), so you won't be able to cover every possible argument, rebuttal and example. When you start the test set aside a few minutes to set up the points and examples. You do not have to cover every idea/concept. Most GMAT students do not have time to cover everything they would like to cover. Choose the most persuasive relevant points and examples to use. The GMAT graders do not expect you to go in-depth on every topic.

The most important concern here is that you do not go off of the main subject. Stay focused on the topic. Do not either go off on tangential arguments or excessively focus on one example.

Where should I get examples?

The instructions (with only a few exceptions) allow you to draw upon your personal experiences in developing your answer to each essay question. This practice is acceptable, but don't overdo it. You should generally rely more on academic knowledge than personal
experiences.

Your examples and knowledge can be impressive, but you shouldn't go too far. Don't try to impress the grader with you expertise in a narrow area. The AWA tests analytical writing, not specific subject knowledge.

Where do I get essay issue ideas?

The topics in the Analysis of Issue section are commonly addressed in policy-oriented magazines.
Wall Street Journal editorial page
Forbes
The Economist
The New Republic
Slate
International Students: Read these American magazines as much as possible to see how Americans structure their writing and to stay updated on issues.

Write with your grader in mind

When you write your Issue essay, remember that you are fundamentally writing your essay to please your grader. ETS essay graders will typically be under-employed academics. The irony is that B-school candidates, with hopes of multiple 6-figure salary offers, come from an entirely different worldview. Don't ramble in a self-righteous manner. The graders will too easily dismiss you as another arrogant MBA candidate.

Keep it concise

Put yourself in the position of a grader. They grade essays all day. Wouldn't you favor a concise and effective essay with 5 paragraphs of 4 sentences each more than a 4 paragraph rambling essay with 10 sentences in each paragraph? The bottom line: keep the essays crisp,
concise, and written in a manner appealing to the grader. This is particularly important on the Analysis of Issue question, where you essay expresses personal opinions.

Analysis of Issue: Structure

Structure is the most important part of your essay. Your essay must be written in a standard format with the standard logical transitions. The E-rater will scan your essay to identify if it has a standard structure.

Introduction/Conclusion-These elements will provide the structure for your essay and keep you on track.

Number of Paragraphs. To satisfy the E-rater, your essay should be 4 to 5 paragraphs: an introduction, a conclusion, and three "body" paragraphs. Each paragraph should have 2 to 5 sentences (total essay about 300-400 words). Note: You should skip a line between paragraphs since the TAB key does not function in the essay section.

Essay Template

The template is just a guideline. You do not have to adhere to it. Often you will have to make changes to suit your argument.

The numbers of sentences indicated for each paragraph is a guideline that varies depending on how much content you have.
The transitional phrases we use in the Template are intentionally simplistic. This is not a simple approach where you can "fill-in-the-blanks." Flesh out the template somewhat and use it as a guideline to write a disciplined and focused essay.

Template

1) Introductory Paragraph (2-4 sentences)

Make sure to keep your introductory paragraph concise, strong and effective. What the introductory paragraph should accomplish:

Explain the issue (briefly).
Show that you understand the full complexities of the issue (for example, by recognizing competing interests or various factors).
State your position on the issue (without the details yet).
Sample template for introductory paragraph (2 sentences):
a) Whether ________________________ depends on _____________________.
b) (Insert your opinion), __________________________.

2) First Body Paragraph (3-5 sentences)

Begin to develop your position with your most important reason. Use one or two examples to back up your main point:

a) The chief reason for my view is ___________________________________.
b) For example, ____________________________________.
c) Moreover, ______________________________.
d) Finally, ________________________.

3) Second Body Paragraph

Expand your position with a "secondary" reason. Support your rationale further with at least one example.

State your second reason (one only).
Provide rationale and/or evidence to support it.
Here's a sample template for the second body paragraph that accomplishes these objectives:
a) Another reason for my view is_____________________________.
b) Specifically,________________.
c) The result is,__________________.

4) Optional Third Body Paragraph

In this paragraph (optional) you acknowledge a competing viewpoint or counter-argument (and rationale and/or examples that support it), and then provide rebuttals to further support your position. In this paragraph you walk a tightrope, you must acknowledge the counter-argument, but yet deny it immediately in the next sentence and use that denial to strengthen your own argument.

Acknowledge a different viewpoint or a counter-argument.
Provide rationale and/or examples that support it.
Provide a rebuttal.
Here's a sample template for the third body paragraph that accomplishes the objectives indicated
above:
a) Some might argue,_____________________________.
b) Yet,____________________
c) Others might cite, __________________.
d) However,_____________________.

5) Conclusion Paragraph

In this paragraph you write a summary of your position in 1 to 3 sentences:
State the thrust of your position.

Restate the main points from the body of your essay.
The concluding paragraph is not the place for new information or reasons. It is not a place to draw new conclusions.
a) In sum, I concur that ________________________.
b) However,_________________; on the whole______________.

Time Breakdown:

How to write a coherent 300 word essay in 30 minutes

1. Examine the issue (2-3 minutes)
a. What is the basic issue? Try to phrase it as a question.
b. Those in favor would say….
c. Those against would say….
2. Choose what points you want to make (4-5 minutes)
a. Arguments in favor:
b. Arguments opposed:
c. Take a side: which side do you prefer?
d. What are the assumptions in the arguments?
Step 3: Outline (1 minute)

Use the templates on the prior page.

1. Make sure that your outline:
a. states the central idea of the essay clearly and forcefully;
b. provides a word or phrase for every paragraph in the essay;
c. relates each paragraph to the central idea of the essay in (2a) above;
d. includes an opening and closing paragraph which tie the essay together.

2. Build your paragraphs in the essay carefully. You may produce effective writing in the GMAT analytical writing section on the analysis of an issue by following a few simple rules:
a. Each paragraph should state a central idea which relates to the central idea of the entire essay.
b. Every statement in each paragraph should relate to the central idea of the paragraph in (3a) above. In each paragraph, use examples to support the central idea or explain it completely.
c. Consciously choose paragraph length, for if your paragraphs are all too short (one or two sentences), you will be penalized, and if they are too long you will also be penalized.
Step 4: Write/type your essay (20 minutes)

What's your thesis sentence?
Arguments for…
Arguments opposed...
Step 5: Proofread your work (2 minutes)

Check for grammar, spelling, etc..