Analytical Writing Assessment- Analysis of an Issue
The GMAT starts off with a 30-minutes analytical writing section involving analysis of an issue. Here is an overview of the task, tips, and sample issues for you to look at.
How exactly do we analyze an issue?
The Analysis of an Issue task of the GMAT asks you to develop and explain a point of view on a given issue or opinion. To do so you should use logical reasoning and examples drawn from you personal knowledge, experience or observation.
While analyzing an issue it is also important to present a logical flow of ideas, clear control of the English language, and the use of a strong format, with an introduction and a conclusion. Due to the short time limit it is advisable that you keep your sentences concise and use only a few well-developed examples to support your view.
The issues presented will concern a topic of general interest, and may be related to business or other subjects. No specific knowledge of any content areas will be required to write your analysis, the only thing you need is the ability to write analytically.
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What are some examples of issues I may have to analyze?
Example 1: "Employees should keep their private lives and personal activities as separate as possible from the workplace."
Discuss the extent to which you agree with the opinion expressed above. Support your point of view with reasons and/or examples from your own experience, observation or reading.
Example 2: "You can tell the ideas of a nation by its advertisements."
Explain what you think this quotation means and discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with it. Develop your position with reasons and/or specific examples draw from history, current events, or your own experience, observation or reading.
Example 3: "The people we remember best are the ones who broke the rules."
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion expressed above. Support your point of view with reasons and/or examples from your own experience, observations or reading.
Note: Examples above taken from The Official Guide for GMAT Review, published by GMAC.
How will my analysis be scored?
The analysis of an issue is scored in half-point increments on a scale of 0-6 according to the following criteria:
| 0 | No score | A paper that is off topic, not written in English, or a copy of the topic |
| 1 | Fundamentally Deficient | Little evidence of any ability to develop a coherent response, severe language errors |
| 2 | Seriously Flawed | An unclear or very disorganized position, serious language, sentence structure and grammar problems |
| 3 | Limited | Vague position, weak reasons and examples, imprecise language and structure, flawed usage of grammar and mechanics |
| 4 | Adequate | Develops a position using adequate examples, some control of language with some errors |
| 5 | Strong | Develops a position with well-chosen examples, clear control of language and minor grammar and mechanical flaws |
| 6 | Outstanding | Explores ideas and position with insightful reasoning, superior control of language with very minor flaws |
You will be graded by both a computer and a human. If the two disagree, a third human marker will grade your submission.
MBA schools you apply for receive you AWA scores separately than the verbal and quantitative sections of the GMAT, and can request to see the papers you have written.
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10 Tips for success on issue analysis:
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Read question carefully. Make sure you understand it before you respond- an off-topic analysis gets no mark.
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Think before you write. Take 5 minutes to select a position, pick strong examples, plan out your structure and organize your ideas before you begin writing your paper to ensure that your ideas flow logically and you have good organization.
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Take a position. A frequent error in this exercise involves the writer not picking a clear position and providing examples for both sides. Make sure you choose and clearly state the position you take before you provide any reasons or examples.
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Don't bombard them with examples. Use only one or two strong and effective examples to support your ideas. Do not use a long list of examples that are redundant, vague, and do not help develop your analysis.
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Analysis does mean criticize the opinion. Do not submit a paper that is merely criticizing the opinion or issue given itself based on clarity and supporting examples. Develop your ideas, not the ones provided.
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Quantify your ideas. Separate your arguments into as many separate paragraphs as possible. Your analysis should include at least 4 strong paragraphs.
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Your introduction should look like: The issue of (issue) is complicated. On one hand, (opinion one), while on the other hand, (opinion 2). I believe that (Your position).
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Each body paragraph should include one example, with full description and explanation. If your example is long and has different sub-reasons, split it into more than one paragraph.
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Your conclusion should look like: For all of the reasons stated above, I believe (your position).
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Proof read your work. Make sure your ideas flow easily and that you are being coherent and well-structured.
Any questions or comments?
Start a discussion about the AWA right here
Good Luck!
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