2b. Analysis of Issue: Content

How to Write a Balanced Issue Argument

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) You may yet still take a very strong position in one direction, but you have to support your position strongly and you risk getting a poor grade from the E-rater (which will look for sufficient qualification).

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 uncontroversial and balanced. The AWA essay is not the place to express you pet policy opinions. Examine various viewpoints. Do not use it as a forum to be an ideologue. Writing a highly charged essay may 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 read before. Try to approach each issue in a dispassionate and balanced manner.

More important that what side of the issue you take, make sure to take a side. 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.

Breadth vs. Depth

Your essay is short, so you won't be able to cover every possible argument, rebuttal, and example. When you start the test set 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 the main subject. Stay focused on the topic. Do not either go off on tangential arguments or excessively focus on one example. Stay disciplined and remain tightly focused on the template you set up when you start the essay.

Drawing Examples

The instructions (with only a few exceptions) allow you to draw upon your personal experiences in developing your answer to each essay question. It's okay to draw on personal experiences to support your position; but don't overdo it. Nevertheless, excessively relying on personal experience will not be strong. You should rely on knowledge from academic knowledge more than personal experiences. In addition, relying on academic knowledge will work better with the E-rater because you will be more likely to better resemble the structure of high scorers.

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. Resist the temptation to use the Issue essay as a forum to rehash your honors thesis. The AWA tests analytical writing, not subject knowledge.

One last admonishment about examples: avoid over-used examples such as Hitler and Bill Gates.

Getting Issue Essay Ideas

The topics in the Analysis of Issue section are commonly addresses 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.

>>continue to Analysis of Issue: Structure (page 3of 4 of chapter 2)