How to Write GRE Essay

Argument Essay
Simple a→h steps for writing an essay
a. Read the question carefully

b. Identify the premise and the conclusion

c. Arrive at the assumption

d. Analyse the argument

e. Select points for essay

f. Structure the essay using free writing

An example:
While the Department of Education in the state of Attra suggests that high school
students be assigned homework every day, the data from a recent statewide
survey of high school math and science teachers give us reason to question the
usefulness of daily homework. In the district of Sanlee, 86% of the teachers
reported assigning homework 3-5 times a week, whereas in the district of Marlee,
less than 25% of the teachers reported assigning homework 3-5 times a week. Yet
the students in Marlee earn better grades overall and are less likely to be required
to repeat a year of school than are the students in Sanlee. Therefore, we
recommend that all teachers in our high schools should assign homework no more
than twice a week.
Question:
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.
Read the question carefully
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.
Analyze the argument
Assumption Strengthen Weaken

Giving less homework Less homework leaves Homework is for practice

earns better grades more time for self study and practice makes one
which earns better perfect.
grades.

The schools in Marlee Students get their doubts Students from the 25%
where less homework is clarified and complete schools in Marlee that
given students earned most work in school under gave more homework for
good grades teacher’s guidance. practice also earned good
grades.
Analyze the argument
Assumption Strengthen Weaken

Teachers who give less Teachers do not need to Teachers who give more
homework are better give homework as they homework use class
teachers get all the work done in timing to explain in detail
class and so are better and clarify all doubts
teachers. giving personal attention
to individual students.
Give practice exercise at
home. They are better
teachers.
Select point for writing essay
Assumption
Giving less homework earns
better grades
The schools in Marlee where less
homework is given students
earned good grades
Teachers who give less
homework are better teachers
Strengthen
Less homework leaves more time
for self study.
Students get their doubts clarified
and complete most work in
school under teacher’s guidance.
Teachers do not need to give
homework as they get all the
work done in class and so are
better teachers.
Weaken
Homework is for practice and
practice makes one perfect.
Students from the 25% schools in
Marlee that gave more homework
for practice also earned good
grades.
Teachers who give more
homework use class timing to
explain in detail and clarify all
doubts giving personal attention
to individual students. Give
practice exercise at home. They
are better teachers.
Free writing
Now you must reorganise and decide what to write in your paragraphs.
Typically your essay should contain:

Introduction

Body paragraph 1 [Main assumption]

Body paragraph 2 [Other assumptions and flaws]

Body paragraph 3 [Vague terminology]

Body paragraph 4 (Strengthen)

Conclusion
Introduction: 3-4 sentences
Let the reader know that you understand the premise and conclusion

Rephrase the conclusion in your own words and state what the author wants to
say.

Refrain from using self-reference statements like; I agree or I disagree, instead

use ‘the argument says’ and ‘the author states’.

It is a good idea to introduce the examples in your thesis to let the reader have
a fair idea of what will be discussed in the body paragraphs.
Template for introductory paragraph:
The issue of _______ is debatable. Recently, _________.
Regarding this issue, the author of the argument claims
__________. He suggests that _________.Though the
underlying issue certainly has merit, but lack of evidence and
weak assumptions indicate that the author’s argument is
flawed and open to question. This can be seen in cases
where __________.
Transition words:
Always begin paragraphs with transition words:

accordingly additionally after all again also all in all

coincidentally consequently contrary to comparable for example despite

as well as aside from beginning with however for the most gradually
part

at first glance briefly but by and large in summary in essence

For Paragraphs:
In GRE every argument has flaws and can be criticized for lack of evidence

and gap in logic

Identify the flaws in the assumptions.

Select the best assumption to begin the first paragraph

Move on to the next paragraphs with the other assumptions and flaws
Paragraphs 1-2: 4-6 sentences
Best way to find flaws in evidence is by identifying the type of flaw in the
argument:

Causal Flaw

Analogy Flaw

Percentage and Statistical Flaw

Survey and Sample Flaw

Planning Flaw

Explain the flaw and how it is illogically weakening the argument

Body Paragraph 1: 4-6 sentences
The transition from the introductory paragraph to the first body paragraph must be
smooth and this is where the transitional word or phrase comes in handy.
Look at the ways we could begin the paragraph:
Let’s take the first example of.....
In the first place...
First of all.....
In regard to
To begin with
Paragraph 3-Vague Terminology: 4-6 sentences
Identify the vague language and indirect references in the argument

In case evidence is provided, find ways to show how it is:

confusing

unrelated

unsupported

Attack the specific terminology the author utilizes in the argument, for
example how many is many:

if a percentage is given, what is the total number

Body Paragraph 2-3: 4-6 sentences
The appropriate transition words are-
Additionally.......
Besides......
What’s more......
In addition........
Furthermore.....
More importantly......
Paragraph 4-Strengthening: 2-4 sentences
Give suggestions on how the author could have improved his argument

Acknowledge that there is some merit in the author’s argument, but not
nearly enough as to sound convincing
Body Paragraph 4-Strengthening: 2-4 sentences
When the paragraph has a change of direction, or is contradicting the data
in the previous body paragraphs, then the following may be used-
Alternatively...
In contrast...
On the other hand...
Conversely....
In spite of the
Template for Strengthening
In spite of the argument’s flaws and vague terminology, the author could have
strengthened the argument were he to _________, and _________. The
reasoning of the argument would be substantially enhanced if he
______________. However, without these changes, the argument is unconvincing
and the reasoning faulty.
Conclusion (optional): 1-2 sentences
Restate your thesis

Stress that without the suggestions mentioned the argument falls flat
Review

Take care not to sound repetitive and wordy

Avoid awkward and confusing phrases and choppy sentences

Writing should be crisp and clear

Show off your vocabulary; replace some common words with impressive

vocabulary
Sample essay:
Studies show that, as we’ve become more technically advanced, our health has deteriorated rapidly. Heart
disease, cancer, diabetes, and virtually every major ailment are far more common today than they were
thirty years ago. The primary reason for this deterioration is the sedentary lifestyle associated with today’s
high-tech jobs. Clearly, our health will continue to decline as long as we persist in our technological
advances.
Introductory paragraph:

The conclusion of this argument, “Clearly, our health will continue to decline as long as we persist in our
technological advances,” rests weakly on three primary assumptions. [THESIS STATEMENT & TOPIC’S
CONCLUSION] First, it assumes that advances in medicine will not counteract the detrimental effects of a
lack of exercise. [REASON 1] Second, it requires the tacit belief that the effect of a proper diet on health is
insignificant in comparison to the effects of a sedentary lifestyle. [REASON 2] Finally, it presumes that
whatever holds true for the past and present will also hold true for the future. [REASON 3]
Paragraph 1:

The argument assumes that the positive effects of regular exercise on health override any positive effects
resulting from advances in medicine. [TOPIC SENTENCE FOR REASON 1] As society becomes
increasingly high tech, we might plausibly argue that medicine will similarly develop and advance.
Nonetheless, the validity of the author’s argument depends on the idea that medicine will not advance as
rapidly as technology or, at the very least, on the idea that any advance in medicine will have a relatively
insignificant effect on health, compared to the effects of regular exercise. But what might happen if
medicine progresses such that health care can counteract the effects of a sedentary lifestyle? Might we
imagine a pill or procedure that could easily and effectively combat heart disease, diabetes, and other
diseases linked to lack of exercise? If this occurs, whether our lives become more sedentary as a result of
technology will not matter when it comes to our health, because medicine will offset the negative effects of
a lack of exercise. [FIVE SENTENCES THAT DEVELOP & ANALYZE REASON 1]
Paragraph 2:

Similarly, the argument’s conclusion depends on the assumption that improvements in diet will not prevent
or stave off the decline in wellness that results from working at a high-tech job. [TOPIC SENTENCE FOR
REASON 2] Whether it’s reasonable to expect our diets to improve as technology advances is irrelevant
to this argument; the fact remains that the author assumes that diet has little to no impact on the general
well-being of a person who gets no exercise. Yet a healthy diet could negate the effects of a sedentary
lifestyle. In fact, if a good diet could be shown to improve one’s health, then it would be unreasonable to
conclude that a sedentary lifestyle automatically leads to poor health and increased disease in everyone.
There would be no easy way to show such a correlation between exercise and health. Indeed, a sedentary
lifestyle coupled with a good diet might lead to good health. [FIVE SENTENCES THAT DEVELOP &
ANALYZE REASON 2]
Paragraph 3:

The most significant assumption made by the author to arrive at the conclusion is that the past and
present are reliable indicators of the future. [TOPIC SENTENCE FOR REASON 3] Specifically, the author
assumes that since our overall health has declined as technology has improved, this pattern will continue.
Such an assumption is unwarranted; many trends reverse direction entirely or eventually cease. For
example, the rapid rise and success of high-tech companies in the late ‘90s eventually came to a
screeching halt, almost without warning. If the trend toward technological advancements and the
sedentary lifestyles with which they are associated came to a similar halt, it would be illogical to conclude
that our health would also continue to decline. [FOUR SENTENCES THAT DEVELOP & ANALYZE
REASON 3]
Conclusion:

In sum, this argument relies heavily on its assumptions, perhaps too heavily. Denying any one of these
assumptions results in a weakened or, in some cases, invalid conclusion. Nevertheless, the conclusion
that our health is in jeopardy may in fact be true, despite its not being proven with the premises given and
assumptions made by the author. [RECAP] To strengthen the argument, the author would need to not
only address these three assumptions but also to more firmly establish a link between deteriorating health
and technological advances. In the words of Hippocrates, “A wise man should consider that health is the
greatest of human blessings.” An argument conclusively linking rising technology to failing health would be
a strong argument indeed. [EXPANDS POSITION]
What does this essay have to merit a 6
This essay has:

An Argument

Evidence to support the argument

A smooth well linked organization

Use of strong vocabulary

Effective sentence structure to interest the reader