in almost any Issue essay are underlined to help you see how the ideas flow naturally and persuasively from one to the next. (Remember, though, that the GMAT exam’s built-in word processor does not provide underlining.) Notice the following features of the essay, which together boost the essay to the highest score level: • The essay expresses overall but qualified agreement with the statement, a thoughtful viewpoint that shows the writer recognizes the issue’s complexity. • The body of the essay begins and ends with pro arguments for rhetorical impact. The con arguments are positioned between them. • For each of the con arguments (third and fourth paragraphs), the writer immediately responds with persuasive counterpoints. You see that the writer tried to follow his outline while remaining flexible as new ideas for content or organization occurred to him. (Notice, for instance, that he repositioned certain points from the original outline sketch.) Also, the writer didn’t incorporate every single point from his outline, perhaps because he simply didn’t have time in 30 minutes to cover every point. Essay (Issue Statement 3) In asserting that government regulation is the “best” way to ensure environmental protection, the speaker fails to acknowledge certain problems inherent with gov- ernment regulation. Nevertheless, I agree with the statement to the extent that exclusive reliance on individual or business volunteerism would be naive and imprudent, especially considering the stakes involved. Experience tells us that individuals and private corporations tend to act in their own short-term economic and political interest, not on behalf of the environment or the public at large. For example, current technology makes possible the complete elimination of polluting emissions from automobiles. Nevertheless, neither automo- bile manufacturers nor consumers are willing or able to voluntarily make the short-term sacrifices necessary to accomplish this goal. Only the government holds the regulatory and enforcement power to impose the necessary standards and to ensure that we achieve these goals. Admittedly, government penalties do not guarantee compliance with environmental regulations. Businesses often attempt to avoid compliance by concealing their activities, lobbying legislators to modify regulations, or moving operations to juris- dictions that allow their environmentally harmful activities. Others calculate the cost of polluting, in terms of punishment, then budget in advance for anticipated penalties and openly violate the law. However, this behavior only serves to under- score the need for government intervention, because left unfettered this type of behavior would only exacerbate environmental problems. One must admit as well that government regulation, environmental or otherwise, is fraught with bureaucratic and enforcement problems. Regulatory systems inher- ently call for legislative committees, investigations, and enforcement agencies, all of which add to the tax burden on the citizens whom these regulations are designed to protect. Also, delays typically associated with bureaucratic regulation can thwart Chapter 4: Issue Analysis 113 www.petersons.com the purpose of the regulations, because environmental problems can quickly be- come grave indeed. However, given that unjustifiable reliance on volunteerism is the only alternative, government regulation seems necessary. Moreover, such de- lays seem trivial when we consider that many environmental problems carry not only a real threat to public health but also a potential threat to the very survival of the human species. Finally, environmental issues inherently involve public health and are far too pandemic in nature for individuals or even businesses to solve on their own. Many of the most egregious environmental violations traverse state and sometimes na- tional borders. Individuals and businesses have neither the power nor the re- sources to address these widespread hazards. In the final analysis, only the authority and scope of power that a government possesses can ensure the attainment of agreed-upon environmental goals. Since individuals are unable and businesses are by nature unwilling to assume this responsibility, government must do so. RHETORICAL EFFECTIVENESS AND YOUR ESSAY’S STRUCTURE How you arrange your ideas into paragraphs can make a big difference in your essay’s persuasiveness. Earlier in this chapter, we introduced the basic strategy of starting the body of your essay with your best argument and finishing it with your second-best argument, sandwiching your other arguments between these two. And you just saw in the preceding essay how you can adapt this strategy to a two-column list of pros and cons—sandwiching the cons in between the pros. As an advanced test taker, you should consider alternative structures as well. Although the ways in which you can organize an Issue essay are limitless, five basic structures cover most situations. Try this first structure if your agreement or disagreement with the statement is nearly unqualified. 1st Paragraph: Main reason for your position → counterpoint → rebuttal 2nd Paragraph: Second reason for your position → counterpoint → rebuttal 3rd Paragraph: Third reason for your position → counterpoint → rebuttal You can use the same structure to discuss two or more examples (or distinct areas) that lend support to your position: 1st Paragraph: One example (or area) that supports your position → counterpoint → rebuttal 2nd Paragraph: Another example (or area) that supports your position → counter- point → rebuttal 3rd Paragraph: Another example (or area) that supports your position → counter- point → rebuttal 114 PART III: GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment NOTE The term “counterpoint” refers to a reason or example supporting a contrary position and “rebuttal” refers to a response (reason or example) to a counterpoint (and in further support of the other position). www.petersons.com Try this next structure to acknowledge one strong argument against your position, but where you have more reasons or examples in support of your position. 1st Paragraph: One reason (and/or example) in support of your position 2nd Paragraph: Another reason (and/or example) in support of your position 3rd Paragraph: Another reason (and/or example) in support of your position Final Paragraph: Chief counter-argument → rebuttal Try this next structure to acknowledge one or more strong arguments against your position but where you have better reasons and/or examples in support of your position. 1st Paragraph: Chief counter-argument Next Paragraph: Another counter-argument Next Paragraph: One reason and/or example in support of your position Next Paragraph: Another reason and/or example in support of your position If the arguments for and against the statement’s position are equally strong (e.g., if it all depends on the area under consideration), try the following structure for a balanced essay: 1st Paragraph (or 1st and 2nd Paragraphs): Area(s) or examples supporting one position 2nd Paragraph (or 3rd and 4th Paragraphs): Area(s) or examples supporting a contrary position Finally, try the following structure to address two or more reasons in support of an opposing position, each one in turn: 1st Paragraph (or 1st and 2nd Paragraphs): Counter-argument → rebuttal 2nd Paragraph (or 3rd and 4th Paragraphs): Counter-argument → rebuttal Next Paragraph: Counter-argument → rebuttal You need not adhere strictly to one of these structures to write an effective Issue essay. Try to be flexible. The particular ideas you’ve jotted down might come together best in some other format. In short, let your ideas drive your essay’s structure, not vice versa. KEYS TO WRITING A SUCCESSFUL GMAT ISSUE ANALYSIS ESSAY Here’s our very best advice for GMAT Issue Analysis in bite-sized pieces. Some of these tips reiterate suggestions made earlier, but they’re well worth emphasizing. Apply these points of advice to the Practice Tests in PART VI, and then review them again just before exam day. You’ll be glad you did. Adopt a Viewpoint AnyViewpoint It’s perfectly acceptable to agree or disagree strongly with an Issue statement. Don’t worry that your position may appear somewhat “right-wing” or “left-wing” or even outside the mainstream altogether. Just be sure to provide sound reasons and relevant examples to justify your strong viewpoint. It’s also perfectly okay to qualify the statement—in other words, to accept (or reject) it only in part or to a limited extent. Again, just be sure to justify your “middle-ground” position with sound reasoning and relevant examples. Chapter 4: Issue Analysis 115 www.petersons.com Explain How Your Examples Support Your Viewpoint Anyone can list a long string of examples and claim that they illustrate a point. But GMAT readers are looking for incisive analysis, not fast typing. For each example you cite, be sure to tell the reader how it supports the point you’re trying to make. Otherwise, your argument will be unconvincing and your score might suffer as a result. Appeal to Reason, Not Emotion Avoid inflammatory statements, and don’t preach or proselytize. Approach the Issue writing task as an intellectual exercise in which you dispassionately argue for a certain viewpoint. Do not use it as a forum for sharing your personal belief system. It’s perfectly appropriate to criticize particular behavior, policies, or viewpoints as operating against the best interest of a business or of a society. But refrain from either condemning or extolling based on personal moral grounds. Also avoid demagoguery (appeal to prejudice or emotion) and jingoism (excessive patriotism). Spare the Reader Rote Facts and Technical Details The Issue essay is not like TV’s Jeopardy! or the board game Trivial Pursuit. You will not score points simply by recounting statistics, compiling long lists, or conjuring up little-known facts. And don’t try to impress the reader with your technical knowledge of any particular subject. Resist the temptation to use the Issue essay as a forum to recapitulate your senior-year thesis. This is not the place to convince the reader of your firm grasp of the finest points of foreign policy, macroeconomic theory, or market analysis. That’s what your GPA and undergraduate transcripts are for. Avoid Obvious and Hackneyed Examples Many GMAT test takers will rely heavily on today’s headlines and on history’s most illustrious and notorious figures. If you can, avoid relying on these all-too-obvious examples. Try to dig a bit deeper, showing the reader a broader, more literate perspective. Don’t Dwell on One Point, but Don’t Try to Cover Everything Either Avoid harping on one point you believe to be the most convincing or on one example that you know a lot about or you feel best illustrates your point. Instead, try to cover as many points in your outline as you have time for, devoting no more than one paragraph to each one. At the same time, if you try to cover everything you can think of about the issue at hand, you’re likely to become frustrated, and you might even panic as the testing clock ticks away your 30 minutes. The readers understand your time constraints. So don’t worry if you’re forced to leave the secondary and more tangential points on your scratch paper. Stick to your outline, ration your time, and you’ll be fine. Keep It Simple Don’t make the Issue writing task more onerous than it needs to be for you to attain a solid score. Keep your sentences clear and simple. Use a straightforward structure for your essay. Avoid using “fancy” words just to impress the reader. Don’t waste time ruminating over how you can come across as ultra-brilliant, mega-insightful, or super-eloquent. Finally, don’t waste 116 PART III: GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment TIP Most GMAT readers reside in the United States. If you reside elsewhere, cite examples from your own region of the world. You’re more likely to pique the reader’s interest, which can only operate in your favor. www.petersons.com brain-power or keystrokes trying to be clever, creative, or humorous. Be forewarned: Dazzling the reader with your amazing wit and wisdom is not the way to score points. Look Organized and in Control of the Task Use every tool at your disposal to show the reader that you can write well under pressure. Use logical paragraph breaks—one after your introduction, one between each of your main points, and one before your concluding paragraph. Be sure to present your main points in a logical, easy-to-follow sequence. (If you don’t get it right the first time, you can use the word processor’s cut-and-paste features to rearrange your ideas.) Your essay’s “bookends”—the introductory and concluding paragraph—are especially key to looking organized and in control. First of all, make sure they’re there. Then, make sure they’re consistent with each other and that they reveal your viewpoint and recap the reasons for your viewpoint. Quality Counts, Not Quantity The only limitation on your essay’s length is the practical one that the 30-minute time limit imposes. But do the readers prefer brief or long Issue essays? It all depends on the essay’s quality. A lengthy essay that’s articulate and that includes many insightful ideas that are well supported by examples will score higher than a brief essay that lacks substance. On the other hand, an essay that’s concise and to the point can be more effective than one that is long-winded and rambling. Don’t worry about the word length of your essay. GMAT readers don’t count words. As long as you incorporate into your essay all the suggested elements you learned about in this lesson, you don’t need to worry about length. Just keep in mind that it’s quality, not quantity, that counts. Don’t Lose Sight of Your Primary Objectives The official scoring criteria for the Issue essay boil down to four broad objectives. Never lose sight of them during the 30-minute Issue section. After brainstorming and making notes, but before you start typing, ask yourself these three questions: Do I have a clear viewpoint on the issue? Do I support my viewpoint with sound reasons and relevant examples? Do I have in mind a clear, logical structure for presenting my ideas? Once you can confidently answer “Yes” to each question, start composing your essay. Then, once you’ve finished your draft, ask yourself the same three questions again, as well as this fourth one: Have I demonstrated good grammar, diction (word choice and usage), and syntax (sentence structure)? Once you can answer “Yes” to all four questions, rest assured that you’ve produced a solid, high-scoring Issue essay. Chapter 4: Issue Analysis 117 www.petersons.com SUMMING IT UP • Follow the 7-step plan in this chapter for a high-scoring Issue Analysis essay: brainstorm and take notes; review your notes and decide on a viewpoint; organize your ideas logically; compose an introductory paragraph; compose the body of your essay; compose a brief summary paragraph; and proofread your essay for glaring errors. • Recognizing the complexities of GMAT Issue statements is key to composing a successful essay. • Be sure to acknowledge and respond not only to the weaknesses in your own viewpoints on an Issue, but also to the merits of viewpoints that are opposite yours. • Practice with different ways of structuring your Issue Analysis essay for maximum effectiveness. 118 PART III: GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment www.petersons.com Argument Analysis OVERVIEW • The 7-step plan • Common reasoning flaws and how to handle them • Adding optional elements to your essay • Keys to writing a successful GMAT argument analysis essay • Summing it up THE 7-STEP PLAN For a high-scoring Argument essay, you need to accomplish these four basic tasks: Identify and analyze the Argument’s key elements Organize, develop, and express your critique in a coherent and logically convincing manner Support your ideas with sound reasons and supporting examples Demonstrate adequate control of the elements of Standard Written English (grammar, syntax, and usage) Just as you did for the Issue Analysis essay, spend some time up front thinking about what you will write and how you will organize your ideas. You’ll also want to save some time at the end of this section of the exam to proofread and fine-tune your essay. Here’s a 7-step game plan to help you budget your time so you can accomplish all four tasks listed above within your 30-minute time limit (suggested times are in parentheses): Read the Argument and identify its conclusions (1 min.) Examine the evidence for its support of the conclusion(s) (3 min.) Organize and prioritize your points of critique (1 min.) Compose a brief introductory paragraph (2 min.) Compose the body of your response (16 min.) chapter 5 119 Compose a concluding paragraph (2 min.) Proofread for significant mechanical problems (5 min.) Notice that by following the suggested time limits for each step, you’ll spend about 5 minutes planning your essay, 20 minutes writing it, and 5 minutes proofreading it. In the following pages, you’ll walk through each step in turn, using the following Argument statement, which is similar to some of the statements in the official pool: Argument 1 (and directive) The following appeared in a memo from the manager of UpperCuts hair salon: “According to a nationwide demographic study, more and more people today are moving from suburbs to downtown areas. In order to boost sagging profits at UpperCuts, we should take advantage of this trend by relocating the salon from its current location in Apton’s suburban mall to downtown Apton, while retaining the salon’s decidedly upscale ambi- ance. Besides, HairDooz, our chief competitor at the mall, has just relo- cated downtown and is thriving at its new location, and the most prosperous hair salon in nearby Brainard is located in that city’s down- town area. By emulating the locations of these two successful salons, UpperCuts is certain to attract more customers.” Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argument would make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate its conclusion. Step One: Read the Argument and Identify Its Conclusion(s) (1 min.) Every GMAT Argument consists of the following basic elements: • Evidence (stated premises that the Argument does not dispute) • Assumptions (unstated premises needed to justify a conclusion) • Conclusions (inferences drawn from evidence and assumptions) As you read an Argument for the first time, identify its final conclusion as well as its intermediate conclusion (if any). Why is this first step so important? Unless you are clear about the Argument’s conclusions, it’s impossible to evaluate the author’s reasoning or the strength of the evidence offered in support of it—and that’s what this section of the GMAT is all about. 120 PART III: GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment NOTE The time limits for these steps are guidelines. As you practice composing your Argument essay under timed conditions, you’ll be able to adjust to a pace that works best for you. www.petersons.com You’ll probably find the final conclusion in the Argument’s first or last sentence. The Argument might refer to it as a “claim,” a “recommendation,” or a “prediction.” An intermediate conclu- sion, upon which the final conclusion depends, might appear anywhere in the Argument. Not every Argument contains an intermediate conclusion. Did you identify and distinguish between the intermediate and final conclusions in the Argument involving UpperCuts? Here they are: Intermediate conclusion: “By emulating the locations of these two successful salons, UpperCuts is certain to attract more customers.” Final conclusion: “In order to boost sagging profits at UpperCuts, we should . . . relocat[e] the salon from its current location in Apton’s suburban mall to downtown Apton, while retaining the salon’s decidedly upscale ambiance.” Notice that the Argument’s final conclusion relies on its intermediate conclusion. Here’s the essential line of reasoning: UC will gain customers if it moves downtown. (Intermediate conclusion) Therefore, UC will boost its profits simply by moving downtown. (Final conclusion) Always jot down an Argument’s intermediate conclusion (if any) and its final conclusion—in shorthand like we’ve provided above. You’ll need to refer to them time and again as you develop your points of critique and compose your essay. Step Two: Examine the Evidence for Its Support of the Conclusion(s) (3 min.) Most Arguments contain at least two or three items of information, or evidence, that are used in support of its conclusion(s). Identify them, label them, and jot them down in shorthand on your scratch paper. Argument 1 contains three distinct items of evidence: Evidence (Item 1): “According to a nationwide demographic study, more and more people today are moving from suburbs to downtown areas.” Evidence (Item 2): “HairDooz, our chief competitor at the mall, has just relocated downtown and is thriving at its new location.” Evidence (Item 3): “ themost prosperous hair salon in nearby Brainard is located in that city’s downtown area.” Next, analyze each item as to how much support it lends to the Argument’s intermediate and final conclusions. For the most part, what you should look for are any unsubstantiated or unreasonable assumptions upon which the Argument’s conclusions depend. For example, an Argument might rely on one of these assumptions, yet fail to provide evidence to support it. Chapter 5: Argument Analysis 121 www.petersons.com • An event that occurs after another was caused by the other (a false-cause problem) • Two things that are similar in one way are similar in other ways (a false-analogy problem) • A statistical sample of a group is representative of the group as a whole Also check for problems with the Argument’s internal logic (for example, self-contradictions or circular reasoning). These types of problems don’t occur commonly in GMAT Arguments, but you should be on the lookout for them anyway. Just as for your Issue essay, don’t filter your ideas during this crucial brainstorming step. Get them all down onto your scratch paper. (You’ll sort them out in step 3.) Below is an example of what a test taker’s notes for Argument 1 might look like after a few minutes of brainstorming: inter. concl.ÑUC will gain customers downtown final concl.ÑUC will improve profits downtown • demog. studyÑis Apton typical? no trend reverse trend • success of HDÑis location key? marketing key stylist • success of B salonÑdowntown location key? Ñis Apton like Brainard? (demog.) • other problems Ñrelocation expenses offset revenues ÑUC must establish new clientele Ñcompetition from HD (suff. demand for both salons?) Ñdemand for ÒupscaleÓ salon downtown? Step Three: Organize and Prioritize Your Points of Critique (1 min.) Using your notes from step 2 as a guide, arrange your ideas into paragraphs (probably three or four, depending on the number of problems built into the Argument). Take a minute to consider whether any of the flaws you identified overlap and whether any can be separated into two distinct problems. In many cases, the best sequence in which to organize your points of critique is the same order in which reasoning problems arise in the Argument. 122 PART III: GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment www.petersons.com . Paragraph: Another example (or area) that supports your position → counter- point → rebuttal 114 PART III: GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment NOTE The term “counterpoint” refers to a reason or. ultra-brilliant, mega-insightful, or super-eloquent. Finally, don’t waste 116 PART III: GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment TIP Most GMAT readers reside in the United States. If you reside elsewhere,. the strength of the evidence offered in support of it—and that’s what this section of the GMAT is all about. 120 PART III: GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment NOTE The time limits for these steps are guidelines.