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Writing an essay become a technique, which can be easily taught, so just
follow proposed methodics. This tutorial is divided
into 2 parts: analysis of Issue and analysis of argument. Whatever
you do, GMAT exam, or report, this make sense.
Part 1. Analysis of Issue
Here you should discuss opinion toward an
issue, supported with some analysis. For example:
Following the EU enlargement, some layers
have proposed that EU Council limit financing of depressed areas in
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the above opinion.
Support your opinion with reasons and examples.
In essay you should
demonstrate the
following:
- Logic and coherentness;
- Critical thinking skills;
- Varied sentence structure and
vocabulary;
- no mechanical errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization; and
- content that follows the conventions of standard written English.
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,
stay uncontroversial and balanced. Try to approach each issue in a
dispassionate and balanced manner. You must pick a side that will "win out" in the
conclusion/introduction. The essay questions specifically tell you to pick a
side. Make sure to disagree or agree with the question's statement.
How long should it ?
Test essays are short (only 30 minutes for GMAT), 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 students do not have time to cover everything they
would like to cover. Choose the most persuasive relevant points and examples to
use.
Stay focused
on the topic. Do not either go off on tangential arguments or excessively focus
on one example.
Where can I get examples for answering essay
questions?
The essay 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.
As a rule the topics are commonly addressed in
policy-oriented magazines.
Essay Structure
Structure is the most important part of your essay.
Your essay must be written in a standard format with
the standard logical transitions.
·
Introduction/Conclusion- These
elements will provide the structure for your essay and keep you on track.
·
Number of Paragraphs. 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).
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).
For example:
Whether people should book seats in advance depends on
weather conditions. I prefer spending time on seaside instead seating in
overcrowded theatre.
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:
The chief reason for my view is that
physical health is much more important than mental one. For example, my friend has PhD in nuclear
physics, but still he can not jump from air plane.
Moreover, I can imagine, what may happen with him during military conflict in
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.
a) Another reason
for my view is good weather on a seaside, specifically, in
4) 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:
Some might argue that mental development is still important for young man.
Yet Mike Tyson makes good money without PhD.
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.
In sum, I
concur that booking seats in theatre is stupid decision, especially if weather is good.
However, in some cases it make sense, especially, if
you want to know content of modern show, like Hamlet.
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 favour would say….
c. Those against would say….
2. Choose what points you want to make (4-5 minutes)
a. Arguments in favour:
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)
1. Make sure that your
outline:
- states the central idea of the essay clearly and
forcefully;
- provides a word or phrase for every paragraph in the essay;
- relates each paragraph to the central idea of the essay in (2a) above;
- includes an opening and closing paragraph which tie the essay together.
2. Build your paragraphs in the essay carefully. You may produce effective 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..