GRE General Test: Analytical Writing

The Analytical Writing section of the GRE General Test measures a skill set that matters well beyond graduate admissions: the ability to read closely, think critically, and write with control. It is not a test of obscure knowledge. It is a test of how effectively you can articulate complex ideas, evaluate claims, and sustain a focused discussion using relevant reasons and examples.

Analytical Writing consists of two timed tasks: an Issue essay and an Argument essay. Each asks for a different kind of thinking, and strong performance comes from understanding those differences and practicing a method that produces clear, well-organized prose under time pressure.

What the Analytical Writing Section Measures

At its core, Analytical Writing evaluates how well you can do four things:

1. State a clear position or evaluation. Readers should never wonder what you believe about an issue or what you think is wrong with an argument.
2. Support your points with reasons and examples. Abstract assertions do not earn much credit. Concrete, relevant support does.
3. Organize ideas logically. Strong paragraphs, transitions, and a purposeful progression matter because they reveal disciplined thinking.
4. Use language precisely. Grammar and mechanics are part of the score, but clarity is more important than elegance. Complex sentences help only when they stay readable.

Think of this section as a structured version of the writing you may do in graduate school: taking a stance in a debate, or critiquing someone else’s reasoning.

The Two Tasks: Issue Essay and Argument Essay

Issue Essay: Make and Defend a Position

The Issue task presents a statement about a broad topic such as education, government, technology, work, or culture. Your job is to respond to that statement by taking a position and developing an argument for it.

The prompt typically invites nuance. You might agree, disagree, or qualify the statement. The best Issue essays rarely treat the topic as black-and-white. They acknowledge complexity without drifting into vague “on the one hand” indecision.

What evaluators look for in the Issue essay:

• A clear thesis that answers the prompt
• Coherent reasons that logically support the thesis
• Development through relevant examples (historical, contemporary, professional, or hypothetical)
• Consideration of counterarguments or limitations, when appropriate
• A conclusion that reinforces, not repeats, the main line of reasoning

Example of strong development (conceptually):
If a prompt claims that “leaders should focus on consensus rather than decisiveness,” a strong essay might argue that consensus is valuable for legitimacy but that decisiveness is essential in crises. It could use an example from public health decision-making or business turnarounds to illustrate how delays can impose measurable costs.

Argument Essay: Critique Someone Else’s Reasoning

The Argument task provides a short passage that makes a case for some action or conclusion. Your job is not to say whether you agree with the conclusion. It is to assess whether the argument is logically sound, identify assumptions, and explain what evidence would strengthen or weaken it.

This essay is closer to analytical critique than persuasion. You are graded on your ability to diagnose reasoning.

What evaluators look for in the Argument essay:

• Identification of key claims and the conclusion
• Clear explanation of unstated assumptions
• Recognition of logical flaws (causation vs. correlation, sampling problems, false dilemmas, ambiguous terms, missing comparisons)
• Discussion of what evidence is needed to evaluate the argument
• Organization that groups related critiques instead of listing disconnected “problems”

Common weaknesses to spot:

• Overgeneralization: A conclusion about all customers based on a small or biased sample.
• Causal leap: Assuming A caused B when the passage only shows they occurred together.
• Unrepresentative comparison: Comparing two cities or companies without showing they are similar in relevant ways.
• Missing alternatives: Ignoring other plausible reasons for the observed outcome.
• Vague metrics: Terms like “better,” “successful,” or “efficient” without a definition or measurement.

A strong Argument essay reads like a careful review: it separates what the passage claims from what it proves.

How to Structure High-Scoring Essays

A Reliable Structure for the Issue Essay

A practical template helps you write quickly without sounding formulaic:

1. Introduction (3 to 5 sentences): Reframe the issue, state your position, preview your main reasons.
2. Body paragraph 1: Reason #1 + explanation + example.
3. Body paragraph 2: Reason #2 + explanation + example.
4. Body paragraph 3 (optional but often helpful): A counterargument or a limitation, followed by your response or qualification.
5. Conclusion: Summarize the logic and show what your position implies.

What matters is not the number of paragraphs but the clarity of the progression: claim, support, and significance.

A Reliable Structure for the Argument Essay

The Argument essay benefits from a diagnostic structure:

1. Introduction: Identify the conclusion and the general problem: the reasoning is not fully supported.
2. Body paragraph 1: Major assumption or flaw #1, explain why it matters, describe what evidence would test it.
3. Body paragraph 2: Major assumption or flaw #2, same approach.
4. Body paragraph 3: Major assumption or flaw #3 or a discussion of missing data and alternative explanations.
5. Conclusion: Restate that the argument could be strengthened with specific evidence and clearer definitions.

This approach keeps you from simply “attacking” the passage. You are evaluating it with standards.

Using Examples Effectively Without Needing Specialized Knowledge

Many test-takers worry they need niche facts. They do not. Examples work when they are:

• Relevant: They clearly connect to your reason.
• Specific: They show a scenario with identifiable causes and consequences.
• Accurate in principle: You do not need dates and quotations, but avoid claims you cannot defend.

Good sources of examples include workplace scenarios, education policies you have observed, general trends in technology adoption, or public decisions that illustrate trade-offs. Hypothetical examples also work if they are realistic and not cartoonish.

Sustaining Focus Under Time Pressure

Analytical Writing rewards focus more than complexity. Two habits make a major difference:

• Write to a plan. Spend a short portion of time outlining. A tight outline reduces rambling and repetition.
• Prioritize development over breadth. Two well-developed reasons usually beat four thin ones.

Also, keep your thesis visible in every paragraph. If a paragraph does not clearly support your main position (Issue) or your main evaluation of the reasoning (Argument), it probably does not belong.

Clarity, Grammar, and Style: What Matters Most

You are not scored like a novelist. You are scored like a clear academic writer. Aim for:

• Direct topic sentences
• Consistent verb tense
• Precise transitions (for example, “however,” “therefore,” “for instance,” “in contrast”)
• Controlled sentence structure, mixing shorter and longer sentences for readability

A common mistake is trying to sound sophisticated by writing long, tangled sentences. In timed analytical writing, clarity is persuasive.

Final Takeaway

The GRE General Test Analytical Writing section is a practical measure of critical thinking in writing form. The Issue essay asks you to build and defend a position with reasons and examples. The Argument essay asks you to examine claims, uncover assumptions, and explain how an argument could be strengthened. With a clear structure, relevant examples, and disciplined focus, you can produce essays that show exactly what the section is designed to measure: mature reasoning expressed in precise, organized prose.