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GMAT AWA Format and Directions — Argument Analysis
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The Argument essay section — officially termed Analysis of an Argument — is one of two essay sections that constitute the GMAT AWA (Analytical Writing Assessment). Here are the key "specs" for the GMAT Argument writing task:
How many: 1 essay question, or promptWhere: Either the first or second timed GMAT section
Time Limit: 30 minutes
Testing format: You use the built-in word processor to compose an essay response to a stated argument. (The test does not allow you to choose your topic from a list.)
Skills tested:
Your ability to identify important features of an argument and to analyze and critique the argument in an insightful and well-reasoned manner
Your control of the English language (word choice and usage) and the conventions of standard written English (grammar and sentence structure)
What a GMAT Argument-Analysis Prompt Looks Like
A GMAT Argument prompt consists of two components:A quoted argument from a fictitious source. The source might be a sales brochure, business memorandum, or political speech, to list just a few possibilities. The prompt might also indicate the source of the argument.
A directive (instructions) for responding to the stated argument. The directive is the same for each and every prompt in the official pool.
Here's an Argument prompt that is similar to many of the ones in the official pool. This one indicates the source of the argument. The standard directive follows the quoted argument.
"The best way to reverse Aura Cosmetic's recent decline in profitability is to require each new employee in Aura's sales division to enroll in the popular SureSale seminar. Last year, the software company TechAide began incorporating SureSale's week-long seminar into its training program for all new sales employees, and since that time TechAide's total sales have increased dramatically. Also, according to a recent article in a reputable business magazine, the SureSale sales system has been widely adopted among the nation's twenty largest companies, and the employee turnover rate at these companies is lower today than five years ago. Therefore, by enrolling Aura sales employees in the SureSale seminar Aura will also retain its highest caliber salespeople."Discuss how logically convincing you find this argument. In your discussion, you should analyze the argument's line of reasoning and use of evidence. It may be appropriate in your critique to call into question certain assumptions underlying the argument and/or to indicate what evidence might weaken or strengthen the argument. It may also be appropriate to discuss how you would alter the argument to make it more convincing and/or discuss what additional evidence, if any, would aid in evaluating the argument.
Directions for the Argument Writing Task
Here are the directions that will appear on your screen when the timed Argument section begins. You'll dismiss these directions and move ahead to the writing task by clicking on the DISMISS DIRECTIONS button.
Writing Your Response: Take a few minutes to think about the argument and plan a response before you begin writing. Be sure to organize your ideas and develop them fully, but leave time to reread you response and make any revisions that you think are necessary.
Evaluation of Your Response: College and university faculty members from various subject-matter areas, including management education, will evaluate the overall quality of your thinking and writing. They will consider how well you:
- organize, develop, and express your ideas about the argument presented
- provide relevant supporting reasons and examples
- control the elements of standard written English
