AWA Writing

As I plan to take GMAT on 31st October 2007, one aspect with which I am quite worried is analytical writing assessment. In order to improve my writing skill I intend to start this blog and wish that this becomes a stepping stone in my GMAT journey.

I already have the exhaustive list of all the AWA topics which I can practise out here.

Basically AWAs are of two kinds in GMAT.

1. Analysis of an Argument.
2. Analysis of an Issue.

Analysis of an argument.

In such questions there will be one small passage on some topic, where author expresses his view. A typical arument might include some examples i.e called evidence, unstated assumption and the conclusion by the author. The students are supposed to analyse the reasoning of an argument that is how well reasoned author's conclusion is? Whether its is substantiated by the evidence or some unstated assumptions back the conclusion up.

Question reads :

"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."