Week 7, Day 1: Chapter 17 & 18 - The Geography of the Analytical Writing Assessment & The Issue Essay
Geography of the Analytical Writing Assessment
· 2 essays, 30 minutes
each
· Critique an Issue
(Issue Essay: create an argument of your own)
· Critique an
Argument (Argument Essay: analyze someone else’s argument for flaws)
· Most important to
schools with writing-intensive programs; call and ask the schools and programs
to which you are applying whether they prefer the writing score on the GRE or a
writing sample for your writing assessment.
· Scored between 1
and 6 points in half-point increments; the essays are averaged together to
provide your overall writing score based on whether you:
o
Follow
instructions carefully
o
Consider
the complexities (both sides of an argument, how to improve a flawed argument)
o
Effectively
organize and develop your writing (using clear transition words, examples are
orderly, etc.)
o
Support
with relevant examples, evidence, etc.
o
Control
the elements of writing (no repeat egregious spelling and grammar errors, good
paragraph structure)
· See charts
· Graders:
o
Almost
entirely graduate school TAs working part-time
o
Get
only about 2 minutes to grade each essay
o
Grade
hundreds of essays over a very short period of time
o
Follow
a rubric or checklist
· Strategy:
o
ALWAYS
read the prompts and directions very carefully
o
Have
a good essay template
o
Issue:
argue for your opinion with examples you explain, consider the other side
o
Argument:
criticize someone’s argument and show how it can be improved
o
DO
NOT confuse these two very different tasks!
o
Note
that you have a very basic word processor without spellcheck, so spelling is
less important. However, egregious, repetitive errors will be noticed. Misused
terminology will be noticed – so use words for which you are sure you know the
meaning.
· Process:
o
Think
– Organize – Write (brainstorm and outline before writing!)
o
Introduction
– Body – Conclusion
§ Introduction: the
topic, the two sides, and your thesis statement
§ Body: each part of
your thesis statement explained with examples, plus a consideration of the
other side
§ Conclusion:
summary of argument, reiteration of thesis, consider
implications/consequences/results
o
BOTH
SIDES – be sure to include a paragraph where you say what the other side argues
and how you can respond to that argument
o
SIGNAL
WORDS – be sure to use transition and argument indicator words to signpost the
different parts of your essay
Issue
Essay Template
· Introduction
o
Restate
essay prompt
o
Briefly
state what the other side believes (“Some people think…”)
o
Your
thesis statement: I will argue that x is true because of y and z.
· Body Support
Paragraph 1
o
First
reason (Y)
o
Examples
o
Explain
why these examples prove your point
· Body Support
Paragraph 2
o
Second
reason (Z)
o
Examples
o
Explain
why these examples prove your point
· Other Side
Paragraph
o
“On
the other hand, some people argue that x is not true because of p and q.”
o
Examples
for the other side
o
“However,
my argument is better because…”
· Conclusion
o
Restate
thesis & reasons
o
Restate
the other side and why they are wrong
o
Call
to action/consider implications or consequences/why your side is best
My
GRE Essay Grading Rubric:
1.
Overall, it makes sense
2.
It directly responds to the prompt and stays on topic
3.
It is thorough and addresses each part of the instructions
4.
The introduction paraphrases the topic
5.
Both sides are considered
6.
The examples make sense
7.
The examples are detailed
8.
The examples are explained
9.
Strong conclusion
10.
Well organized (uses transitions)
11.
Mostly correct grammar and spelling
12.
Appropriate length (minimum of five paragraphs, five sentences each)
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