WRITE AT LEAST THREE PRACTICE ESSAYS.
Practice makes perfect! You can study
for the GRE Exam Preparation online by looking up the AWA prompts and writing
several of them within the 30 minute guideline. The only way to get comfortable
with the time constraints is to practice them, so set up test-like conditions
and get to work.
DON’T WAFFLE.
Choose one side of the issue only, and
don’t try to “have it both ways.” If you take a middle-of-the-road approach you
won’t sound as confident or clear. Remember, according to ETS, the “readers are
evaluating the skill with which you address the specific instructions and
articulate and develop an argument to support your evaluation of
the issue.” What exactly you say (what side you choose to defend) is less
important than how you defend it!
CHOOSE VERY SPECIFIC REAL-WORLD EXAMPLES.
Don’t be general! Every reader would
like to see more specific examples: Mitt Romney, the War of 1812, Keynesian
economic theory, the mating rituals of octopii, an anecdote about your Uncle
Ralph the compulsive gambler, etc. You can have some fun with it, and your
examples don’t have to be the most scholarly. What are you an expert on?
BUT, MAKE SURE YOUR EXAMPLES ARE RELEVANT TO THE TOPIC.
You
can absolutely choose examples from a wide range of subjects: personal
experience, pop culture, history, sports, literature, current events, politics,
etc. But make sure you explain HOW your example clearly supports your thesis.
AVOID FIRST-PERSON AND SELF-REFERENCE.
“I
think” or “I believe” are obvious. You are the person writing this essay!
First-person pronouns should ONLY appear in a body paragraph if you are using
personal experience as an example, and telling a story from your own life to
support your thesis. Never use “I” in your introductory or concluding
paragraph.
MAKE STRONG, DECLARATIVE STATEMENTS.
Look
for ways to add charged adjectives, adverbs and “because” clauses to make your
sentences sound more confident. For eg. “The president shouldn’t allow Congress
to pass the law.” Or, “It is unacceptable for the president to permit Congress
to pass the law because it unconstitutionally overextends Congress’ powers.” Posted by GRE classes in ahmedabad
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