03-25-2010, 07:15 AM
Yes the essay portion of the exam is very scary for me too! I have already taken this one, but failed with a 49. I know that it was the essay portion that bombed my test score, but I did have computer issues where I couldn't scroll up and down on the screen to read and edit my essay. So I know that's what killed it for me.
The essay portion: they give you a statement and you have to decide whether you agree or disagree with what is being said. They prefer you to use some kind of examples to back up your opinion, either with examples from history, personal experience, or literature etc. You want to try to have a standard 5 paragraph essay: Introduction, 3 paragraphs for body (3 points you are using in your argument) and closing paragraph. This is the format they are looking for. And it's really hard for me to come up with an opinion sometimes because I see both sides of what they are asking. I mean there's pros and cons to almost everything isn't there? But you do need to choose a side. It does't matter what side you choose and maybe you don't even agee or believe it yourself, but choose a side that you feel you can write confidently about and have good points to back it up. They only give ya 45 minutes, so don't waste any time on deciding your opinion and just go with it! Good luck to you. I am currently studying for this test to take again! I hope I can take it by next week. Here's a link to some essay topics that you can practice with if you want to. -Kelsey
GRE General Test: Analytical Writing â "Issue" Task Topics
The essay portion: they give you a statement and you have to decide whether you agree or disagree with what is being said. They prefer you to use some kind of examples to back up your opinion, either with examples from history, personal experience, or literature etc. You want to try to have a standard 5 paragraph essay: Introduction, 3 paragraphs for body (3 points you are using in your argument) and closing paragraph. This is the format they are looking for. And it's really hard for me to come up with an opinion sometimes because I see both sides of what they are asking. I mean there's pros and cons to almost everything isn't there? But you do need to choose a side. It does't matter what side you choose and maybe you don't even agee or believe it yourself, but choose a side that you feel you can write confidently about and have good points to back it up. They only give ya 45 minutes, so don't waste any time on deciding your opinion and just go with it! Good luck to you. I am currently studying for this test to take again! I hope I can take it by next week. Here's a link to some essay topics that you can practice with if you want to. -Kelsey
GRE General Test: Analytical Writing â "Issue" Task Topics
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