The GRE Analytical Writing section consists of two writing tasks—an Issue task and an Argument task. In the Issue task, test takers will be presented with a statement or complex issue and asked to formulate a position on it and develop that position over the course of their essay. In the Argument task, test takers will be presented with a short argument, followed by specific instructions on how to analyze the argument and address the specific issues raised in the instructions. While these writing assignments appear straightforward, there are subtle differences between the two tasks that test takers should understand in order to successfully complete each one.
Issue Task Essay
For the Issue task, test takers must take a clear position on an issue presented and support that position with reasons and examples from their own experience, observations, or reading. They’ll be scored based on how well they state, develop, and organize their perspective on the issue. The issues presented can fall into a few broad categories:
Social policy issues: Issues involving education policy, environmental policy, immigration policy, government spending priorities, criminal justice reform, and other political or social debates. Examples include debates around free public college, regulations on fossil fuel extraction, policies around undocumented immigration, priorities for tax dollars, recidivism rates and prison reform.
Ethical issues: Broader philosophical debates involving ethics, values, and moral dilemmas. Examples include debates around genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, privacy concerns in a digital age, balancing individual rights vs. societal obligations, and weighing short-term gains against long-term consequences.
Issues relating to education, work, or society: Broader debates and discussions involving education systems, work culture, family dynamics, social media’s impact, advancing technology’s influence on jobs/career paths, and intergenerational differences. Examples include debates around STEM prioritization, work-life balance, single-parent households, social media addiction, the future of various industries, and millennials vs. baby boomers.
Comparative cultural issues: Issues that involve comparing cultural values, norms, or practices between different places or times in history. Examples include debates around individualism vs. community orientation, traditional gender roles vs. evolving concepts, Western ideals spreading globally vs. respecting local customs, and preserving history vs. embracing change.
For each type of issue, test takers should aim to acknowledge nuanced perspectives, use specific examples to illustrate their points, and maintain a thoughtful, impartial tone regardless of their own views. Simply asserting an opinion isn’t enough—the goal is to convince skeptical, well-informed readers of the soundness of one’s argument through logical reasoning and credible support.
Argument Task Essay
For the Argument task, test takers will be presented with a short argument and asked to analyze how well reasoned it is by considering the logic, evidence provided, implications, and assumptions behind it. Their essay should focus on evaluating the argument, not on taking a stance themselves. Common types of arguments presented include:
Causal arguments: Arguments that conclude one event causes another based on the provided information. Test takers must evaluate whether the evidence and reasoning conclusively demonstrates the proposed causal relationship.
Analogical arguments: Arguments that draw comparisons or parallels between two events, situations or phenomena in order to demonstrate they share certain conclusions or characteristics. Test takers must evaluate the appropriateness and validity of the analogy made.
Statistical arguments: Arguments that use data, surveys, or studies to draw a conclusion. Test takers must evaluate whether the sampling, methodology, or conclusions drawn from the data are warranted or flawed in some way.
Arguments from authority: Arguments that cite an expert opinion or authority figure to back their conclusion. Test takers must evaluate whether appealing to authority is a strong argument in the given context, or if other kinds of evidence are needed.
Counterfactual arguments: Arguments that make assertions about what would happen in a hypothetical scenario. Test takers must evaluate whether firm conclusions can reasonably be drawn from counterfactual premises.
Regardless of the type of argument, test takers should methodically consider its stated and implied assumptions, the quality of evidence provided, alternative explanations that weren’t addressed, limitations in scope or generalizability, and logical inconsistencies or gaps in reasoning. The focus remains on dispassionately analyzing how cogent and coherent the reasoning is.
Strategies for Success
To succeed on both GRE essay tasks, test takers should:
Carefully read and analyze the instructions to fully understand what is being asked of them before formulating a response.
Generate a clear, specific thesis statement that directly addresses the issue or argument and provides an “roadmap” for the essay.
Structure essays using relevant examples, facts, and details from their own reading and experience to support well-reasoned points.
Maintain a formal, impartial style and avoid personal opinions or value judgments that aren’t substantiated.
Use transition words to link paragraphs and assure a logical flow of ideas from introduction to conclusion.
Pay close attention to time limits and allocate sufficient time for planning, writing, and reviewing their response before submitting.
With practice analyzing a variety of issue prompts and arguments, and feedback on early sample essays, test takers can feel confident in their ability to thoughtfully address these tasks in the time allotted for the GRE Analytical Writing section. Understanding the scope of different issue and argument types they may encounter can also help test takers be well-prepared to demonstrate their critical thinking and communication abilities.
Andrew Stroud