The Issue Task
The Analyze an Issue writing task is one of two you'll perform during the GRE Analytical Writing section. This page provides the general test directions for this task; describes and shows what a typical Issue essay prompt looks like; lists some common GRE Issue-topic themes; and lists the six different Issue directives (specific tasks).The following directions are similar to the ones that will appear on your screen when the timed Issue writing task begins. You'll dismiss these directions to view the essay prompt by clicking on the DISMISS DIRECTIONS button.
Directions: During this portion of the exam you will need to analyze the issue presented and explain your views on it. There is no "correct" answer. Instead, you should consider various perspectives as you develop your own position on the issue.
Writing Your Response: Take a few minutes to think about the issue and plan a response before you begin writing. Be sure to organize you ideas and develop them fully, but leave time to reread you response and make any revisions that you think are necessary.
Evaluation of Your Response: College and university faculty members from various subject-matter areas will evaluate the overall quality of your thinking and writing. They will consider how well you:
■organize, develop, and express your ideas about the issue presented
■provide relevant supporting reasons and examples
■control the elements of standard written English
To review these directions at any time during this section, click on HELP. A GRE Issue writing prompt consists of two components:
■An issue-related statement — a one- or two-sentence assertion, claim, recommendation, or statement of one or more views or policies
■A directive (instruction) for responding to the Issue statement
Following is GRE-style Issue prompt. The statement (in this case, a claim) is similar in theme to some of the ones in the official pool. The directive is one of the six different ones used for GRE Issue prompts.
In order to be effective, political leaders must make decisions based on their personal convictions rather than on public opinion.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim and explain your reasoning for your position. In developing and supporting your position, be sure to consider the most compelling reasons and/or examples that could be used to challenge your position. The Analytical Writing measure tests your critical thinking and analytical writing skills. It assesses your ability to articulate and support complex ideas, construct and evaluate arguments, and sustain a focused and coherent discussion. It does not assess specific content knowledge.
The Analytical Writing measure consists of two separately timed analytical writing tasks:
•a 30-minute "Analyze an Issue" task
•a 30-minute "Analyze an Argument" task
The Issue task presents an opinion on an issue of general interest followed by specific instructions on how to respond to that issue. You are required to evaluate the issue, consider its complexities and develop an argument with reasons and examples to support your views.
The Argument task requires you to evaluate a given argument according to specific instructions. You will need to consider the logical soundness of the argument rather than agree or disagree with the position it presents.
The two tasks are complementary in that one requires you to construct your own argument by taking a position and providing evidence supporting your views on an issue, and the other requires you to evaluate someone else's argument by assessing its claims and evaluating the evidence it provides.
Individuals taking the computer-based test will use a basic word processor developed by ETS. The basic word processor contains the following functionalities: insert text, delete text, cut-and-paste and undo the previous action. Tools such as a spell checker and grammar checker are not available in the ETS software, largely to maintain fairness with those examinees who must handwrite their essays at paper-based administrations.
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