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Overview for GRE Analytical Overview for GRE Analytical Writing<<Issue Questions>>Writing<<Issue Questions>>

Four Sections in this overviewFour Sections in this overview I. Introduction to Issue QuestionsI. Introduction to Issue Questions (I. (I. 介紹介紹 Issue Questions)Issue Questions) II. How to Answer Issue QuestionsII. How to Answer Issue Questions (II. (II. 答題技巧及答題技巧及 ETSETS 提供的例題提供的例題 ) )

A Detailed Look at an Issue Topic and A Detailed Look at an Issue Topic and Answer / Answer / Developing a Position on the IssueDeveloping a Position on the Issue

III. Other Useful Tips III. Other Useful Tips (III. (III. 更多答題技巧更多答題技巧 )) IV. Related Links and ReferencesIV. Related Links and References(IV.(IV. 相關連相關連

結與參考資料結與參考資料 ))

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I. Introduction to Issue I. Introduction to Issue QuestionsQuestions

There are two kinds of essay questions There are two kinds of essay questions in the GRE testin the GRE test

1) Present Your Perspective on an 1) Present Your Perspective on an Issue Issue

1 question, 45 minutes1 question, 45 minutes

2) Analyze an Argument2) Analyze an Argument

1 question, 30 minutes1 question, 30 minutesGREGRE 分析寫作共有兩種題型分析寫作共有兩種題型 -- issue question -- issue question

& argument question,& argument question, 各為一題各為一題 ,, 前者有前者有4545 分鐘可作答分鐘可作答 ,, 後者後者 3030 分鐘。分鐘。

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This file focuses on the first kind – issue This file focuses on the first kind – issue questions.questions.

*You will be asked to --*You will be asked to --Present your perspective on the issue, Present your perspective on the issue, using relevant reasons and/or examples using relevant reasons and/or examples to support your views. That means, you to support your views. That means, you will adopt a position. will adopt a position.

*You need to choose from two issue topics. *You need to choose from two issue topics. Each presents an opinion on an issue of Each presents an opinion on an issue of broad interest. broad interest.

ETS has released its official pool of GRE ETS has released its official pool of GRE Analytical Writing questions on Analytical Writing questions on www.gre.orgwww.gre.org

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此檔案主要介紹此檔案主要介紹 issue questionissue question

* Present your perspective on the issue, using * Present your perspective on the issue, using relevant reasons and/or examples to support relevant reasons and/or examples to support your views. That means, you will adopt a your views. That means, you will adopt a position. position.

作答時考生須表明所選擇的立場，並運用相關具體之理由作答時考生須表明所選擇的立場，並運用相關具體之理由或例子支持其看法。或例子支持其看法。

*You need to choose from two issue topics. Each *You need to choose from two issue topics. Each presents an opinion on an issue of broad interest. presents an opinion on an issue of broad interest.

題目會提供兩個議題，只需要選擇一個作答。題目會提供兩個議題，只需要選擇一個作答。 Issue Issue questionquestion 提出的議題基本上都是大眾熟悉或感興趣的議提出的議題基本上都是大眾熟悉或感興趣的議題。題。

ETSETS 在在 www.gre.comwww.gre.com 已公布題庫。已公布題庫。

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Directions for the Issue Writing Task Directions for the Issue Writing Task (Issue(Issue writing taskwriting task 作答指示作答指示 ))

Present your perspective on Present your perspective on oneone of the issues of the issues below, using relevant reasons and/or below, using relevant reasons and/or examples to support your views. You are free examples to support your views. You are free to to accept, reject, or qualifyaccept, reject, or qualify the statement. the statement.

以下兩項議題請選擇一題，提出你的看法，並運用相關以下兩項議題請選擇一題，提出你的看法，並運用相關理由或例子支持你的看法。你可以接受或反對所選的理由或例子支持你的看法。你可以接受或反對所選的議題議題 (accept or reject the statement)(accept or reject the statement) ，或者不，或者不選擇接受及反對議題，而是闡述議題的正當性選擇接受及反對議題，而是闡述議題的正當性(qualify the statement) (qualify the statement) 。。

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Topic 1Topic 1"Both the development of technological tools and "Both the development of technological tools and

the uses to which humanity has put them have the uses to which humanity has put them have created modern civilizations in which loneliness is created modern civilizations in which loneliness is ever increasing."ever increasing."

Topic 2Topic 2"Our declining environment may bring the people of "Our declining environment may bring the people of

the world together as no politician, philosopher, the world together as no politician, philosopher, or war ever could. Environmental problems are or war ever could. Environmental problems are global in scope and respect no nation's global in scope and respect no nation's boundaries. Therefore, people are faced with the boundaries. Therefore, people are faced with the choice of unity and cooperation on the one hand choice of unity and cooperation on the one hand or disunity and a common tragedy on the other."or disunity and a common tragedy on the other."

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More Questions from the Pool of More Questions from the Pool of Issue TopicsIssue Topics

"The university community consists of three "The university community consists of three different worlds—the sciences, the humanities, different worlds—the sciences, the humanities, and the social sciences. Because each world and the social sciences. Because each world operates on its own assumptions and has its own operates on its own assumptions and has its own special habits of thinking, rarely is there special habits of thinking, rarely is there meaningful interaction among the sciences, the meaningful interaction among the sciences, the humanities, and the social sciences."humanities, and the social sciences."

—————————————————————————————— "The problems of modern society have led many "The problems of modern society have led many

people to complain: 'We live in terrible times.' Yet, people to complain: 'We live in terrible times.' Yet, given the choice, no one today would prefer to given the choice, no one today would prefer to live in any other time."live in any other time."

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"Students should be encouraged to realize "Students should be encouraged to realize that mental agility and rhetorical skill must be that mental agility and rhetorical skill must be accompanied by sincerity and the true accompanied by sincerity and the true conviction of their own beliefs."conviction of their own beliefs."

—————————————————————————————— "While most of the environmental problems "While most of the environmental problems

we face result from the use of technology, we face result from the use of technology, society must depend upon technology to find society must depend upon technology to find solutions to these problems."solutions to these problems."

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"The absence of choice is a circumstance "The absence of choice is a circumstance that is very, very rare."that is very, very rare."

—————————————————————————————— "What we call progress is a matter of "What we call progress is a matter of

exchanging one problem for another."exchanging one problem for another." —————————————————————————————— "Only through mistakes can there be "Only through mistakes can there be

discovery or progress."discovery or progress." —————————————————————————————— "Every new generation needs to redefine "Every new generation needs to redefine

'right' and 'wrong' in its own terms and 'right' and 'wrong' in its own terms and according to the conditions of its own according to the conditions of its own time."time."

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II. How to Answer Issue Questions II. How to Answer Issue Questions II. II. 答題技巧及答題技巧及 ETSETS 提供的例題提供的例題

<<A Detailed Look at an Issue Topic and Answer>><<A Detailed Look at an Issue Topic and Answer>>

Issue TopicIssue Topic 例題例題 ::

“ “In our time, specialists of all kinds are highly In our time, specialists of all kinds are highly overrated. We need more generalists—people who overrated. We need more generalists—people who can provide broad perspectives.”can provide broad perspectives.”

在我們的時代，各行各業的專家都被高估了。在我們的時代，各行各業的專家都被高估了。我們需要更多的博學家，也就是能提供多樣性、我們需要更多的博學家，也就是能提供多樣性、廣泛觀點的人們。廣泛觀點的人們。

以下為此議題的範例回答以下為此議題的範例回答 (sample essay) (sample essay) ，包括引言，包括引言 ,, 主文大綱及結論。完整主文大綱及結論。完整回答請參考回答請參考 ETSETS 官方網站官方網站 ((http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/GRE/pdf/http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/GRE/pdf/awintro.pdf awintro.pdf )) 。。

(( 此處之此處之 sample issue topic and essaysample issue topic and essay 及及 strategiesstrategies 取材自取材自 ETSETS 網站 網站 An An Introduction to the Analytical Writing Section of the GRE General Test. Introduction to the Analytical Writing Section of the GRE General Test. http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/GRE/pdf/awintro.pdf http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/GRE/pdf/awintro.pdf ))

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Sample Essay:Sample Essay:In this essay, the writer attempts to qualify In this essay, the writer attempts to qualify

the issue statement. He/She acknolwedges the issue statement. He/She acknolwedges that both specialists and generalists are that both specialists and generalists are needed. needed.

在這篇回答中，作者不贊同也不反對議題的敘述。他選在這篇回答中，作者不贊同也不反對議題的敘述。他選擇闡述議題的正當性。他認為專家與博學者都是社會擇闡述議題的正當性。他認為專家與博學者都是社會上需要的人才。上需要的人才。

(For complete sample essays scored from 1-6 with reader (For complete sample essays scored from 1-6 with reader commentaries, please refer tocommentaries, please refer to http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/GRE/pdf/awintro.pdf http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/GRE/pdf/awintro.pdf ))

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Introduction of this essay:Introduction of this essay:• In this era of rapid social and technological In this era of rapid social and technological

change leading to increasing life change leading to increasing life complexity and psychological complexity and psychological displacement, both positive and negative displacement, both positive and negative effects among persons in Western society effects among persons in Western society call for a balance in which there are both call for a balance in which there are both specialists and generalists.specialists and generalists.

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Outline of the Main Body:Outline of the Main Body:

(1)(1) Specialists are necessary in order to allow Specialists are necessary in order to allow society as a whole to properly and usefully society as a whole to properly and usefully assimilate the masses of new information assimilate the masses of new information and knowledge that have come out of and knowledge that have come out of research and have been widely research and have been widely disseminated through mass global media.disseminated through mass global media.

(2)(2) Simply put, without specialists, our society would find Simply put, without specialists, our society would find itself bogged down in the Sargasso sea of information itself bogged down in the Sargasso sea of information overload.overload.

(3)(3) On the other hand, Over specialization means narrow On the other hand, Over specialization means narrow focii in which people can lose the larger picture.focii in which people can lose the larger picture.

  

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((4) Not only may over-specialization be 4) Not only may over-specialization be dangerous in terms of the truth, purity and dangerous in terms of the truth, purity and cohesion of knowledge, but it can also cohesion of knowledge, but it can also serve to drown moral or universall issues.serve to drown moral or universall issues.

(5) Finally, over-specialization in a people's (5) Finally, over-specialization in a people's daily lives and jobs has meant personal daily lives and jobs has meant personal and psychological compartmentalization.and psychological compartmentalization.

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ConclusionConclusion Without generalists, society becomes inward-looking Without generalists, society becomes inward-looking

and eventually inefficient. Without a society that and eventually inefficient. Without a society that recognizes the importance of broad-mindedness and recognizes the importance of broad-mindedness and fora for sharing generalities, individuals become fora for sharing generalities, individuals become isolated. Thus, while our form of society necessitates isolated. Thus, while our form of society necessitates specialists, generalists are equally important. specialists, generalists are equally important. Specialists drive us forward in a series of thrusts while Specialists drive us forward in a series of thrusts while generalists make sure we are still on the jousting field generalists make sure we are still on the jousting field and know what the stakes are.and know what the stakes are.

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<<Strategies>> <<Strategies>> 答題策略答題策略Before you start writing, explore the Before you start writing, explore the

complexities of the issue. complexities of the issue. 開始作答前請開始作答前請考慮以下問題。考慮以下問題。

1) What, precisely, is the central issue?1) What, precisely, is the central issue?

中心議題為何？中心議題為何？2) 2) Do I agree with all or with any part of the claim? Why Do I agree with all or with any part of the claim? Why

or why not?or why not?

我是否同意議題的所有敘述我是否同意議題的所有敘述，或部分敘述，或部分敘述？？ 理由為何？理由為何？3) Does the claim make certain assumptions? If so, are 3) Does the claim make certain assumptions? If so, are

they reasonable?they reasonable?

議題的敘述是否有任何預設立場？如果有，它們合議題的敘述是否有任何預設立場？如果有，它們合理嗎？理嗎？

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4) Is the claim valid only under certain 4) Is the claim valid only under certain conditions? If so, what are they?conditions? If so, what are they?

議題的敘述是否只有在特定情況下才合議題的敘述是否只有在特定情況下才合理理 ?? 若是的話，是哪些情況若是的話，是哪些情況 ??

5) Do I need to explain how I interpret certain 5) Do I need to explain how I interpret certain terms or concepts used in the claim?terms or concepts used in the claim?

敘述中是否包括特殊用語或觀念，而我是敘述中是否包括特殊用語或觀念，而我是否需要在作答時解釋我如何詮釋這些特殊否需要在作答時解釋我如何詮釋這些特殊用語或觀念用語或觀念 ??

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6) 6) If I take a certain position on the issue, what If I take a certain position on the issue, what reasons support my position?reasons support my position?

若我作答時採取某一觀點若我作答時採取某一觀點 (( 表示贊同或反對表示贊同或反對議題的敘述議題的敘述 )) ，有哪些理由支持我的觀點？，有哪些理由支持我的觀點？

7) 7) What examples could I use to illustrate those What examples could I use to illustrate those reasons and advance my point of view? Which reasons and advance my point of view? Which examples are most compelling?examples are most compelling?

我可以用哪些例子驗證我提出的理由，並加我可以用哪些例子驗證我提出的理由，並加強我的觀點強我的觀點 ?? 哪些例子是最能說服讀者的哪些例子是最能說服讀者的 ??

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<<Developing a Position on the <<Developing a Position on the Issue>>Issue>> 關於針對某議題採取立場關於針對某議題採取立場

The instructions emphasizes: The instructions emphasizes:

You are free to You are free to accept, reject, or qualifyaccept, reject, or qualify the the statement.statement. 答題時你可以接受或反對所選的議題，答題時你可以接受或反對所選的議題，或者不選擇接受及反對議題，而是闡述議題的正當性或者不選擇接受及反對議題，而是闡述議題的正當性

1) Qualifying an Issue Statement1) Qualifying an Issue Statement

For issue statements that have the following For issue statements that have the following patterns, you might want to consider patterns, you might want to consider choosing to qualify the statement in your choosing to qualify the statement in your essay(essay( 當議題敘述有以下特質時，建議考慮闡述議當議題敘述有以下特質時，建議考慮闡述議題的正當性題的正當性 ):):

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A statementA statement whose accuracy depends on various factorswhose accuracy depends on various factors 敘述的正當性因各式各樣的因素而有所變化敘述的正當性因各式各樣的因素而有所變化 that raises two distinct but related issuesthat raises two distinct but related issues 敘述包括兩個看似不同，其實有關聯的議題敘述包括兩個看似不同，其實有關聯的議題 that lists, or otherwise embraces, two or more that lists, or otherwise embraces, two or more

distinct categoriesdistinct categories 敘述列出或贊成兩者以上不同的議題敘述列出或贊成兩者以上不同的議題 that is unclear or vague in some waythat is unclear or vague in some way 有某些部分交代不清楚或敘述模糊有某些部分交代不清楚或敘述模糊 that might be true generally but fails to account for that might be true generally but fails to account for

significant exceptional casessignificant exceptional cases 大致上而言，該敘述為真，但無法適用於某些特殊的情況大致上而言，該敘述為真，但無法適用於某些特殊的情況

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2) 2) Accepting or Rejecting the StatementAccepting or Rejecting the Statement 關於接受或反對議題之敘述關於接受或反對議題之敘述 You must provide sound reasons and supporting You must provide sound reasons and supporting

examples to justify your strong agreement or examples to justify your strong agreement or disagreement. disagreement. 作答時必須提供完善的理由及例子作答時必須提供完善的理由及例子 ,, 以以支持你的立場支持你的立場 ---- 為何你贊同或反對議題之敘述為何你贊同或反對議題之敘述

* It is ok to adopt a controversial stance, but * It is ok to adopt a controversial stance, but avoid a fanatical or extreme stance. avoid a fanatical or extreme stance.

* * 可以採取具爭議性的立場，但盡量避免提出極端的看法。可以採取具爭議性的立場，但盡量避免提出極端的看法。* Avoid making criticism based on personal moral * Avoid making criticism based on personal moral grounds, spirituality, or jingoism (excessive grounds, spirituality, or jingoism (excessive patriotism).patriotism).

* * 避免以個人的道德觀點、宗教或極端的愛國主義做出批避免以個人的道德觀點、宗教或極端的愛國主義做出批評。評。

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III. Other Useful TipsIII. Other Useful Tips 更多答題技巧更多答題技巧5-Steps Approach5-Steps Approach 答題五步驟答題五步驟Step 1 Read the questionStep 1 Read the question – make sure you – make sure you

understand the question. understand the question. (1)(1)仔細閱讀議題敘述，確定你了解其文意。仔細閱讀議題敘述，確定你了解其文意。Step 2 UnderlineStep 2 UnderlineUnderline key words in the question and write words Underline key words in the question and write words

with the same or related meaning.with the same or related meaning.(2)(2)找出關鍵字並聯想同義字或類似字詞。找出關鍵字並聯想同義字或類似字詞。Step 3 Get IdeasStep 3 Get IdeasDecide if you are for or against the idea. It is ok to Decide if you are for or against the idea. It is ok to

give both sides (for and against - one paragraph give both sides (for and against - one paragraph each) and then to give your opinion in the each) and then to give your opinion in the conclusion. conclusion.

(3)(3)決定你贊成或反對。若你選擇闡述議題的正當性，可以各決定你贊成或反對。若你選擇闡述議題的正當性，可以各用一段落表達贊成和反對的理由，最後在結論重申你的觀點。用一段落表達贊成和反對的理由，最後在結論重申你的觀點。

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Step 4: Decide LayoutStep 4: Decide Layout

(4)考慮文章結構 There is one easy layout called 3773, which you There is one easy layout called 3773, which you

can use if you agree with both sides of the can use if you agree with both sides of the argument. That means four paragraphs: argument. That means four paragraphs: introduction (3 sentences) one side (7 sentences), introduction (3 sentences) one side (7 sentences), the other side (7 sentences) and the conclusion the other side (7 sentences) and the conclusion (3 sentences).(3 sentences).若你若你選擇闡述議題的正當性，可參考所選擇闡述議題的正當性，可參考所謂的謂的 37733773 結構，也就是總共寫四段結構，也就是總共寫四段 :: 引言段落三句引言段落三句 ,, 主主文各兩段，各七句，而結論三句。文各兩段，各七句，而結論三句。

Step 5: Choose a major layoutStep 5: Choose a major layout

You may chooseYou may choose 3773 or 35553 layout.3773 or 35553 layout.

(5)(5)決定文章結構是決定文章結構是 37733773 或或 3555335553結構。結構。

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3773 layout3773 layout

Use the 3773 layout if you are giving both Use the 3773 layout if you are giving both sides of the argument or situation. In the sides of the argument or situation. In the second and the third prgs, you can give second and the third prgs, you can give examples and reasons. In the conclusion, examples and reasons. In the conclusion, just sum up your main idea, or paraphrase just sum up your main idea, or paraphrase your introduction. your introduction.

37733773 結構適用於闡述議題的正當性，在第二結構適用於闡述議題的正當性，在第二 ,, 三三段段表達贊成和反對的理由，並提出佐證的例子，段段表達贊成和反對的理由，並提出佐證的例子，最後在結論重申你的觀點，或再回應引言。最後在結論重申你的觀點，或再回應引言。

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35553 layout35553 layout It’s best to say if you agree or not right at It’s best to say if you agree or not right at

the beginning. the beginning. a five-paragraph essay with a five-paragraph essay with three sentences in the introduction, five three sentences in the introduction, five sentences in the second, third and fourth sentences in the second, third and fourth paragraphs, and three in the conclusion. In paragraphs, and three in the conclusion. In the three body paragraphs, you give the three body paragraphs, you give examples and supporting information.examples and supporting information.

3555335553 結構適用於贊成或反對議題敘述。最好在結構適用於贊成或反對議題敘述。最好在引言馬上表明你的立場，總共五段，引言三句，引言馬上表明你的立場，總共五段，引言三句，主文三段各五句，結論三句。在主文記得提供相主文三段各五句，結論三句。在主文記得提供相關且明確的理由及例子加以佐證你的立場。關且明確的理由及例子加以佐證你的立場。

(( 取材自取材自 http://www.writefix.com/argument/http://www.writefix.com/argument/))

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IV. Related Links and ReferencesIV. Related Links and References相關連結與參考資料相關連結與參考資料

<<GRE Writing Skills>><<GRE Writing Skills>>http://www.novapress.net/gre/writing.htmlhttp://www.novapress.net/gre/writing.htmlhttp://www.west.net/~stewart/ws/http://www.west.net/~stewart/ws/http://www.west.net/~stewart/grewa/wa101http://www.west.net/~stewart/grewa/wa101.htm#Whoscores.htm#Whoscores<<ETS introduction to GRE Analytical <<ETS introduction to GRE Analytical

Writing>>Writing>>http://web.mit.edu/gso/mymsrp/handouts/http://web.mit.edu/gso/mymsrp/handouts/

internpdfs/awintro.pdfinternpdfs/awintro.pdfhttp://www.ets.orghttp://www.ets.orghttp://thedoublee.blogspot.com/2007/02/gre-http://thedoublee.blogspot.com/2007/02/gre-

issue.htmlissue.html

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<<free GRE general test materials, including <<free GRE general test materials, including scoring details, sample tests and answers>> scoring details, sample tests and answers>>

http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.1488512ecfd5b8849a77b13bc3921509menuitem.1488512ecfd5b8849a77b13bc3921509/?/?vgnextoid=302b66f22c6a5010VgnVCM10000022fvgnextoid=302b66f22c6a5010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD&vgnextchannel=d687e3b5f64f401095190RCRD&vgnextchannel=d687e3b5f64f4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRDVgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD

<<<< 參考書目參考書目 >>>>Stewart, Mark Alan. Stewart, Mark Alan. Writing Skills for the Writing Skills for the

GRE/GMATGRE/GMAT. Lawrenceville: Peterson’s, 2002.. Lawrenceville: Peterson’s, 2002.

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<<writing suggestions on issue, opinion <<writing suggestions on issue, opinion & argument essays>>& argument essays>>

http://www.writefix.com/argument/http://www.writefix.com/argument/ http://www.rscc.cc.tn.us/http://www.rscc.cc.tn.us/

owl&writingcenter/OWL/owl&writingcenter/OWL/Argument.htmlArgument.html

http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/argument.htmlhandouts/argument.html

http://www.studygs.net/wrtstr4.htmhttp://www.studygs.net/wrtstr4.htm