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Analytical Writing and Assessment (AWA)

1.Introduction

2.AWA Scoring

3.Evaluation Parameters

4.Howto Write a Good Essay

5.Howtotackle Issue essays

6.Howtotackle argument essays

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Introduction

Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) essays are the first thing that you will encounter inGMAT. They assess your critical thinking and written communication abilities which are veryimportant in a managerial career.

You have to write two essays in 30 minutes each:

Analysis of an Issue:You are expected analyze the given topic and present your opinion

and justify that by giving suitable examples and reasons.Example:To be accepted as a leader, you must first demonstrate your ability to perform the tasks thatyou would expect others to perform.Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion stated above. Supportyour views with reasonsand/or examples from your own experience, observations, orreading.

Analysis of an Argument: You are expected to read and understand the given argumentand write a critique of the argument. Unlike in the case of analysis of an issue, you shouldnot state your opinion but rather analyze the one given. You should look at flaws in thearguments, identify the circumstance in which the argu ment may fail and suggest additionalevidence that could strengthen the argument.Example:Memo of the VP of a popular Chocolate Company:Our premium and most expensive line of chocolates got good feedback in the recent tastetest and the sales also increased consequently. So I feel, we should focus on producingmore lines of premium chocolates and should waste our resources on low -priced ordinarychocolates. In the current recession, luxury items like cars may be out of reach of m anycustomers. But they do not mind spending money on basic luxuries like our premiumchocolates.

Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion, be sure to analyze

the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may needto consider what questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and what alternativeexplanations or counter examples might weaken the conclusion. You can also discuss whatsort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, wha t changes in the argumentwould make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate itsconclusion.

You need to type in your essay on a simple word processor that lets you perf orm simplefunctions like cut & paste, undo & redo, insert &delete text. No special computer skills arerequired for this.

Spell check and grammar check are not available. So you must be careful to avoid blatantgrammatical and spelling mistakes. A few minor mistakes here and there will not affect your

score much. Logic and structure are of primary importance .

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AWA Scoring

Scoring ProcessThe responses to each of the essays are scored on a 6-point scale. The essays areevaluated by college and university faculty members from varioussubject matter areas . Youressay will be read holisticallythat is, you get rewarded for the overall structure and logic ofthe essay.

The responses are alsorated by a computer program. If the difference in score given by thecomputer and human is more than 1 point, then a t hird person evaluates the essay.According to GMAC, such instances are very rare.

The final AWA score is the average (rounded to the nearest half point) of the four scores (2for issue and 2 for argument). The Analytical Writing Assessment scoreis computed andreported separately and it WILL NOT affect the score on the 800 scale.

What is a Good AWA Score?

About 20% of test takers get a score of 5.5 or 6 and about 45% get a score of above 5.0 orabove. Hence a candidate looking for admission into a ny of the top-100 B-schools across

the world must target a score of at least 5. This is not very difficult provided you prepare well,follow the basic guidelines and not panic on the D -day.

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Evaluation Parameters

Evaluation Parameters for an ISSUE essay

You should not think in terms of a correct answer there is nothing like a correct

answer .You may address the topic in whichever you feel. More specifically, you may agreecompletely, or disagree completely or partly agree and partly disagree with the givencomment. The key is how well you present your opinion and how well you support that withlogic and evidence.

The evaluator would be interested in ascertaining that you have

y Given a clear-cut response to the given comment

y Supported your point of view with logic and/or relevant examples

y Discussed the consequences and exceptions and thereby demonstrated an

understanding of the complexities of the issue

y Organized and presented your ideas by sustaining a proper flow

y Demonstrated correctness in terms of grammar, syntax and vocabulary

Primary criterion for evaluation in an issue essay is the ability to formulate, organize anddevelop a reasonably comprehensive response to the given comment.

Evaluation Parameters for an Argument Essay

The argument essay is UNLIKE an issue task and you are not being asked to agree ordisagree with the given argument. You are expected to CRITIQUE the given argument byexamining the conclusion(s) in the light of the given evidence(s).More specifically, you must check whether the given evidence(s) actually lead(s) to thestated conclusion(s).Further, consider the underlying assumptions in the argument andcheck their validity.You can also discuss the type of information that will strengthen theargument.

The evaluator will see how effective you are in:y Identifying the key elements of the argument (conclusion, evidence and assumptions )

y Critiquing the argument and spotting the logical flaws in the writers reasoning

y Suggesting ways in which the argument can be strengthened

y Maintaining coherence in the narration

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Howto Writea Good Essay

Any essay, whether it is a school-level essay or doctoral thesis, will have three basic parts.

1. An Introduction

2. A body (Development of Ideas)

3. A conclusion

GMAT AWA essays are no different in this regard. The overall organization of both theessays will be in terms of one introductory paragraph, a few paragraphs in the body, and aconcluding paragraph.

DO'S ANDDON'TS1. Understand the issue to be discussed. Do not assume what has to be done. Instead,

read the issue carefully and then address it with your opinions and reasoning.

2. Organize your ideas in a logical sequence before you start typing.

3. Allocate time to each of the sub -activity involved.y Read and unders tand the topic.

y Jot down your points on the papers provided.

y Organize and prioritize your ideas in a particular order.

y Type the essay.

y Final proof-reading/editing.

4. Keep the language simple and avoid long and complicated sentences. You are likely tomake grammatical errors in a complicated sentence. You will not be rewarded for usingcomplex language but penalized for making blatant grammatical errors . Avoid sentencestructures which make the narration complex. However, it is good to have variety in yoursentences.

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Howto Tackle Argument Essays

These steps can be used to organize your thoughts while writing an ARGUMENT essay.

In an ARGUMENT essay

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y The Introduction should demonstrate that you have spotted the correct conclusion andthe various evidences.

y The Body must highlight at least 3 -4 major flaws.

y The Conclusion must summarize the main flaws.

You can tell how the given argument could b e made better (more convincing) and suggestadditional information that can make the argument complete.

COMMON FAULTS IN ARGUMENTS

1. Very little supporting evidence.2. Unreasonable assumptions.3. Assuming cause-and-effect relationship for a coincidence or correlation.4. One example, one anecdote, a survey or one experiment used to arrive at a conclusion.5. Sweeping generalization(s).6. Sometimes there may be more than one cause that can lead to an effect. Hence, all

possible factors must be considered before jumping to a conclusion about the cause.7. An opposing point may be picked up and its drawbacks are highlighted or oversimplified

resulting in deliberate misrepresentation.8. Attacking a person than the logical shortcoming of an argument

9. Uncompromising adoption of extreme position thereby ignoring the middle -of-the pathapproach.10. Assumption that something, which is generally true for a group, i s true for every person

who may be directly or indirectly related to that group. Remember, every generalizationcould have an exception too. Hence, stereotyped thinking must be avoided.

After typing the ARGUMENT essay you may put these 6 questions to yourself.

1. Does the introduction give a clear -cut indication that you have spotted the rightconclusion(s) and the evidence(s) being used in the argument?

2. In the body do you expose the flaws in the argument and explain them adequately?3. Did you suggest ways in which argument could be made better?4. Did you maintain a smooth logical flow and organize the entire essay properly?5. Is the language proper without too many major grammatical errors?

6. Do your sentences have sufficient variety in them?