How to Write a Perfect GRE Analytical Writing Essay
Step One: read the question in full, at least three times, to understand it carefully. The Analytical writing section of the GRE requires two essays: for the first, you can choose between two topics, and for the second, you get no choice. Regardless of which essay you're writing, read the question.
Step Two: write a true, careful, and complete thesis statement. Remember those from eighth grade? Well, don't be creative, or fancy, or overly erudite. Get to the point. If the question is on changes and continuities with nationalism in the 1700s in France, be sure the thesis is something along the lines of, "In the 1700s in France, nationalism caused changes such as [insert one or two changes], while many continuities such as [insert continuities] balanced the system on the whole, setting the stage for future revolution." Lay out the thesis in the first paragraph, address change and continuity and--most important--give one or two examples of each--all in one sentence, and then stick to it.
Step Three: take the points from your thesis and cover them, one paragraph at a time. Take your first change, explain it, and then back it up with a very specific example, and mention a particular event, author, etc. Do this with continuities as well. Whoever reads or scores your essay will be looking for these points. Don't be vague or general--be as specific as possible. Be sure you have a minimum of 4 examples that are highly specific.
Step Four: include analysis and not just descriptions. It's very easy to just tell a story in your essay, but it is an analytical essay, and you need analysis. Take the information you provide and analyze it. Take it further. Be sure to give two or three very specific, highly analytical sentences.
Step Five: connect your essay to a different field or area. If the essay is on French history, for instance, discuss the impact of French nationalism on the U.S. or the rest of Europe. If the essay is on K-12 education in the U.S., link it to higher education. Put the essay in an external context.
Step Six: restate the thesis in a new way, but hit all the main points, in your concluding paragraph. This way, you restate your points and give the thesis as a capstone to the essay.
Step Seven: reread, reread, reread. Be sure the essay covers everything in the thesis, and completely.
That's it! I used this method when taking the GRE last winter and scored a perfect score on that section. If only this method worked for math! Good luck.
Published by Lea Barton
Published in newspapers, magazines, newsletters, on websites, and in academic reference guides since 1986, I have more than 2,000 articles, reviews, and columns as part of my portfolio. View profile
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- Time yourself carefully.
- Give specific evidence to back up analytical points.
- Have a clear, in-depth thesis statement.
14 Comments
Post a Comment@Marsh - My scores differed even more: 97% verbal and 29% analytical writing.
I didn't prepare for or care about either section because neither score is considered by the department I'm applying to. In the past, when writing essays that I did care about on English, history, and psychology exams, I've scored 100% many times. Personally, I don't believe the Analytical Writing score should be taken at face value. It may be accurate in some cases, and it may be inaccurate in other cases.
Given the approach described here and similar GRE essay-writing advice on other sites, it appears to me that ETS is looking for some very specific features and formats in each essay, and anyone who fails to deliver them will not do well. They are the unwritten directions that must be followed for success.
I suppose I should have looked them up before I took the exam instead of after. But, now that I know why I did poorly, I can let it rest. Thanks for posting this blog.
thanks, this was helpful. but can you lay out when and where to provide your analysis and evidence?
like what does your body paragraph look like? is it a 5 to 8 sentence paragraph?
-claim (topic sentence that supports thesis)
-evidence (1 sentence)
-analysis (2 sentences)
-another evidence
-analysis
-close?
Since i am begineer, so every bit of information is a diamond in a coal mine to me. and your job is raellya great help.
Unfortunately for anyone who may be reading this, I believe that the Analytical Writing section of the GRE is subject to the whim of your particular reviewer at ETS. This is probably one reason why this score is the least considered in your grad school application.
I consider myself a competent writer and I got a 670 Verbal, which in my case was the 95th percentile. My essay questions were easy to understand and I know that I wrote concise, well structured arguments. I have always succeeded in writing in every academic capacity. I got a 4.0, which in my case was the 45th percentile.
While the Writing and Verbal sections are not necessarily correlative, a score difference of that magnitude is curious. While the writer of this article means well, the Writing portion of the GRE is FAR less scientific than the V/Q. My advice: Just do your best. It doesn't matter much unless you are applying to a handful of specialties.
Thanks for sharing your experience Lea... Congrats..
You have explained very well step by step.
It would be very helpful for us if you could provide with an example essay. Please post an example ASAP.
Thanks
the tips was useful, but it will be more useful if it is explained with an example.
goog work...!!
Congraduations.
thanks for these useful tips.:)
Thanks Lea for good steps.