Since you have only 30 minutes to plan and write the essay it will be better if you practice and prepare  yourself beforehand  by writing several essays on the topics to see how to exactly structure your responses on the topics given.

The following general format includes set of six instructions to guide you to writ a structured essay.

Part I – Introduction

Start with an introduction by explaining in your own words what the issue is all about. Also highlight some interests in the topic under discussion and make it clear why the topic is controversial. Conclude your paragraph by taking a side or a position which you think can strongly bring out with supporting evidences.

Part II – The body of the essay

As you have in introduction of your essay given a clear point of view now it is the time to write 2-3 paragraphs to support your position. Each paragraph should introduce one point with a reasoning backed with specific examples.  You can support your paragraph by giving  connecting words and phrases (links) at the beginning of each paragraph to give a sense of logical flow.

Part III – Qualification

Since the issue is never entirely black or white, you can also opt for taking up the other side of the position but very carefully using words like ‘but’ or ‘however’ and also by explaining that under certain circumstances the other side of the issue might be correct. In this way your overall knowledge regarding the topic can be judged well.

Part IV – Conclusion

Now as an every essay that we and I end, you may now conclude the essay by reinforcing your points .  (Your  countdown may begin now and you may start feeling nervous like any other person!!! J

If you have introduced a qualification into your argument, you will need to draw the essay back to your thesis. Try to avoid simply repeating what you have said; find something general to say that makes it clear that you have finished.

GIST: The point of “Analysis of Issue” is to see how well you can take up a strong position and also defend it.  You must state a clear opinion, which should be supported or backed by strong evidences.

 It is important to support your view point by using facts or experiences to explain your position. A good “ISSUE” is only when it has attest 3 reasons in favour or against the statement backed by facts and experiences of yours or others.

“ Analysis of an Argument”

According to GMAC, the “Analysis of an Argument tests your ability to formulate an appropriate and constructive critique of a specific conclusion based on a specific line of thinking.”

You are not being asked to present your own views on the subject.

As it turns out to be little challenging for the Business candidates because of its non- familiarity amongst them, following are the classic steps which will help you to write a simple and effective format :

• What questionable assumptions underlie the thinking behind the argument?
• What alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion?
• What sort of evidence could help strengthen or refute the argument?

A good rule of thumb is that your reader should be able to get the gist of your entire argument just by skimming the first sentence of each paragraph.

The main qualities that the readers look for are the organization of your ideas, the quality of the ideas themselves, the strength and relevance of the examples, and your grasp of standard written English.

Helpful Tips while writing “Analysis of Argument”

TRY NOT to make up data: Any critical point presented should be supported by evidence. That’s how even you know that your essay will become stronger than others. So first step obviously would be that Made up statistics and facts will not impress the GMAT graders, but strong organization, logical arguments, and specific supportive examples will.

Focus on being Critical:  As already mentioned simple language with critically strong points will be appreciated as it will prove that you are more focused on conveying your argument.  The argument essay needs to be formal, but more importantly, forceful. No matter what the prompt, your thesis is essentially, “the argument is flawed.” All you have to do is come up with solid logic backed by specific examples that show why

Attack diction. An helpful and  easy way to find fault in the structure of the argument given  is to take any word and critique it. Just how much is “too much”? Exactly what does the author mean by “certain”?

(You can refer to examples mentioned below so that it may help you see how it is done!!)

Format of Essay in “Analysis of an Argument”