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How to get 6.0 AWA....my guide [#permalink]
22 May 2008, 06:56
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Guide to Perfect 6.0 AWA GMAT ScoreRelated AWA Resources: I took the GMAT twice and scored 6.0 each time. I did put a lot of time in it the first time....too much actually. Being a non-native speaker and having not written a damn essay (of any kind) in many many years, I was very scared of the AWA. So, I went through every guide that I could find and wrote nearly 25-30 essays. Even had a friend grade them for me.....Pathetic, huh? Anyway, for my second time, I just looked over my templates I created and wrote one of each the day before test just to refresh my memory on faster typing without making too many typos...... So, here it is....Enjoy, and please do not blame me if the 6.0 percentile goes down to 80 soon AWA GUIDE by Chineseburned1. General Structure Intro - Restate argument, point out flaws or state intention to discuss them below 1st Para - First,... 2nd Para - Second/In addition,... 3rd Para - Third/Finally,... Conclusion - The argument is flawed/weak/unconvincing because of the above -mentioned...Ultimately, the argument can be strengthened if/by... 2. Structural Word (should be all over the essays) - Supporting examples - for example, to illustrate, for instance, because, specifically
- Additional support - furthermore, in addition, similarly, just as, also, as a result, moreover
- Importance - surely, truly, undoubtedly, clearly, in fact, most importantly
- Contrast - on the contrary, yet, despite, rather, instead, however, although, while
- Decide against - one cannot deny that, it could be argued that, granted, admittedly
- Ying-yang - on the one hand/on the other hand
- Concluding - therefore, in summary, consequently, hence, in conclusion, ultimately, in closing
3. Templates Intro: The argument claims that ....(restate) Stated in this way the argument: a) manipulates facts and conveys a distorted view of the situation b) reveals examples of leap of faith, poor reasoning and ill-defined terminology c) fails to mention several key factors, on the basis of which it could be evaluated The conclusion of the argument relies on assumptions for which there is no clear evidence. Hence, the argument is weak/unconvincing and has several flaws. 1st Para: First, the argument readily assumes that...... This statement is a stretch.... For example,... Clearly,... The argument could have been much clearer if it explicitly stated that... 2nd Para: Second, the argument claims that.... This is again a very weak and unsupported claim as the argument does not demonstrate any correlation between....and... To illustrate,... While,... However,....indeed.... In fact, it is not at all clear...rather.... If the argument had provided evidence that.....then the argument would have been a lot more convincing. 3rd Para: Finally,... (pose some questions for the argument).....Without convincing answers to these questions, one is left with the impression that the claim is more of a wishful thinking rather than substantive evidence. Conclusion: In conclusion, the argument is flawed for the above-mentioned reasons and is therefore unconvincing. It could be considerably strengthened if the author clearly mentioned all the relevant facts.... In order to assess the merits of a certain situation/decision, it is essential to have full knowledge of all contributing factors. In this particular case.... Without this information, the argument remains unsubstantiated and open to debate. 4. Going from the templates to full-fledged essays ESSAY QUESTION: The following appeared in the editorial section of a national news magazine:[/b] "The rating system for electronic games is similar to the movie rating system in that it provides consumers with a quick reference so that they can determine if the subject matter and contents are appropriate. This electronic game rating system is not working because it is self regulated and the fines for violating the rating system are nominal. As a result an independent body should oversee the game industry and companies that knowingly violate the rating system should be prohibited from releasing a game for two years."
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. Point out flaws in the argument's logic and analyze the argument's underlying assumptions. In addition, evaluate how supporting evidence is used and what evidence might counter the argument's conclusion. You may also discuss what additional evidence could be used to strengthen the argument or what changes would make the argument more logically sound. YOUR RESPONSE: Quote: The argument claims that the electronic games rating system, although similar to the movie rating system, is not working because it is self regulated and violation fines are nominal, Hence, the gaming rating system should be overseen by an independent body. Stated in this way the argument fails to mention several key factors, on the basis of which it could be evaluated. The conclusion relies on assumptions, for which there is no clear evidence. Therefore, the argument is rather weak, unconvincing, and has several flaws.
First, the argument readily assumes that because the electronic game rating system is self regulated, it is not working well. This statement is a stretch and not substantiated in any way. There are numerous examples in other areas of business or commerce, where the entities are self regulated and rather successful. For instance, FIA, the Formula1 racing organization is self regulated. Yet, the sport is very popular and successful, drawing millions of spectators around the world each year. Tickets are rather expensive, races are shown on pay-per-view, and nearly all drivers are paid very well. Another example is the paralleled movie rating system that the argument mentions. The author fails to clarify whether it is working well, but it is clear that the movie rating system is pretty well received by people, who often base their decisions to go see a movie with kids or not on the movie rating. It has never been a case when someone would feel cheated by the movie rating and express disappointment afterwards. Since the movie rating system is also self regulated, it follows that this regulatory method is working pretty well and it is not obvious how it can be the reason for the poor electronic game rating system. The argument would have been much clearer if it explicitly gave examples of how the self regulatory system led to bad ratings and customer dissatisfaction.
Second, the argument claims that any violation fees for bad electronic game ratings are nominal. It thus suggests that this is yet another reason for the rating system not working. This is again a very weak and unsupported claim as the argument does not demonstrate any correlation between the monetary amount of the fines and the quality of the electronic game rating system. In fact, the argument does not even draw a parallel with the mentioned movie rating system and its violation fines. If any such correlation had been shown for the movie rating system, which supposedly works well, then the author would have sounded a bit more convincing. In addition, if the argument provided evidence that low violation fines lead to electronic game manufacturers to ignore any regulations with respect to the game rating system, the argument could have been strengthened even further.
Finally, the argument concludes that an independent body should oversee the game industry and companies that violate the rating system, should be punished. From this statement again, it is not at all clear how an independent regulatory body can do a better job than a self regulated one. Without supporting evidence and examples from other businesses where independent regulatory bodies have done a great job, one is left with the impression that the claim is more of a wishful thinking rather than substantive evidence. As a result, this conclusion has no legs to stand on.
In summary, the argument is flawed and therefore unconvincing. It could be considerably strengthened if the author clearly mentioned all the relevant facts. In order to assess the merits of a certain situation, it is essential to have full knowledge of all contributing factors. 5. Final tips - During the tutorial type in a few sentences in the mock essay window to get used to the keyboard.
- Again during the tutorial, jot down on your notebook the basic structure of your essays or the opening sentences in case you get too nervous and forget them when the clock starts ticking.
- Write as much as you can. Try to write at least 500 words per essay.
- Always have the e-rater in mind as your potential reviewer. Remember that the human rater will make every effort to grade just like the e-rater. In that sense, keep your structure and volume in mind over actual quality/content.
- Be careful of spelling mistakes. Double check words that you normally know you misspell (e.g. exercise). Try to finish 2-3 minutes before time is up so you can slowly re-read your essay for the purposes of spell checking. Do not reorganize/delete sentences/paragraphs with less than 2 min left.
- No matter how great you thought your essays went, try to stay humble and focused - remember this was just a warm-up and the real stuff hasn't started yet!
Good luck!
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Best AWA guide here: how-to-get-6-0-awa-my-guide-64327.html
Last edited by Vercules on 29 Jan 2013, 04:59, edited 7 times in total.
Removed the Issue part
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Re: How to get 6.0 AWA....my guide [#permalink]
21 Jul 2010, 04:09
Awesome, scored 6.0 ...... thanks a lot  just wondering y 6.0 is 91%ile and not 100......
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Re: How to get 6.0 AWA....my guide [#permalink]
23 Jul 2010, 09:31
tnx for the POST ..i used this techniques and got 5.5
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Re: How to get 6.0 AWA....my guide [#permalink]
29 Jul 2010, 04:45
Thanks a lot this is probably the most concise and helpful guide I have read for writing AWA....I have been trying to read up on what is expected for a long time and even spoke to some of my friends who gave their GRE. No one was able to put it quite like you did.
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Re: How to get 6.0 AWA....my guide [#permalink]
02 Aug 2010, 00:26
I didnt follow to the T (not on purpose, literally tried to remember the template with 24 hours left) and still got a 4.5 =)
thanks man...
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Re: How to get 6.0 AWA....my guide [#permalink]
07 Aug 2010, 14:46
Good guide. I am yet to give my GMAT. But, I had given my GRE and the AWA section is quite similar. I score 4.5 . Wish i had read this earlier !
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Re: How to get 6.0 AWA....my guide [#permalink]
09 Aug 2010, 14:10
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Re: How to get 6.0 AWA....my guide [#permalink]
17 Aug 2010, 01:53
Thank you for the templates. My limited skills and vocabulary in English is not going to deter me from writing the best of Essays on GMAT.
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Re: How to get 6.0 AWA....my guide [#permalink]
23 Aug 2010, 10:13
great post. Used your tips the first time I wrote and scored a 6.0. I am re writing tomorrow and am using your notes again to do a last minute review! Thank you!
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Re: How to get 6.0 AWA....my guide [#permalink]
27 Aug 2010, 23:28
Dear Chineseburned, Great structure. My Kudos to you. A week to go for my exam, I was desperately searching for something like this. I've fortunately found everything under one roof. I'm specially happy, for it matches my style. However, there is one doubt that I'd like to have clarified. In one of the options in the Argument Template, your Introduction goes on to state: Stated in this way the argument: a) manipulates facts and conveys a distorted view of the situation ... My question: Is it okay to take a 'DIRECT AND CONFRONTATIONAL' view like this? How would a more mild opening (by moderating the tone and tenor) be viewed as? What if the same sentence is framed as: Stated in this way, the argument TENDS TO manipulate facts and SEEMS TO convey a distorted view of the situation ..... Would a diplomatic approach be seen as a sign of weakness or indecisiveness on the part of the author? Or is it that your option is not considered 'direct and confrontational' and the assessors are perfectly comfortable with it. Wouldn't want to rub the examiner, of all the people, the wrong way! PLEASE HELP URGENTLY. Manish
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Re: How to get 6.0 AWA....my guide [#permalink]
28 Aug 2010, 05:25
Thank you very much for this template! I was a little worried about the AWA section until I read this particular thread. After reading the whole thing, I decided to focus more on the other sections and only try to remember you structure the day before the exam. I got 6.0:) Very, very happy about it and could not do it quite so effortlessly without you! Kudos!
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Re: How to get 6.0 AWA....my guide [#permalink]
28 Aug 2010, 19:44
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Re: How to get 6.0 AWA....my guide [#permalink]
02 Sep 2010, 07:42
Thanks for the information
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Re: How to get 6.0 AWA....my guide [#permalink]
03 Sep 2010, 15:00
i tried to write essays on the same topics. i can't even type them up!!! dont even mention to write them.
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Re: How to get 6.0 AWA....my guide [#permalink]
28 Sep 2010, 02:30
Thanks for the valueable info!
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Re: How to get 6.0 AWA....my guide [#permalink]
29 Sep 2010, 09:21
Got a 5.5 using this template, studying it 2-3 days before the exam
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Re: How to get 6.0 AWA....my guide [#permalink]
25 Oct 2010, 13:01
Hey guys I was wondering if using these templates could result in being accused of plagiarism. I scored very well on my GMAT today (760) and I'm the type of person that always has to be worried about something so since my score is fine I've decided the AWA is what I'm going to worry about.
Specifically, I followed Chineseburned's template to a Tee for both essays, and I think I may have even used a sentence that was nearly word-for-word from the introduction paragraph of his example essay in the original post and I definately used similar formations in the introductory and summary paragraphs of both essays. Will that be a problem? I doubt it would but I just wanted to be sure
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Re: How to get 6.0 AWA....my guide [#permalink]
25 Oct 2010, 13:28
wow !! Great guide.  I m poor at cramming, but I m sure after reading the template 2-3 times before the exam it will be easy for me to remember the structure. Thanks for the valuable post.
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Re: How to get 6.0 AWA....my guide [#permalink]
28 Oct 2010, 12:05
Great post. Reading this the day before my GMAT definitely helped me score 6.0. BTW, 6.0 is now 91st percentile. It used to be lower, right?
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Re: How to get 6.0 AWA....my guide [#permalink]
29 Oct 2010, 14:45
thanks for the awa guide!
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Re: How to get 6.0 AWA....my guide [#permalink]
30 Oct 2010, 01:53
Super awesome ChineseBurned. I was readily assuming that I dont have to study too much for AWA. I guess I was clearly wrong Good stuff!
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Re: How to get 6.0 AWA....my guide
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30 Oct 2010, 01:53
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