Writing! Writing! Anyone please share your AWA experience!

Question

Hi, I dont have time to practice AWA a lot. I have 10 days left and my weakness is Verbal so I concentrate much on it.

I read AWA in OG11, I dont see its really useful. 
I also want to read GMATclub discuss about this before, anyone pls show me the thread
I need some good  examples of structures  to apply to the Issue and Argument Essays.

Any one has any experience about AWA:
 - Your practicing AWA prior the test: 
+ Did you do any of those examples topics in OG11?
+ How do you know that your writing is improved after practicing?
- Your AWA during the test.
+ Your time management
+ Any other valuabe experience during the writing time would be highly appreciated...

Pls help and share your opinions! Tks folks :*

AlbertNTN · Answer

Since u only have 10 days, so don't be too nervous. Stay calm.
Maybe u would like to choose a few (2-3) topics to practice (brainstorming for example, build up some simple template 4-5 paragraphs). The argument qn can make use of ur CR skills. Well maybe spend more time for verbal could improve ur score better.
And just write it out on the day... hmm read some sample response, seems that with some basic writing skills u can get at least 4.
Have not taken my exam... just my 2 cents. I have a scan ebook WritingSkillsForGRE-GMAT but very poor scanning, i'm lazy to read argghhh...
All the best

suyashjhawar · Answer

all the best.I did not do well on my 1st attempt but would just like to share my experience.Hope it helps.Reg Awa i just went through last two days...ya beleive me...followed the template...say issue....give your points in paragraphs....firstly,secondly...etc....use keywords like in addition to,moreover,further,however etc....these r keywords which e -rater identifies.I got 5 in awa.But yes make sure u time yourself.I remember had only 3-4 min left in both the essays....and since you have few days...give atleast 2 exams with full 4 hr....its mor e of a stamina test i believe...last but not the least..hope to do well....after all hope is the best among good things....and no good thing ever dies!!!All the best!!!Do share your experience later. :lol:

notahug · Answer

Tks you guys.. Just because I did AWA in GRE so bad so this time I can not feel confident

I have the GRE-GMAT writing book too, its badly scanned, I am lazy too

Do you know any good templates for AWA?

suyashjhawar · Answer

well i have princeton verbal book which has good templates.Moreover 800score.com awa also has templates which can be found on esnips i guess.That would be sufficient.

AlbertNTN · Answer

yah i have the 800score.com awa template as well, if u want u can PM me i'll send to u

chineseburned · Answer

Why not post it here? Others need it too..... :-D

emarinich · Answer

i scored a 6.0 on AWA. here are my notes for analysis of an issue:

essay 1: analysis of an issue 
1). PRE-WRITING: dismantle the the issue - what is the basic issue framed as a question?

2). PROS AND CONS: think of pro arguments and con arguments that answer the question. pick a side based on which you can more adequately defend.

3). CLARIFICATION: identify any phrases in the "analysis of an issue" information given that may need interpretation. expand on these (if applicable) in your essay.

4). WRITING THE ESSAY: the essay should be organized as follows -
i.) INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH - explain argument and introduce pros or cons
ii). ARGUMENT 1 - for or against
iii). ARGUMENT 2 - for or against
iv). ARGUMENT 3- for or against
v). COUNTER-ARGUMENT - i.e., "some might argue that something else is true, however..."
vi). CLEAR CONCLUSION - conclude your argument and be clear about what you've argued.

5). RHETORICAL QUESTION: include a rhetorical question in both AWA essays - i.e., "What does the author mean by patriotic expression?"

emarinich · Answer

here are my notes for analysis of an argument:

essay 2: analysis of an argument
1). PRE-WRITING: identify the conclusion, evidence, and assumptions contained within the argument.

2). VALIDITY: identify under what circumstance the assumptions are valid or invalid.

3). MISSING INFORMATION: is there anything you deem relevant to the argument that is not discussed?

4). WRITING THE ESSAY: the essay should be organized as follows -
i.) INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH - state the arguments assumptions. i.e., "the writer concludes that..." identify three problems with the argument that will correspond to three paragraphs in your essay. remember that any undefined or vague terms need to be addressed in your essay.
ii). ASSUMPTION PROBLEM 1
iii). ASSUMPTION PROBLEM 2
iv). ASSUMPTION PROBLEM 3
v). CONCLUSION (HOW THE ARGUMENT COULD BE IMPROVED): demonstrate how additional information you have suggested in the 3 body paragraphs of your essay would be useful in strengthening the author's argument.

5). RHETORICAL QUESTION: include a rhetorical question in both AWA essays - i.e., "What does the author mean by patriotic expression?"

hope this helps and good luck to everyone!!

emarinich · Answer

also, for what it's worth, i didn't study for AWA in any way.

i wrote the notes that i have typed here on a small index card and glanced at it a few times in the car on my way to the exam. the notes are from a Kaplan class.

kidderek · Answer

I scored a 5.0. I was expecting a 2.0. I practiced once during my prep only because I wanted to get used to building up stamina for taking the entire exam. That is the only reason. I never looked at any of the AWA in the OG. I never practiced from the OG. Here's the only template you need, for both essays:

paragraph #1 your opinion
paragraph #2 first reason for your opinion
paragraph #3 second reason for your opinion
paragraph #4 third reason for your opinion
paragraph #5 restate your opinion & your reasons

Write furiously, write as much as you can, and write quickly. You're not writing for quality, you're writing for quantity. I finished my awa in about 35 minutes which gave me some time to sit in front of my comp to relax.

Also, stop worrying about the awa, you do not need to prepare, it really doesn't matter what you score, instead concentrate on the more important verbal and quant.

Good luck.

notahug · Answer

Nothing more to say...Thanks you guys so much.. :kiss

Anonymous · Answer

Definitely develop a quick outline to get your ideas sorted out before you begin to write. Make sure to provide enough evidence for your statements, and do a grammatical and spell check before submitting. Princeton Review also will grade your practice essays if you pay a lovely $19.95 :-)

.

julia

. julia

AlbertNTN · Answer

Okay guys, i will post here, hopefully no issue with copyright =))

lsuguy7 · Answer

I took the PR class any the teacher told us that "he has heard" of people using this template and writing complete garbage sentences in the middle of the paragraph and still getting 6s - I got a 5.5 and all I did was dumb it down. PR teaches good GMAT writing is NOT good writing.

"First trick" write a lot.

"Second trick" Always disagree with the essay

"third trick" use transitional words that show a person who is skimming this essay you have structure.

This is my Sample.

I disagree with the authors claim that....blah blah (semi restatement). Filler sentence. Thesis (I normally use three parts ex. The major emphasis of any gmat study should be on verbal, quant, and awa)

-Now use your three parts for each paragraph.
 
The FIRST POINT, blah blah blah. Support sentences. Support sentences. Finish Paragraph off.

ANOTHER Point, (same)

Finally, (same)

IN CONCLUSION (if you always end this way you'll get your points) restatement of argument. Final sentence.

--Ok so if you write anything that looks like that you will hate yourself because it is sooo pitiful but it truly works, people are reading your essay for about 1 min. If you write a lot they basically skim it, look for buzz words and structure. Like I mentioned before our teacher told us they would put stuff like I really enjoy spending time with cats and dogs. Or As soon as I get done writing this essay it's on to the math, then verbal, and finally I'll get to go home.

I definitely don't suggest writing in the garbage sentences but if you write a lot and have 3 paragraphs plus an introduction and a conclusion you are basically guaranteed a 5 with no prep at all.

walker · Answer

AlbertNTN, thanks

notahug · Answer

Tks so much Albert...

notahug · Answer

Yes I have heard about writing alot, too. TKs for sharing
I have trouble with argument essays. What is your experience dealing with it? Should we always confute the argument?

..Now I should spend time reading the attachment that Albert sent to us..

test_taker · Answer

Yes, you should always find weak points in the argument, at least 3 of them

The issue essay should have at least two points in support of pros (or cons) and 1 in support of the opposing view.

All essays are presented as debatable, so you can refute them and show how can they be improved. Well, at least that worked for me (6.0)

sumanamba · Answer

Quick Question??

If v finish AWA is 35mins, will we be able to take a 25min break. I was under the impression that v get 2 breaks, one before quant and one before verbal and that too 10min fixed optional break.

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