{"id":12714,"date":"2023-09-08T13:04:30","date_gmt":"2023-09-08T13:04:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/blog\/prep\/?p=12714"},"modified":"2023-09-08T18:04:57","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T18:04:57","slug":"7-tips-for-a-perfect-gre-issue-essay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/gre\/7-tips-for-a-perfect-gre-issue-essay\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Tips for a Perfect GRE Issue Essay"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If you get a perfect score on the GRE\u2019s Issue Essay (a 6), it can really boost your graduate school admissions chances! The best schools want good Verbal and Quantitative scores, but also students who are clear, competent writers. Lots of students have excellent transcripts and are good at taking tests \u2013 but not everyone can demonstrate impressive writing skills! Here are 7 tips to take your Issue essay to that perfect 6.<\/p>\n<p><strong>[ RELATED:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/blog\/prep\/gre\/whats-a-good-gre-score\/\">What is a good GRE score?<\/a>\u00a0<strong>]<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><div  class='avia-icon-list-container   avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_heading  avia-builder-el-first '><ul class='avia-icon-list avia-icon-list-left av-iconlist-big avia_animate_when_almost_visible avia-iconlist-animate'>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue836' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Write at least three practice essays.<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>Practice makes perfect! You can study for the GRE online by looking up the AWA prompts and practicing writing several of them within the 30-minute guideline. The only way to get comfortable with the time constraints is to practice them, so set up test-like conditions and get to work. If you\u2019re a good writer, you might be tempted to take the GRE essay portion without practicing. That\u2019s not a great idea&#8211;the issue essay is a different kind of essay than you\u2019ve probably had to write in school, and you might miss the mark if you don\u2019t practice. On the issue essay you\u2019re not writing literary criticism or rhetorical analysis, but rather something more akin to a very direct, concise email to a very busy boss or professor. Get used to the idea that the issue essay isn\u2019t about how well you make things flow or how pretty it sounds; it\u2019s about how clearly you can get information across.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue836' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Don\u2019t waffle.<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You don\u2019t have time to argue both sides of an issue on the GRE issue essay<\/span><strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/strong>Even if you don\u2019t believe in the side you choose, you\u2019ll only have time to argue one side effectively. If you take a middle-of-the-road approach you won\u2019t sound as confident or clear. Remember, according to ETS, the \u201creaders are evaluating the skill with which you address the specific instructions and articulate and develop an argument to support your evaluation of the\u00a0issue.\u201d Which side you choose to defend is less important than how you defend it!<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue836' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Choose very specific real-world examples.<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>Don\u2019t be general! Hypothetical arguments are easily refuted. The easy counter to any \u201cwhat-if\u201d argument is to challenge that the hypothetical scenario would ever actually happen.\u00a0Instead, use\u00a0specific examples: Mitt Romney, the War of 1812, Keynesian economic theory, an anecdote about your Uncle Ralph the compulsive gambler, etc. are all concrete examples you can use to drive home a point.\u00a0<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue836' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >BUT, make sure your examples are relevant to the topic.<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>You can choose examples from a wide range of subjects, including personal experience, pop culture, history, sports, literature, current events, politics, etc. But, don\u2019t let your examples take over the essay. For instance, if you\u2019re using a historical example, be careful that you don\u2019t let the bulk of your essay become a summary of that event or a history paper equivalent. Your whole goal on the issue essay is to prove a point, so only use an example if it\u2019s going to back up your argument.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue836' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Avoid first-person and self-reference.<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>In general, you should avoid writing in first person on the issue essay. Saying things like \u201cI believe\u201d or \u201cin my opinion\u201d adds unnecessary words since the reader already knows that the issue essay is written from your perspective. First-person pronouns should ONLY appear in a body paragraph if you are using personal experience as an example. Never use \u201cI\u201d in your introductory or concluding paragraphs.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue836' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Make strong, declarative statements.<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>Being direct doesn\u2019t leave any room for miscommunication or misinterpretation. Part of the reason this is so important is because while one of your graders is human, the other is a computer. If you\u2019ve ever talked to your GPS or Siri, you\u2019ve probably experienced some miscommunication from time to time. Avoid this on the GRE issue essay by making strong, declarative statements.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue836' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Refute the opposing view in your conclusion.<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>Many GRE students wonder what to do in their conclusion. Try introducing the opposing viewpoint, showing that you recognize that in fact some people do not support your position. Then refute their argument in 1-2 sentences, and reinforce the validity of\u00a0 your own thesis.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><br \/>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h4    avia-builder-el-1  el_after_av_iconlist  el_before_av_video  '><h4 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >BONUS: Know how the GRE Analytical Writing Essays are scored<\/h4><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\nYour GRE essays will be scored by half-point increments, from 0 to 6 (highest). Two graders will score this issue essay.\u00a0A third grader will also score your essays if your two initial graders&#8217; scores differ by more than one point. The graders base scores on their overall impression of your essay \u2014\u00a0<em>holistically<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 rather than deducting points for specific errors.<\/p>\n<p>The GRE testmaker, Educational Testing Service (ETS) reports a single score rounded up to the nearest half-point. This score makes up the essay portion of your overall <a href=\"_wp_link_placeholder\" data-wplink-edit=\"true\">GRE score<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>You can read more from ETS on\u00a0<em>specific\u00a0<\/em>score level breakdowns\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ets.org\/gre\/revised_general\/prepare\/analytical_writing\/score_level_descriptions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><div  class='avia-video avia-video-16-9   av-lazyload-immediate  av-lazyload-video-embed  '   itemprop=\"video\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/VideoObject\"  data-original_url='https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=m1iVFCjzVN0' ><script type='text\/html' class='av-video-tmpl'><div class='avia-iframe-wrap'><iframe title=\"GRE Analytical Writing Issue Essay: 7 Tips to Master Your GRE Issue Essay | Kaplan Test Prep\" width=\"1500\" height=\"844\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/m1iVFCjzVN0?feature=oembed&autoplay=0&loop=0&controls=1&mute=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/script><div class='av-click-to-play-overlay'><div class=\"avia_playpause_icon\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<div  class='avia-builder-widget-area clearfix  avia-builder-el-3  el_after_av_video  avia-builder-el-last '><div id=\"text-70\" class=\"widget clearfix widget_text\">\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p><span data-sumome-listbuilder-embed-id=\"a78fe19e226d385662749ccaadcdccd7ecdcab651c77e3b874bfcb76a80605a7\"><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><div id=\"text-71\" class=\"widget clearfix widget_text\">\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p><span data-sumome-listbuilder-embed-id=\"185e834399a9fdd414ded52f3f51a4735f464b8c612f006f44ffba835a649b4f\"><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you get a perfect score on the GRE\u2019s Issue Essay (a 6), it can really boost your graduate school admissions chances! The best schools want good Verbal and Quantitative scores, but also students who are clear, competent writers. Lots of students have excellent transcripts and are good at taking tests \u2013 but not everyone [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":38211,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[68],"tags":[69,309,350],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12714"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12714"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12714\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44433,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12714\/revisions\/44433"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38211"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12714"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12714"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12714"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}