Lesson: Writing the AWA Argument Essay

Comment on Writing the AWA Argument Essay

ari.banerjee's picture

Hi Brent,

Speaking to the template you discussed here, would it be Ok if I mentioned the flaws one by one and provided solutions to that flaw right after mentioning them in the same paragraph? That way the reader could see the flaw followed by the recommendations right away. Or is it better to mention the flaws and the related recommendations in separate paragraphs?

Thank you!
gmat-admin's picture

That's a great way to handle flaws and fixes.

Cheers,
Brent

ari.banerjee's picture

Thank you!
ari.banerjee's picture

Sorry I have on e more qs.

Are you aware if there is spellcheck in the AWA section? In my practice test the window I was typing in had spell checks but I've read on the forums that it doesn't. Are there serious penalties for spelling mistakes?

Thank you!
gmat-admin's picture

No, there's no spellcheck.
The test-makers claim that spelling does not affect the score. HOWEVER, I have to imagine that the reader might be biased to give a lower score to an essay if it's riddled with errors.

Cheers,
Brent

Hi Brent,

Is there any word limit to this?
gmat-admin's picture

There's no word limit. So, your essay can be as long as you wish.....within the 30 minute time frame :-)

Hi Brent,

Hope you are well :)

Would it be possible for you to review the Essay I've posted here: https://gmatclub.com/forum/argument-essay-motorcycle-x-please-rate-it-140742.html

A general suggestive approach will work as well coz it's the first-ever GMAT essay I've written since I started preparing!

My GMAT is scheduled in 1 week and I'm very nervous as my Target score is 760 and I'm getting just 690 in Practice tests. Also, my accuracy and time management are not good in the Verbal section :(
gmat-admin's picture

Link: https://gmatclub.com/forum/argument-essay-motorcycle-x-please-rate-it-14...
I read your essay.
I'd give it a score in the 4.5 to 5.0 range.

Thank you so much for your response :)
It means I need to improve a lot in the next 6 days.

Another AWA request :)
Hope I did slightly better this time...

https://gmatclub.com/forum/rate-my-essay-gmat-tmrw-109796-60.html#p3105032



The following appeared in a magazine article on trends and lifestyles.

"In general, people are not as concerned as they were a decade ago about regulating their intake of red meat and fatty cheeses. Walk into the Heart's Delight, a store that started selling organic fruits and vegetables and whole-grain flours in the 1960's, and you will also find a wide selection of cheeses made with high butterfat content. Next door, the owners of the Good Earth Café, an old vegetarian restaurant, are still making a modest living, but the owners of the new House of Beef across the street are millionaires."

Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argument would make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate its conclusion.
gmat-admin's picture

Essay link: https://gmatclub.com/forum/rate-my-essay-gmat-tmrw-109796-60.html#p3105032

Very nice. I believe your essay would receive a score between 5.0 and 6.0 on test day.
A little feedback: I suggest you try using fewer words to summarize the argument in your first paragraph.

Thank you for your feedback, Brent :)
And I totally agree with you. I also felt that I made the intro para a bit longer.

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