The following section offers specific tips and strategies to use on the AWA during the exam. Practice these
strategies as you complete the sample essay prompts that follow.
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General Writing Strategies
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Remember the general guideline for dividing your time on an essay exam: use about one-fourth of the
time to plan, one-half of the time to write, and one-fourth of the time to revise and edit.
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Look for key words in the essay prompt to be sure you address all aspects of the assignment.
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The key to brainstorming is to avoid censoring yourself. Keep an open mind and write down whatever
ideas come to you. You do not have to use everything in your essay.
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Remember that your brainstorming and outline are for your eyes only. Use whatever brainstorming
and outlining techniques you find most useful.
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On an essay exam, every minute counts. Don’t wait around for ideas to come to you. If you are having
trouble coming up with ideas, use brainstorming techniques such as listing and freewriting to get ideas
down on paper.
CHAPTER
Tips and
Strategies
for the AWA
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267
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A good thesis makes an assertion about the topic; it does not just repeat the topic or ask a question.
Make sure your thesis takes a clear position on the issue or argument.
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Your planning time is probably the most crucial part of an essay exam. Create a detailed outline to
organize your ideas. Revise your outline before you begin writing to make sure you have sufficient sup-

breaking it up into two simpler sentences that are more clear.
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Remember the guidelines for effective style: be precise, be concise, use the active voice, vary the sen-
tence structure, and avoid jargon and pretentious language. Make sure you use an appropriate level of
formality and a serious, respectful tone throughout your essay.
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Correct punctuation is important, but don’t get hung up on trying to determine whether you need a
comma or a semicolon. Make your choice quickly and move on to the next issue.
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If you are unsure about capitalization, ask yourself whether the word in question is something specific
or general. If it is a specific person, place, or thing, then it probably should be capitalized. Remember, in
this regard, specific means particular or individual, not detailed. For example, a poodle is a specific type
of dog, but it is not capitalized because it doesn’t refer to a specific (individual or particular) dog.
Rover, however, should be capitalized because Rover is a specific (individual or particular) dog.
■
If you have the time, read your essay backward line by line. This will enable you to spot errors that you
might miss reading straight through.
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TIPS AND STRATEGIES FOR THE AWA
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268

Analyzing the Issue
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Remember that in the Analysis of an Issue essay, there is no correct answer. A good essay will take a
clear position and support that position. Don’t be afraid to say what you think. Just be sure to back up
your opinion.
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A strong issue essay will address counterarguments. Take a minute to imagine how someone taking the
opposite point of view would support that position. Acknowledge key concerns and then show why

and revising on the computer. Be sure to turn off the spell check and grammar check; the word-processing
program on the GMAT exam will not include either of these features. Have several sheets of scratch paper
available so that you can brainstorm and outline your essays.
CHAPTER
AWA
Practice
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271

Analysis of an Issue Sample Prompts
1. A leader who is respected is more powerful than one who is feared.
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with this opinion. Support your position with
reasons and/or examples from your own experience, observations, or reading. Complete your essay in
30 minutes.
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AWA PRACTICE
–
272
2. The main goal of education should be to teach students to be good citizens, not to prepare them for the
workplace.
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with this opinion. Support your position with
reasons and/or examples from your own experience, observations, or reading. Complete your essay in
30 minutes.
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AWA PRACTICE
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273
3. One of the problems with our society is that we have created such a large divide between the home and the
workplace. Even if people bring their work home from the office, their professional life has little connection
to their home life.

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AWA PRACTICE
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277
7. Art reminds us of our humanity and connection to others. We all need some form of art in our lives to keep
us human.
Explain what you think is meant by the previous statement and discuss the extent to which you
agree or disagree with this opinion. Support your position with reasons and/or examples from your
own experience, observations, or reading. Complete your essay in 30 minutes.
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AWA PRACTICE
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278
8. A creative person can succeed, but not without diligence. Diligence is the most important factor in success.
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with this opinion. Support your position with
reasons and/or examples from your own experience, observations, or reading. Complete your essay in
30 minutes.
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AWA PRACTICE
–
279
9. Today’s highest paid teachers are those who teach high school and college students. But the most important
years in a human being’s educational development are the earliest years. Therefore, early childhood educa-
tors should receive the highest salaries.
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with this opinion. Support your position with
reasons and/or examples from your own experience, observations, or reading. Complete your essay in
30 minutes.
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AWA PRACTICE
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