GRE Sample Essay 11: A Guide to Writing Excellence
Practicing with sample essays is a crucial part of preparing for the GRE Analytical Writing section. GRE Sample Essay 11 provides an excellent example of how to structure your response, develop arguments, and use clear language effectively. Understanding this sample can help you improve your own essay writing skills and boost your test performance.
This article breaks down GRE Sample Essay 11, discusses key writing strategies, and offers tips to excel in the GRE writing section.
Overview of the GRE Analytical Writing Section
The GRE Analytical Writing section consists of two tasks:
- Issue Task: You are presented with a statement on a topic and asked to develop an argumentative essay expressing your position.
- Argument Task: You analyze and critique a given argument, highlighting its logical flaws or strengths.
Mastering both tasks requires practice and familiarity with sample essays. For a full guide on the GRE writing section, see GRE Analytical Writing Tips.
Understanding GRE Sample Essay 11
GRE Sample Essay 11 exemplifies a well-structured argument essay. It typically includes:
- A clear introduction stating the main point.
- Body paragraphs that provide evidence and explanations supporting the thesis.
- A concluding paragraph summarizing the argument and reinforcing the position.
Analyzing such sample essays helps you grasp how to organize ideas logically and write persuasively.
Discover more sample essays and writing examples at GRE Essay Samples Collection.
Key Elements of a High-Scoring GRE Essay
Based on GRE Sample Essay 11 and other top-scoring essays, the following elements are essential:
- Clarity and Coherence: Ideas should flow logically with smooth transitions.
- Strong Thesis Statement: Your main argument must be clear and concise.
- Relevant Examples: Use specific examples to substantiate your points.
- Language Use: Employ varied sentence structures and vocabulary.
- Addressing Counterarguments: Acknowledge opposing views to strengthen your essay.
For tips on enhancing your writing style, visit How to Improve GRE Writing.
Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Your GRE Essay Using Sample Essay 11
- Analyze the Prompt: Understand the essay question or argument.
- Plan Your Essay: Outline your main points and supporting examples.
- Write the Introduction: Present your thesis clearly.
- Develop Body Paragraphs: Each paragraph should focus on one supporting idea.
- Conclude Effectively: Summarize your argument and reinforce your stance.
- Review and Edit: If time permits, check for grammar and clarity.
Find detailed writing strategies at GRE Essay Writing Guide.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in GRE Essays
- Failing to directly address the prompt.
- Providing vague or off-topic examples.
- Poor organization and lack of transitions.
- Repetitive language or grammar errors.
Avoid these pitfalls by studying sample essays like GRE Sample Essay 11 and practicing regularly.
Additional GRE Preparation Resources
To complement your essay practice, explore resources such as:
- GRE test format and tips at GRE Test Format and Tips
- Comprehensive GRE preparation strategies at GRE Preparation Resources
- Sample answers and scoring criteria at GRE Scoring and Sample Answers
Reviewing and learning from GRE Sample Essay 11 can significantly improve your analytical writing skills, helping you craft well-argued and coherent essays under time pressure. By incorporating the techniques and structures demonstrated in sample essays, you can enhance your GRE writing score.
GRE Sample Essay 11
The following appeared as a letter to the editor from the owner of a skate shop in Central Plaza.
“Two years ago the city council voted to prohibit skateboarding in Central Plaza. They claimed that skateboard users were responsible for litter and vandalism that were keeping other visitors from coming to the plaza. In the past two years, however, there has been only a small increase in the number of visitors to Central Plaza, and litter and vandalism are still problematic. Skateboarding is permitted in Monroe Park, however, and there is no problem with litter or vandalism there. In order to restore Central Plaza to its former glory, then, we recommend that the city lift its prohibition on skateboarding in the plaza.”
Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide whether the recommendation and the argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the answers to these questions would help to evaluate the recommendation.
Response for GRE Sample Essay 11
The argument makes several unwarranted assumptions regarding the skateboard users being responsible for litter and vandalism, which hampers other visitors from coming to the Plaza. The ban imposed on skateboard users has shown no significant rise in the number of people visiting the Plaza. The recommendation to lift the ban provides a distorted view of the prevailing scenario. This is not supported by persuadable reasons and hence opens doors for some questions.
Firstly, the passage lacks proper statistics to hold skateboard users solely responsible for litter and vandalism. The writer should mention the number of incidents that occurred two years ago due to skateboard users and the number which currently persists. Also, the number and reason for the increase in visitors should be mentioned, as the answer behind this will help understand the impact of the ban.
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Secondly, the marginal increase in footfall is probably due to two fundamental reasons. Either economic slowdown is prevailing in the country hence people have less disposable income, so they have to cut their shopping bills. Or another predominant reason can be better amenities at a reasonable price provided by stores in the vicinity. Also, the Plaza might not have enough capability to face rising competition from other stores.
Further, the writer asserts that Monroe Park is clean despite no provision of the ban on skateboard users. The argument is ineffectual as no clear line of similarity is drawn between the Park and Central Plaza. It might be the case that skateboard users in Park are more educated and hence are more likely to abide by the laws and rules or that the Park has better maintenance and cleaning facilities as compared to the Plaza. The argument would be more justified if it threw some light on the condition at both the places.
In conclusion, to assess the viability of the recommendation, the open-ended argument should be backed with some convincing information. It’s necessary to assess all the possible reasons for the decrease in the number of visitors and solutions to restore the glory of Central Plaza.
Reasons for grading
This article scores a 6 because:
The article satisfies the 3Cs of writing: Clarity, Coherency and Cogency. It identifies the crux of the argument and presents a well supported, well-articulated analysis. It demonstrates excellent syntactic development and good control of the grammar. The article deftly draws attention to the lack of similarity between the two areas (Central Plaza and Monroe Park) thus rendering the argument ineffectual.
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Mastering the GRE “Central Plaza” Argument: A Comprehensive Guide to Sample Essay 11
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) is a foundational hurdle for many graduate school applicants. Among the most discussed tasks in test preparation circles is “GRE Sample Essay 11,” widely recognized as the “Central Plaza” argument.
This article deconstructs this popular prompt, offering strategies to help you tackle similar logical challenges on test day. For more insights on academic preparation and study strategies, explore WealthInfo.
Understanding the “Central Plaza” Prompt
In this specific “Analyze an Argument” task, a skate shop owner argues that the city council should lift its prohibition on skateboarding in Central Plaza. The owner claims that this will restore the plaza to its “former glory,” basing this recommendation on the observation that a nearby park allows skateboarding without experiencing issues like litter or vandalism.
Why This Prompt is Challenging
The “Central Plaza” prompt is a classic example of flawed reasoning. It requires you to act not as a supporter of the argument, but as a critic who identifies logical gaps.
A high-scoring response focuses on:
-
Unwarranted Assumptions: The author assumes the ban is the sole reason for the lack of visitors and that skateboarding is the primary cause of the plaza’s decline.
-
Lack of Comparative Data: The argument fails to provide evidence that the demographics or maintenance levels of Central Plaza and Monroe Park are comparable.
-
Logical Fallacies: It implies a causal relationship between the ban and the decline, ignoring external factors such as economic conditions, local competition, or changing public habits.
Strategy for High-Scoring Argument Essays
Success in the GRE AWA section depends on your ability to deconstruct an argument systematically within the 30-minute time limit.
1. Identify the Core Task
Always distinguish between the Issue Task (where you develop your own perspective) and the Argument Task (where you critique existing logic). For the Argument Task, your goal is to expose logical fallacies, not to offer your personal opinion on skateboarding.
2. Time Management
Dedicate the first 5 minutes to brainstorming and outlining. A clear structure—consisting of an introduction, body paragraphs addressing specific flaws, and a concise conclusion—is essential for clarity.
3. Focus on Depth, Not Length
Every sentence should contribute to your analysis. Avoid “fluff.” Instead, use precise vocabulary to evaluate the evidence provided and explain why it is insufficient to support the author’s conclusion.
Conclusion: Building Your Academic Foundation
The skills you hone while preparing for the GRE—critical thinking, structured argumentation, and formal writing—are vital for your future graduate studies. Just as you organize your essay, organizing your overall application process is key to success.
Whether you are balancing GRE prep with final-year projects or searching for scholarship opportunities, staying consistent is essential. For further guidance on academic pursuits and professional development, visit WealthInfo.