Estimated study time: 45 minutes
Content:
The Analyze an Issue task is one of two essay tasks on the GRE Analytical Writing section. You are given a claim or recommendation and a specific instruction telling you how to respond — for example, "Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim and explain your reasoning for the position you take." The GRE currently uses one Analytical Writing task (randomly selected as either Issue or Argument), and you have 30 minutes to complete it.
The Issue essay is fundamentally different from the Argument essay. In the Issue task, you are expected to take a position and defend it using your own reasoning, examples, and judgment. There is no "correct" answer — ETS graders evaluate the quality of your reasoning, not whether your position is "right." A strong Issue essay presents a clear thesis, supports it with compelling and specific examples, and acknowledges counterarguments before showing why your position is stronger.
Your introduction should state your position clearly in the first paragraph. Avoid wishy-washy openings like "There are many arguments on both sides of this issue." Instead, commit to a position: "Although proponents of X argue Y, the evidence suggests that Z is more accurate." Then briefly preview the structure of your argument.
Each body paragraph should make one specific supporting point, developed with a concrete example. The best examples come from history, science, politics, literature, or your own professional experience — the more specific, the better. "Many companies have found that innovation matters" is weak. "Amazon's decision to invest in AWS despite initial losses from its core retail business illustrates how long-term thinking drives innovation" is strong. You do not need to know exact dates or figures — reasonable specificity is sufficient.
The most important structural move in the Issue essay is the concession-and-rebuttal paragraph. Acknowledge the strongest counterargument to your position (this shows intellectual honesty), then explain why it doesn't undermine your overall claim. A response that ignores all counterarguments appears one-sided and earns a lower score than one that engages with complexity. However, your rebuttal must be substantive — not "despite this counter-argument, I still believe my position," but a specific reason why the counterargument is limited.
The conclusion should do more than restate the thesis. Connect your argument back to the broader significance: what are the implications if policymakers, educators, or society adopts your view? A one-paragraph conclusion that synthesizes rather than merely summarizes elevates the score.
Key Terms:
Quiz Questions:
Q1. A GRE Issue prompt states: "The most important skill a person can develop is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances." The instruction is: "Write a response discussing the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement." Which introduction is strongest?
A) "Adaptability is certainly an important skill, and many people would benefit from developing it in various ways." B) "While adaptability is undeniably valuable, the claim that it is the most important skill overstates its primacy — critical thinking, which enables one to evaluate which changes deserve a response in the first place, is the more foundational capability." C) "This statement raises important questions about what skills matter most. There are many perspectives to consider." D) "I agree and disagree with this statement depending on the circumstances of the individual person."
Answer: B — Answer B opens with a clear, specific thesis that takes a position (adaptability is valuable but NOT the most important skill), immediately establishes a counterpoint (critical thinking is more foundational), and sets up a specific argument. It avoids vague hedging (A, C) and non-committal waffling (D). A strong GRE Issue essay commits to a position from the first sentence.
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Q2. In developing the body of an Issue essay, which example best supports an argument that technological innovation requires long-term investment patience?
A) "Many technology companies have shown that patience in investment pays off." B) "Amazon's persistent reinvestment of profits into AWS and logistics infrastructure — often at the expense of short-term earnings — enabled it to dominate cloud computing by 2015, validating a long-term investment philosophy." C) "Innovation is important in today's economy, as seen by many successful companies." D) "Studies suggest that companies investing more in R&D tend to be more innovative."
Answer: B — Answer B provides a specific company, a specific strategic decision (reinvesting in AWS/logistics), a specific timeframe (by 2015), and a specific outcome (dominating cloud computing). This concreteness is what GRE scorers reward. A, C, and D are vague generalizations that add no evidence to the argument.
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Q3. A candidate argues that government investment in basic scientific research is essential for technological progress. The strongest counterargument to engage with is:
A) "Some people might disagree with this position." B) "Private sector companies like Google, SpaceX, and Apple invest billions in research without government funding, suggesting the market can fund innovation more efficiently." C) "Government research is sometimes focused on defense rather than civilian applications." D) "Scientific research is expensive."
Answer: B — The strongest counterargument cites specific, compelling evidence that challenges the thesis directly: if private companies can fund breakthrough research, why does government investment matter? Engaging with and rebutting this argument (e.g., by noting that foundational research with no near-term commercial application — like the internet, GPS, or mRNA technology — came from government investment) demonstrates the analytical sophistication GRE graders reward.
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Q4. A candidate's Issue essay on whether leaders should prioritize short-term or long-term goals includes this paragraph: "On the other hand, critics argue that ignoring short-term pressures can be dangerous. A company that focuses exclusively on the future may not survive long enough to realize its vision — Kodak's failure to respond to the immediate competitive threat of digital photography despite its own internal research illustrates how neglecting present realities can be fatal." This paragraph demonstrates:
A) A logical fallacy — Kodak proves the opposite of the candidate's thesis B) Effective concession-and-rebuttal structure — the candidate acknowledges a genuine limitation of the long-term focus argument using a specific historical example C) Off-topic reasoning — the essay prompt is about leadership, not business D) An incomplete argument because no sources are cited
Answer: B — The paragraph acknowledges a legitimate counterargument (ignoring short-term pressures is dangerous) with a specific, compelling example (Kodak). This is exactly the concession structure that elevates an essay from a score of 4 to a score of 5 or 6. The example is relevant (company leadership deciding strategy) and specific (Kodak + digital photography + internal research). GRE essays do not require citations.
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Q5. The GRE Issue essay is scored on a 0-6 scale. Which response element most distinguishes a score of 6 from a score of 4?
A) Length — a score-6 essay is always longer than a score-4 essay B) Absence of grammatical errors — score-6 essays are grammatically perfect C) Depth of reasoning and sophistication of argument — score-6 essays engage critically with the complexity of the issue, present multiple dimensions, and rebut counterarguments substantively; score-4 essays present relevant points but less fully developed reasoning D) Number of examples — score-6 essays always use at least five specific examples
Answer: C — According to ETS scoring criteria, the primary differentiator between a 4 and a 6 is the depth and sophistication of reasoning. A score-4 essay presents a clear position with relevant support but may be somewhat simplistic or fail to address complexity. A score-6 essay demonstrates mastery of analytical writing — complex reasoning, specific and compelling evidence, engagement with nuance and counterargument, and clear articulate prose. Length and grammar matter but are secondary to the quality of reasoning.
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