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Overview for GRE Analytical Overview for GRE Analytical WritingWriting<<Argument Questions>><<Argument Questions>>•SectionsSections• I. Introduction to Argument Questions I. Introduction to Argument Questions • (I. (I. 介紹介紹 Argument Questions)Argument Questions)

• II. How to Answer Argument QuestionsII. How to Answer Argument Questions

-- the Pool of Argument Questions-- the Pool of Argument Questions

(II. (II. 答題技巧及答題技巧及 ETSETS 提供的例題提供的例題 ) )

• III. Other Useful Tips III. Other Useful Tips (III. (III. 更多答題技巧更多答題技巧 ))

• IV. Related Links and References IV. Related Links and References • (IV.(IV. 相關連結與參考資料相關連結與參考資料 ))

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I. Introduction to I. Introduction to Argument Questions Argument Questions There are two kinds of essay questions in the GRE

test

1) Present Your Perspective on an Issue

1 question, 45 minutes

2) Analyze an Argument

1 question, 30 minutes

GRE 分析寫作共有兩種題型 -- issue question & argument question, 各為一題 , 前者有 45 分鐘可作答 , 後者 30 分鐘。

This file focuses on the second kind – argument This file focuses on the second kind – argument question. question. 此檔案主要介紹此檔案主要介紹 argument questionargument question

*you analyze a paragraph-length argument, *you analyze a paragraph-length argument, pointing out and discussing problems with its pointing out and discussing problems with its line of reasoning, adequacy and use of line of reasoning, adequacy and use of evidence, and internal logic. evidence, and internal logic.

首先首先 ,, 考生先閱讀一段申論考生先閱讀一段申論 ,, 答題時必須指出並分析這答題時必須指出並分析這段申論的問題，邏輯，流暢度等等。 段申論的問題，邏輯，流暢度等等。 ETSETS 在在www.gre.comwww.gre.com 已公布題庫。已公布題庫。

• ETS has released its official pool of GRE ETS has released its official pool of GRE Analytical Writing questions on Analytical Writing questions on www.gre.orgwww.gre.org

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II. How to Answer Argument II. How to Answer Argument QuestionsQuestions

Directions for the Argument Writing Directions for the Argument Writing TaskTask

Argument TaskArgument Task 作答指示如下作答指示如下 :: Analyze a paragraph-length argument, Analyze a paragraph-length argument,

pointing out and discussing problems with pointing out and discussing problems with its line of reasoning, adequacy and use of its line of reasoning, adequacy and use of evidence, and internal logic.evidence, and internal logic.

(( 此處之此處之 sample argument topic and essaysample argument topic and essay 取材自取材自 ETSETS 網網站 站

An Introduction to the Analytical Writing Section of the An Introduction to the Analytical Writing Section of the GRE General Test. GRE General Test. http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/GRE/pdf/awintro.pdf http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/GRE/pdf/awintro.pdf ))

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Argument TaskArgument Task 作答指示如下作答指示如下 :: * Analyze a paragraph-length argument, * Analyze a paragraph-length argument,

pointing out and discussing problems with pointing out and discussing problems with its line of reasoning, adequacy and use of its line of reasoning, adequacy and use of evidence, and internal logic. evidence, and internal logic.

** 分析約一個段落長度的申論，針對此申論的論述脈分析約一個段落長度的申論，針對此申論的論述脈

絡、使用之證據是否充足合適，以及此段落內涵絡、使用之證據是否充足合適，以及此段落內涵的邏輯等指出相關問題並討論之。的邏輯等指出相關問題並討論之。

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Specific guidelines:Specific guidelines:

• You are not asked to agree or disagree with You are not asked to agree or disagree with any of the statement in the argument.any of the statement in the argument.

• You should analyze the argument’s line of You should analyze the argument’s line of reasoning.reasoning.

• You should consider questional assumptions You should consider questional assumptions underlying the argument.underlying the argument.

• You may discuss what additional evidence You may discuss what additional evidence would help strengthen or refute the would help strengthen or refute the argument. argument.

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• 作答時需要特別注意作答時需要特別注意 ::

• 考生考生不需要不需要表達同意或不同意段落的論點。表達同意或不同意段落的論點。• 考生應該分析題目段落中辯證的流暢度。考生應該分析題目段落中辯證的流暢度。• 也要考慮指出段落裡可被質疑的一些預設立場。也要考慮指出段落裡可被質疑的一些預設立場。• 考生可以就是否有更多證據可以增強或駁斥段落的考生可以就是否有更多證據可以增強或駁斥段落的

論點進行討論。論點進行討論。

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請參考請參考 www.gre.comwww.gre.com

• Sample Question (ETSSample Question (ETS 提供之例題提供之例題 ))Discuss how well reasoned you find this Discuss how well reasoned you find this

argument. argument. Hospital statistics regarding people who go to the emergency Hospital statistics regarding people who go to the emergency

room after roller skating accidents indicate the need for more room after roller skating accidents indicate the need for more protective equipment. Within this group of people, 75 percent protective equipment. Within this group of people, 75 percent of those who had accidents in streets or parking lots were not of those who had accidents in streets or parking lots were not wearing any protective clothing (helmets, knee pads, etc.) or wearing any protective clothing (helmets, knee pads, etc.) or any light-reflecting material (clip-on lights, glow-in-the-dark any light-reflecting material (clip-on lights, glow-in-the-dark wrist pads, etc.). Clearly, these statistics indicate that by wrist pads, etc.). Clearly, these statistics indicate that by investing in high-quality protective gear and reflective investing in high-quality protective gear and reflective equipment, roller skaters will greatly reduce their risk of being equipment, roller skaters will greatly reduce their risk of being severely injured in an accident.severely injured in an accident.

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Sample Essay (Sample Essay ( 範例回答範例回答 ))Introductory partIntroductory part The notion that protective gear reduces the injuries The notion that protective gear reduces the injuries

suffered in accidents seems at first glance to be ansuffered in accidents seems at first glance to be an obvious conclusion. After all, it is the intent of these obvious conclusion. After all, it is the intent of these products to either provent accidents from occuring inproducts to either provent accidents from occuring in the the first place or to reduce the injuries suffered by the wearer first place or to reduce the injuries suffered by the wearer should an accident occur. However, theshould an accident occur. However, the conclusion that conclusion that investing in high quality protective gear greatly reduces investing in high quality protective gear greatly reduces the risk of being severely injured in an accident may the risk of being severely injured in an accident may mask other (and potentially more significant) causes of mask other (and potentially more significant) causes of injuries and may inspire people to over invest financially injuries and may inspire people to over invest financially and psychologically in protective gear.and psychologically in protective gear.

  

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Outline of the Main Body (Outline of the Main Body ( 答案大綱答案大綱 ))(1) (1) First of all, as mentioned in the argument, there are two First of all, as mentioned in the argument, there are two

distinct kinds of gear - preventative gear (such asdistinct kinds of gear - preventative gear (such as light reflecting material) and protective gear (such as light reflecting material) and protective gear (such as

helmets).helmets).(2) The argument above is weakened by the fact that it does not (2) The argument above is weakened by the fact that it does not

take into account the inherent differences between skaters take into account the inherent differences between skaters who wear gear and those who do not.who wear gear and those who do not.

(3) The statistic also goes without differentiating between (3) The statistic also goes without differentiating between severity of injuries.severity of injuries.

(4) Finally, there is absolutely no evidence provided that high (4) Finally, there is absolutely no evidence provided that high quality (and presumably more expensive) gear is any more quality (and presumably more expensive) gear is any more beneficial than other kinds of gear.beneficial than other kinds of gear.

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ConclusionConclusion The argument for safety gear based on emergency room The argument for safety gear based on emergency room

statistics could provide important information andstatistics could provide important information and

potentially saves lives. Before conclusions about the potentially saves lives. Before conclusions about the amount and kinds of investments that should be madeamount and kinds of investments that should be made

in gear are reached, however, a more complete in gear are reached, however, a more complete understanding of the benefits are needed. After all, a falseunderstanding of the benefits are needed. After all, a false

confidence in ineffective gear could be just as dangerous as confidence in ineffective gear could be just as dangerous as no gear at all.no gear at all.

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Before you write:Before you write:‧ ‧ carefully read the argument—you might want to read carefully read the argument—you might want to read

it over more than onceit over more than once‧ ‧ identify as many of its claims, conclusions, and identify as many of its claims, conclusions, and

underlying assumptions as possibleunderlying assumptions as possible‧ ‧ think of as many alternative explanations and think of as many alternative explanations and

counterexamples as you cancounterexamples as you can‧ ‧ think of what additional evidence might weaken or think of what additional evidence might weaken or

lend support to the claimslend support to the claims‧ ‧ ask yourself what changes in the argument would ask yourself what changes in the argument would

make the reasoning more soundmake the reasoning more sound

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• 開始作答前須考慮的事項開始作答前須考慮的事項

• 仔細閱讀題目段落，最好多讀幾次。 仔細閱讀題目段落，最好多讀幾次。 • 盡量辨別出段落提出的主張、論點、結論及隱盡量辨別出段落提出的主張、論點、結論及隱

藏的預設立場。 藏的預設立場。 • 關於段落提出的論點，是否有不同的解釋或者關於段落提出的論點，是否有不同的解釋或者

能反證的例子？盡量構思不同的解釋及反證。能反證的例子？盡量構思不同的解釋及反證。• 考慮有哪些證據或例子能支持或弱化段落的論考慮有哪些證據或例子能支持或弱化段落的論

點。 點。 • 設想看看改變段落的哪些部分能讓其辯證更流設想看看改變段落的哪些部分能讓其辯證更流

暢。暢。

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8 Steps to the Argument Writing 8 Steps to the Argument Writing TaskTask(1) Read the argument and identify its (1) Read the argument and identify its

conclusion.conclusion.(2) Identify and examine the argument’s (2) Identify and examine the argument’s

evidence to determine how strongly it evidence to determine how strongly it supports its conclusion.supports its conclusion.

(3) Organize and prioritize your points of (3) Organize and prioritize your points of critique.critique.

(4) Compose a brief introductory paragraph(4) Compose a brief introductory paragraph(5) Compose the main body.(5) Compose the main body.(6) Compose your conclusion(6) Compose your conclusion(7) Review and revise for coherence(7) Review and revise for coherence(8) Proofread for significant mechanical (8) Proofread for significant mechanical

problems. problems.

取材自 取材自 Stewart, Mark Alan. Stewart, Mark Alan. Writing Skills for the Writing Skills for the GRE/GMATGRE/GMAT. Lawrenceville: Peterson’s, 2002.. Lawrenceville: Peterson’s, 2002.

  

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作答的作答的 88 個步驟個步驟(1) (1) 仔細閱讀申論題目並辨識結論。仔細閱讀申論題目並辨識結論。(2) (2) 辨認及檢查申論文中使用的證據，思考這些證辨認及檢查申論文中使用的證據，思考這些證

據 如何支持結論。據 如何支持結論。(3) (3) 組織你的評論並將評論重點排列優先次序。組織你的評論並將評論重點排列優先次序。(4) (4) 寫簡短的引言寫簡短的引言 (introductory paragraph) (introductory paragraph) 。。(5) (5) 寫主文寫主文 (main body)(main body) 。。(6) (6) 寫結論寫結論 (conclusion) (conclusion) 。。(7) (7) 檢查並修飾答案，尤其是答案的流暢度。檢查並修飾答案，尤其是答案的流暢度。(8) (8) 再次檢查答案，注意是否有技巧方面的問題，再次檢查答案，注意是否有技巧方面的問題，

例如文法錯誤，拼字錯誤，標點符號等。例如文法錯誤，拼字錯誤，標點符號等。

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More questions from the pool of More questions from the pool of argument topicsargument topics 更多例題更多例題(( 請參考請參考 www.gre.com)www.gre.com)• The following appeared in a health The following appeared in a health

newsletter.newsletter. Eating a heavy meal may increase the risk of Eating a heavy meal may increase the risk of

heart attack. A recent survey of 2,000 people heart attack. A recent survey of 2,000 people who had had a heart attack revealed that 158 who had had a heart attack revealed that 158 of them said they had eaten a heavy meal of them said they had eaten a heavy meal within 24 hours before their heart attack, and within 24 hours before their heart attack, and 25 of them said they had eaten a heavy meal 25 of them said they had eaten a heavy meal within 2 hours before their heart attack. within 2 hours before their heart attack. Eating and digesting food releases hormones Eating and digesting food releases hormones into the bloodstream and temporarily into the bloodstream and temporarily increases heart rate and blood pressure increases heart rate and blood pressure slightly. Both of these things put stress on the slightly. Both of these things put stress on the heart. Therefore, people who are at risk of heart. Therefore, people who are at risk of having a heart attack can lower that risk by having a heart attack can lower that risk by not overeating.not overeating.

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• The following is a memo from the business The following is a memo from the business manager of National Daily News.manager of National Daily News.

To expand the home delivery service of our To expand the home delivery service of our national newspaper, we should concentrate on national newspaper, we should concentrate on the state of Urba rather than on the state of the state of Urba rather than on the state of Sylva. First, the population of Sylva is more Sylva. First, the population of Sylva is more widely dispersed, which would require us to widely dispersed, which would require us to spend more money to deliver our papers in that spend more money to deliver our papers in that area, resulting in less profit per customer. area, resulting in less profit per customer. Second, a long-term study of television viewing Second, a long-term study of television viewing habits suggests that Sylvans prefer local to habits suggests that Sylvans prefer local to national news, since they spend twice as much national news, since they spend twice as much time viewing local news programs as they do time viewing local news programs as they do viewing national programs. Finally, because viewing national programs. Finally, because events in Urba receive more coverage in our events in Urba receive more coverage in our newspaper than do events in Sylva, we can newspaper than do events in Sylva, we can expect Urbans to be more interested in reading expect Urbans to be more interested in reading our newspaper.our newspaper.

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• The following is a recommendation from the The following is a recommendation from the president of Appleby College.president of Appleby College.

Whereas Appleby College holds class Whereas Appleby College holds class reunions every five years, Edelston College reunions every five years, Edelston College holds annual reunions for all classes, during holds annual reunions for all classes, during which Edelston's alumni are treated to which Edelston's alumni are treated to banquets, lectures, and student banquets, lectures, and student performances, enhancing their loyalty to the performances, enhancing their loyalty to the college and their willingness to donate college and their willingness to donate money. Edelston College receives most of its money. Edelston College receives most of its alumni donations during or shortly after alumni donations during or shortly after these reunions. Therefore, the best way for these reunions. Therefore, the best way for Appleby to increase its alumni donations is Appleby to increase its alumni donations is to offer similar reunion activities and to have to offer similar reunion activities and to have each graduating class hold annual reunions.each graduating class hold annual reunions.

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III. Other Useful Tips III. Other Useful Tips 更多答題技巧更多答題技巧Phrases you can use in your essay Phrases you can use in your essay 實用片語實用片語Acknowledge different sides of argumentAcknowledge different sides of argument用來引用或介紹不同論點的片語用來引用或介紹不同論點的片語• Some people think that…Some people think that…• Although many people feel that…Although many people feel that…• It is claimed that…It is claimed that…• Some people feel that…Some people feel that…• While it is true that… I believe…While it is true that… I believe…• Despite the fact that …, many people think...Despite the fact that …, many people think...• Although many people think that…., I feel thatAlthough many people think that…., I feel that• Although it is often said that…, in fact the Although it is often said that…, in fact the

opposite is trueopposite is true

  

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Acknowledge different sides of argumentAcknowledge different sides of argument用來引用或介紹不同論點的片語用來引用或介紹不同論點的片語

• It is undoubtedly true that… …It is undoubtedly true that… …However…However…

• It is often argued that… However, It is often argued that… However, it isit is

• Some people say that… They Some people say that… They claim… Nevertheless, …claim… Nevertheless, …

• Supporters of this viewpoint say Supporters of this viewpoint say that… Nevertheless, it is …that… Nevertheless, it is …

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To Signal ExamplesTo Signal Examples

舉例的片語舉例的片語• for example, for instancefor example, for instance

• consider, take the case of …consider, take the case of …

• To demonstrate, to illustrateTo demonstrate, to illustrate

• As an illustration, in this case, on this As an illustration, in this case, on this occasionoccasion

• One possible scenario is that … One possible scenario is that …

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To singal conclusionTo singal conclusion

表達結論的片語表達結論的片語• In sum, in brief, in conclusionIn sum, in brief, in conclusion

• In essence, in a nutshellIn essence, in a nutshell

• Summing up, to recapitulateSumming up, to recapitulate

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transitional phrases or wordstransitional phrases or words 轉折語轉折語after all / as a result  after all / as a result 

at any rate / at the same time at any rate / at the same time 

in other words / in the second place  in other words / in the second place 

on the contrary / on the other handon the contrary / on the other hand

in turn, subsequently, consequently, in turn, subsequently, consequently,

previously, beforehandpreviously, beforehand

simultaneously, concurrentlysimultaneously, concurrently

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IV. Related Links and IV. Related Links and References References 相關連結與參考資料相關連結與參考資料<<GRE Writing Skills>><<GRE Writing Skills>>http://www.novapress.net/gre/http://www.novapress.net/gre/

writing.htmlwriting.htmlhttp://www.west.net/~stewart/ws/http://www.west.net/~stewart/ws/http://www.west.net/~stewart/grewa/wa1http://www.west.net/~stewart/grewa/wa101.htm#Whoscores01.htm#Whoscores<<ETS introduction to GRE Analytical <<ETS introduction to GRE Analytical

Writing>>Writing>>http://web.mit.edu/gso/mymsrp/http://web.mit.edu/gso/mymsrp/

handouts/internpdfs/awintro.pdfhandouts/internpdfs/awintro.pdfhttp://www.ets.orghttp://www.ets.orghttp://thedoublee.blogspot.com/2007/04/argumhttp://thedoublee.blogspot.com/2007/04/argument.htmlent.html

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<<free GRE general test materials, including <<free GRE general test materials, including scoring details, sample tests and scoring details, sample tests and answers>> answers>>

• http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.1488512ecfd5b8849a77b13bc39menuitem.1488512ecfd5b8849a77b13bc3921509/?21509/?vgnextoid=302b66f22c6a5010VgnVCM100vgnextoid=302b66f22c6a5010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD&vgnextchannel=d687e00022f95190RCRD&vgnextchannel=d687e3b5f64f4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD3b5f64f4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD

<<<< 參考書目參考書目 >>>>Stewart, Mark Alan. Stewart, Mark Alan. Writing Skills for the Writing Skills for the

GRE/GMATGRE/GMAT. Lawrenceville: Peterson’s, . Lawrenceville: Peterson’s, 2002.2002.

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<<writing suggestions on issue, <<writing suggestions on issue, opinion & argument essays>>opinion & argument essays>>

• http://www.writefix.com/argumenthttp://www.writefix.com/argument//

• http://www.rscc.cc.tn.us/owl&writihttp://www.rscc.cc.tn.us/owl&writingcenter/OWL/Argument.htmlngcenter/OWL/Argument.html

• http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/argument.htmlhandouts/argument.html

• http://www.studygs.net/http://www.studygs.net/wrtstr4.htmwrtstr4.htm