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GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) Analytical Writing Syllabus

The Analytical Writing syllabus for GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) in full: 4 chapters, 14 topics and 24 sub-topics, every one listed below, plus 52 Analytical Writing flashcards with answers.

4Chapters
14Topics
24Sub-topics
52Flashcards

Analytical Writing syllabus: all 4 chapters

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics.

  1. Analyze an Issue Task

     4 topics
    • Understanding the Issue Prompt
      • Reading the specific instruction variant
      • Taking and defending a clear position
    • Developing a Thesis and Position
      • Stating a defensible claim
      • Acknowledging complexity and counterviews
    • Supporting with Reasons and Examples
      • Relevant evidence and illustration
      • Logical development of each point
    • Essay Organization
      • Introduction, body, and conclusion structure
      • Coherent transitions between paragraphs

  2. Analyze an Argument Task (Legacy and Concepts)

     4 topics
    • Identifying the Argument's Structure
      • Locating conclusion and premises
      • Recognizing unstated assumptions
    • Evaluating Logical Flaws
      • Causation versus correlation errors
      • Unwarranted generalizations and weak analogies
    • Critiquing Evidence
      • Questioning relevance and sufficiency
      • Identifying alternative explanations
    • Following the Specific Task Instruction
      • Addressing what the prompt actually asks

  3. Scoring and Evaluation Criteria

     3 topics
    • The 0 to 6 Holistic Scale
      • Score-level descriptors
      • Half-point reporting
    • Human and e-rater Scoring
      • How scores are combined
    • Critical Thinking and Clarity Weighting
      • Quality of reasoning over essay length
      • Control of standard written English

  4. Writing Mechanics and Style

     3 topics
    • Grammar and Sentence Structure
      • Subject-verb agreement and tense consistency
      • Avoiding run-ons and fragments
    • Vocabulary and Precision
      • Word choice and concision
    • Time Management in 30 Minutes
      • Planning, drafting, and revising phases

GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) Analytical Writing flashcards — 52 questions with answers

  1. What is the single essay task on the current GRE Analytical Writing (AWA) section?

    The 'Analyze an Issue' task, in which you take and defend a position on a general issue of broad interest.

  2. How much time are you given to complete the GRE Analyze an Issue essay?

    30 minutes.

  3. What is the purpose of the Issue prompt in GRE AWA?

    It presents a claim or opinion on a topic and asks you to take a position, supporting it with reasons and examples.

  4. When reading an Issue prompt, what must you identify before writing?

    The central claim, the specific task instruction, and any conditions or perspectives you must address.

  5. In GRE AWA, what is a 'thesis' in an Issue essay?

    A clear, arguable statement of your overall position on the issue that the rest of the essay supports.

  6. Where should the thesis typically appear in a GRE Issue essay?

    In the introduction, usually as the final sentence, so the reader knows your position immediately.

  7. What makes a strong GRE Issue thesis rather than a weak one?

    It takes a clear, specific, arguable position rather than being vague, neutral, or merely restating the prompt.

  8. Is it acceptable to take a qualified or nuanced position on a GRE Issue essay?

    Yes; acknowledging conditions under which the claim does or does not hold is acceptable and often rewarded if defended logically.

  9. What two kinds of support are required to develop a GRE Issue essay?

    Reasons (logical explanations for your position) and examples (concrete evidence illustrating those reasons).

  10. What types of examples can effectively support a GRE Issue essay?

    Relevant examples from history, current events, literature, science, personal experience, or hypothetical scenarios.

  11. Why are specific, well-developed examples preferred over many shallow ones in GRE AWA?

    Depth of development demonstrates critical thinking; a few fully explained examples support the thesis better than a list of unexplained ones.

  12. What is the standard organizational structure of a high-scoring GRE essay?

    An introduction with a thesis, several focused body paragraphs each developing one idea, and a conclusion.

  13. What is the role of a body paragraph in a GRE Issue essay?

    To develop one main reason or example that supports the thesis, with clear topic sentence, explanation, and analysis.

  14. Why should each GRE body paragraph begin with a topic sentence?

    It signals the paragraph's main point and connects it to the thesis, improving clarity and logical flow.

  15. What is the function of the conclusion in a GRE essay?

    To restate the position, synthesize the main reasons, and reinforce the essay's overall argument without introducing new evidence.

  16. What are transitional words used for in GRE essays?

    To connect ideas and show logical relationships (e.g., 'however', 'therefore', 'for example'), improving coherence and flow.

  17. When analyzing an argument's structure, what are the two core components to identify?

    The conclusion (the main claim) and the premises/evidence offered to support it.

  18. What are unstated 'assumptions' in an argument?

    Unstated beliefs the argument takes for granted and must be true for the conclusion to follow from the premises.

  19. In argument analysis, what is the relationship between assumptions and an argument's validity?

    If a required assumption is unwarranted or false, the argument's logic breaks down and the conclusion is unsupported.

  20. What is a logical flaw (fallacy) in an argument?

    An error in reasoning that weakens the link between premises and conclusion.

Show the other 32 Analytical Writing flashcards

  1. What is the correlation-causation fallacy?

    Wrongly assuming that because two things occur together or in sequence, one must cause the other.

  2. What is a hasty generalization fallacy?

    Drawing a broad conclusion from a sample that is too small or unrepresentative.

  3. What is the sampling/survey flaw commonly tested in argument analysis?

    Relying on a survey or sample that may be biased, unrepresentative, or based on unreliable self-reporting.

  4. What is a false analogy fallacy?

    Assuming two situations are alike in a relevant way when they may differ significantly, so the comparison fails to support the conclusion.

  5. What is the 'post hoc ergo propter hoc' fallacy?

    Assuming that because one event followed another, the first event caused the second.

  6. What does it mean to critique an argument's evidence?

    Questioning whether the evidence is relevant, sufficient, representative, and reliable enough to support the conclusion.

  7. To strengthen a flawed argument, what should you suggest?

    Additional evidence, data, or alternative explanations that would need to be confirmed for the conclusion to hold.

  8. Why is following the specific task instruction critical in GRE AWA?

    Each prompt has a particular instruction (e.g., address most compelling counter-positions); ignoring it lowers your score even with good writing.

  9. Give an example of a specific GRE Issue task instruction.

    'Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree and explain your reasoning, addressing the most compelling reasons or examples that could challenge your position.'

  10. What happens if a GRE essay is well-written but ignores the prompt's specific instructions?

    It cannot earn a top score, because responsiveness to the exact task is a core scoring criterion.

  11. What is the scoring scale for the GRE Analytical Writing measure?

    A 0 to 6 scale in half-point increments.

  12. What does 'holistic' scoring mean for the GRE essay?

    The reader assigns a single overall score based on the essay's total quality, not by adding up points for separate features.

  13. What does a score of 6 on the GRE AWA scale represent?

    Outstanding: sustained, insightful analysis with compelling support, well-organized, and fluent, precise language.

  14. What does a score of 4 on the GRE AWA scale represent?

    Adequate: competent analysis with sufficient support, satisfactory organization, and generally clear language with some errors.

  15. What does a score of 1 on the GRE AWA scale represent?

    Fundamentally deficient: little or no evidence of the ability to analyze the issue or develop a coherent response.

  16. When is a GRE AWA score of 0 assigned?

    When the response is off-topic, in a foreign language, merely copies the prompt, is non-verbal, or is blank.

  17. How is the GRE Analytical Writing essay scored by humans and machines?

    By one trained human rater and the e-rater computerized scoring engine; the final score is the average if they agree closely.

  18. What happens if the human rater and e-rater scores differ significantly on the GRE essay?

    A second human rater scores the essay, and the final score is the average of the two human scores.

  19. What is the e-rater in GRE scoring?

    ETS's automated essay-scoring program that evaluates writing features and serves as a check on the human rater.

  20. What is the role of the human reader in GRE AWA scoring?

    To holistically judge the essay's critical thinking, analysis, organization, and language quality.

  21. How is the final reported GRE AWA score rounded?

    The averaged scores are rounded to the nearest half-point interval on the 0 to 6 scale.

  22. What quality is weighted most heavily in GRE essay scoring?

    Critical thinking and the quality of analysis and reasoning, more than grammatical perfection.

  23. How does clarity affect a GRE essay score?

    Clear, well-organized expression of ideas is essential; graders reward essays that communicate complex reasoning understandably.

  24. Do minor grammatical errors prevent a high GRE AWA score?

    No; occasional minor errors are acceptable as long as analysis is strong and meaning remains clear.

  25. What grammar and sentence-level qualities improve a GRE essay?

    Correct syntax, subject-verb agreement, varied sentence structure, and proper punctuation that aids clarity.

  26. Why is sentence variety valued in GRE writing?

    Varied sentence length and structure demonstrate language control and make the essay more fluent and engaging.

  27. What role does vocabulary play in GRE Analytical Writing?

    Precise, appropriate word choice conveys ideas accurately; vocabulary should enhance clarity, not be inflated for its own sake.

  28. What does 'precision' in language mean for GRE AWA?

    Choosing exact words and phrasing that convey the intended meaning clearly and avoid vagueness or ambiguity.

  29. Why is overly complex or showy vocabulary risky in a GRE essay?

    Misused 'big' words reduce clarity and can lower the score; correct, precise usage matters more than complexity.

  30. What is a recommended time-management breakdown for the 30-minute GRE essay?

    Roughly 3-5 minutes planning/outlining, about 20-22 minutes writing, and 3-5 minutes reviewing and editing.

  31. Why is planning before writing important under the 30-minute GRE limit?

    A quick outline organizes your thesis and supporting points, preventing disorganized writing and saving time overall.

  32. Why should you reserve time to proofread the GRE essay?

    A final review catches grammar errors, unclear sentences, and gaps in logic, improving clarity and the overall holistic score.

GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) Analytical Writing FAQ

What is in the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) Analytical Writing syllabus?

GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) Analytical Writing is split into 4 chapters: Analyze an Issue Task, Analyze an Argument Task (Legacy and Concepts), Scoring and Evaluation Criteria and Writing Mechanics and Style. Together they contain 14 topics and 24 sub-topics.

How many chapters are in GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) Analytical Writing?

4 chapters, containing 14 topics and 24 sub-topics. The largest chapter is Analyze an Issue Task, with 4 topics.

Are there flashcards for GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) Analytical Writing?

Yes — a 52-card Analytical Writing deck, printed in full in the flashcards section of this page and available in the Examius app with spaced repetition. The free plan covers one exam of your choice, including its flashcards; Examius Pro, a one-time purchase, unlocks every other exam and deck.