(2024 Edition) Writing the GRE Issue Essay Step by Step

The argument essay is gone (pour one out in its memory), but the issue essay remains.

[ashutoshjaiswal]

Introduction
• Hook (Generalization, anecdote, interesting fact, trend, quote, etc)
o Introduces the topic (nothing more): don’t write your thesis or supporting idea here!
• Shift to prompt
o Makes your essay more cohesive(make it flow better); an abrupt shift to your thesis is awkward
• Thesis (most important part of the essay…by far)
o This baby is the boss that controls everything
o The thesis you choose exists on a spectrum(strongly agree, mostly agree, neutral, mostly disagree, strongly disagree)
o Greg recommends “mostly agree” or “mostly disagree”
• Outline (tells you reader how you’re going to structure your essay)
o Don’t neglect this bad boy; academic readers like to know what’s coming(how many reasons/examples)

Body Paragraph (two of them)
• Topic sentence that introduces your first reason that supports your thesis
o It is imperative that this introduces the overall idea of the paragraph (the “controlling” idea) and that it supports your thesis. The topic is a mini thesis
• Example
o You need a good example here, preferably from history, politics, economics etc
o If you can’t think of one, use a good hypothetical
o No one wants to hear about Uncle Bob
• Example 2(Optional)
o All the same rules apply
o Why 2
 Further develops the idea
 Increases word count
 Discourages “story telling”
• Development/Explanation
o You need to develop your idea. You need to connect the reason to the thesis. You need to explain why this matters
o 2-3 sentence of development is good enough
• Remember there are 2 of these!

Concession Paragraph (counterpoint)
• Topic sentence that introduces a counterpoint to your thesis
o Remember this is why we "mostly" agreed or disagreed. It leaves room for nuance.
• Example
o Same rules apply
• (Optional) Example 2
o Same rules apply
• Development/Explanation
o Same rules apply
Conclusion
• Doesn't actually matter much. I mean you need it. It can't not exist.
But all you want to do is rephrase your thesis and your supporting
ideas and wrap this baby up.

Your welcome!

[gencilp]

I watched the video twice before taking the GRE and got a 5 AWA score (155V). Thank you Greg, I really don't write YouTube comments, but I feel like you deserve it. I most definitely wouldn't have been able to get that score otherwise.

[srzisanislam]

I followed the strategy discussed in this video and got 4 in the awa section. Thank you gregmat.

[amartyasingh]

I didn’t write a single essay before my exam. Just saw this video twice-thrice.
Cleared the cutoff :)
4/6

[zhiychen]

Writing of the Essay

Technological advancements have had more negative impacts on human
interaction and relationships than positive ones.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree
with the statement and explain you reasoning / or the position you take. In
developing and supporting you position, you should consider specific examples
of how technological advancements have affected human interaction and
relationships.

The past 20 years has engendered more human connectivity than all previous
millennia of our species' existence. With SO much change in such a short period
of time, determining whether this phenomenon has been largely positive or
negative is difficult, if not impossible. The prompt takes the negative stance and
argues that technological advancements have resulted in more harm than good.
In my opinion, I mostly disaguee with this view and believe that
technological progression has improved our connectivity and relationships
for the following two reasons, though I do concede that recent advancements
have unfortunately decreased our need for face-to-face connection.

First of all. technological advancement has resulted in more benefits for our
interconnectivity because, as species, we are no longer constrained by
distance. For example, a Japanese 2 exchange student studying in New York City
can communicate with her mother in Tokyo easily and effectively at no charge
using an application like WhatsApp or Facebook. In the past, this same student would
have had no choice but to send a letter (which might arrive three weeks later)
or call long distance at an exorbitant rate of dollars per minute. The Earth
is massive, and even if one were traveling at the maximum speed of a
commercial jetliner, it would take nearly 24 hours to travel from end of the
planet to the other. However, technology, at least from a communication point
of view, has created a reality in which all of Earth's & billion inhabitants are
effectively right next to each other, not constrained by distance in any
meaningful way. The advantages of this leap cannot be overstated, from the way
we interact with our families to the way we conduct business around the globe.

Second of all, the progression of our technology has allowed not just for the
ability to sustain our current relationships but also the capacity to form new
ones and become part of distinct communities. For example, an individual from
a small town in America might be partial to the roleplaying game Dungeons and
Dragons and be able to cultivate this hobby a by joining a local league in a larger
town that he discovered on the Internet. Thirty years ago, this individual would
have found it challenging to engage with this hobby and perhaps would never
have pursued it given the difficulty in locating likeminded peers. Humans have
an inherent need to be part of a tribe, to be part of a group that shares their
interests and passions. Technology makes this possible, particularly for those
individuals with niche hobbies that are not necessarily shared by those closest to
them. Such freedom of expression has led to millions of people thriving in life
and finding their true callings.

However, I do concede that technology has led to the unfortunate consequence
of people no longer feeling the need for face-to-face interaction. For example,
especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, millions (perhaps billions) of workers
around the globe no longer deem it necessary to go to their office and meet their
co-workers on a personal level. Instead, they can simply use a video
conferencing app like Zoom or Google Meet. In addition, the phenomenon of
"video dating" is becoming increasingly popular, where a date is conducted
entirely online rather than at a coffee shop or restaurant. As referenced above,
humans are extremely social animals. We have an instinctual need to be around
other humans. Multiple studies have shown that if a human is deprived of
contact with other members of the species, a host of physical and mental
consequences result. Technology, in some ways, is undermining this
evolutionary need, one that has been with us for hundreds of thousands of years.
It is possible that we can adjust to the new paradigm, but it's doubtful that this
adjustment can occur at the same rate of technological process. It is no surprise
that we are seeing rising depression and anxiety levels around the world, even
as our standards of living improve.

In conclusion, while it is true that technological progress has eroded some of
our connectivity, particularly our face-to-face interaction, the benefits of instant
communication unrestricted by distance and forming connections with
likeminded people clearly outweigh the cons.

[rashmishinde]

How are you SO GOOD at this!!? Probably not a good sign as someone studying for GRE but there are seriously no words to describe how amazing a teacher & person you are! <3

[achakrabarty]

Gregmat, your old videos were a saviour! Please re-upload them in this channel. Please don't remove them.

[gautamkhadka]

GREG. your way of explanation is awesome

[sohamsant]

its refreshing to see your video on youtube

[hlaingmyintaung]

GOAT. Thanks much. I have no idea how to start preparing AW and this videos literallyt helped me to get through all the essentials ideas and template formula that i need to stick with. Thanks much :)

[MuhammadWaqas-lfyp]

@Gregmat..
Your old videos related to verbal reasoning strategies were very helpful..
Plz re-upload them..
Will be very grateful to you..

[paulofuokwu]

Thank you for the information tomorrow is my exam for the GRE

[manishaweeraddana]

How is his voice so calming lol
Been on Gregmat for a while.. man's voice help me calm the nerves lol !

[alishagoswami]

Greg makes everything looks so simply❤

[julialarson]

Gregmat, please re-upload your old videos somewhere. I NEED them to score well on the GRE asap. It's the best way I learn and I'm so sad they have been disabled.

[achakrabarty]

The old videos in this channel were extremely helpful. Here in India many of us are facing issues with international payments, so i'm unable to subscribe to Gregmat. I have no other option. Please consider putting the videos up again.

[maggyp]

Thank you so much for this @GregMat, but would you please please upload the old videos back?

[hanny]

Thank you Greg!
please make more videos like this!!

[jaypanchal]

ChatGPT had the following suggestions:
Essay Evaluation
Score: 4 out of 6
Strengths:
Clear Thesis and Position: The essay clearly states a position, disagreeing with the prompt and providing a nuanced perspective by acknowledging some negative impacts.
Relevant Examples: The essay uses specific examples, such as communication through WhatsApp and the Dungeons and Dragons community, to support the argument.
Structured Argument: The essay is well-organized with distinct paragraphs for each main point and a clear concession paragraph.
Areas for Improvement:
Depth of Analysis: The essay could benefit from a deeper analysis of the examples provided. Explaining how these examples specifically enhance human relationships could strengthen the argument.
Addressing Counterarguments: While the essay acknowledges a counterpoint, it could further explore how these negative aspects might be mitigated or why they are less significant compared to the benefits.
Variety of Examples: The essay could include a broader range of examples, such as how technology impacts professional relationships, educational interactions, or cross-cultural exchanges.
Language and Style: There are a few areas where the language could be polished for greater clarity and impact. Avoiding repetition and using more varied sentence structures would improve readability.
Suggestions for Improvement
Expand Analysis:

When discussing the benefits of technological communication (e.g., WhatsApp), elaborate on how this impacts the quality of relationships. Mention specific benefits like emotional support, maintaining long-distance relationships, or collaborative work.
For the Dungeons and Dragons example, discuss how forming such communities contributes to mental well-being, a sense of belonging, and personal growth.
Broaden Examples:

Include examples from different areas of life. For instance, mention how technology has improved professional networking through platforms like LinkedIn or how it has facilitated cultural exchanges through social media and online forums.
Discuss educational impacts, such as online learning platforms that connect students and teachers globally.
Address Counterarguments More Fully:

Explore the negative impacts in more depth. For example, discuss how reliance on digital communication might lead to misunderstandings or weakened social skills.
Provide potential solutions or mitigating factors, such as the role of hybrid models combining virtual and face-to-face interactions or the importance of digital literacy in maintaining healthy relationships.
Refine Language and Style:

Ensure each paragraph transitions smoothly to the next. For instance, the transition between the advantages and disadvantages sections could be more fluid.
Avoid redundancy. Phrases like "First of all" and "Second of all" can be replaced with more varied transitions.
Proofread for grammatical accuracy and to ensure sentences are concise and clear.
Revised Excerpt Example
Original:
First of all, technological advancement has resulted in more benefits for our interconnectivity because, as a species, we are no longer constrained by distance.

Revised:
Firstly, technological advancements have greatly enhanced our ability to connect by eliminating the barriers of distance.

[MrSphericalUz]

I need you, I love you please do not stop !