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Lesson: Analytic Writing Asessment - 04t05

Argument Analysis Example Prompt 6

[Page 4 of 10]
Step Take the Argument Apart Time
1. Get the structure down! 2 minutes or less

Here's the prompt we'll be working with today. Read it through, and then go on to the task below.

The following appeared as part of an article in the business section of a newspaper in the country of Freedonia: "Freedonia's commercial airline industry has experienced impressive growth over the past three years. This trend will surely continue in the years to come, since the airline industry will benefit from recent changes in Freedonian society. Incomes are rising, most employees now receive more vacation time, and interest in travel is rising as shown by an increase in media attention devoted to foreign cultures and tourist attractions."

Explain how logically persuasive you find this argument. In explaining your viewpoint, analyze the argument's line of reasoning and its use of evidence. Also explain what, if anything, would make the argument more valid and convincing or would help you better to evaluate its conclusion.

Task Identify the topic and scope.Do so, in your head or on scratch paper, and then click Continue.

TaskNote the conclusion, paraphrase it, and type it.Do those things now. Locate the author's conclusion, and type your simple rewrite below. Then click Continue.

Task: Sum up the given evidence, and then type that summary. Do so, and then click Continue

The first sentence isn't so much evidence for the future, as it is background to the current situation. The real evidence begins with the Evidence Keyword "since," and it's a list of 3 factors that affect Freedonian society. Sum them up in simple terms, like so:

The reasons for his optimism have to do with certain changes he has perceived in Freedonian society, specifically: higher incomes; increased leisure time; and a greater interest in travel on the part of Freedonians.

Notice how carefully we have used words and phrases that are simpler than those of the prompt. That's deliberate! If you just repeat the author's words, the grader may think that you're "coasting." But the grader has to be impressed by an accurate paraphrase of the argument's terms.

Countinue

Next to display next topic in the chapter.

Test Prep Lessons With Video Lessons and Explained MCQ

Large number of solved practice MCQ with explanations. Video Lessons and 10 Fully explained Grand/Full Tests.

A good rule of thumb is that your reader should be able to get the gist of your entire argument just by skimming the first sentence of each paragraph. Remember, your reader is probably going to devote no more than 3 to 5 minutes to your essay. Take a few minutes at the beginning of your AWA to outline the five sentences that will begin your paragraphs; this strategy can make your reader’s job far easier, and a happy reader is probably more apt to make those tricky 4/5 line calls in your favor. Similarly, the e-reader is programmed to assess organization, and well-written topic sentences that use transition words and clearly state the point of each paragraph are a big help in creating the kind of organizational structure that earns you points on test day.

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