Analysis of Issue - strategy - The Beat The GMAT Forum - Expert GMAT Help & MBA Admissions Advice

Analysis of Issue - strategy

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GMIHIR: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 18; Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2012 8:23 pm

by GMIHIR » Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:28 pm

If a given topic for Analysis of Issue has a premise and an argument based on it, is it wiser to directly disagree with the premise iteslf ? OR should we always agree/disagree with the argument/conclusion only ?

Thanks for your suggestions!!

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Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Essays (AWA) | Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:28 pm

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Brent@GMATPrepNow: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 16207; Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pmFollowed by: 1268 members; Location: Vancouver, BC; Thanked: 5254 times; GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Mon Mar 19, 2012 10:00 am

GMIHIR wrote:If a given topic for Analysis of Issue has a premise and an argument based on it, is it wiser to directly disagree with the premise iteslf ? OR should we always agree/disagree with the argument/conclusion only ?

Thanks for your suggestions!!

Hmm, I'm not entirely sure what you mean. Are you referring to an essay prompt that has a stated premise? I'd say that any information in an Issue essay prompt is a possible target for disagreement... just be sure to back it up.

Here are all of the possible Issue prompts on the GMAT: https://www.mba.com/the-gmat/test-struct ... 00606.ashx

Is there one in particular that you're referring to?

Cheers,
Brent

Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com

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GMIHIR: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 18; Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2012 8:23 pm

by GMIHIR » Mon Mar 19, 2012 9:44 pm

Thanks Brent! Yes, for example: "Businesses are as likely as are governments to establish large bureaucracies, but bureaucracy is far more damaging to a business than it is to a government." For this particular topic, is it worth attacking a premise by showing reasons that businesses are unlikely to adopt bureaucracy in first place?

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GMAT/MBA Expert

Brent@GMATPrepNow: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 16207; Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pmFollowed by: 1268 members; Location: Vancouver, BC; Thanked: 5254 times; GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Mon Mar 19, 2012 9:54 pm

GMIHIR wrote:Thanks Brent! Yes, for example: "Businesses are as likely as are governments to establish large bureaucracies, but bureaucracy is far more damaging to a business than it is to a government." For this particular topic, is it worth attacking a premise by showing reasons that businesses are unlikely to adopt bureaucracy in first place?

Ah, I see.
I wouldn't question the idea that businesses are as likely as are governments to establish large bureaucracies.
The issue here is whether or not bureaucracy is far more damaging to a business than it is to a government. So, the issue is all about the level of damage. As such, it really makes no difference whether or not businesses are as likely as are governments to establish large bureaucracies.

I'd say, stick with the issue. Attack a premise only if it will support your position on the issue.

Cheers,
Brent

Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com

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GMIHIR: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 18; Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2012 8:23 pm

by GMIHIR » Mon Mar 19, 2012 10:17 pm

Thanks Brent, that helps indeed. On some other GMAT forum, an expert had posted an essay on this same topic, attacking the premise and not discussing the claim made. I didn't find that idea much convincing so just wanted to clarify.

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