:!:Different between the 2: issue and argument analysis:!:

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Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
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Hello everyone,

After preparing for months, I'm focusing my last few (4) days before D-day AWA on AWA preparation. This might sound like a silly or ridiculous question to many of you experts out there, but I'm currently confused with the difference between the two AWA questions. And I know this will really hurt me if I can't diffentiate between them by this Thursday!!

a) Issue analysis
I will be given an 'issue' (usually a general statement) and am told to analyze.
So what I should be doing is:
i) Evaluate the issue(explore the flaws in logic) and take a stand (agree or disagree)
ii) Provide reasons/examples to support my stand for next 2 paragraphs.
iii) Conclusion

b) Argument Analysis
Instead of an 'Issue', a argument(an article taken from some source, which the article involves an action or incident occurred under some circumstances) will be given.
So similar to the above:
i) Evaluate the argument(explore the flaws in logic) and argue (rather than agree or to disagree)
ii) Provide reasons/examples to support my stand for next 2 paragraphs.
iii) Conclusion

As you can see (and yes, I even copy and paste the above sentences!!), the only major difference between the 2 is: in Issue analysis, I get to say YES(agree) or NO(argue) while in Argument analysis, I can only say No(argue). Could anyone please enlighten me?

Any feedback is GREATLY appreciated!
Source: — GMAT Essays (AWA) |

Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
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by Asterion » Sat Jan 16, 2010 10:06 am
My idea so far is:

Issue: something ambivalent that could be either X or Y or some kind of generic statement.

Argument: much more structured, with clear premises/hypotheses and conclusions.

However, I'm not really sure and further help would be much appreciated.

Regards

Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 11:57 am

by rupa.satrasala » Sun Aug 08, 2010 11:59 am
I know its too late. This reply is for the sake of people who would visit this post.

In issue analysis, you're asked to develop a point of view and support it. That's pretty simple- either agree or disagree with a statement and use your own experience and knowledge to explain why.

Argument analysis, however, asks you to develop a critique of an argument. You have to read a certain argument and explain why it's good or bad, finding flaws in the logic behind it, or strong/weak assumptions the argument is based on

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