I skimmed these chapters in the Kaplan review book, but I honestly never tried to write an essay before the actual test.
The Argue Essay -
argument is ALWAYS flawed. It's easier to pick at the flaw than to try and prove it, so go that route. I lucked out SO much though! The example in mine was about the film industry... there's little in this world I know more about than photography! (That's not saying much. I just know very little on a lot of things!) So really it put me in a lucky-good mindset for the rest of the exam. It was just pure luck that the first essay tied directly in to my profession.
The Issue Essay - BE SPECIFIC. You need examples to support your theory. I personally drew from things I'd read in marketing books, however I could have just as easily drawn from personal experience too. My issue was "
blah blah get rich by thinking out of box blah blah." I cited 3 examples of companies that used out-of-the-box marketing techniques to gain industry stronghold. (If memory serves - and I'm trying to block my memory of the GMAT! - my examples were Mac computers, Virgin Atlantic, and Facebook.)
Also, because the computer grades your exam - make sure you have very logical structure. Start with your thesis paragraph (about 2-3 sentences). State thesis. State whether or not you agree. State 2-3 examples of why or why not.
Paragraph 2, start off with a transition word or phrase (like "For example", "As previously stated" etc.) then go into your explanation. Ditto Paragraph 3 and 4. Paragraph 5 (or your last paragraph) start of with IN CONCLUSION. The computer needs to know you're going to be done soon!
* Avoid big words - it's better to be cogent and clear than clog the screen with flowery speech.
* Jot down your 2-3 examples on the notepad - just so you make sure you stay on topic.
* Get passionate about what you're writing.
Basically, remember all the writing rules you learned in 5th grade and you'll rock it!
6.0 - yeah, baby!
