Are you looking for ways to hone your GRE essay writing skills? Check our special GRE essay writing guide to ease the process of writing.
How to Write a Good GRE Essay: An Expert Guide
If you make sure to get the highest score on your GRE essay, it can 100% enhance your graduate school admissions chances. Even though the perspectives seem to be great, the majority of test-takers feel anxious and terrified by the very thought of sitting down at their laptop on test day and writing a paper in half an hour. That would be half the problem if not the other essay that you have to write right after the first one. It’s no doubt that GRE writing can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to! In this article, we included some of the most useful tips to help you cope with the task and get the scores you want before you get someone to write your essay.
Stay Away from Self-Reference and First Person
When you write your GRE essay, it is important to avoid writing in the first person on the issue. Do not include things like “My point of view is…” or “I believe” because your readers are aware of the fact that the issue essay is already presented from your perspective. You can include first-person pronouns ONLY in the body section if you give your personal experience as an example. At the same time, never include “I” in your conclusion or introduction.
Ensure You Know the Types of Topics
Undoubtedly, the topic types can be absolutely different. However, there are some certain patterns when it comes to a GRE essay. We have pinned seven types of GRE writing prompts that are presented below:
- Techs
- Education
- Arts
- Intellectual Endeavors
- Philosophy
- Cities
- Government
Before it’s time to deal with the official exam, ensure to check all sample topics in the fields given above to know how to address different types of issues. As you browse the GRE prompts, ensure you do not waste your precious time trying to outline a potential essay for every other prompt. All this is not worth your time. Instead, make sure to concentrate on polishing your approach to various types of topics.
Keep in mind that dealing with these areas doesn’t mean that you have to be an expert. Your task here is to work on coming up with examples to work with different kinds of prompts and how to address topics you are not familiar with within a tight deadline.
Don’t Try to Do It All at Once
Let’s face it – you don’t have time to talk about both sides of the issue in your project. Even if you’re not sure about the side that you choose, the timeframe that you will have will be enough to argue one side only. If you try to waffle, you won’t be able to argue both sides equally effectively. What is more, you won’t pay attention to all details and sound clear or confident.
Remember that your readers are going to evaluate how you address the specific instructions, present, and develop your argument to back up your evaluation of the issue. They don’t really care about which side you decide to choose. What they are curious about is how you’re going to defend it.
Time Management Is the Key
Regardless of the section of the GRE essay, you have a particular timeframe. If you’re like the majority of test-takers, you’re going to feel like time flies the very moment you begin to work.
To make the most of your time, it is recommended to divide the writing section as follows:
- Spend two minutes reading through the prompt and requirements
- Spend three minutes brainstorming, thinking, outlining, and writing a thesis
- Spend twenty minutes working on the body section and including examples
- Spend two minutes editing all the errors
- Spend three minutes to produce a strong introduction
Yes, that’s right. You have to save the introductory section for last. There are several reasons for that. First, if you have already provided your thesis statement at the beginning, it is not that important. Second, many people tend to get so excited about creating a flawless introduction that they do not notice how time slips away, and they have no time to deal with the rest of the paper. In other words, make sure to focus on your intro when you’re done with the rest of your GRE essay.
Choose Pro & Con Statements
As we’ve already mentioned, you have to take a side when you’re dealing with a GRE essay. In order to do this, create a list of statements that either refute or support the prompt. These are going to be your pros and cons. After that, pick any side that you believe has the finest statements.
Many test-takers find it easier to work in shorthand at this point. The process doesn’t necessarily have to be pretty! Just make sure to make it understandable as get back to your notes at any point. This part shouldn’t take much time. Keep in mind that you’re not someone who has a lot of time to waste on brainstorming. Ensure to practice creating pros & cons lists until the moment you can come up with one within a minute.
Refute the Opposing View in the Concluding Section
A lot of GRE students have no idea what to do when it’s time to work on the concluding part. As an option, you may try to introduce the opposing point of view. Use it as an opportunity to show your readers that you’re open to viewpoints that contradict yours. Then refute their arguments in a couple of sentences and reinforce the validity of your own point of view.
While writing a good GRE essay may seem overwhelming when you first deal with one, practicing with the tips given above can help you get rid of that frustration. Take a little while to practice, and boost your score like a pro!
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