GRE Argument and Issue Essay Study Guide
1. Identify the Parts of an Argument
ANSWER: - The Premises; - The Assumptions; - The Conclusion
2. Give examples of Premise Words
ANSWER: because, since, given that, in view of, in light of, assume...
3. Give examples of Conclusion Words
ANSWER: so, therefore, thus, hence, showed that, clearly, then, consequently, as a
result, conclude that...
4. Name 3 Types of Assumptions
ANSWER: Sampling/Statistical Assumption; Analogy Assumption; Causal Assumption
5. Name 6 Steps in Reading an Argument
ANSWER: 1) Read the topic and identify the conclusion and the premises; 2) Identify
the assumptions; 3) Look for gaps in the argument + identify logical weaknesses
(logical fallacies); 4) Look for new information in the conclusion that wasn't there in
the premises; 5) Select three or four of the strongest assumptions around which to
build your essay. 6) Draft your essay using 1 of the 2 templates
6. Give an Outline of Argument Template (A)
ANSWER: 1st Paragraph-- Restate the argument; 2nd -- Discuss the link (or lack
thereof) between the conclusion and the evidence presented; 3rd -- Show 3
weaknesses in reasoning; 4th -- Show how each weakness could be fixed by stating
the missing assumptions; 5th -- Summarize and conclude that the argument is weak.
7. Give an Outline of Argument Template (B)
ANSWER: 1st -- Restate the argument and say it has 3 flaws; 2nd -- Point out a flaw +
assumption; 3rd -- Second flaw + assumption; 4th -- Third flaw + assumption; 5th --
Summarize and conclude argument is weak.
8. Sampling Assumption
ANSWER: This assumes that a small group is representative of a larger group.
9. Analogy Assumption
ANSWER: Assumes that A = B; what is true for one entity will be true for another.
1. Identify the Parts of an Argument
ANSWER: - The Premises; - The Assumptions; - The Conclusion
2. Give examples of Premise Words
ANSWER: because, since, given that, in view of, in light of, assume...
3. Give examples of Conclusion Words
ANSWER: so, therefore, thus, hence, showed that, clearly, then, consequently, as a
result, conclude that...
4. Name 3 Types of Assumptions
ANSWER: Sampling/Statistical Assumption; Analogy Assumption; Causal Assumption
5. Name 6 Steps in Reading an Argument
ANSWER: 1) Read the topic and identify the conclusion and the premises; 2) Identify
the assumptions; 3) Look for gaps in the argument + identify logical weaknesses
(logical fallacies); 4) Look for new information in the conclusion that wasn't there in
the premises; 5) Select three or four of the strongest assumptions around which to
build your essay. 6) Draft your essay using 1 of the 2 templates
6. Give an Outline of Argument Template (A)
ANSWER: 1st Paragraph-- Restate the argument; 2nd -- Discuss the link (or lack
thereof) between the conclusion and the evidence presented; 3rd -- Show 3
weaknesses in reasoning; 4th -- Show how each weakness could be fixed by stating
the missing assumptions; 5th -- Summarize and conclude that the argument is weak.
7. Give an Outline of Argument Template (B)
ANSWER: 1st -- Restate the argument and say it has 3 flaws; 2nd -- Point out a flaw +
assumption; 3rd -- Second flaw + assumption; 4th -- Third flaw + assumption; 5th --
Summarize and conclude argument is weak.
8. Sampling Assumption
ANSWER: This assumes that a small group is representative of a larger group.
9. Analogy Assumption
ANSWER: Assumes that A = B; what is true for one entity will be true for another.
