1. Preparing for the Analytical Writing Measure
GRE® Test Preparation Workshop for Campus Educators March 22, 2010
Preparing for the Analytical Writing Measure
John Hawthorn
Educational Testing Service
Copyright © 2008 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, and GRE are registered trademarks of ETS.

2. Overview Introduction to the Analytical Writing Measure
Helping Students Prepare
Practice Test Experience
Changes coming in August 2011
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Copyright © 2008 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, and GRE are registered trademarks of ETS.

3. Contents of the Analytical Writing Section
Consists of two complementary analytical writing tasks:
45-minute “Present Your Perspective on an Issue" task
30-minute “Analyze an Argument" task
Essay responses are typed on computer using a basic word processor that does not have a spell checker or grammar checker
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Copyright © 2008 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, and GRE are registered trademarks of ETS.

4. Skills Measured
Measures critical thinking and analytical writing skills including the ability to:
Construct and analyze arguments
Articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively
Examine claims and accompanying evidence
Support ideas with relevant reasons and examples
Sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion
Control the elements of standard written English
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Copyright © 2008 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, and GRE are registered trademarks of ETS.

5. What the Analytical Writing Measure Adds to the General Test
Measures candidates’ actual performance
Allows considerable latitude for examinees to construct their responses
Integrates the assessment of critical thinking and analytical writing
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Copyright © 2008 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, and GRE are registered trademarks of ETS.

6. How Essay Responses Are Evaluated
Trained and certified GRE readers read each essay response and evaluate its overall quality according to how well the test taker:
Responds to the specific instructions
Considers the complexities of the issue
Organizes, develops, and expresses his/her ideas
Supports his/her position with relevant reasons and/or examples
Controls the elements of standard written English
E-rater® scoring was introduced in October 2008
Is used as a check on the human rating
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Copyright © 2008 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, and GRE are registered trademarks of ETS.

7. How the Analytical Writing Section Is Scored
Essay responses are randomly distributed to trained human readers via an online scoring network
Each essay is scored by one human reader and by e-rater, using a 6-point holistic scale
If the e-rater score agrees with the score from the trained reader, the reader’s score becomes the final score
If the two scores differ by a specified amount, or the response receives a 0 or NS, the e-rater score is discarded and the response is scored by a second human reader
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Copyright © 2008 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, and GRE are registered trademarks of ETS.

8. How the Analytical Writing Section Is Scored (continued)
The final scores on the two essays are then averaged and rounded up to the nearest half-point interval
A single score is reported for the section
Scoring guides and score level descriptions are available at
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Copyright © 2008 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, and GRE are registered trademarks of ETS.

9. General Structure of Scoring Guides
Upper-half Scores:
6-Outstanding
5-Strong
4-Adequate
All described in terms of what is done well
Lower-half Scores:
3-Limited
2-Seriously flawed
1-Fundamentally deficient
All notable for what is lacking
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Copyright © 2008 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, and GRE are registered trademarks of ETS.

10. Selected Score Level Descriptions
5.5 and 6 – Sustains insightful, in-depth analyses of complex ideas; develops and supports main points with logically compelling reasons and/or highly persuasive examples; is well focused and well organized; skillfully uses sentence variety and precise vocabulary to convey meaning effectively; demonstrates superior facility with sentence structure and language usage but may have minor errors that do not interfere with meaning.
3.5 and 4 – Provides competent analysis of complex ideas; develops and supports main points with relevant reasons and/or examples; is adequately organized; conveys meaning with reasonable clarity; demonstrates satisfactory control of sentence structure and language usage but may have some errors that affect clarity.
1.5 and 2 – Displays serious weaknesses in analytical writing. The writing is seriously flawed in at least one of the following ways: serious lack of analysis or development; lack of organization; serious and frequent problems in sentence structure or language usage, with errors that obscure meaning.
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Copyright © 2008 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, and GRE are registered trademarks of ETS.

11. Helping Students Prepare

12. Common Sense Test Preparation Rules
Become familiar with the test structure and timing
Become familiar with each task type
Become familiar with the scoring criteria for each task
Review published pools and practice writing on each task type
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Copyright © 2008 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, and GRE are registered trademarks of ETS.

13. Common Sense Test Preparation Rules (continued)
Review sample responses and reader commentary for each task type
Become familiar with key argument concepts
Practice writing under timed conditions
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).

14. Task 1: Present Your Perspective on an Issue
Presents a brief quotation that states or implies an issue of general interest and specific instructions on how to respond to that issue.
Requires candidates to analyze the issue and develop an argument with reasons and/or examples to support that position.
Candidates are given a choice of two topics.
Candidates have 45 minutes to plan and compose their responses.
A response to an issue other than the one assigned will receive a score of zero.
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Copyright © 2008 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, and GRE are registered trademarks of ETS.

15. About the Choice Topics have comparable difficulty
Time for making the choice is included in 45 minutes, so decide quickly
To make the choice, examinees should consider:
which topic they find more engaging
which topic is more closely linked to their own background and/or studies
which topic they can most readily think of supporting examples and reasons
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Copyright © 2008 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, and GRE are registered trademarks of ETS.

16. Strategies for the Issue Task
Questions to consider when approaching an issue topic:
What, precisely, is the central issue?
What precisely are the instructions asking me to do?
Do I agree with all or with any part of the claim? Why or why not?
Do I agree with the claim only under certain circumstances? What are those circumstances?
Does the claim make certain assumptions? If so, are they reasonable?
Do I need to explain how I interpret certain terms or concepts used in the claim?
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).

17. Strategies for the Issue Task (continued)
If I take a certain position on the issue, what reasons support my position?
What examples — either real or hypothetical — could I use to illustrate those reasons and advance my point of view? Which examples are most compelling?
What reasons might someone use to refute or undermine my position?
How should I acknowledge or defend against those views in my essay?
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).

18. Sample Issue Topic
Present your perspective on the issue below, using relevant reasons and/or examples to support your views.
“In our time, specialists of all kinds are highly overrated. We need more generalists — people who can provide broad perspectives.”
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Copyright © 2008 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, and GRE are registered trademarks of ETS.

19. Scored Responses to Sample Issue Topic
Spend about 5 minutes reading the 6 sample issue responses that appear on pages 9-15 of the resource document.
As you read, you may want to refer to the Scoring Guide for the Issue Task that appears on page 27 of the resource document.
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).

20. General Reminders About the Issue Task
Candidates must respond to the assigned issue using the specific task directions
Candidates should feel free to accept, reject or qualify the claim
There is no “right answer”
Candidates must make it clear how their reasons and/or examples support their position on the issue
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).

21. Task 2: Analyze an Argument
Presents a short passage that presents an argument and specific instructions on how to respond to that passage.
Requires candidates to assess the logical soundness of the given argument according to the specific task directions.
Candidates have 30 minutes to plan and compose their responses.
A response to an argument other than the one assigned will receive a score of zero.
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).

22. Strategies for the Argument Task
Questions to consider when approaching the argument task:
What is offered as evidence, support or proof?
What is explicitly stated, claimed or concluded?
What is assumed or supposed, perhaps without justification or proof?
What is not stated, but necessarily follows from what is stated?
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).

23. Sample Argument Topic
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument.
“Hospital statistics regarding people who go to the emergency room after roller skating accidents indicate the need for more protective equipment. Within this group of people, 75 percent of those who had accidents in streets or parking lots were not wearing any protective clothing (helmets, knee pads, etc.) or any light-reflecting material (clip-on lights, glow-in-the-dark wrist pads, etc.). Clearly, these statistics indicate that by investing in high-quality protective gear and reflective equipment, roller skaters will greatly reduce their risk of being severely injured in an accident.”
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Copyright © 2008 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, and GRE are registered trademarks of ETS.

24. Scored Responses to Sample Argument Topic
Spend about 5 minutes reading the 6 sample argument responses that appear on pages of the resource document.
As you read, you may want to refer to the Scoring Guide for the Argument Task that appears on page 28 of the resource document.
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).

25. General Reminders About the Argument Task
Candidates must respond to the argument using the specific task directions
Candidates must make it clear how their specific analysis of the argument connects to the assigned task
Candidates are NOT being asked to present their own views on the subject matter
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).

26. Approaching the Two Tasks
When approaching each task, candidates should:
Spend a few minutes thinking about the topic and the specific directions and planning a response.
Pay close attention to the specific task directions.
Support their position on the issue with reasons and examples drawn from such areas as their reading, experience, observations and/or academic studies.
Leave time to read what they have written and make any revisions that they think are necessary.
Avoid excessive irony or humor that may be misinterpreted by readers.
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).

27. Practice Test Experience

28. Practice Test
Practice test will begin with the Issue task (see p of resource document).
Take 5 minutes to read the Issue directions, choose a topic, and jot down a few ideas. We will break to discuss.
Then take 5 minutes to read the Argument directions, read the argument, and jot down a few points of critique (see p ). We will break to discuss.
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).

29. Issue Topic 1: Technological Tools
Do all technologies have the same impact on the “human condition?”
Do some technologies promote communications whereas others promote loneliness?
Do technology and loneliness only apply to “modern civilizations?”
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Copyright © 2008 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, and GRE are registered trademarks of ETS.

30. Issue Topic 2: Declining Environment
What is the impact of certain specific environmental problems on bringing people together?
Do certain environmental problems tend to divide people instead of promoting unity?
Is there a middle ground between unity and cooperation on the one hand, and disunity and tragedy on the other?
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Copyright © 2008 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, and GRE are registered trademarks of ETS.

31. Argument Topic: Forestville Speed Limit
Whether six months is a sufficiently long time to evaluate the effect of the new speed limit
What might have happened if the speed limit had decreased
Whether other factors account for the increased accident rate
Whether Forestville and Elmsford are comparable
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Copyright © 2008 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, and GRE are registered trademarks of ETS.

32. Changes Coming in August 2011
Issue task
Move from 45 to 30 minutes
Elimination of choice
More focused directions
Argument task
Sample questions are available at
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Copyright © 2008 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, and GRE are registered trademarks of ETS.

33. Questions?
ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.®
Copyright © 2010 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, LISTENING. LEARNING. LEADING., ERATER and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Copyright © 2008 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, and GRE are registered trademarks of ETS.