Lesson: Analytic Writing Asessment - 01

Argument Analysis for Test Preparation

In this module, you will…

• Find out what Exam is looking for in the Analysis of an Argument essay, the second of your two Analytic Writing assignments
• Learn how to brainstorm, outline, write, and complete your essay, using the steps of the CAT Method
• Practice those steps with sample "essay prompts"

Remember, the two essays are the first things you encounter on the Exam. By learning and practicing the steps of the CAT Method, you will be able to create a first-rate piece of writing in a very short amount of time, and with a minimum of aggravation and difficulty. All of that will help you to maximize your score! Before you go any further, be sure that you have read the Preview Topic on "Analytic Writing.

Collect Key points

During the reading of the topic, collect the information the question statement is giving you. Arrange them and build your own explanation of each point.

Build a story

While reading the question statement build a story about what the key points implies. Think what the examiner want from you.

Never Be Distracted

You should not be distracted by the informal clues the question statement leads you to do.

Next to display next topic in the chapter.

A good rule of thumb is that your reader should be able to get the gist of your entire argument just by skimming the first sentence of each paragraph. Remember, your reader is probably going to devote no more than 3 to 5 minutes to your essay. Take a few minutes at the beginning of your AWA to outline the five sentences that will begin your paragraphs; this strategy can make your reader’s job far easier, and a happy reader is probably more apt to make those tricky 4/5 line calls in your favor. Similarly, the e-reader is programmed to assess organization, and well-written topic sentences that use transition words and clearly state the point of each paragraph are a big help in creating the kind of organizational structure that earns you points on test day.