The Analytical Writing section of the GRE General Test evaluates critical thinking, logical reasoning, argument development, and academic writing skills.

According to ETS, the current GRE General Test includes one 30-minute “Analyze an Issue” essay, scored from 0 to 6 in half-point increments. The former “Analyze an Argument” task was removed on September 22, 2023.

The following is a comprehensive preparation syllabus, organized into numbered topics and bullet-point subtopics. These are study categories, not separate official GRE test sections.

Part I: Foundations of Analytical Writing

1. Introduction to GRE Analytical Writing

• Purpose of Analytical Writing

• GRE Analytical Writing test structure

• Analyze an Issue task

• Time management

• Scoring criteria and score levels

2. Critical Thinking

• Identifying central issues

• Evaluating different perspectives

• Analyzing complex ideas

• Questioning assumptions

• Forming independent judgments

3. Analytical Reasoning

• Deductive reasoning

• Inductive reasoning

• Causal reasoning

• Comparative reasoning

• Logical consistency

4. Understanding Issue Statements

• Identifying the main claim

• Understanding recommendations

• Distinguishing claims from reasons

• Recognizing qualifications and conditions

• Interpreting task instructions

5. Developing a Position

• Agreeing with a statement

• Disagreeing with a statement

• Partially agreeing

• Presenting a qualified position

• Defending a central thesis

Part II: Essay Structure and Organization

6. Essay Planning

• Brainstorming ideas

• Creating an essay outline

• Selecting relevant examples

• Organizing arguments

• Allocating writing time

7. Introduction Writing

• Introducing the issue

• Providing relevant background

• Establishing context

• Writing a clear thesis statement

• Previewing the main argument

8. Body Paragraph Development

• Topic sentences

• Supporting arguments

• Explanation and analysis

• Relevant examples

• Paragraph coherence

9. Argument Development

• Constructing persuasive arguments

• Supporting claims with reasons

• Developing logical connections

• Addressing complex situations

• Avoiding unsupported generalizations

10. Evidence and Examples

• Historical examples

• Scientific examples

• Educational examples

• Social and political examples

• Hypothetical examples

11. Counterarguments and Rebuttals

• Identifying opposing perspectives

• Acknowledging reasonable objections

• Evaluating counterarguments

• Constructing rebuttals

• Incorporating qualifications

12. Conclusion Writing

• Reaffirming the thesis

• Synthesizing main arguments

• Explaining broader implications

• Providing a balanced final judgment

• Avoiding unsupported new claims

Part III: Language and Academic Writing Skills

13. Academic Vocabulary

• Analytical vocabulary

• Argumentative vocabulary

• Formal expressions

• Precise word choice

• Appropriate academic tone

14. Grammar and Sentence Structure

• Subject–verb agreement

• Verb tenses

• Complex and compound sentences

• Parallel structure

• Grammatical accuracy

15. Coherence and Cohesion

• Logical paragraph organization

• Transition words

• Connecting ideas

• Maintaining a consistent argument

• Improving overall essay flow

16. Clarity and Precision

• Writing clear statements

• Eliminating ambiguity

• Avoiding unnecessary repetition

• Using concise explanations

• Maintaining logical consistency

17. Persuasive Writing Techniques

• Reasoned persuasion

• Evidence-based argumentation

• Effective comparisons

• Cause-and-effect analysis

• Balanced evaluation

18. Editing and Proofreading

• Correcting grammatical errors

• Checking punctuation

• Improving sentence clarity

• Removing irrelevant statements

• Reviewing the thesis and argument

Part IV: Common GRE Issue Essay Subject Areas

These are broad practice themes represented in GRE-style issue discussions. They are not guaranteed topic categories for a particular examination.

19. Education and Learning

• Higher education

• Educational reform

• Standardized testing

• Teaching methods

• Student creativity and independent thinking

20. Science and Technology

• Scientific research and innovation

• Artificial intelligence and automation

• Technology and society

• Scientific ethics

• Government regulation of research

21. Government and Public Policy

• Government responsibilities

• Individual freedom

• Public welfare

• Political leadership

• Public policy effectiveness

22. Society and Culture

• Social values

• Cultural traditions

• Social progress

• Equality and opportunity

• Individual and collective responsibilities

23. Ethics and Morality

• Moral responsibility

• Ethical decision-making

• Honesty and integrity

• Justice and fairness

• Individual rights versus collective interests

24. Leadership and Management

• Qualities of effective leadership

• Decision-making

• Organizational responsibility

• Cooperation versus competition

• Leadership and public accountability

25. Economics and Business

• Economic development

• Government economic intervention

• Business ethics

• Competition and innovation

• Wealth inequality

26. Environment and Sustainability

• Environmental protection

• Climate change

• Sustainable development

• Economic growth versus conservation

• Government and individual responsibility

27. History and Human Progress

• Lessons from history

• Historical interpretation

• Social and technological progress

• The influence of historical leaders

• The relationship between tradition and change

28. Arts, Literature, and Creativity

• The importance of artistic expression

• Creativity and innovation

• Government funding for the arts

• Literature and social understanding

• Artistic freedom

29. Media and Communication

• Mass media influence

• Freedom of expression

• Social media and public opinion

• Information reliability

• Communication technology

30. Human Behavior and Psychology

• Motivation and achievement

• Individualism versus conformity

• Personal success and failure

• Nature versus nurture

• Cooperation and human relationships

Part V: GRE Analytical Writing Practice and Assessment

31. GRE Issue Task Instruction Types

• Agree-or-disagree statements

• Recommendations and their consequences

• Claims supported by reasons

• Policies and their justifications

• Claims examined under different circumstances

32. Logical Fallacies and Reasoning Errors

• Hasty generalization

• False cause

• False dilemma

• Circular reasoning

• Weak analogy

33. Essay Quality Assessment

• Clarity of the central position

• Depth of critical analysis

• Relevance of supporting examples

• Logical essay organization

• Language and grammatical control

34. Timed Essay Practice

• Reading and interpreting prompts

• Five-minute essay planning

• Developing arguments under time pressure

• Completing essays within 30 minutes

• Final proofreading

35. Advanced Analytical Writing Strategies

• Addressing the complexity of an issue

• Developing nuanced positions

• Integrating counterarguments

• Using compelling evidence

• Writing at the GRE 5.0–6.0 performance level

GRE Analytical Writing – Exam Summary

Component, Current format

• Examination, GRE General Test

• Writing task, Analyze an Issue

• Number of essays, 1

• Time limit, 30 minutes

• Score range, 0–6

• Score increments, 0.5

• Main assessment, Critical thinking, analysis, argumentation, writing

• Former Analyze an Argument task, Discontinued

Official ETS Preparation Resources

• GRE Analytical Writing Overview

• Analyze an Issue Task and Strategies

• Official ETS Analytical Writing Topic Pool (PDF)

• Analytical Writing Scoring Guide

Preparation priority: Focus first on understanding Issue prompts, developing a clear thesis, constructing logical arguments, supporting them with examples, addressing counterarguments, and writing a coherent essay within 30 minutes. ETS emphasizes the quality of reasoning and expression rather than specialized knowledge of a particular subject.