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Asking questions in the AWA essays

by TP Wed Oct 15, 2008 2:26 am

Is it ok to ask questions in the AWA essays?

For e.g. If the argument states:

"Store X sells old bicycles. Store X makes a lot of money by
attending swap meets."

In the essay is it ok to write:

"The argument does not provide enough information. Some of the
questions might be: What kind of bicycles does the Store X sell?
Are they in good condition? Do they come with a guarantee?"

Is this considered a reasonable writing style? or would it be frowned upon?
StaceyKoprince
ManhattanGMAT Staff
 
Posts: 9349
Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:05 am
Location: Montreal
 

by StaceyKoprince Mon Oct 20, 2008 10:58 pm

You can ask questions in one of two ways: either rhetorical questions (which you'd probably use more on the Issue essay) or questions that point out flaws in the author's thinking (in the Argument essay). Either way, though, you obviously have to make sure that the question is relevant to your thesis!

So you could definitely say something like:
The author does not provide enough information to support his contention that store X can be expected to make a large profit via its new business to sell used bicycles. For example, are the used bicycles typically types that are in high demand? What reason does store X have to believe that the old owners will sell high-demand bicycles to store X for significantly below the typically market price for used bikes?

Just don't go too far with it. You don't want a paragraph that consists of five questions.
Stacey Koprince
Instructor
Director, Content & Curriculum
ManhattanPrep
TP
 
 

by TP Tue Oct 21, 2008 2:03 am

Thank you Stacey.
StaceyKoprince
ManhattanGMAT Staff
 
Posts: 9349
Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:05 am
Location: Montreal
 

by StaceyKoprince Fri Oct 24, 2008 5:09 pm

you're welcome!
Stacey Koprince
Instructor
Director, Content & Curriculum
ManhattanPrep