Analyze an Issue

What Is Analyze an Issue?

Develop and defend a position on an issue, following the specific instructions attached to the prompt. A strong response explains when a claim holds, why it matters and where its limits lie.

Detail	Study reference
Exam	GRE General Test
Response	One issue essay
Timing	30 minutes; planning and editing share this time
Primary skill	Argument development and clear expression

How It Is Scored

The essay is evaluated holistically on the 0–6 Analytical Writing scale. Relevant reasoning, developed support, organization and clear language matter. A fixed paragraph count, impressive vocabulary or length alone does not guarantee a particular score.

Official Video

ETS introduces the skills assessed across the GRE. This is a general exam overview; use the worked examples below for this task.

Explore ETS preparation videos for Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing.

Technical Foundations

Qualified thesis

A defensible thesis answers the actual instruction and states a meaningful condition. Rather than saying technology is good and bad, specify which use you support, under which conditions and for what reason.

Evidence-to-claim reasoning

An example needs an explanation of how it supports the point. Identify the mechanism: paid internships may improve access because students who cannot afford unpaid work can participate. Naming a famous person without explaining the connection is weak support.

Counterargument and scope

Present a serious opposing case, explain its force and then show whether it limits or overturns your thesis. Avoid inventing statistics or claiming historical facts you cannot support.

Step-by-Step Approach

Step	Action and purpose
1	Spend about 4 minutes parsing the instruction and planning a qualified position.
2	Choose two developed reasons and one meaningful limitation or counterargument.
3	Draft for about 23 minutes, linking every example back to the claim.
4	Use about 3 minutes to repair missing logic, sentence boundaries and repeated language.

Worked Examples

These are original teaching examples, not official ETS questions. Suggested practice timings are study targets, not extra test time.

Example 1

Original prompt: Universities should require every student to complete an internship before graduation. Discuss the extent to which you agree, including circumstances that affect your position.

Explanation / model: A qualified thesis: Universities should guarantee access to supervised practical experience, but a compulsory external internship is justified only where suitable paid placements exist. This position answers the universal claim while identifying access and educational quality as conditions.

Example 2

Develop one supporting paragraph for that thesis.

Explanation / model: A compulsory unpaid placement can exclude students who rely on part-time earnings. If a student must replace paid work with an unpaid internship, the requirement imposes a financial penalty unrelated to academic ability. A university could instead fund placements or permit supervised campus projects. The example supports a conditional requirement rather than rejection of practical learning itself.

Example 3

What counterargument deserves attention?

Explanation / model: Employers may value workplace experience and some disciplines require supervised practice for professional competence. Acknowledge that benefit, then distinguish programs with accredited placements from a universal rule imposed on all majors. The distinction narrows the thesis coherently.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake	Why it fails	Correction
Writing a memorized generic essay	It may ignore the task instructions.	Use the wording of the prompt to plan the argument.
Listing examples without analysis	The reader must see the logical connection.	Explain the mechanism and its relevance.
Overstating the opposition	A weak caricature adds little analysis.	Address the strongest reasonable objection.

Practice Routine

Practise a full 30-minute response weekly. On other days, outline three prompts in four minutes each. Review with a checklist: clear position, instruction coverage, developed examples, qualification, transitions and sentence clarity. Rewrite the weakest paragraph with deeper reasoning before writing another full essay.

Quick Reference

Check	Reminder
Before answering	Spend about 4 minutes parsing the instruction and planning a qualified position.
Before submitting	Use about 3 minutes to repair missing logic, sentence boundaries and repeated language.
Review focus	Argument development and clear expression

Sources and Format Check

Format checked on 22 October 2026 against ETS GRE guidance. Explanations, examples, routines and time allocations within tasks are teaching guidance. Follow the instructions and timer on your test screen.