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GRE Analytical Writing Argument Essay Topic - 1
A recent study shows that people living on the continent of North America suffer 9 times more chronic
fatigue and 31 times more chronic depression than do people living on the continent of Asia. Interestingly,
Asians, on average, eat 20 grams of soy per day, whereas North Americans eat virtually none. It turns out
that soy contains phytochemicals called Isoflavones, which have been found to possess disease-preventing
properties. Thus, North Americans should consider eating soy on a regular basis as a way of preventing
fatigue and depression.
The above argument tries to establish a direct link between soy consumption and chronic fatigue and
depression. The underlying basis of the argument is that soy protein contains phytochemicals called
Isoflavones, which are found to possess disease-preventing properties.
However, disease is a much larger term, which does not cover only fatigue and depression, but also a host
of other medical conditions. Moreover, it is seen that chronic fatigue and depression are also the results of
high profile life, which leads to insomnia and stress. Chronic fatigue and depression can be the symptoms
of some other diseases also. The weather conditions, economic stature and work environment of Asia and
North America are very different from each other. People in these continents have different lifestyles. Their
attitude towards life is also very different. These health related problems could not be certainly related with
the intake of a certain kind of food that is soy foods. Therefore, it is very important to establish a direct
relation between soy foods and chronic fatigue and depression before arriving at any conclusion.
The second point is that fatigue and depression are totally different from each other as scientifically they
are treated differently. You cannot categorize them in the same group. You need to consult a psychologist
to treat depression and a doctor for fatigue related problems. Hence, there cannot be the same solution for
two different problems. Above all, according to the author, chronic fatigue is 9 times and depression is 31
times more in North Americans as compared to their Asian counterparts. There is a huge difference
between 9 and 31. Therefore, you cannot relate or treat them together. There are definitely going to be
different reasons for the two diseases.
According to the author, soy foods contain a chemical called Isoflavones, which have disease preventing
properties. However, there is no study, which reveals that it is relevant for all types of diseases. Hence, a
research has to be done to establish that the drugs used to treat these two diseases contain Isoflavones.
However, it is a known fact that soy foods are good for human health as soy foods contain many nutrients
required for the human body. Again, there is no solid evidence that eating soy foods on a regular basis is a
solution for chronic fatigue and depression. The author has not even mentioned about any side effects of
Isoflavones. Hence, the suggestion to take soy foods daily, without any detailed study about soy food, does
not hold any ground.
Hence, it can be said that one should take soy foods for overall health. It is a possibility that soy foods can
be helpful in treating or preventing some diseases, which further have chronic fatigue or depression as its
symptoms. That way one can link these two diseases with Isoflavones. However, there is no direct relation
between soy proteins and chronic fatigue and depression; it is not justified in the given argument. Theauthor should have provided a few proofs and data to establish this relationship.
GRE Analytical Writing Argument Essay Topic - 2
"In order to save a considerable amount of money, Rockingham's century-old town hall should be torn
down and replaced by the larger and more energy-efficient building that some citizens have proposed. The
old town hall is too small to comfortably accommodate the number of people who are employed by the
town. In addition, it is very costly to heat the old hall in winter and cool it in summer. The new, larger
building would be more energy efficient, costing less per square foot to heat and cool than the old hall.
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Furthermore, it would be possible to rent out some of the space in the new building, thereby generating
income for the town of Rockingham."
According to the conclusion of this editorial, the new and larger building of town hall in place of the old one
will help in saving money and energy. However, many points given in support of the views of the writer are
not very convincing. Although, there is no doubt that the new proposed building will have many
advantages over the old town hall, but the author has ignored to mention many important points. He has
completely failed to provide evidence for his reasons to build the new building. The points given by the
author have no relevant relation among themselves. For example, the cost effectiveness and the fact thatthe old building is not able to accommodate its employees are not related anywhere. He has tried to explain
the need of the new town hall but has neglected to suggest the alternative measures that can be taken to
solve the problems faced by the old town hall.
The author has talked about the larger and the energy efficient new building. According to him, it would
cost less per cubic foot to heat and cool the new building as compared to the old town hall building.
However, he has easily forgotten to mention the overall cost of heating and cooling the much larger new
building. This cost might be much higher than the current expenses. In addition, there will be the costs of
constructing the new building and installing new systems. The author has not even mentioned the option
of installing new heating and cooling systems in the old building. The upgradation of the old system might
be more cost effective. Besides, the new building might also need some maintenance fee to maintain the
new facilities added to the building.
The second point on which the author is insisting is that the current building cannot comfortably
accommodate all the people who work in it. This point is anyways not related to the money saving
measures the author is talking about. Here again, the author has ignored other more effective solutions for
this problem. For example, adding another structure for the employees.
Another point is about the renting out of the parts of the new property to generate some income. However,
the views of the author are contradictory as on one hand, he is explaining the need of a larger building and
on the other hand, he is talking about the renting out some part of property. Hence, if the new and larger
building is the need of the hour then there is no scope of additional income. The author has failed to give
enough and strong evidence for the requirement of the new building. He has also forgotten to consider theheritage value of the Rockingham's century old town hall.
Hence, the author has to collect more information about the old building. The author must search for some
solid evidence. He should do a complete and detailed study of comparing the cost effectiveness of both the
options including the initial cost of setting up the new building and replacing the old heating system in the
old building. The author has to work towards making his editorial logically more correct.
GRE Analytical Writing Argument Essay Topic - 3
Claitown University needs both affordable housing for its students and a way to fund the building of such
housing. The best solution to this problem is to commission a famous architect known for experimental
and futuristic buildings. It is common knowledge that tourists are willing to pay money to tour some of the
architect's buildings, so it can be expected that tourists will want to visit this new building. The income
from the fees charged to tourists will soon cover the building costs. Furthermore, such a building will
attract new students as well as donations from alumni. And even though such a building will be much
larger than our current need for student housing, part of the building can be used as office space.
This argument is about hiring a famous architect to build a cost effective building to house the students of
Claitown University. However, it seems from the author's statement that the University does not have
enough funds to construct this kind of building. The author's line of thought is not very convincing. He has
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not been able to give logics for his reasons. He should have gone in details of the cost of the new building
and other costs and the source of this money.
This argument has many loopholes as the author is talking on the basis of his assumptions. First of all, he
is talking about commissioning a famous architect, who might charge a heavy amount for his work. It will
add a heavy burden on the University's budget. The author has simply skipped this line of reasoning. He
has not included this expenditure in the cost. The author is assuming that all the expenditure related to
the building will be taken care of by the funds coming from the students' fee, donations coming from the
alumni and the amount paid by tourists to visit the new building.
However, all these are just assumptions. The author has not considered the possibility that the tourists
might not be interested in visiting a building that is meant for students' housing. Once the students start
using the building, tourists will not be attracted towards the building or they might be happy by watching
it from outside only. That way there will not be any income from the tourists. Hence, the argument's claim
fails to prove that a famous architect's work will generate income for the balancing of costs.
The author has not even explained the source of money to construct the building. The building will receive
the funds from students in the form of fee and other funds only when the building will be in use. Hence,
this argument holds base only if the architect agrees to take his payment later on and the supplier also
supplies the construction material without taking any advance.
Further, the author has talked about attracting new students and the old students who can make
donations. However, he has not provided any evidence to support his views neither he has given any
example of some other university. It might be possible that the old alumni are more attached to the
existing building. Therefore, one cannot accept this conclusion without any proof.
In short, we can say that the author could not support his argument. He has not supplied any evidence to
prove his point. He should have studied similar cases of other college buildings that were designed by
famous architects and tourists are interested in visiting and paying to watch them. The author should also
have emphasized on the detailed explanation of the financial aspects of the building project. A survey of old
students and alumni also would have been a good idea as then we will know how interested students are
to make donations.
GRE Analytical Writing Argument Essay Topic - 4
As a result of numerous consumer complaints of dizziness and nausea, Promofoods requested that eight
million cans of tuna be returned for testing last year. Promofoods concluded that the cans did not, after all,
contain chemicals that posed a health risk. This conclusion is based on the fact that the chemists from
Promofoods tested samples of the recalled cans and found that, of the eight chemicals most commonly
blamed for causing symptoms of dizziness and nausea, five were not found in any of the tested cans. The
chemists did find that the three remaining suspected chemicals are naturally found in all other kinds of
canned foods.
This argument is based on the complaints of nausea and dizziness from the consumers who have used
canned tuna. Although Promofoods had recalled eight million cans of tuna and also some samples of tuna
to lab for testing, it concluded that the cans did not contain any chemical, which can cause any health
hazard.
The results of the tests done by chemists from Promofoods do not hold any ground, as these results are not
supported by any strong evidence. As per the chemists from Promofoods, there are eight chemicals
responsible for dizziness and nausea and five of them were not present in the tested cans of tuna.
However, they have not considered the possibility that certain chemicals in contact with other chemicals
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can also cause dizziness and nausea. The results of this testing can also be biased as the testing has been
done only on a few samples. Hence, it cannot be said that five chemicals not present in the tested samples
were not present in the cans consumed by the affected buyers. Promofoods should have collected the cans
from where tuna was consumed and that caused health risk for many people. It might be possible that
those cans contained these chemicals. When it comes to testing, you cannot generalize the results.
According to Promofoods, five suspected chemicals were not present in the tested samples and the otherthree are present in the other canned foods and do not cause any bad effect. However, this is again without
any strong evidence. It is just an assumption that the chemicals, which do not cause any bad effect in one
canned food, will not cause any ill effect in canned tuna. It might be possible that one of these chemicals
causes health risk when exposed to some specific chemical present in tuna. Hence, it is not right to say in
general that tuna cans were not responsible for the symptoms of dizziness and nausea. It can be said the
whole conclusion of Promofoods is based on weak evidence. The results of the tests done by the chemists
are not very convincing.
Promofoods should have done tests on a large number of canned tuna. It should have gathered more
results to make its study more convincing. However, it cannot be said that the study done by Promofoods
is baseless. It is entirely possible that there are some other chemicals, which are responsible for the
symptoms of nausea and dizziness and it is not found yet. Promofoods should also take this possibility into
account.
In the end, it can be said that the entire study of this argument is based on assumption that the eight
chemicals responsible for nausea and dizziness were not present in the tuna cans. This is an important
study and Promofoods should work on providing stronger evidence. They have to prove that there was no
biased sampling and the testing was correct. The chemists have to prove that the three chemicals, which
are normally found in other canned foods, do not cause any harmful effect in tuna.
GRE Analytical Writing Argument Essay Topic - 5
People should not be misled by the advertising competition between Coldex and Cold-Away, both popular
over-the-counter cold medications that anyone can purchase without a doctor's prescription. Each brand
is accusing the other of causing some well-known, unwanted side effect: Coldex is known to contribute to
existing high blood pressure and Cold-Away is known to cause drowsiness. But the choice should be clear
for most health-conscious people: Cold-Away has been on the market for much longer and is used by more
hospitals than is Coldex. Clearly, Cold-Away is more effective.
This argument is about the two competing products, Coldex and Cold-Away. Both the medicines are cold
medicines available over-the-counter. Both the brands compete with each other and accuse each other for
some side effect. According to the author, Coldex is responsible for causing high blood pressure and Cold-
Away causes drowsiness. Here, the author seems a little biased as without providing any evidence, he is
suggesting that as Cold-Away is in the market for a longer period, it is more effective and it should be theclear choice of customers.
The logic provided by the author is very dubious and unconvincing. The author is simply trying to boost
the consumer's ego by saying that the choice should be clear for most health-conscious people. Though it
is a good advertising tactic used by the company, it cannot be considered as enough proof of Cold-Away
being more effective.
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The author is giving one more logic that Cold-Away is in the market for a longer period. However, this fact
also does not add any effectiveness to the argument. The new medicine might have new effective
ingredients. It is not necessary that well-established products are better than newer ones. Moreover, latest
medicines often make use of new pharmaceutical developments than the existing products. Instead of this,
the author should have concentrated on the plus and minus points of the two medicines.
According to the author, Cold-Away is used by more hospitals than Coldex, that is the reason enough to
consider Cold-Away more effective. This is again an advertising gimmick and not a proof that it is more
effective. There might be some other reasons for hospitals using Cold-Away. It is just an assumption of theauthor that the hospitals are recommending Cold-Away because it is better than Coldex. It might be that
doctors are using this medicine because of its drowsiness inducing effect to calm their patients. For that
matter, perhaps hospitals use Cold-Away primarily for this effect rather than as a cold medication.
One more problem with this argument is the side effect of Coldex. If Coldex is the cause of high blood
pressure then, obviously no doctor will recommend it. However, people who do not suffer with the problem
of high blood pressure can still use it. Thus, Coldex's side effect is irrelevant in choosing between the two
products. Moreover, if a person without high blood pressure wishes to avoid drowsiness during the
treatment of cold, Coldex would seem to be the preferable medication than Cold-Away.
The author has not offered convincing evidence to support his views. He should have strengthened his
argument by providing the evidence that the doctors and hospitals use Cold-Away because of its
effectiveness in treating cold. A data of clinical research or a reliable data of general survey would have
supported the argument in a better way. It should not be based on assumptions. In the present form, it
just looks like an advertisement tactic to increase the sale of one product. It is just trying to persuade
people to buy Cold-Away.
GRE Analytical Writing Argument Essay Topic - 6
A folk remedy for insomnia, the scent in lavender flowers, has now been proved effective. In a recent study,
30 volunteers with chronic insomnia slept each night for three weeks on lavender-scented pillows in a
controlled room where their sleep was monitored. During the first week, volunteers continued to take their
usual sleeping medication. They slept soundly but wakened feeling tired. During the second week, the
volunteers discontinued their medication. As a result, they slept less soundly than the previous week and
felt even more tired. During the third week, the volunteers slept longer and more soundly than in the
previous two weeks. This shows that over a short period of time lavender cures insomnia.
Everybody wants to have sound sleep, whether it is an over-worked person or a person affected from a
disease called chronic insomnia.
This argument is about the cure for the same sleeping disorder called chronic insomnia. The persons
suffering from this disease find difficulty in sleeping. The basis of this argument is a study of 30 volunteers
who were suffering from chronic insomnia. The results of this study show that insomnia can be cured over
a period by using lavender. However, the author has not offered enough evidence to support this
conclusion. He has not even considered many possibilities.
In the beginning, the author has mentioned that the usual medication of 30 volunteers allows them to
sleep soundly but they feel tired when they get up. However, the author has not considered many other
insomniacs who are taking medications and not feeling tired on waking up. Therefore, there is also an
option of these volunteers going to their doctor and telling him about their problem of feeling tired. Their
problem might be corrected by a change in their medicines.
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The author has also mentioned about discontinuing the medication of the volunteers. According to him,
even in the absence of any medicine, patients have responded to lavender therapy. However, he has not
taken the factor of controlled room environment into consideration. The controlled room environment and
the normal environment of the volunteers might yield different results when their medication is
discontinued.
Moreover, this study is done in a controlled room. This factor cannot be ignored. The author has not
checked the results of using lavender scent in their normal sleeping place. You cannot ignore the role of
controlled environment in the sound sleep of the volunteers. The author has ignored the effect of peaceprovided by the controlled room along with the lavender scent. There is also possibility of there being a
highway or a railway line close to the residences of the volunteers, which might be a big factor in their
problem of chronic insomnia. Hence, the same study should have been done in their normal
circumstances. It would have provided stronger evidence regarding the study of lavender curing insomnia.
One more thing that goes against this argument is that now a days medical science has developed largely.
If, according to this study, lavender was so successful in curing insomnia, then doctors would have used
lavender in their treatment of insomniac patients. However, until now, no doctor has used it in his or her
medication nor does any medicine related to insomnia contain lavender.
The most important factor is that this study is done only on a small group that contains only 30 persons
while there are millions of people who are suffering from the same problem. It is not feasible to think that
the same results will work for all the patients suffering from chronic fatigue. Hence, the study should have
been based on a larger group.
Hence, we can say that although the author's argument might be true, he should have collected more
evidence in his favor. A study of just 30 volunteers cannot be considered enough proof for use of lavender
as a medicine.
GRE Analytical Writing Argument Essay Topic - 7
Typically, as people age, their bone mass decreases, making them more vulnerable to bone fractures. A
recent study concludes that the most effective way to reduce the risk of fractures in later life is to take
twice the recommended dose of vitamin D and calcium daily. The three-year study followed a group of
French women in their eighties who were nursing home residents. The women were given daily
supplements of twice the recommended dose of vitamin D and calcium. In addition, the women
participated in a light weightlifting program. After three years, these women showed a much lower rate of
hip fractures than is average for their age.
The basis of this argument is the fact that people lose their bone mass as they age and therefore, they are
more prone to fractures. According to the conclusion of this argument, old people should take twice the
recommended dose of vitamin D and calcium. However, there are many loopholes in this study. The
evidence used by the author is very vague.
First of all, this study is only on a group of French women. This cannot be true for the people from all other
continents or even countries. People from different places have different food habits and different life
styles. Every place has different climate and geological conditions. People from plain areas and people from
hilly areas cannot be placed in the same group. Similarly, persons with active lifestyles cannot be merged
with the not so active people. Even, males and females should be studied separately as they are very
different from each other in terms of their physique and hormones. Their level of absorbing vitamin and
calcium is different. There is also a possibility that the French people have something in their diet that
prevents or reduces fractures. Moreover, the author has not mentioned the number of women in the group.
If the group is too small, then it does not even represent all the French women. The author has assumed
so many things and generalized the data, which cannot be possible.
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Secondly, this study is done on nursing home residents, which in itself questions the study. There might
be a possibility that these women had led an active life in their career and taken various precautions
related to their health, hence they are less susceptible to fractures. It is highly possible that the other
women, who are not the residents of a nursing home will suffer the same number of fractures in spite of
taking the recommended vitamin D and calcium.
The third point is that this study is done only on the women who are in their eighties. Hence, the results of
this study do not hold true for all age groups. Moreover, the author has also mentioned in his study that
these women also participated in some lightweight exercises. The author has not taken care of this aspectwhile concluding the argument. It is highly possible that these lightweight exercises had actually
strengthened the muscles of these women. The author has not mentioned or explained the relation
between vitamin D and calcium and the strength of bones. He should have explained in details the relation
between the fractures and the intake of vitamin D and calcium.
The lowest point of this argument is that according to the author, the women have shown a lower rate of
hip fractures. He has not even mentioned the effect of increased dose of vitamin on the other types of
fractures. Hence, the results cannot be true for other types of fractures. The author should have also
considered other fractures. Hence, it can be concluded that this study is incomplete and deprived of
enough evidence. Hence, this conclusion is not very convincing.
GRE Analytical Writing Argument Essay Topic - 8
Some studies conducted by Bronston College, which is also located in a small town, reveal that both male
and female professors are happier living in small towns when their spouses are also employed in the same
geographic area. Therefore, in the interest of attracting the most gifted teachers and researchers to our
faculty and improving the morale of our entire staff, we at Pierce University should offer employment to the
spouse of each new faculty member we hire. Although we cannot expect all offers to be accepted or to be
viewed as an ideal job offer, the money invested in this effort will clearly be well spent because, if their
spouses have a chance of employment, new professors will be more likely to accept our offers.
This argument contains a suggestion given by the chairperson of a department to the president of the
Pierce University that is based on a study conducted by Bronston College that is located in a small town
like Pierce University. This study concludes that if the university is interested in attracting gifted teachers
and researches, then the university should give job offers to the spouse of each new talented teacher. This
study concludes that the teachers will be happier staying in small towns if their spouses will be in the
same geographical area. However, this argument seems a little doubtful as it is not supported by evidence
and the author has not taken care of all the situations.
First of all the study is done by Bronston College and not by the university itself. The Pierce University and
the Bronston College have only one thing in common that both of them are situated in small towns. The
author has not talked about the environments of the two places, number of students, and the reputation of
the two institutions. A teacher will also consider all these things while accepting a job offer. Hence,whether the study done by Bronston College will work for the Pierce University or not, has to be taken care
of.
The second reason that the author has mentioned is that the teachers are happier staying in small towns
when their spouses are in the same geographical area. Here again, the author is just assuming the case of
teachers in the small town. The same may be true for the teachers in the cities. This possibility can also be
true. There is also the possibility of teachers being happier because of the good and peaceful environment
of the small town where the Bronston College lies in. The author has overlooked all these factors, hence,
the argument cannot be concluded on the basis of these statements.
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Another factor is that the chairperson has mentioned is that the University should take this measure to
attract the most gifted teachers. However, that is also not guaranteed as if a person is more talented then
most of the times that person is ambitious. In this case, they would be more interested in getting jobs in a
better university like Harvard or MIT. They would also give preference to the conditions of the laboratory
and the salary given by the University. All these factors make the chairperson's recommendations less
valuable.
GRE Analytical Writing Argument Essay Topic - 9
For the past five years, consumers in California have been willing to pay twice as much for oysters from the
northeastern Atlantic Coast as for Gulf Coast oysters. This trend began shortly after harmful bacteria were
found in a few raw Gulf Coast oysters. However, scientists have now devised a process for killing the
bacteria. Once consumers are made aware of the increased safety of Gulf Coast oysters, they are likely to
be willing to pay as much for Gulf Coast as for northeastern Atlantic Coast oysters, and greater profits for
Gulf Coast oyster producers will follow.
The argument is based on a trend, which is running for the last five years that the consumers in California
are ready to pay more for oysters from the northeastern Atlantic Coast than for Gulf Coast oysters.
According to the author, this started when some harmful bacteria were found in a few raw Gulf Coast
oysters. However, as per this argument, now the scientists have invented a new method to kill these
harmful bacterial, hence, the value of Gulf Coast oysters will increase again.
However, this argument is not very acceptable, as many important points have been ignored. First, the
author has not mentioned the quantity of Gulf Coast oysters in which the harmful bacteria were found.
The whole lot of Gulf Coast oysters cannot be rejected just because of a few affected oysters. The author
has not tried to explain this aspect. Moreover, there does not seem to be any relation between the price of
oysters from the northeastern Atlantic Coast being twice high as Gulf Coast ones and harmful bacteria
found in a few raw Gulf Coast oysters. It might be that the Gulf Coast oysters are more easily available
than the northeastern Atlantic Coast oysters. There might be some other factors that can affect the prices
of the two types of oysters. These factors cannot be ruled out without any research. Hence, the author
should have studied the data carefully and logically to explain the link between the two things.
Secondly, the author has mentioned about a process devised by scientists to kill the bacteria, but he has
not tried to explain the procedure. In fact, the author has not mentioned about the success ratio of this
method. The author has talked about the increased safety of Gulf Coast oysters but he is not very sure.
There are chances that this procedure can only inhibit the growth of the harmful bacteria or can kill a
small portion of the bacteria. Hence, this argument can be concluded based on this statement. It is still not
very convincing that if consumers were made aware of the increased safety of Gulf Coast oysters, they
would be ready to pay the increased amount for Gulf Coast ones. It might be possible that they will be
worried about the success rate of this new procedure or some side effect of this method.
There is one more low point of this argument. These changes took place in the market five years ago. The
consumers might or might not be that fond of oysters. Five years is a long period, hence this is just a
speculation that the price of Gulf Coast oysters will increase and the market will make profit from them.Even if this assumption comes true and the price of Gulf Coast oysters increases, the author has not
offered any data that will help us to compare the two prices. The author has also not mentioned other
factors that will affect the profitability of the producers of Gulf Coast oysters. Hence, it cannot be said with
surety that the producers will gain profits with the increased prices. In the end, we can say that this
argument needs a detailed study of many other factors.
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Even if it will attract the most gifted teachers and researchers and improve the morale of their entire staff,
the chairperson has not provided any evidence that the results of the new policy will be profitable. Hence,
even though the recommendations of the chairperson are true, they are not well supported. The
chairperson should have provided evidence to ensure that the Bronston College's study is well appropriate
for Pierce University. There should have been strong reasons for the most gifted teachers and researchers
preferring Pierce University and not the other universities or colleges. There should also be a study for the
cost effectiveness of this recommendation.
GRE Analytical Writing Argument Essay Topic - 10
The following appeared in a memo from the marketing director of Bargain Brand Cereals.
"One year ago we introduced our first product, 'Bargain Brand' breakfast cereal. Our very low prices
quickly drew many customers away from the top-selling cereal companies. Although the companies
producing the top brands have since tried to compete with us by lowering their prices, and although
several plan to introduce their own budget brands, not once have we needed to raise our prices to continue
making a profit. Given our success selling cereal, Bargain Brand should now expand its business andbegin marketing other low-priced food products as quickly as possible."
The above argument is given by the marketing head of the company. He has tried to prove his good
marketing skills and he is trying to increase the company's market by introducing new products. As per
him, the first product of the company 'Bargain Brand' breakfast cereal has established its market and it
was a hit with the customers. Even this cereal has drawn customers from the top-selling cereal companies
because of its low price and good quality. Hence, right now the company should take advantage of its
goodwill among its customers and introduce new products in the market.
I completely agree with this argument placed by the author as when the customers are happy with the
service provided by one company, and then they definitely want to go for the other services provided by the
same company. According to a famous saying, "First impression is the last impression." Hence, this is theright time for the company to introduce the new product. However, the company has to take extra care to
prove that it is the best. The quality of the new product should not be compromised. The company should
make sure about the quality and the prices offered by the company being the best in the market. The new
product should equalize itself with the old products. Even if the company makes a little less profit in the
beginning, the quality should be the best.
According to the author, this is the right time as the company is already established in the market and
giving competition to the top-brand companies. The customers trust the company and its products
completely. Hence, if the company launches new and different products at this time, it will give the
company a good name. The company can use the success of its first product to expand its business. The
advertisement of the new product can be based on the existing product. The profits of the business depend
on the good quality and the good advertisement. If a company takes advantage of its success at the right
time, it grows very quickly. According to the marketing head, people have started to know the company
and if the second product launched will be good enough then it can give the company's business a boost.
However, the company should not take everything for granted. The company should consider all other
factors, which can affect the promotion of the new product. The company should collect all the data related
to the market and should research for the demand of the product before launching the new product. There
is a possibility of tough competition from the other companies that are already selling the same product at
much cheaper rates. Hence, there will be tough competition. Therefore, the company should be careful in
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selecting the new product for launch. The quality, taste, and price of the product have to be better than the
other products in the market.
Hence, the suggestion made by the marketing head is correct and the company should think about
launching a new product, but it should do it after a careful study of the market.
GRE Analytical Writing Argument Essay Topic - 11
"The Mozart School of Music should obviously be the first choice of any music student aware of itsreputation. First of all, the Mozart School stresses intensive practice and training, so that students
typically begin their training at a very young age. Second, the school has ample facilities and up-to-date
professional equipment, and its faculty includes some of the most distinguished music teachers in the
world. Finally, many Mozart graduates have gone on to be the best known and most highly paid musicians
in the nation."
The argument presented above is based on clearly mentioned reasons. It says that the Mozart School of
Music has all the qualities of a good school of music because of which music students should choose it
over other schools. It lays importance on training since timely and good training leads to good learning.
The school not only boasts of having all the latest equipments and numerous facilities for students, it also
has the best teachers that you can have. According to the argument, students graduating from this school
turn out to be successful by being popular as well as highly paid musicians of the nation. However, the
argument cannot be called completely true since there are many situations where it can lose its stand.
First of all, the argument does not consider the presence of other reputed music schools. It can be called a
one-sided argument since no reference is made of any comparison with the features of other music
schools. It is possible that apart from the Mozart School of Music there are other schools with additional
features that are also popular amongst students. In that case, the Mozart School of Music is not the
obvious first choice since it will have to face the competition of other reputed music schools.
The argument says that this school stresses on the importance of training and practice, which are very
important to begin at a young age. However, it does not mention about the quality of practice and training
being imparted. Although there are many distinguished music teachers, it cannot be said that the music
education being imparted is of the utmost quality. This is because there is a lot that depends upon the
attitude of the faculty as well as students. It is possible that not much is being done in the name of
training. If the teachers are not serious about teaching the students, it reflects in the quality of learning
and training.
Having ample facilities and latest professional equipment is surely important for any music school to be
reputed but it is not the sole factor that can attract students. Equipment can be gotten with funds, but
they need to be made the best use of in order to be useful for students. Some colleges are concerned about
maintaining the equipment to such an extent that they do not allow the use of expensive and latest
equipment by students to avoid damaging them. This type of equipment is of no use and it will not help in
making students learn.
The argument says that many students graduating from the Mozart School of Music have turned out to be
noted and highly paid musicians. However, this fact could be a mere co-incidence. It is likely that these
students could have reached the high in their life by purely their own efforts. In such a case, the school
could have taken the opportunity to take the credit of it in order to attract more students.
It can thus be seen that nearly all the statements presented in the argument can have a different side to
them. Considering the other possibilities, which are equally possible, it can be said that the Mozart School
of Music may not be the first choice of students. Hence, the argument loses its meaning.
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GRE Analytical Writing Argument Essay Topic - 241
As people grow older, an enzyme known as PEP increasingly breaks down the neuropeptide chemicals
involved in learning and memory. But now, researchers have found compounds that prevent PEP from
breaking neuropeptides apart. In tests, these compounds almost completely restored lost memory in rats.
The use of these compounds should be extended to students who have poor memory and difficulty in
concentrating - and therefore serious problems in school performance. Science finally has a solution for
problems neither parents nor teachers could solve.
The arguer recommends administering doses of certain chemical compounds to students in order to
improve their performance in school. These compounds have been found to restore lost memory in rats.
Therefore, the arguer asserts that they will be able to improve the memory and concentration of students
as well by preventing the PEP enzyme from breaking down the chemicals that are involved in learning and
memory. Nevertheless, there are certain points that question the soundness of the recommendation made
by the arguer.
Firstly, a major lacuna in the argument is the unfair analogy that has been drawn between rats and
humans. It is not necessary that what has been proven to be true for rats would be true for humans also.
Although, there is a possibility of having similar results when the compounds are administered to humans,
the reader would like to see concrete evidence being provided in support of this claim. The argument could
have been bolstered by providing evidence that proved that the compounds would have similar effects on
humans and rats. In the absence of such data, the contention that the use of these compounds can resolve
the issue of poor performance by students in school is highly unwarranted.
Secondly, the arguer clearly brings out that as one grows older the PEP enzyme increasingly breaks down
the neuropeptide chemicals that are involved in learning and memory. There is no mention of the role that
this enzyme plays in young humans. It is likely that the PEP enzyme has no effect on the learning abilities
and concentration of young people. Therefore, the administration of compounds that inhibit the actions of
the PEP enzyme will have little or no effect in young people because the neuropeptides in their bodies
would be intact as the PEP enzyme would not be as active as it would be when they grow older. Hence, the
arguer fails to justify the reason for administering these compounds to students. Moreover, there is no
surety that the memory and concentration power of students would actually increase after using these
compounds.
Thirdly, even if one assumes that the compounds will have similar effects on rats and humans, the arguer
has completely ignored other factors that can affect the performance of a school student. The teaching
standards of the school, the interest shown by the student in his studies, able guidance from parents,
friend circles etc. all contribute to the problems that may exist in the school performance of a student. It is
not necessary that good memory and concentration are sufficient for improving the school performance.
Moreover, the experiment in rats has shown effects on their lost memory and there is no mention of the
effect that these compounds have had on the concentration power of rats. Therefore, the assumption that
the use of these compounds will improve the memory and concentration of the students, thereby leading toa marked improvement in their school performance is far-fetched and grossly unconvincing.
The argument could have been substantiated to a significant extent by providing concrete evidence that
could have proved similarities in the effects that the compounds will have on rats and humans.
Additionally, the arguer needs to convince the reader that the poor performance of students in school can
be attributed to their poor memory and concentration alone. Moreover, the argument needs to include
information on the role played by the PEP enzyme on young people. Therefore, lack of crucial evidence has
rendered the given argument weak and unconvincing in several respects.
GRE Analytical Writing Argument Essay Topic - 242
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In a study of reading habits of Leeville citizens conducted by the University of Leeville, most respondents
said they preferred literary classics as reading material. However, a follow-up study conducted by the same
researchers found that the type of book most frequently checked out of each of the public libraries in
Leeville was the mystery novel. Therefore, it can be concluded that the respondents in the first study had
misrepresented their reading habits.
The given argument concludes that the respondents in a study related to the reading habits of Leeville
citizens had misrepresented their actual reading habits. This conclusion is supported by the results of a
second study conducted by the same team who had conducted the first study. These results show thatmystery novels are borrowed the most from the public libraries in Leeville. However, the argument is
plagued by numerous fallacies that make the conclusion sound highly unconvincing.
The arguer has not explicitly stated the cross-section of people who participated in the first study and
those who borrow books from the public libraries. Unless the arguer provides data related to the
respondents, it is difficult to be convinced that the results of the first study are an indication of the reading
habits of all the citizens of Leeville. Moreover, there is a need to provide information related to the age and
the professions of the respondents of the first survey. If the respondents were teachers and writers, then
they would have an inclination to read literary classics and this would explain the results which were in
favor of literary classics being preferred as the reading material. On the other hand, it is likely that the
public libraries are frequented by college going students and young people who are more interested in
reading mystery novels. The second study takes into account the trend being followed by the general
Leeville population which borrows books from the public libraries. It is likely that the people who borrow
books from the libraries are not the same ones who had participated in the first survey. Moreover, it is
likely that the respondents of the first survey do not go to public libraries regularly and are avid collectors
of literary classics who prefer to buy the books that they read.
The arguer should have ideally provided statistical data pertaining to the literary classics being borrowed
from the public libraries. Although, mystery novels are borrowed the most, it is likely that the number of
literary classics that are borrowed comes to a close second. Moreover, the argument makes no mention of
the number of literary classics that are available in the libraries and are not being borrowed. It is likely
that the libraries do not hold many copies of literary classics and so even if all of them have been
borrowed, they will not qualify as the type of books that are borrowed the most. Therefore, the readerneeds to know if the libraries are facing a shortage of literary classics in order to be convinced that people
actually prefer mystery novels over literary classics.
There is no mention of the time lag that has occurred between the conduct of both the studies. It is likely
that the gap between the studies is such that there has been a major change in the demographic make up
of Leeville leading to an increase in the number of people who prefer to read mystery novels.
Therefore, unless the arguer clearly establishes a link between the respondents of the first survey and the
people who borrow books from the public libraries, it would be difficult to assume that the respondents of
the first survey misrepresented their reading habits. Moreover, there is a need to provide statistical data
related to the books held by the public libraries that have been included in the second study. Hence, the
arguer provides scant evidence in support of the conclusion made by him, thereby rendering the argumentindefensible.