AWA Logical Organization & Structure 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In an AWA essay, which organizational pattern is most effective when the prompt asks you to evaluate both strengths AND weaknesses of an argument?
- Present all strengths first, then all weaknesses
- Alternate between strengths and weaknesses in each paragraph
- Address each major claim individually, noting its strength or weakness before moving on (Correct answer)
- Summarize all points in a single middle paragraph
Correct answer: Address each major claim individually, noting its strength or weakness before moving on
Addressing each claim individually keeps analysis focused and prevents the reader from losing track of which critique applies to which part of the argument.
Question 2: A writer begins body paragraph 2 with: 'Furthermore, the study ignores seasonal variation.' Which function does 'Furthermore' signal?
- Contrast with the previous paragraph
- Addition of another supporting point (Correct answer)
- Introduction of a counterargument
- Transition to the conclusion
Correct answer: Addition of another supporting point
'Furthermore' is an additive transition indicating the writer is piling on another related point, not shifting direction.
Question 3: The GRE AWA rubric rewards 'a clear progression of ideas.' This most directly means the essay should:
- Use numbered lists to sequence ideas
- Move from simpler vocabulary to more complex vocabulary
- Build each idea logically on the previous one without abrupt jumps (Correct answer)
- Include at least five distinct ideas in the body
Correct answer: Build each idea logically on the previous one without abrupt jumps
Logical progression means each paragraph or idea follows naturally from what preceded it, creating a coherent chain of reasoning.
Question 4: Which paragraph structure places the topic sentence at the END of the paragraph rather than the beginning?
- Deductive structure
- Inductive structure (Correct answer)
- Parallel structure
- Chiastic structure
Correct answer: Inductive structure
Inductive structure builds from specific evidence or examples up to a general conclusion (the topic sentence) at the end.
Question 5: An AWA essay has five paragraphs but no transitional sentences between them. What organizational problem does this create?
- The essay will exceed the word limit
- Paragraphs will appear as isolated units rather than a unified argument (Correct answer)
- The introduction will be too brief
- The conclusion will contradict the thesis
Correct answer: Paragraphs will appear as isolated units rather than a unified argument
Without transitions, paragraphs read as disconnected blocks rather than steps in a single logical argument, weakening overall coherence.
Question 6: In the context of AWA logical structure, what is a 'signpost sentence'?
- A sentence that quotes the original prompt verbatim
- A sentence that explicitly tells the reader where the essay is going or has been (Correct answer)
- A sentence placed only in the conclusion
- A sentence that introduces a counterexample
Correct answer: A sentence that explicitly tells the reader where the essay is going or has been
Signpost sentences orient the reader by announcing the essay's direction, such as 'This essay will argue three points...' or 'Having established X, we now turn to Y.'
Question 7: If an AWA body paragraph contains three unrelated critiques of the argument, the best revision strategy is to:
- Delete two critiques and keep only one
- Separate the paragraph into multiple focused paragraphs, one per critique (Correct answer)
- Merge all three critiques into a single sentence
- Move the entire paragraph to the introduction
Correct answer: Separate the paragraph into multiple focused paragraphs, one per critique
Each paragraph should develop one focused idea; splitting allows each critique to be fully explained and supported without crowding.
AWA Logical Organization & Structure 2
In an AWA essay, which organizational pattern is most effective when the prompt asks you to evaluate both strengths AND weaknesses of an argument?