AWA Logical Organization & Structure 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the function of the conclusion in a high-scoring AWA essay?
- Introduce a new line of reasoning not covered in the body
- Restate the thesis word-for-word from the introduction
- Synthesize the main points and reinforce the overall position without simply repeating them (Correct answer)
- Provide additional evidence to support the weakest body paragraph
Correct answer: Synthesize the main points and reinforce the overall position without simply repeating them
A strong conclusion synthesizes rather than merely repeats, showing how the accumulated analysis supports the writer's overall position.
Question 2: An argument essay's body paragraphs appear in the order: evidence → assumption → flaw. Which organizational principle is this applying?
- Chronological order
- Order of increasing complexity or abstraction (Correct answer)
- Spatial order
- Order of decreasing importance
Correct answer: Order of increasing complexity or abstraction
Moving from concrete evidence to the underlying assumption to the logical flaw represents increasing levels of abstraction and analytical depth.
Question 3: A student writes the same thesis in the introduction and conclusion with slightly different wording. According to AWA scoring guidelines, this approach is:
- Ideal because it shows consistency
- Adequate but misses the opportunity to show synthesis (Correct answer)
- Penalized heavily as plagiarism of one's own work
- Irrelevant to the score since conclusions are not evaluated
Correct answer: Adequate but misses the opportunity to show synthesis
While restating the thesis provides closure, high-scoring essays use the conclusion to advance understanding beyond simple restatement.
Question 4: Which of the following transition phrases signals CONTRAST?
- In addition
- Consequently
- Nevertheless (Correct answer)
- Similarly
Correct answer: Nevertheless
'Nevertheless' introduces a contrasting or concessive idea, signaling that despite what was just said, something different follows.
Question 5: In an AWA Issue essay, the writer presents one side for three paragraphs and then suddenly defends the opposite position. This is an example of:
- Effective use of counterargument
- Structural incoherence due to an unclear or missing thesis (Correct answer)
- The Rogerian argument structure
- Appropriate use of the concession-rebuttal pattern
Correct answer: Structural incoherence due to an unclear or missing thesis
Abruptly switching sides without a governing thesis signals that the essay lacks a clear organizational logic, hurting coherence scores.
Question 6: Which sentence best functions as a topic sentence for a body paragraph critiquing an argument's flawed evidence?
- The argument mentions a study, which is interesting.
- There are many problems with this argument overall.
- The study cited by the argument is insufficiently detailed to support the sweeping conclusion drawn from it. (Correct answer)
- Evidence is very important in all arguments.
Correct answer: The study cited by the argument is insufficiently detailed to support the sweeping conclusion drawn from it.
An effective topic sentence names the specific claim (the cited study) and the specific problem (insufficient detail for the conclusion), focusing the paragraph precisely.
Question 7: Why is it generally recommended to avoid listing all critiques in the introduction of an AWA Argument essay?
- Introductions should be exactly two sentences long
- Previewing all critiques in the introduction eliminates the reader's incentive to engage with body paragraphs (Correct answer)
- The AWA rubric penalizes introductions longer than 50 words
- Critiques are only appropriate in the conclusion
Correct answer: Previewing all critiques in the introduction eliminates the reader's incentive to engage with body paragraphs
While a brief preview is fine, exhaustively listing all critiques upfront reduces suspense and can make body paragraphs feel redundant.
AWA Logical Organization & Structure 3
Which of the following best describes the function of the conclusion in a high-scoring AWA essay?