GMAT AWA - Argument Analysis - iconoclastic approach

GMAT AWA question start with


Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and
the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions
underlie the thinking and what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion. You can
also discuss what sort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argument would
make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate its conclusion.

Now how to approach this
You have to find

• Evidences - stated facts 
•  Assumptions - unstated facts without which evidences will not stand .
• Unstated evidences - Implied evidences 
• Conclusion  - final thing what author want to prove .

We have to study basic line of argument and what are patterns which creates questionable evidences .

Always we will attack assumption and not facts or conclusion .

Here we can use innovative approach of using mind maps .Mind Map will save your time of writing for preparation for response and more of all will help you to think laterally and further more with important point to add in response .

learn about mind map 

Read About Mind Map

Download free software for convenience - In GMAT create mind map on rough paper 

Mind Map Download Link

First we will learn basic things about how argument is evaluated then we will use mind map tool for that .

Basics About Analysis of Argument - 

Introduction :

We do arguments everywhere and on literary on every object  some time to prove our point of view and some time to disapprove other's point of view.But in GMAT we have some norms like we can not question given evidences or facts directly as spurious ....but we can question basis on which these things are valid or not .
In this task we have weigh in the given evidences and check whether those lead to conclusion as stated.We have to check whether those reasons are strong or weak or outright illogical or severely flawed.Main need to focus in this what is your logical analysis and how effectively and lucidly you present it .
If you manage to use simple and short sentences without diverting from point which you want to make ; it will draw maximum grades .
Occasional use of highbrow vocabulary would pepper up your analysis but as Aristotle said  ," One should do all things in moderation " , you should avoid overusing it and making a stodgy , dull piece of article .

What is an argument ?

Example :
(1)  I like ice-cream and I must buy it .
(2) I like ice-cream because in these hot days it would carry some relief  and also taste of it is much more better than that of cold-drinks.

Second sentence is an argument while first is not .Why ? because
premises is that I like ice-cream and conclusion is that I must buy it.What is missing here is reasoning for action of buying .Now these reasoning should be well sounded and should not negate the very purpose for which it is trying to achieve .

Structure of argument 

1.One or more reason backed 

2.Complex chain of reasoning backed means one reason depend on other and so on .

3.Complex chain of small arguments(with some intermediate conclusions ) leading to final argument .

Given evidences and unstated assumptions should lead to final conclusion logically sound .This is called LOR or line of reasoning 

So most logical argument should create solid LOR.
Most of time we need to find wrong assumptions and flaws in evidences and make critique of argument which is what we want to do in 30 mins.

Assumption is thing without which fact / evidence will not stand .
Example -

Take some evidence /fact as lets say  "some one has lit up candle" .
Implicit assumption is that there is oxygen ...he he .

Flaws Evidence - Evidence fails to support claim or conclusion (Root flaw and minor flaws)
Wrong Assumption - Basis on which evidence is stated is ambiguous
Missing Evidence - These intermediate  evidences needed to make stated argument stronger or you can say nice to have evidences .

Assumptions can be implicit or explicit.Both we have to check whether supports given evidences .

Commons flaws in evidences

(1) Unreliable Indicators 

a) Stating opinion of people /common people and not of expert 

Example : People from some whole village people think that global warming is humbug so they should start using SUV.

b) Seemingly connected things but which imply exact opposite .

Example :  Money is only indicator of happiness .

c) Flaw of composition 

What is applied for individual is also applied to group .

Example  :  One fruit is rotten is basket means all fruits are rotten .

d) Flaw of division 

What applies for group is applied to individual .

Example:  Buddhist are peaceful people so some Buddhist  person is also peaceful .

(2) Falsely impressive data .

Like comparisons in  ratios or percentages .

Economy of Pakistan has impressively doubled(200%) in year 2010 . we should say that it is now a developed nation .
Now fact is that economy was only 1 Billion dollar year and it become 2 Billion dollar which is insignificant on world arena....he he

Some phrases like -
tripped a years
Sharp increase
Significant boost
encouraging results

(3) Cause and effect assumptions

a) Confusing Time sequence/Historic cause effect  or Anachronism 

Cause has occurred after effect .

He felt good  yesterday .But he has taken medicine today .
OR

The Great philosopher Socrates was killed by AK47 riffle bullet while he was looking at his Rolex watch .

b) First stating significant fact then ignoring or denying it minor cause .

Skin Cancer is caused by ultraviolet rays but it might be due to fast foods as they contains carcinogens  .

c) Predictive cause effect 

If you take one pill a day you will stay healthy .

But here it is ignoring potential side effects of pill ...he he .

d) Down Playing side effects or ignoring them

XYZ drug will reduce fat person's weight .

e) Reversible cause effect .

X girl loves Y boy so Y boy also loves her ...he he

In toto  the evidence must be necessary and sufficient for cause to occur .

(4)False Analogy 

Assuming that one case  is similar to another .
Example one group , one organization , one individual is similar to another so what applied to one it can be blindly applies to another .

Lets take example -
One's wife said  to her husband that neighbors husband had jumped off The Grand Canyon and had come home safely so he should have gone  and jumped the canyon

...he he joking ..

(5) Unfair comparison 

while comparing one or more things side of only one thing is presented while another things are ignored or under-presented .I mean argument should be in disinterested manner .

(6) Narrow thinking (either or thinking )

Only discussing limited number of possibilities while ignoring major ones .


Checking Necessary and sufficient evidences /conditions /reasons 

Following is necessary condition 

To get admission in ISB you have to appear for GMAT .

Following are sufficient but not necessary conditions 

Also for getting admission you need lacks of Money .Also you require your own  accommodation in Hyderabad etc ,

It is because

Like you may get scholarship , You may live in hostel ..he he

Here also consider using set theory like for derived conclusions

A U A == A
A U NONE == A
A U ALL == ALL
!(A U B) = !A AND !B

A AND A == A
A AND NONE == NONE
A AND ALL = A
!(A AND B ) ==  !A U !B

You know all this ...

How to find root flaw and provide missing evidences .

Best way to write Analysis of argument is pointing out major flaws/Irrelevant /insufficient /missing  evidence .
Nature of evidences might be flawed , irreverent , insufficient or missing altogether .

• Flawed - Evidence has inherent flaw in itself
• Irrelevant - Evidence does not try to connect between itself or other evidences final claim .
• insufficient - Without the given evident claim can happen .It is not like X happen so Y and Y happen so X .It is more like X happen so Y but Y can happen in case of Z also .
• Missing - required evidence is completely missing 

Out of these evidences check that which evidences is the gravest and that would become your root flaw to start with .

So in next blog we will come to style of writing argument like how to put forth root flaw , how to compose sentences and paragraphs and more of all how to become terse in our opinion that writing  out pages after pages ....remember we have only 30 mins...we are not in Westminster Parliament or in US senate to argue on gay marriage or abortion etc  .

We will try to write all AWA from GMAT site on this blog ... obviously using Mind Map .