--- title: Tackling the GRE Issue Essay | MyGuru description: A summary of our August 26, 2020 webinar discussing how to increase your score on the GRE issue essay. --- [![MyGuruLogo](https://www.myguruedge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MyGuruLogo.png?width=262&height=92&name=MyGuruLogo.png)](https://www.myguruedge.com/)   # **GRE Issue Essay Webinar: August 26, 2020** ### MyGuru's Director of Online Tutoring demonstrates how to conquer the GRE issue essay using an effective step-by-step approach. ### Analytical Writing on the GRE - Always the first section - 60 minutes long - Two essays: Issue & Argument (in that order) - Maximum 30 minutes to complete each essay  - Scoring scale of 0-6 in 1/2 point increments  ### The Issue Essay - Most important: Make sure you a) address the task and b) consider both sides of the issue - Least important: Controlling the elements of standard written English ### Essay Pacing Overview - 3-5 minutes brainstorming - 22-25 minutes writing the essay - 2-3 minutes proofreading - Fix major errors & vary word choice ### Issue Essay Brainstorming  #### 1) Identify issue at hand - Almost verbatim #### 2) Consider supporting examples pro & con for issue - Historical events - Current events  - Arts & literature - Popular culture - Prepare subject matter you know well for possible use - Better known > lesser known, broad > limited - Hypotheticals should be general, not specific #### 3) Based on your supporting examples - Choose a side - Consider pros vs. cons you derived in brainstorm - Do not predetermine your position on personal belief  ### Issue Essay Structure #### P1) Introduction - Articulate the point at issue - Preview your support for your position - Clearly articulate your position (don't equivocate) #### P2) Primary Supporting Example - Briefly summarize supporting example - Relate the example as relevant to your position as stated - Briefly address possible opposition response to your example - Restate your position as preferable - Transition into secondary supporting example #### P3) Secondary Supporting Example - Same as paragraph 2 #### P4) Conclusion - Briefly identify any additional supporting examples - Relate as tangentially relevant to your position - Restate your position as preferable to the opposition for the reasons you stated Reference the video located above to watch the entire webinar, including a demonstration of a sample issue essay brainstorm and outline using a prompt from The Official Guide to the GRE.  ### If you have additional questions regarding the information in this webinar or GRE/GMAT prep, please reach out to us at [info@myguruedge.com. ](mailto:info@myguruedge.c) For a full listing of our GRE/GMAT webinar videos [click here,](https://www.myguruedge.com/free-gmat-gre-classes-webinars-listing) and see below for more information about our online tutoring:  - [GRE](https://www.myguruedge.com/gre-prep/online-gre-tutoring) - [GMAT](https://www.myguruedge.com/gmat-prep/online-gmat-tutoring) ![](https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/1024210668/?value=0&label=RNTBCNrfvQQQ7O2w6AM&guid=ON&script=0) [![Request a Tutor | Academic Tutors](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/215486/766b072a-be46-483b-80c4-b8919506919d.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/215486/766b072a-be46-483b-80c4-b8919506919d) *Founded in 2009 by several graduate school students at Northwestern University, MyGuru designs customized study plans to help students build foundational academic skills, learn critical test-taking strategies, and have the confidence to perform well on standardized tests. 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