GMAT AWA: Issue

"The presence of a competitor is always beneficial to a company. Competition forces a company to change itself in ways that improve its practices."
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion stated above. Support your views with reasons and/or examples from your own experience, observations, or reading.
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Andrew's Writing:

The speaker claims that competition is always beneficial to a company by forcing a company to change and to improve. In the first glance, people are more likely to agree with this assertion. However, I disagree with this statement ! According to my observation, although the existence of compeititors does benefit most of the companies, it doesn't prove to be always beneficial to some.

Admittedly, competition provides the dynamic for progression for an enterprise. A company could lose its competiveness if it doesn't follow the trend. The competition also means varieties of choices for customers, and that does make the enterprise itself become better. From ICQ, the earliest instant messenger, that i used as to communicate with friends, to Yahoo and MSN messengers, and the latest that i used, Google Talk, the compeition from those system providers allows us to benefit from the more handy functions. Because those companies know their clients needs, they benefit from the improvement they make. The style, functions, and quality of commodities are all improved greatly because of the compeition in those industries.

However, the competition sometimes reduces the marginal profit of a company. By spending more time and energy to the development of a product, the cost increases largely. Some companies are thus forced to close because they are not competitive enough. The First insurance company was once a main insurance company in Taiwan. In 1980, the government opened the market and allowed foreign insurance companies to establish in Taiwan. This practice created a lot of competitors from abroad for the local insurance comapny. Afterward, the First Insurance Company surprised its policy holders and declare bankrupcy ! Protectionism may not be a perfect policy, but it does protect a company and also protect its customers.

All in all, I am not against the presence of a competitor because it does make many companies regain its energy in the market. However, the evidence proves that it does not fit into all situation and it is not always beneficial.

GMAT AWA: Argument

The following appeared as part of an article in a magazine on lifestyles.
"Two years ago, City L was listed 14th in an annual survey that ranks cities according to the quality of life that can be enjoyed by those living in them. This information will enable people who are moving to the state in which City L is located to confidently identify one place, at least, where schools are good, housing is affordable, people are friendly, the environment is safe, and the arts flourish."
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.
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Andrew's Writing:

The faulty this article makes is obvious in several perspectives. First, it makes a faulty analogy fallacy by comparing 2 different time, two years ago and now, and by comparing 2 different places, City L and the whole state. Second, the quality of life includes something more than just the quality of school, the price of housing the friendliness of people, the safety of enviorment, and the prevailing of arts. In the following analysis, I would like to provide more evidence to demonstrate the two points i just mentioned.

First of all, the article assumes 2 different time and 2 different places without any evidence to remain the same. The survey 2 years ago ranked City L as 14th place in quality of life. This survey, however, reflects only the situation at that time. The quality of life could improve far better during these 2 years. Who knows City L would not be the best place to live now ? The survey also fails to mention how many cities were compared in this survey. Is the rankings including the cities all over the world ? or only in the state in which City L is located ? Those information will make "14th place" more meaningful. Moreover, City L can not represent the whole state in which City L is located. The quality for City L could be an exceptional situation. This kind of comparison commit the faluty of generaliztion, since we don't know whether City L is representative enough.

In addition to the analogy fallacy, another thing we need to consider is what the index of quality of life is. What are the evaluation standards ? by whom ? an authoritative organization ? The survey perhaps includes hundreds of items to evaluate in deciding the qulaity of a city. While City L fails several other standards in this assessment, it is probably reputed for its good schools, afforadable housing, friendly people, safe enviroment and flourished arts. It is wiser to examine each of its assessment, rather than to judge by the overall rank.

In sum, we expect to review an updated survey rather than a two-year-ago one. What we can get from the information the article provides is limited in deciding the quality of City L, not to mention in deciding the cities of the whole state.

GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment: Issue

33. “People are likely to accept as a leader only someone who has demonstrated an ability to perform the same tasks that he or she expects others to perform.”
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion stated above. Support your views with reasons and/or examples from your own experience, observations, or reading.
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Andrew's Writing:

Are people likely to accept as a leader only someone who has demonstrated the capability of performing the same tasks that he or she anticipates others to perform ? At least not for me. That is, I do not agree with such an broad conclusion the speaker makes. For some people, a competent leader who can perform the same task is perhaps more convincing. However, according to my observation, most people follow the direction of someone if he or she is proved to be talented and persuasive in that field. He or she doesn't neccessarily have to have the ability to do the same thing.

Admittedly, we can learn a lot from those who have already done the same task. A student is more likely to learn from the teacher who has good knowledge rather than from someone ameture. When someone wants to learn to dance, he or she expects the instructor to be a once dance champion in some competition. Even the couches for most sports teams were once excellent players. As evidence shows that some past Olympic gold medal winners become couches in the field that he once performed very well.

However, the history abounds with more examples to demonstrate the opposite. During the World War II, Churchhill, the prime minister of United Kingdom, led his country to fight the war and was the great leader in the eyes of his citizens. The soldiers of his country listened to their leaders' commands not because the task those leaders once performed in the battle filed, but because the leadership charisma that inspired people through the speaking. Hitler, the dictator, was accepted as a German hero because his exagerating speeches that fooled his people, rather than any task he had once done. The best examples can be found among the movie industries nowadays. Many movie directors, such as Spielberg or Ang Lee, were accepted as great leaders in that field absolutely not because they are also good actors. Instead, it is because the directors' sense or creative ideas toward the art of movie. Their talents on directing, not performing, persuaves the actors or actresses to follow the directors' commands.

In sum, people are more likely to accept as leader someone who shows the leadership charisma. The charisma can be demonstrated through speeches, through the prestige, or even through the media that promotes someone's image easily. The ability to perform the task in the same field is not the most critical.
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Sample Essay:

People are more likely to accept the leadership of those who have shown they can perform the same tasks they require of others. My reasons for this view involve the notions of respect and trust.

It is difficult for people to fully respect a leader who cannot, or will not, do what he or she asks of others. President Clinton’s difficulty in his role as Commander-in-Chief serves as a fitting and very public example. When Clinton assumed this leadership position, it was well known that he had evaded military service during the Vietnam conflict. Military leaders and lower-level personnel alike made it clear that they did not respect his leadership as a result. Contrast the Clinton case with that of a business leader such as John Chambers, CEO of Cisco Systems, who by way of his training and experience as a computer engineer earned the respect of his employees.

It is likewise difficult to trust leaders who do not have experience in the areas under their leadership. The Clinton example illustrates this point as well. Because President Clinton lacked military experience, people in the armed forces found it difficult to trust that his policies would reflect any understanding of their interests or needs. And when put to the test, he undermined their trust to an even greater extent with his naive and largely bungled attempt to solve the problem of gays in the military. In stark contrast, President Dwight Eisenhower inspired nearly devotional trust as well as respect because of his role as a military hero in World War II.

In conclusion, it will always be difficult for people to accept leaders who lack demonstrated ability in the areas under their leadership. Initially, such leaders will be regarded as outsiders, and treated accordingly. Moreover, some may never achieve the insider status that inspires respect and trust from those they hope to lead.

GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment: Issue

72. “Companies should not try to improve employees’ performance by giving incentives—for example, awards or gifts. These incentives encourage negative kinds of behavior instead of encouraging a genuine interest in doing the work well.”
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion stated above. Support your views with reasons and/or examples from your own experience, observations, or reading.
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Andrew's Writing:

The speaker claims that companies should not offer incentives to enhance employees' perfomrance because these incentives enourage negative kinds of behavior. I disagree with such an arbitrary assertion because it fails to examine the employees' motives in doing the work. People are encouraged by different incentives. To enhance the performance in doing the work, employers should find way to realize their employees' needs.

Admittedly, a genuine interest in doing the work well is very important, because such an interest can make one devote to one's work and make one endure while encountering difficulties. However, for many of the employees, work doesn't mean everything in their lives. For some, to work is just to earn the daily bread, while, for some, to work means to gain some sorts of sense of achievement. Incentives such as awards or gifts can greatly encourage those employees to persue their goals.

The high tech companies or financial firms attract a group of elites annually, despite the nature, long working hours or stressful working condition, of these industries. People are attracted to the good yearly bonus those company offered. Those bonuses mean better quality of life. Although many of the Hollywood movie stars or pop singers show great interests in performing arts, they are greatly stimulated by Oscar or Grammy Awards. Even the Nobel Prize is designed for those who contribute to the world. Those incentives, undoubtedly, do boost the growth of our society.

In sum, everyone has different motives in doing works. A company should do its best to find all those incentives that meet its employees' desires. Only by doing so, a employee's potential could be stimulated and perhaps his/her genuine interest in doing work can be inspired.
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Sample Essay:

Providing employee incentives can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the promise of bonuses or gifts can spur workers to higher achievement. On the other hand, incentives can create resentment and internal competitiveness that are damaging to morale and to the organization. Even so, I think a carefully designed incentive program can operate to the net benefit of a company.

Incentive programs are counterproductive when the distribution of rewards appears to be personally biased, when the program recognizes just one kind among many important jobs in the organization, or when there are too few rewards available. For example, if a manager regularly rewards an employee who is perceived to be a favorite, coworkers will be resentful. Or if the company decides to recognize high sales, while ignoring an especially precise cost-assessment from the accounting department, the accountants may feel their work is not valued. Finally, if rewards are too few, some employees will become overly competitive, while others may simply stop trying.

However, incentive programs can be designed to avoid such pitfalls. First, the company must determine that it can provide sufficient rewards to motivate all employees. Then it must set, and follow, clear and non-arbitrary guidelines for achievement. Finally, management should provide appropriate incentives throughout the organization, thereby sending the message that all work is valued. Admittedly, even a thoughtfully designed incentive program cannot entirely prevent back-stabbing and unfair competitive tactics. But watchful management can quell much of this behavior, and the perpetrators usually show their true colors in time.

In sum, I think that the productivity inspired by thoughtful incentive programs will very likely outweigh any negative consequences. In the final analysis, then, I disagree with the speaker’s recommendation against their use.

GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment: Argument

107. The following appeared in a memorandum written by the assistant manager of a store that sells gourmet food items from various countries.
“A local wine store made an interesting discovery last month: it sold more French than Italian wine on days when it played recordings of French accordion music, but it sold more Italian than French wine on days when Italian songs were played. Therefore, I recommend that we put food specialties from one particular country on sale for a week at a time and play only music from that country while the sale is going on. By this means we will increase our profits in the same way that the wine store did, and we will be able to predict more precisely what items we should stock at any given time.”
Discuss how well reasoned . . . etc.
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Andrew's writing (in 40 minutes...... @_@")

The memorandum recommends that the gourmet food store sell food specialties from one particular country and at the same time play the music from that country. The reason offered in support of this recommendation is based on a discovery last month that wine from a certain country sells more than that from any others when its music is played. This argument is unconvincing for the following logical fallacies.

First of all, a faulty analogy fallacy is committed because a the gourmet food store is compared with a gourmet food store. A gourmet store sells items more than just wine. A sale success in wine doesn't mean that the success will also occur in the sale of food specialties. In addition, we need to question whether the local wine store in which the discovery was made is located at the same area as the gourmet store.The effect of sell could vary from location to location. Moreover, since the discovery was made last month, the past achievment should not guarantee the future success.

Secondly, the assisstant manager fails to examine the authenticity of the discovery. Is the sale success on certain wine simply because that the music from a certain country is played? There might be some other promoting stratigies for that wine store during that period. Other causes contributed to the success should not be ignored.

Finally, the manager's claim that the profit will be increased from this means is immediately problematic. According to the business principle, good sells doesn't neccessarily mean good profit. The manager's assertion that they will be able to predict more precisely what items to be stocked, again, committ the faulty analogy fallacy since two different times are assumed without evidence to remain the same.

In conclusion, the assistant manager's recommendation is unfounded. To strengthen his recommendation, the assistant manager would have to demonstrate that the situation --the background, location and time-- for the wine store and the gourmet store is similiar and to thoroughly analyze the reason for the wine store's success.
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Sample Essay: (Some good points that i failed to mention!)

As a means of increasing profits and more accurately predicting what items should be stocked, the assistant manager of a gourmet food store proposes that only music from a particular country be played during the period food items from that country are on sale. The basis for this proposal is the discovery by a wine store that sales of wine from a country increased when music from that country was played. The manager’s proposal is questionable for several reasons.

First, the manager assumes that the sequence of sales experienced by the wine store reflects a general causal pattern. However, there is little evidence to support this assumption. While perhaps indicative of such a pattern, the wine store sales merely demonstrate a correlation between sales of wine from a country and the playing of music from that country. To establish a causal connection between these events it would be necessary to examine and eliminate other possible factors that might account for this phenomenon. In any case, it is highly questionable whether evidence gathered over a one-month period is sufficient to establish the general claim in question.

Second, the manager assumes that the wine store increased its profits by playing the appropriate music. However, this is not necessarily the case. It is consistent with the statement that the wine store sold more French than Italian wine on days when French music was played and vice versa when Italian music was played that no net increase in sales, and thus profit, was realized by this method. For example, it is possible that on days when French music was played seven bottles of French wine were sold and three bottles of Italian (were sold) whereas the reverse was the case when Italian music was played, and that in both instances only 10 bottles were sold.
In conclusion, the manager’s recommendation is based on two dubious assumptions. To strengthen the argument it would be necessary to provide additional evidence to support the claim that sales of an item are influenced by the type of music played. Additionally, the manager would have to provide evidence that the wine store increased its profits by playing the appropriate music.

GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment: Argument

10. The following appeared in the editorial section of a local newspaper.
“This past winter, 200 students from Waymarsh State College traveled to the state capitol building to protest against proposed cuts in funding for various state college programs. The other 12,000 Waymarsh students evidently weren’t so concerned about their education: they either stayed on campus or left for winter break. Since the group who did not protest is far more numerous, it is more representative of the state’s college students than are the protesters. Therefore the state legislature need not heed the appeals of the protesting students.”

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.
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My writing in 30 minutes:

The argument above asserts at least the following three unreasonable points: 1) 200 protesters were not representative enough for Waymarsh state college, 2) 12,000 studetns weren't so concerned about their education just because they did not show up at the demostration, and 3)because they are not representative, the state legislature need not heed their appeals.

First of all, a question raised from this editorial is that what percentage of protesters is representative enough ? In my opinions, if most of the Waymarch college students agree or sign up to support the protestors, even one is quite enough. We also need to consider the composition of those protestors. Maybe they are either the leaders of certain student association, or the class leaders delegated by the students. In such a circumstance, 200 are definitely representative enough.

Secondly, we have to consider the other students' states of minds. Staying on campus or leaving for winter break doesn't neccessarily mean that they do not care. They might care about this issue more than anyone else does and hope that the government will heed their appeals. Besides, it is also possible that the capitol building is too small to have all students gather at the same time. Those absent students are then rational to choose not to go to the demostration. Such an absence doesn't mean they were not concerned.

Finally, even if the 200 students are only minority for this appeal, the legisture should not thus ignore it. Instead, they should try to understand their thought and find a way to solve the problems. Even minority is part of the society and deserves the attention from related units.

In conclusion, it is too arbitrary to assert that those protestors are not representative enough for the students. Besides, it is simply wrong for the legislature not to pay attention to the public. Before the legislature decide not the heed their appeals, they better think twice !
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Sample Essay:

The conclusion in this argument is that the state legislature need not consider the views of protesting students. To support this conclusion, the author points out that only 200 of the 12,000 students traveled to the state capitol to voice their concerns about proposed cuts in college programs. Since the remaining students did not take part in this protest, the author concludes they are not interested in this issue. The reasoning in this argument is flawed for two reasons.

First, the author assumes that because only one-hundredth of the students took part in the protest, these students’ views are unrepresentative of the entire student body. This assumption is unwarranted. If it turns out, for example, that the protesting students were randomly selected from the entire student body, their views would reflect the views of the entire college. Without information regarding the way in which the protesting students were selected, it is presumptuous to conclude that their opinions fail to reflect the opinions of their colleagues.

Second, the author cites the fact that the remaining 12,000 students stayed on campus or left for winter break as evidence that they are not concerned about their education. One obvious rejoinder to this line of reasoning is that the students who did not participate did so with the knowledge that their concerns would be expressed by the protesting students. In any case, the author has failed to demonstrate a logical connection between the students’ alleged lack of concern and the fact that they either stayed on campus or left for winter break. Without this connection, the conclusion reached by the author that the remaining 12,000 students are not concerned about their education is unacceptable.

As it stands, the argument is not well reasoned. To make it logically acceptable, the author would have to demonstrate that the protesting students had some characteristic in common that biases their views, thereby nullifying their protest as representative of the entire college.

GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment: Issue

34. “All citizens should be required to perform a specified amount of public service. Such service would benefit not only the country as a whole but also the individual participants.”
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion stated above. Support your views with reasons and/or examples from your own experience, observations, or reading.
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Andrew's Writing

I agree with the claims that all citizens should have be demanded to perform public service and that such service would benefit both the country and indivduals. In the following analysis, I will discuss the above two statements, respectively.

First, a compulsory public service should be demanded on all citizens. It is a chance that we realize other's need and show our sympathy through service. While we hear the misery stories from media everyday, most of us only think in our mind: "what a poor person ! What a terrible situation !" It is always easy to talk than to do. Although we want to help, we are often too busy to really devote ourselves to any events beneficial for this soceity. Only when public service become imperative to everyone, one can find no more excuse for contributing to the public. Everyone can do something for this society even if one is handicapped or instead needs others' help. Through public service, we learn to give rather than to take. Surely, we will also enjoy this joyful moment.

Then, public service is beneficial for both countries and individuals. A nation always needs some volunteer to do public service to help this country function well. Simply depending on the government, how can a country cope with the aftermath of 911, Harricane Katrina and, in Taiwan's case, the 921 earthquake in 1999 and SARS crisis in 2002. Without all those volunteery social workers, it will definitely take forever to pass through such disasters. Besides, while individuals contribute themselves to the public social work, they gradually realize the meaning of service, they know how lucky they are, and they feel the warmness by helping people to help themselves. Israel's military system provide the best evidence, all young men and women are requried to undergo the army and such a system not only benefit their country but also foster their love for the coutry. Consequently, they also learn and grow up from this experience.

In conclusion, I advocate that one should be required to perform public service, because our people, our society and our coutry, even our world, need those helpers. Only through our devotion, can we find the true happiness.

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Sample Essay:

The potential benefits of mandatory public service must be weighed against administrative problems and concerns about individual liberty. On balance, the costs to a nation and to the participants would probably exceed the benefits.

Admittedly, a colorable argument can be made for mandatory public service. It would help alleviate “free-rider” problems, where those who do not contribute benefit from the efforts of those who do. It would mitigate pressing social problems—with education, public health and safety, and the environment. It might instill in participants a sense of civic duty, community, and individual responsibility. Finally, it has worked on a smaller scale, particularly in urban areas, where renewal projects succeed in making communities safer, healthier, and more prosperous.

Far more compelling, however, are the arguments against mandatory public service. First, who would make assignments and decide what projects are worthwhile, and how would compliance be assured? Resolving enforcement issues would require government control, in turn requiring increased taxes and/or cuts in other social programs, thereby nullifying the benefits of mandatory public service. Second, a mandatory system would open the floodgates to incompetence and inexperience. Finally, the whole notion seems tantamount to Communism insofar as each citizen must contribute, according to his or her ability, to a strong state. Modern history informs us that such systems do not work. One could argue that mandatory public service is simply a tax in the form of labor rather than dollars. However, compulsory labor smacks of involuntary servitude, whereas financial taxes do not.

In conclusion, logistical and philosophical barriers to mandating public service outweigh its potential benefits for the nation as well as for participants.

GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment: Issue

37. “Since science and technology are becoming more and more essential to modern society, schools should devote more time to teaching science and technology and less to teaching the arts and humanities.”
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion stated above. Support your views with reasons and/or examples from your own experience, observations, or reading.
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Andrew's poor writing:

I agree with the former statement that science and technology are becoming more and more essential to modern society. However, the later statement that schools should thus emphasize science and technology rather than arts and humanities is controversial. In the following analysis, I would like to reason and provide evidence to validate the former one and refute the later.

We don't have to look very far to see the influence of science and technology in our daily life. From an agriculture society to an industrial society, human beings experience the great impact of science and technology which better our lives. The transportation vehicles such as cars, mass transit system and even airplanes, means easier travel; the mobile phones and internet access brings faster communication. Science and technology even advance the medical equipment and therefore improve and prolong our lives. It is hard to imagine how we are going to live without those advanced innovation.

However, compare with science and technology, arts and humanities are no less important. Science and technology are only part of our daily life. They are not everything! Instead, they are the tools to strengthen our appreciation toward art and to realize our goal toward humanities. From the intricate design of mobile phones and other innovative gadgets to the striking style of modern architecture, all are the combination of both technology and arts. Besides, without humanities, science and technology very often lead to disaster and even destruction. As the 2nd world war that killed hundreds of thousands of lives illuminated it all too well.

In sum, although technology and science are important to the society, schools should not thus ignore the necessities of arts and humanities. Instead, they should emphasize the course of arts and humanities, because they are the foundation of our civilization.


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Sample Essay:

Because scientific knowledge is increasingly important in our technological world and in the practical world of jobs and careers, schools should devote sufficient time to teaching mathematics and science. This is not to say, however, that schools should devote less time to the arts or humanities. To the contrary, in a technological age the study of arts and humanities is probably more important than ever—for three reasons.

First of all, studying the arts and humanities can help students become better mathematicians and scientists. For example, recent studies of cognitive development show that studying music at an early age can strengthen a child’s later grasp of mathematics. And understanding philosophical concepts has helped scientists recognize their own presuppositions, and frame their central questions more accurately.

Secondly, studying the creative and intellectual achievement of others helps inspire our own creativity and intellectual questioning. This is particularly important in an era dominated by technology, where we run a serious risk of becoming automatons who fit neatly into the efficient functioning of some system.

Finally, technology is valuable as an efficient means to our important goals. But neither technology, nor the science on which it is founded, decides which goals are best, or judges the moral value of the means we choose for their attainment. We need the liberal arts to help us select worthwhile ends and ethical means.

In conclusion, schools should not devote less time to the arts and humanities. These areas of study augment and enhance learning in mathematics and science, as well as helping to preserve the richness of our entire human legacy while inspiring us to further it. Moreover, disciplines within the humanities provide methods and contexts for evaluating the morality of our technology and for determining its proper direction.

Some writing websites:

The OWL at Purdue
Odyssey Writing Tips Page
The Writing Process
TOEFL Writing (TWE)
Writing Websites from Abu Dhabi Men's College