How Do I Prepare for AWA?

This section is easy for those who read a lot, no not to read stuff on the website but to use words effectively, at the right places where the effect of using the word or phrase is seen best. So the best preparation for AWA is to read up the New York Times articles regularly to see how well the writer controls the language and puts forth his/her opinion effectively. For those who think this is a bit too much, reading up sample essays (well written ones at that) and following a template will do.

• The countdown starts as soon as the issue topic is shown to you.Do not waste time writing pro’s and con’s for both topics and then deciding which one you want to write about.Just pick one that makes more sense when you read it. Time allotted maximum 1 minute.
• Write down the pro’s and con’s for the given topic on the scrap sheet given(quickly).Whichever side has more points, needless to say will be your standpoint on the issue.
• Maintain flow of thought , incoherence ,apparently shows confusion .I beg to differ.
• Do not make spelling mistakes and keep grammar in check.It is not necessary to use big words if their usage is not clear to you.
• U is written in formal language as you,same goes for v, wanna, gimme,thot etc etc.Its not yahoo messenger.
• For those who cant type quickly, get a yahoo id and start chatting.It’s the least boring way to learn how to type.
• NO smilies. please.
• While the issue topic gives you the a free hand at expressing your opinions, an argument tests your thinking in a particular situation. Same difference you might say, but an argument’s domain space is limited and you will have to back your statements with a solid explanation.

The following appeared in a letter from a department chairperson to the president of Pierce University.
"Some studies conducted by Bronston College, which is also located in a small town, reveal that both male and female professors are happier living in small towns when their spouses are also employed in the same geographic area. Therefore, in the interest of attracting the most gifted teachers and researchers to our faculty and improving the morale of our entire staff, we at Pierce University should offer employment to the spouse of each new faculty member we hire. Although we cannot expect all offers to be accepted or to be viewed as an ideal job offer, the money invested in this effort will clearly be well spent because, if their spouses have a chance of employment, new professors will be more likely to accept our offers."

• An argument is like an orthodox old woman who sees only one side of the coin and build her life around it.It’s your job to turn the coin.
• Usually the there are flaws in every line of the argument paragraph, simple logic is to negate the idea and give a counter statement which proves it wrong. An argument ,evidently sees how differently you can think from what is given.
• Do not write the same sentence with a negation in it.for eg: clearly be well spent is negated as cleary not be well spent.Use new words for pete’s sake.