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Gregmat advice…………………………………………………………
1. When you read the argument, you need to identify the following.
a. The main conclusion, main assertion, or main prediction.
b. The premises, the evidence, or the `facts’ that led the author to this conclusion .
2. With the correct identification of the conclusion and the evidence, you then have to do
something very important. REASON THE UNSTATED ASSUMPTIONS OUT.
a. This is where the bulk of your writing grade for the argument essay comes from.
(remember what ETS is looking for. They are looking for your ability to deconstruct an
argument in an analytical fashion- they are not necessarily looking for your ability to write
a TOFEL essay . In other word’s they asking you to think.)
3. Structure, templates and `one way’ to write this assay is not essential. It says so right on ETS’s
website. However, we still want to have a structure in mind because it allows us to hit the
ground running on test day. We can just start writing.
4. Three body paragraphs are roughly same thing with different content.
5. Make sure you follow the prompt’s instructions . If the prompt asking you to.
6. All of this must be completed within 30 minutes. We’re not seeking perfection. We’re
seeking quality and completion.
Assumption 1:
Assumption 2:
Assumption 3:
………………………………………… Gregmat organization/ template…………………
Introduction
1. Conclusion………Rephrase the main conclusion from arguments.
2. Evidence………...Identify author’s evidence and/or premises.
3. Thesis ………….…(to actually follow the specific task instructions).
(For question types –
However, while the conclusion might hold water, the director needs to answer the following three
questions in order to boost the credibility of the argument.
Conclusion:
1. Statement that argument, as it stands now, is flawed.
2. Request for more evidence.
3. Statement of how evidence will help evaluate the argument more effectively.
…………………………………………..
……………………………………………….Examples……………………………………………
In the argument, the author concludes that initializing online degree programs in
Humana University will increase its total student enrollment and solve problems of its budget.
This assertion is based on several premises.
Nevertheless, there are three questions that’s need to be answered.
In the argument, the analyst recommends that the investment in consolidated industries should
be augmented.
Since, new homes are establishing rapidly in that cold area and people use oil as their heating source.
Yet, there are three unwarranted assumptions, which, if correct, the argument holds water.
The following appeared in a memo from the president of Bower Builders, a company
that constructs new homes.
"A nationwide survey reveals that the two most-desired home features are a large family
room and a large, well-appointed kitchen. A number of homes in our area built by our
competitor Domus Construction have such features and have sold much faster and at
significantly higher prices than the national average. To boost sales and profits, we
should increase the size of the family rooms and kitchens in all the homes we build and
should make state-of-the-art kitchens a standard feature. Moreover, our larger family
rooms and kitchens can come at the expense of the dining room, since many of our
recent buyers say they do not need a separate dining room for family meals."
Write a response in which you examine the stated and/or unstated assumptions of the
argument. Be sure to explain how the argument depends on these assumptions and
what the implications are for the argument if the assumptions prove unwarranted.
Assumption 1: The author is assuming that the nationwide survey is representative of the customers in
Bower Builders area
Assumption 3: The author is assuming that the large family room and kitchen were the reason for the
high sale of the houses from Domus Construction.
Introduction :
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
In the argument (memo), the president concludes that the firm’s homes should have
expanded living rooms and state-of-the-art kitchens in order to boost sales and profits…… / In
the argument (memo), the president concludes that ………………will useful to reduce/
increase……..
Why the author this conclusion?
(He comes to this assumption based on………………… a nationwide survey and comparison with
the firm’s competitor Donus Construction. /He comes to this assumption based on
information such as …………… (By this/ from this ….)…….. . It also informed (If give any other
extra information….it will copy pest with little modification.) ……… (Not necessary)
The author’s conclusion is grounded on several premises which, if true, the argument holds
water.
While the assertion from the president/ author/editorial might prove true, as it stands now,
the argument relies on three unwarranted assumptions that hinder its credibility.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………….Body main…………………………………….
Body 1
First of all, the president assumes that the participants of the nationwide survey are
representative of the clients in the area in which Donus Construction and Bower Builders do
business, but this might not be the case.
Perhaps (No commas) the residents of this particular area are far poorer than the people who
answered the survey and are thus unable to afford the expanded living space in the homes.
In addition, it is possible that the region has fairer weather than the nation as a whole and thus
residents here tend to spend more time outdoors and are not particularly interested in bigger
living rooms.
If either scenario above proves true, then the author’s argument that Bowler Builders should
add in state-of-the-art kitchens and expanded living rooms does not hold
water………………….pinkish writing no need for us.
Body 2
Moreover, the president of Bowler Builders presumes, without justification, that a “number” of
homes from Donus Construction with added features of the expanded living room and
advanced kitchen is significant.
However, this might not be true.
For example, a “number” of homes could be only 3 or 4, a very small percentage of Donus
Construction’s portfolio.
Furthermore, even if a “number” of homes constitutes a relatively significant number, say 50%
of the portfolio, that still indicates that half (or even more than half) of the homes do not have
these features.
If it is true that a “number” of homes merely comprises a relatively small chunk of Donus
Construction’s portfolio, then the author’s contention is considerably hampered……………….
pinkish writing no need for us.
Body 3
Finally, the president of Bowler Builders assumes that a large family room and a state-of-the-art
kitchen are the reasons for the augmented selling of their competitors Domus Construction
houses.
Nevertheless, it might not be true. Perhaps, there might be other reasons which may be the
cause for their increased selling.
For example, the other features of their house could be top notch and mind-blowing that
attract more customer to buy their houses. It could be paintings, design or furnitures of the
house.
Moreover, the price of Domus Construction houses could be higher because of their houses
might provide high other quality features comparing others.
So, if either scenario above proves true, diminish the persuasiveness of the assumption and the
conclusion.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
Conclusion
1…In conclusion, the argument as it stands now is considerably flawed due to its reliance on
several unwarranted assumptions. If the author is able to answer the three questions above
and provide more evidence (perhaps in the form of a systematic research study), then it will be
possible to fully evaluate the viability of the proposed recommendation to add a bike line to
blue highway.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
In conclusion, the author maybe correct in predicting that soy will helpful for North American to reduce
their fatigue and depression. However, the argument as it stands now is considerably flawed due to its
reliance on several unwarranted assumptions. If the author would like to increase the validity of his
conclusion, he needs to answer the three questions above.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
/
2…..In conclusion, the author may be correct in predicting that the earth will explode from a
meteor impact. However, as it stands now, the prediction rests on three unwarranted
assumptions that dramatically hinder its validity. If the author would like to increase the
persuasiveness of his conclusion, he needs to answer the three questions
above………………….this is slightly critical to recall…………..
Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the
argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.
Assumptions
The author is assuming that the 1975 census was conducted scientifically, but maybe it was like
ass.
The author presumes that a species being easily observable is indicative of its numbers. May be
they were hiding.
The author is assumes that Xanadu National Park does not have a significant air and water
pollution problem.
The assumes that the trout and amphibians hang out. They might be separate
The author is assuming that trout ate amphibian eggs that’s why the number of amphibians
declined inside the park.
Introduction
In the letter to the editor, the author concludes that the decrease in amphibian populations in
Xanadu National Park is most likely due to the introduction of trout into the national park in
1975.
(option – He comes to this conclusion based on a 1975 census and 2002 observations made in
the park. )
While it might be true that the trout are the reason for the disappearance of amphibian species
in the park, before we can fully assess the validity of the argument, the author needs to provide
three pieces of additional evidence.
First of all, the author assumes that the 1975 wildlife census in Xanadu National Park was done
scientifically and accurately.
However, this might not be true.
For example, the census might be done by the people who were not skilled in doing these kind
of empirical survey.
Additionally, it could have happened that the census was done superficially and not conducted
with much emphasis on various other factors. If either scenario is true, diminish the
persuasiveness of author’s conclusion.
The author is assuming that these “newly created jobs” are actually good jobs.
Example 1: Most of these jobs are low paying
Example 2: Many of these jobs do not have benefits and worker protections
The author is assuming that this trend since 1999 is going to continue for the employees.
The author is assuming that these new jobs in these industries with above-average pay actually
have above-average pay.
The author assumes that the corporate downsizing is occurring in
In the letter to the editor, the author concludes that the recently downsized employees
will actually not face financial hardship in Elthyria, as evidenced by a recent report on the local
economy. While this prediction might prove true, the author needs to provide three pieces of
additional evidence in order to bolster the assertion’s credibility.
First of all, the letter to the editor should include evidence regarding whether the newly created
jobs will actually prevent the workers from facing financial difficulties.
Perhaps the majority of these positions do not offer benefits or other worker protections that
would allow the employees to avoid financial hardship.
It is also possible that, even with benefits, many of these jobs are low-paying, resulting in the
employees being unable to afford their bills or support their children without severe
apprehension.
If it is true that the new positions do not provide sufficient benefits or lack adequate salaries,
then the author’s contention that the downsized employees will not face financial stress is
significantly weakened.
In the argument the author concludes that jazz music is very popular music genre in Monroe
city. He comes to this conclusion based on the attendance of people in last summer jazz festival
and the highest rating of the jazz radio program. While it might be true that there are certain
evidence that are true, yet there are three questions that need to be answered in order to
bolster the author’s contention
In co