A question about the Argument of alternative explanations

[365062829]

Recently, I wrote an essay of the alternative-explanation type argument, just like what I did when faced with arguments with other prompts, analyzing the logic flaws of the argument and present the counterexamples respectively. However, when I went to see the sample essays in several books of AWA preparation, I found that what they do is just posing a single thoery for the conclusion, and backing up that theory with the evidence in the argument; but they did not addressing the line of reasoning as is instructed by the Official Guidance.
I wanna what should I do. Must I mimic that kind of essay?Please help me,many thanks~

[tommywallach]

Hey 356,

Hmm, not sure I understand. There are two types of essay: argument and issue. Make sure you know which one you're looking at.

The argument essay should be done in just the way you described. The issue essay should be written with a thesis, then backing it up with evidence (but not evidence from the passage).

Any book that says anything else is a bad book!

-t

[365062829]

Hey 356,

Hmm, not sure I understand. There are two types of essay: argument and issue. Make sure you know which one you're looking at.

The argument essay should be done in just the way you described. The issue essay should be written with a thesis, then backing it up with evidence (but not evidence from the passage).

Any book that says anything else is a bad book!

-t

Sorry for not making it clear...What I refered to was the Argument task. Does that mean different prompts does not actually affect how we should develop our essays?

[tommywallach]

Hey 356,

Not really. They have some specific rules that they mention, but in reality, almost every good essay will mention the things that they ask for. Either way, the specific rules shouldn't affect the development of the essay. They might simply entail one specific sentence in each body paragraph that directly addresses them. Everything else would be the same, no matter what the specific rules.

Hope that helps!

-t

[365062829]

Hey 356,

Not really. They have some specific rules that they mention, but in reality, almost every good essay will mention the things that they ask for. Either way, the specific rules shouldn't affect the development of the essay. They might simply entail one specific sentence in each body paragraph that directly addresses them. Everything else would be the same, no matter what the specific rules.

Hope that helps!

-t

I got it. Thanks:)

[tommywallach]

Glad to help!

-t

[365062829]

Glad to help!

-t

Uhh, I've just encountered another problem, please help me~ I find one of the score 6 issue in og has almost 800 word, but I cannot even type 800 words in 30 minutes. So what is a appropriate number of words of the issue and argument task, respectively? thanks~

[tommywallach]

Hey 365,

There's no simple answer to that. What you need to know is that the more you write, the better your score will be. So you just need to write as much as you can. This isn't to say that you should just shove in a bunch of words that the passage doesn't need, but the more good stuff you have, the better. Don't think of it in terms of word limits. You want five 3-5 sentence paragraphs. If you're only going to go 4 paragraph (Into, 2 body, conclusion), try to make the paragraphs a bit longer.

Hope that helps!

-t

[365062829]

Hey 365,

There's no simple answer to that. What you need to know is that the more you write, the better your score will be. So you just need to write as much as you can. This isn't to say that you should just shove in a bunch of words that the passage doesn't need, but the more good stuff you have, the better. Don't think of it in terms of word limits. You want five 3-5 sentence paragraphs. If you're only going to go 4 paragraph (Into, 2 body, conclusion), try to make the paragraphs a bit longer.

Hope that helps!

-t

Honestly, I'm still a little confused...Anyway, thanks~

[tommywallach]

No need for confusion. There are no word limits for scores, so trying to get a count is irrelevant. The more you write, the better your score will be. So do what you can in the time you have!

-t