by Marković Marko wumbo21@yahoo.com GRE Graduate Record Examination What is the GRE? • The GRE measures: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills, which are not related to any specific field of study 2/20 Form of the Exam • Verbal reasoning (input), important for teaching schools • Quantitative reasoning (CPU); tough to compete with Chinese and Indians • Analytical writing (output), important for research schools 3/20 Verbal reasoning • Multiple choice questions, based on written and oral material • Analyze and evaluate material and synthesize information obtained from it • Recognize relationships between words and concepts 4/20 Quantitative reasoning • Multiple choice questions • Math and Logic • Solve problems in a quantitative setting 5/20 Analytical writing • Analysis of an Argument • Analysis of an Issue 6/20 Analysis of an Argument • Explain why one "side" of the argument is superior • Identify and support or critique the logical foundations of the argument • You do not have to agree or disagree; just to analyze the argument properly 7/20 Analysis of an Argument Think up the arguments Define structure Rough wording Start writing here: Select more adequate words Spelling and Punctuation 8/20 … if time permits, also: • Substitute existing sentences with stylistically more effective sentences • Read everything carefully once again for the final touch 9/20 Analysis of an Argument: Structure • Introduction – 2 sentences • Elaboration – 3 paragraphs, 4 sentences each • Conclusion – 2 sentences • 16 sentences in total 10/20 Analysis of an Argument: Introduction • S1 : Repeat the argument “This holds in general (or in a number of typical situations), but...” • S2 : Against, for how many reasons (three reasons optimal) “... three such cases will be now elaborated” 11/20 Analysis of an Argument: Elaboration Each reason given in introduction is explained in separate paragraph • S1 : “The first condition that needs verification states that…” • S2 : Why isn’t this condition so good… • S3 : Explanation… • S4 : What is correct decision and a spark 12/20 Analysis of an Argument: Conclusion • S1 : Repeat the N reasons • S2 : Advice. What would you do? 13/20 Analysis of an Issue • Social case decision making • Chain of examples when OK or not OK • You have to decide between attacking or defending a given issue 14/20 Analysis of an Issue: Structure • Introduction – 2 sentences • Elaboration – 3 paragraphs, 4 sentences each • Conclusion – 2 sentences • 16 sentences in total 15/20 Analysis of an Issue: Introduction • S1 : Give three conditions that you want to criticize or support • S2 : “I will not make my final conclusion before these three conditions are verified” 16/20 Analysis of an Issue: Elaboration Each condition given in introduction is explained in separate paragraph • S1 : Give a co-argument • S2 : Concrete example • S3 : Concrete solution • S4 : Generalized solution and a spark 17/20 Analysis of an Issue - Conclusion • S1 : Résumé • S2 : Say that you’ll not make the final decision until the validity of the following assumptions is verified… 18/20 Be Careful About: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. The A How to stress a word? How to switch to indirect speech? What if subject/object repeat? (;) Interpunction: no space after; only before Three types of dashes Establish communication with the examiner (he/she) 19/20 20/20