Reasoning versus Examples in Issue Essay

[ambikam08]

Hi Manhattan Prep,

Chapter 10 of book #7 has been really helpful for the essay section. On pages 207-209 (in addition to the previous pages), there are two samples Issue essays - one which uses common, real-world examples, and the second which elaborates on points from history. The ETS GRE book says that we should not need specific outside knowledge to answer the essays, but the writer of the essay on "Strong beliefs prevent people from thinking clearly about issues" uses three prominent examples from history. How could one get a top score on this topic without using such specific examples? I am worried because although history may be a great place for examples, I last studied the famous people the essay writer mentions in his/her essay about seven years ago.

Thanks!

[tommywallach]

Hey Ambikam,

Coming up with examples does not qualify as "needing to know something." What we mean by that is you'll never need to know any one specific set of facts/history (i.e. There will never be an essay prompt like "Was World War II a justifiable conflict?"). But you are expected to know something about something! In other words, you should always be able to come up with real-world examples to prove a point. Just use whatever you DO know. Just make sure you explain it well enough that the essay reader understands why it relates/helps your thesis.

Hope that makes sense!

-t