In some countries, television and radio programs are carefully censored for offensive language and behavior. In other countries, there is little or no censorship.
In your view, to what extent should government or any other group be able to censor television or radio programs? Explain, giving relevant reasons and/or examples to support your position.


Whether television and radio programs be censored or not depends on a variety of factors. In my view, every country should have some stringent rules to censore offensive language and behavior as broadcasted by the various television and radio programs.

The main reason for my view is that television and radio programs have vast influence on the masses. They affect a majority of country's population. Any program containing offensive language and behavior will influence the major part of the population irrespective of their age. Also, such programs seriously affect the way children perceive the world around them.

Another reason for my view is that most people have the tendency to emulate what is seen on television and radio programs. Specifically, children tends to eagerly follow anything which is shown on television and radio programs. This emulation of offensive language and behavior adversely affects the moral character of children.

Some might argue that such a censoring will lead to curbing the freedom of expression of the program producers. Yet it is essential to prevent the society for any unwanted and vulgar display of thoughts. Other might cite that since society consists of mature people, hence it should be left to individual discretion to censor any offensive content. However, it is always better to cut the evil at its roots.

On balance, it does hinder the freedom of wild expressions but for providing the society with a clean environment and preventing any future ill effects is within the best interest of any country.

I have zeroed it on the following templates for the AWA sections : (Courtsey ARCO's AWA book)

Analysis of an Issue

Whether __________________________________depends on __________________.
In my view ____________________________________________________________.

The main reason for my view is ___________________________________________
________________. For example, _________________________________________
_________________________________. Also, _______________________________.
Finally ________________________________________________________________

Another reason for my view is ____________________________________________.
Specifically, ___________________________________________________________.

Some might argue_____________________________________. Yet _____________
________________________________________. Others might cite ______________
_____________. However, _______________________________________________

In sum, I agree that ____________________________________________________
__________________. However, __________________________________________.
On balance, ___________________________________________________________


Analysis of an Argument



The author concludes that _______________________________________________ because
___________________________________________________________. The author's line of
reasoning is that ______________________________________________________________
The argument is unconvincing for several reasons.

First of all, ________________________________ is based upon the questionable assumption
that ______________________________________________. However, __________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Moreover, ____________________________________________________________________

Secondly, the author asssumes that _______________________________________________
_____________. However, _______________________________________________.It seems
equally reasonable to assume that ________________________________________________.

Finally (Thirdly), __________________________________________the author fails to consider
_____________________. For example, ____________________________________________
_____________. Because the author's argument lacks_________________________________.

In conclusion, to convince me that ________________________________________, the author
would have to provide evidence that _______________________________________________.
Without this additional evidence, I am not convinced that ______________________________.

Fortunately, all the AWA topics for the GMAT are officially available at this site. This is the official site of GMAC.

This blog complements my GMAT prep blog

AWA is an essential component of GMAT.

For AWA preparation, I led hands on the following book

ARCO's GMAT CAT Answers to the Real Essay Questions

This is author's main page


The GMAT CAT includes two distinct 30-minute AWA sections:

* Analysis of an Issue (30 Minutes)
* Analysis of an Argument (30 Minutes)


The Analysis-of-Issue Section: This 30-minute section tests your ability to present a position on an issue effectively and persuasively. Your task is to compose an essay in which you respond to a brief (1-2 sentence) opinion about an issue. You should consider various perspectives, take a position on the issue and argue for that position. You will NOT be able to choose among questions.

The Analysis-of-Argument Section: This 30-minute section is designed to test your critical reasoning and analytical (as well as writing) skills. Your task is to compose an essay in which you critique the stated argument and indicate how it could be improved, but not to present your own views on the argument's topic. You will NOT be able to choose among questions.

In evaluating the overall quality of your writing, the readers will consider four general areas of ability:

* Content: your ability to present cogent, persuasive, and relevant ideas and arguments through sound reasoning and supporting examples
* Organization: your ability to present your ideas in an organized and cohesive fashion
* Language: your control of the English language, including diction (word choice and usage) and syntax (sentence structure)
* Grammar: your facility with the conventions (grammar and punctuation) of Standard Written English