The initial key to every GRE argument essay is to read and identify the task carefully before addressing it as it is framed in your writing. There are several reasonably different sets of GRE argument essay instructions requesting the author write a response:

• discussing what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument
• examining the stated and/or unstated assumptions of the argument to explain how the argument depends on these assumptions and what the implications are for the argument should the assumptions prove unwarranted
• discussing one or more alternative explanations that could rival the proposed explanation and explain how those alternative explanations can plausibly account for the facts presented in the argument
• discussing what questions need to be answered to decide whether the recommendation/advice/prediction/conclusion and the argument on which it is based, is reasonable by explaining how answers to these questions would help to evaluate the recommendation/advice/prediction/conclusion

It is imperative that you note which of these tasks is posed in your argument essay prompt before moving to break down the argument presented, but each will lend itself to a basic four paragraph essay based on one of the official GRE argument essay prompts that ETS actually provide on their website at https://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/prepare/analytical_writing/argument/pool. Now, I would not recommend attempting to prep content for all of these prompts, since for most GRE takers the essay score will be least relevant to admissions teams at your target program(s). However, you might benefit from doing some brainstorming and outlining exercises based on the model of this post.

Let's consider this prompt:

The following is part of a memorandum from the president of Humana University.

"Last year the number of students who enrolled in online degree programs offered by nearby Omni University increased by 50 percent. During the same year, Omni showed a significant decrease from prior years in expenditures for dormitory and classroom space, most likely because instruction in the online programs takes place via the Internet. In contrast, over the past three years, enrollment at Humana University has failed to grow, and the cost of maintaining buildings has increased along with our budget deficit. To address these problems, Humana University will begin immediately to create and actively promote online degree programs like those at Omni. We predict that instituting these online degree programs will help Humana both increase its total enrollment and solve its budget problems."

Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide whether the prediction and the argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the answers to these questions would help to evaluate the prediction.

For the purposes of this exercise, we'll assume that the prediction has been properly identified and move directly to outlining our paragraphs.

Paragraph 1 - Introduction

• Clearly articulate the nearly verbatim recommendation/advice/prediction/conclusion:
  Do not over-paraphrase! You must prove that you clearly understand the statement in need of evaluation, so don't change it unintentionally.
• Preview your top three pieces of evidence/questions/assumption/alternate explanation that could be relevant to the conclusion:
  As part of the brainstorming process you should have produced possible issues in the format of the prompt. You'll want to briefly note those in reverse order of importance, so 3rd most important, 2nd most, and then most important.
• Transition into your most compelling piece of evidence/questions/assumption/alternate explanation in need of further evaluation:
  The path to a 4.5 or higher on the GRE essay is improving the flow of your essay, so having a smooth transition to your primary support will help lay that flow foundation.

Paragraph 2 - Primary Piece of Evidence/Question/Assumption/Alternate Explanation

• Briefly summarize your primary piece of evidence/questions/assumption/alternate explanation
  Remember that the best issue in need of evaluation should not require a lot of exposition, but do take a moment to identify it from the prompt.
• Relate your primary piece of evidence/questions/assumption/alternate explanation to the prompt's recommendation/advice/prediction/conclusion
  Explain how further information regarding your identified issue could both weaken or strengthen the likelihood of the recommendation/advice/prediction/conclusion.
• Transition into second most compelling example
  Continue to show mastery of your narrative with another good transition.

Paragraph 3 - Primary Piece of Evidence/Question/Assumption/Alternate Explanation

• Briefly summarize your secondary piece of evidence/questions/assumption/alternate explanation:
  Try to choose a relatively different category of issue for your second issue. For instance here, if the content of paragraph 2 addressed characteristics of Omni University, perhaps this paragraph could address issues affecting the prediction from the perspective of Humana University.
• Relate your primary piece of evidence/questions/assumption/alternate explanations to the prompt's recommendation/advice/prediction/conclusion:
  Explain how further information regarding your identified issue could both weaken or strengthen the likelihood of the recommendation/advice/prediction/conclusion.
• Transition into conclusion
  Rather than forcing a hasty third issue, focus on a solid transition into a useful conclusion.

Paragraph 4 - Conclusion

• Briefly summarize your any tertiary piece of evidence/questions/assumption/alternate explanation
  Often, you can consider possible source bias briefly. For instance, here, does any other source agree with the possibly biased source of the President of Humana University?
• Summarize your position and briefly recap support
  Should be doable in one or two sentences.
• Restate the recommendation/advice/prediction/conclusion as only possible pending the outcome of the investigations your recommended in your essay.
  Nothing overly creative, but allows for a final certain articulation of your position.

This isn't an exciting structure, but by following it you'll be able to guarantee a score of 4 that should be sufficient for most B-School GRE uses and put yourself in position to potentially get a 4.5 or 5 that will be the apex score possible for all but the fastest writers!