making up facts for GRE writing?

Graduate School
1

<p>For the analytical writing, particularly the issue essay, would it be ok to make up facts that would support your argument? I know they are looking for essays that are written, organized, and supported well…does the truth of the actual details used matter?</p>

<p>I think I can write very well, but I do not have the best memory of history or knowledge of current events. Obviously, I’m not going to make up something glaringly wrong like, “George Washington was assassinated in 1888”, but maybe some obscure examples, such as court cases or something. I’m just curious if this is a good strategy when I simply don’t know very much. </p>

<p>Yes, I know I can just brush up on history current events, but I’m going to be applying to science programs, so I’m not sure if this is the best way to utilize my time. I would like to get a decent score on this section though, because as I mentioned, I believe I am a decent writer and have a good sense of logic. Any advice would be helpful.</p>

2

<p>I did not make anything up for the AW section, but I also did not worry about dates or really unique/unusual examples. I thought my essay was pretty pathetic, actually, but I guess they are not looking for much more than a first draft, since I got full credit for it. I wrote grammatically, tried to have some logical structure to my essay, and tried to stay on topic.</p>

3

<p>I would not make up anything that anyone could verify - it’s not that they are likely to do so, but it is unnecessarily risky. Make logical arguments, back them up as well as you can and do not be afraid to phrase things in uncertainties if those uncertanties are valid. If you need an example, use personal experience - if you don’t have any, then make it up.</p>