GMAT - Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) Practice 6

Analysis of Issue

The following was used as part of an internet advertising company's appeal to businesses: "Furniture Depot employed our internet advertising company to help. Since then its sales increased by 10% over last year's totals. Furniture Depot's success demonstrates how using our internet services can increase your profitability."

Describe how well reasoned you find this argument. In the discussion be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the argument's conclusion. You may also address possible changes in the argument that would make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate its conclusion.


Some companies achieved their success just after they use internet advertising. The first known virtual book shop, Amazon.com, is a sharp sample of internet based business. Besides its technological competitiveness, Amazon.com has strong values such as innovation and good governance.

According to the appeal, the only quantitative fact about Furniture Depot stated is its sales increased by 10% over last year's totals. Another statement is that Furniture Depot has employed an internet advertising company. And the last statement of appeal is more likely a claim of success made by the internet advertising company. The quantitative fact it self is not strong enough to support the claim.

There are some questionable assumptions which are not provided, such as: 1) how long Furniture Depot has employed the internet advertising? 2) how much Furniture Depot has invested in internet advertising? 3) what is the last year's ROI? 4) what is the recent ROI?

With those additional assumption, the appeal can be changed into: "Furniture Depot has employed our internet advertising company to help for one year. Since then its sales increased by 10% over last's totals. The ROI increases from 9% last year to 11% this year. The investment was about 10% from company's sales."

All in all, internet advertising is one of business key success. And it must have supported by investment plan according to company strategy. Internet advertising it self without strategy is leading to nothing.