GRE analytical writing assessment comprises two tasks - Analyze an Argument and Analyze an Issue. The GRE analytical writing assessment tests the candidates ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively. This GRE issue sample essay talks about the ways to understand the character of a society. There are various similar topics that can be found in GRE writing practice papers for candidates to practice.

Topic: The Character of Society

Answer:

Just like the character of any person can be determined on the basis of their cultural, behavioral, and ethical aspects, the character of any society can be determined on the basis of its economical, political, social as well as cultural wellness. However, it is a broader term that can differ from society to society. A general definition of the Character of Society goes like this - “Shared character structure of the people of a society or a social class according to their way of life and the socially typical expectations and functional requirements regarding socially adaptive behavior”.

However, it can not be judged on any one of these parameters. Just like a character of a person is determined on various attributes, the character of any society can be determined on the basis of many different attributes that hold a significant role in building society. Most of the time, cultural values and customs of the society are often overlooked while determining its character. Culture is a living entity that has evolved over time and society and culture has greatly influenced each other.

The very first thing that is taken into consideration while determining the character of any society is its urban development, which is true only up to some extent. One can not judge the character of any society on the basis of its population only that generally makes up less than half of the society. When we talk about society, we consider each and every kind of person that is a part of it.

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For example, in a diverse country like India, where there are more than 25 states, 30+ languages are spoken and people belonging to more than 10 religions are living, it is almost impossible to get an idea about the whole society just by looking at one its one part. In such a diverse country, the characteristics and property of every attribute of the society may differ greatly. Urban India has been successful in running along cutting-edge technologies leading to the industrial revolution, while its rural part has also been successful in preserving its culture and customs. Also, a major share of the country’s economy comes from Agriculture that is operated in the urban part of the country. Thus, one must dive deep down inside any society to evaluate its character accurately. Otherwise, it can lead to biased evaluation.

The choices of the people and the decisions that they have taken together in society can also say a lot about its character as a whole. For instance, it may include the political party that they have chosen, or it may be a celebrity that has gained fame due to tremendous support from society. They are generally the people who have gained expertise in their respective field or speciality that is highly appreciated by society. Examining the role models of society and well-known motivational ideals of the society can help in determining the character of the whole society.

For example, In India, one can see a lot of people following different religious Gurus and personalities. From this, one can conclude that India is much more into holding its culture of ‘Guru & Shishyas’. Also, some of the famous personalities include the Big B Amitabh Bacchan and Shah Rukh Khan that have gained fame in Bollywood. Although, the character of a society can not be scaled upon this single attribute of role models because there are instances when role models have disappointed society when their dark sides were revealed. However, it can contribute a minor share in determining the character of the society.

The overall emotional behaviour shared by the people reflects its culture, ethics, and customs. India is a diverse country, however, there is unity in diversity and it has remained as an apostle of rich cultural and ethical values. There are instances when everyone has gathered together to combat situations in crucial times, regardless of their caste, religion, or state of origin. This defines how the people are emotionally connected with each other. This is an example of the excellent moral and ethical values that society has. However, in a majority of the developed countries, people tend to be less emotionally attached to one another. Another thing that can be taken into consideration is people’s affections and feelings for other living things.

In the end, it can be concluded that the character of any society is more than just its economical and political development. It truly depends on the overall moral, ethical, cultural, and emotional values that people residing within it share with one another. Also, while determining the character of any society, all aspects of the society must be taken into consideration and nothing should be overlooked. After all, the character of the society is shared by each and everyone that builds it.