Question

Technological advancements have done more to divide society than to unite it.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.

Hint:

The GRE essay readers value complexity. Avoid making absolute claims. Use transition words like "While it is true that...", "However...", "On the other hand...", and "Ultimately..." to show that you are considering multiple perspectives. A strong thesis will acknowledge the counterargument before stating your primary position.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Prompt and Deconstructing the Statement
The core statement is: "Technology divides more than it unites." Your task is to agree or disagree, but not in a simple way. You must discuss the "extent" of your agreement and consider how the statement "might or might not hold true." This calls for a nuanced argument that acknowledges complexity, rather than a one-sided opinion.
Step 2: Brainstorming Arguments and Examples

How Technology Divides (Arguments for the Statement):
The Digital Divide: Disparities in access to technology and the internet create a gap between the information-rich and the information-poor, widening socioeconomic inequalities. (Example: A student in a rural area with poor internet access vs. an urban student with high-speed fiber.)
Echo Chambers and Polarization: Social media algorithms feed users content that reinforces their existing beliefs, leading to ideological isolation, groupthink, and increased political polarization. (Example: The proliferation of partisan news sources and conspiracy theories on platforms like Facebook and X.)
Economic Disruption: Automation and AI can lead to job displacement for certain segments of the workforce, creating economic division and resentment. (Example: The decline of manufacturing jobs in developed nations.)

How Technology Unites (Arguments against the Statement):
Global Communication: Technology allows for instantaneous communication across the globe, connecting families, friends, and colleagues regardless of distance. (Example: Video calls connecting relatives on different continents.)
Social and Political Mobilization: Social media platforms have been instrumental in organizing social movements and pro-democracy protests, uniting people around a common cause. (Example: The role of Twitter during the Arab Spring.)
Access to Information and Culture: The internet provides unprecedented access to knowledge, education, and diverse cultural perspectives, fostering a sense of shared human experience. (Example: Online learning platforms like Coursera or access to world museums through virtual tours.)

Step 3: Structuring Your Essay
A high-scoring GRE essay typically follows a clear structure:
Introduction:
Briefly introduce the complexity of technology's impact on society.
Acknowledge that technology has both unifying and divisive effects.
State your thesis: e.g., "While technological advancements have undeniably fostered global interconnectedness, their concurrent effects of ideological fragmentation and economic disparity ultimately present a more significant force for division in modern society."

Body Paragraph 1 (Concession):
Acknowledge the unifying power of technology.
Use one or two strong examples (e.g., global communication, social movements).

Body Paragraph 2 (Main Argument):
Argue your main point that technology is more divisive.
Discuss the concept of echo chambers and political polarization, providing specific examples.

Body Paragraph 3 (Further Support):
Introduce another divisive aspect, such as the digital or economic divide.
Explain how this division is perhaps more fundamental or insidious than the unity described earlier.

Conclusion:
Briefly summarize your arguments.
Reiterate your nuanced thesis.
End with a concluding thought on the future of technology and society, perhaps suggesting that the outcome depends on how we choose to manage these powerful tools.