While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Freddie Wong (born 1985) is a director and special effects...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Freddie Wong (born 1985) is a director and special effects artist from the United States.
- He is best known for the action-comedy web series Video Game High School (VGHS).
- VGHS premiered in 2012 on RocketJump, a YouTube channel that Wong cocreated.
- The series was celebrated for its inventive video game-centric world and high-quality special effects.
- VGHS was nominated for a Producers Guild Award for Outstanding Digital Series.
The student wants to begin a narrative about Wong's award-nominated web series. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
In 2012, director and visual effects artist Freddie Wong launched a new action-comedy web series: Video Game High School.
Video Game High School was celebrated for its inventive video game-centric world and high-quality special effects, and it was nominated for a Producer's Guild Award for Outstanding Digital Series.
Wong, cocreator of the YouTube channel RocketJump, would go on to see his web series be nominated for a Producers Guild Award.
In 2012, Video Game High School premiered on RocketJump; it would later be nominated for an award.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Freddie Wong (born 1985) is a director and special effects artist from the United States." |
|
| "He is best known for the action-comedy web series Video Game High School (VGHS)." |
|
| "VGHS premiered in 2012 on RocketJump, a YouTube channel that Wong cocreated." |
|
| "The series was celebrated for its inventive video game-centric world and high-quality special effects." |
|
| "VGHS was nominated for a Producers Guild Award for Outstanding Digital Series." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: These notes document Freddie Wong's career highlights, focusing on his acclaimed web series Video Game High School and its success.
Argument Flow: The notes establish Wong's credentials, identify his signature work (VGHS), then provide supporting details about when and where it launched, what made it successful, and the recognition it received.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which choice best helps the student begin a narrative about Wong's award-nominated web series.
What type of answer do we need? A sentence that effectively opens a story about VGHS, using information from the notes appropriately.
Any limiting keywords?
- "begin a narrative" - needs storytelling approach, not just facts
- "award-nominated web series" - the series is specifically identified as award-nominated
- "most effectively uses relevant information" - must draw appropriately from the notes
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- A good narrative beginning about Wong's award-nominated web series should:
- Feel like the opening of a story (not just a list of facts)
- Introduce key players and/or set the scene
- Use narrative language that draws readers in
- Include relevant information from the notes that serves the storytelling purpose
- The right answer should read like the compelling first line of a story about this web series, drawing readers into Wong's world and work.
In 2012, director and visual effects artist Freddie Wong launched a new action-comedy web series: Video Game High School.
- Uses strong narrative opening with date and action
- Introduces Wong with his credentials as the protagonist
- Presents the series launch as a story moment with forward momentum
- Uses relevant details from notes to serve narrative purpose
Video Game High School was celebrated for its inventive video game-centric world and high-quality special effects, and it was nominated for a Producer's Guild Award for Outstanding Digital Series.
- Jumps directly into reception and awards without narrative setup
- Reads more like a summary than a story beginning
- Lacks the scene-setting and character introduction that makes a strong narrative opening
Wong, cocreator of the YouTube channel RocketJump, would go on to see his web series be nominated for a Producers Guild Award.
- Awkward phrasing creates distance rather than immediacy
- Doesn't name the actual series, making it vague
- Trap: Students might think mentioning the award makes this better, but narrative beginnings need clarity first
In 2012, Video Game High School premiered on RocketJump; it would later be nominated for an award.
- Too sparse and disconnected for effective storytelling
- Creates choppy pacing inappropriate for narrative flow
- Mentions award vaguely rather than engaging with the story