While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:The Atlantic Monthly magazine was first published in 1857.The magazine...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- The Atlantic Monthly magazine was first published in 1857.
- The magazine focused on politics, art, and literature.
- In 2019, historian Cathryn Halverson published the book Faraway Women and the 'Atlantic Monthly.'
- Its subject is female authors whose autobiographies appeared in the magazine in the early 1900s.
- One of the authors discussed is Juanita Harrison.
The student wants to introduce Cathryn Halverson's book to an audience already familiar with the Atlantic Monthly. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Cathryn Halverson's Faraway Women and the 'Atlantic Monthly' discusses female authors whose autobiographies appeared in the magazine in the early 1900s.
A magazine called the Atlantic Monthly, referred to in Cathryn Halverson's book title, was first published in 1857.
Faraway Women and the 'Atlantic Monthly' features contributors to the Atlantic Monthly, first published in 1857 as a magazine focusing on politics, art, and literature.
An author discussed by Cathryn Halverson is Juanita Harrison, whose autobiography appeared in the Atlantic Monthly in the early 1900s.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The Atlantic Monthly magazine was first published in 1857." |
|
| "The magazine focused on politics, art, and literature." |
|
| "In 2019, historian Cathryn Halverson published the book Faraway Women and the 'Atlantic Monthly.'" |
|
| "Its subject is female authors whose autobiographies appeared in the magazine in the early 1900s." |
|
| "One of the authors discussed is Juanita Harrison." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Cathryn Halverson wrote a book about female authors whose autobiographies appeared in the Atlantic Monthly in the early 1900s.
Argument Flow: The notes establish background context about the Atlantic Monthly magazine, then introduce Halverson's recent book focusing on a specific subset of the magazine's historical content—female authors' autobiographies from the early 1900s—and provide a concrete example with Juanita Harrison.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The student wants to introduce Halverson's book to an audience that already knows the Atlantic Monthly.
What type of answer do we need? A sentence that effectively introduces the book without wasting time explaining what the Atlantic Monthly is.
Any limiting keywords? "already familiar with the Atlantic Monthly" is crucial—this means we don't need to explain the magazine's background, history, or focus areas.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Since the audience already knows the Atlantic Monthly, we should focus on what makes Halverson's book interesting or unique
- Explain the book's specific scope and subject matter
- Avoid repeating information about the Atlantic Monthly that the audience already knows
Cathryn Halverson's Faraway Women and the 'Atlantic Monthly' discusses female authors whose autobiographies appeared in the magazine in the early 1900s.
- Focuses entirely on the book's content and scope
- Tells us exactly what makes the book interesting (female authors' autobiographies from early 1900s)
- Doesn't waste time explaining the Atlantic Monthly to an audience that already knows it
A magazine called the Atlantic Monthly, referred to in Cathryn Halverson's book title, was first published in 1857.
- Spends time explaining when the Atlantic Monthly was first published
- This information is irrelevant to an audience already familiar with the magazine
Faraway Women and the 'Atlantic Monthly' features contributors to the Atlantic Monthly, first published in 1857 as a magazine focusing on politics, art, and literature.
- Provides background information about the Atlantic Monthly that the audience doesn't need
An author discussed by Cathryn Halverson is Juanita Harrison, whose autobiography appeared in the Atlantic Monthly in the early 1900s.
- Only mentions one specific author rather than explaining the book's broader scope