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GED Essay Writing Guide

What is the ged rla “extended response” question.

The Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) section of the GED includes an Extended Response essay question. You will only have 45 minutes to complete this essay, so it is important to familiarize yourself with the nature of the prompt. Read through this guide to become more familiar with the prompt and how to write the best response possible.

If you follow the strategies and the template provided in this guide, you’ll be able to produce a high-scoring essay in the time allotted! 😀

GED Essay Overview

Since the GED Exam is administered on a computer, you will type your essay into a text box. You will first be presented with two Stimulus Passages and then you will be given an essay prompt. The Stimulus Passages will each have 4–5 short paragraphs that introduce an issue and take a stance on that issue, with one passage opposing the other. You will then be given the following prompt:

  ➤ Pro Tip: Remember that the 45 minutes includes the time you take to read the Stimulus Passages. Read the passages thoroughly, but quickly, and make note of any specific points that stand out to you so that you can easily reference them as you formulate your argument.

GED Essay Strategy

In order to maximize your 45 minutes, it’s important to decide ahead of time how much time you will spend on each step. We recommend following the guide below, but you should write some practice responses with a timer nearby to get a good understanding of how our guide can best serve you. Make sure you do not hand-write your practice essays, as it is always best to recreate test conditions as closely as possible when preparing.

Follow this strategy when writing your GED Essay:

Step 1 ► Read and Analyze the Stimulus Passages (5 Minutes).

Start by reading both of the passages. Make sure you understand the issue and the position that each passage is taking. Try to ignore your own personal feelings on the topic as you read. Ultimately, your job is to explain why one of the sides is better supported ; it is fine to completely disagree with the side you defend, so long as you adequately support your stance. You are not writing about who you agree with, you are writing about who supports their argument best .

Step 2 ► Select Your Position and Outline Your Ideas (5 Minutes).

Ask yourself: which side seems like it has more supporting details and/or examples? Your task with this essay is similar to that of a teacher grading an essay. It doesn’t matter if you agree with the position; it matters that the writer supported their position well.

Remember, “better-supported” does not necessarily mean “right.” You are not required to argue in favor of one of the positions; you only need to explain why one position is better-supported than the other position.

Passage 1 : argues that school lunches should be 100% vegetarian in order to improve the health of students and to tackle the obesity epidemic in schools. This passage provides:

• statistics showing that vegetables are good for children.

Passage 2 : argues that animal protein is crucial for superior athletic performance and sustained energy levels in children. This passage provides:

• quotes from a doctor who says that protein from meat keeps children alert in classes after lunchtime.
• scientific research that supports this claim.
• statistics from counties that switched to vegetarian lunches which show that test scores dropped after adopting vegetarian lunches.

Which side is “best supported?” Which side should you choose for your essay? If you said, Passage 2, you are correct. Even if you are a vegetarian, you should be able to see that there is more supporting evidence in the passages for the “pro-meat” side. You will not receive a bad score if you choose to support the side that has less evidence, but it makes your task harder.

You should spend approximately 5 minutes deciding your position and outlining your essay. You can simply type your outline at the top of the text box (and delete it after you finish your essay). We will discuss more specifics about how to outline our essay in the “Template” below!

Step 3 ► Write your Essay (30 Minutes).

At this point, approximately 10 minutes will have gone by. You have read the passages and outlined your position. Now, simply start with paragraph 1, and follow the outline you created. Remember to stop periodically and refer back to your outline at the top. Most GED Extended Response essays are between 4–7 paragraphs and each paragraph is composed of 3–7 sentences. We suggest that you aim for 5 paragraphs; doing so ensures that your argument is complete.

As you will see in the Template below, it’s okay if some paragraphs are shorter than others! Don’t feel like you have to write sentences to fill up space; always write with purpose. Once you’ve made your point in a given paragraph, add a concluding sentence and move on. You should spend approximately 30 minutes on your essay.

Step 4 ► Read Everything Over At Least Once (5 Minutes).

Proofreading can make a good essay great, and a great essay stellar, so don’t forget that you will need at least 5 minutes at the end to thoroughly read through what you have written. Go back to the outline and review your notes. Does the essay you wrote follow the outline? Is it well-organized? If you’re happy that you didn’t stray from your plan, delete your outline notes. This is very important! If you do not delete your notes, scorers will think it is part of your response and take points off.

If you have extra time, look for spelling and grammar errors. Do your verb tenses agree? Did you accidentally leave off the “s” on a plural noun? How are the transitions between paragraphs? Does the essay “flow?” Remember, you can re-type any sentences you dislike, and you can add additional sentences for clarity. This is a timed response, so it does not have to be perfect, but if you have the time to fix mistakes you’ll only be helping your chances.

GED Essay Template

In the four-part strategy above, you read about the importance of planning and making an outline for the position you selected. Your outline should follow this general format:

• Paragraph 1 — Introduction
• Paragraph 2 — Body Paragraph
• Paragraph 3 — Body Paragraph
• Paragraph 4 — Body Paragraph
• Paragraph 5 — Conclusion

★ Paragraph 1 — Introduction

The introduction and conclusion are short paragraphs that “bookend” your essay. Your introduction should:

• introduce the topic from the passage,
• explain both sides of the issue (showing that you understood what you read),
• and make a claim that one side is better-supported and thus, more convincing (this should be the final sentence of the introduction).

Below is a possible template for the introductory paragraph. When you are writing your essay, you can write a very similar introductory paragraph while replacing the underlined portions to fit the prompt that you are answering:

  ★ Paragraphs 2–4 — Body Paragraphs

The real strength of your essay lies in your body paragraphs. Each body paragraph must introduce and describe one reason why the position you chose is better-supported. There will be 3 reasons in total (if you follow the 5-paragraph format). Look for some of these common ready-made arguments when reviewing the passages:

Authority figure — Does the passage quote a reputable figure with specialized knowledge, such as a doctor, scientist, or other expert? Does the reference lend credibility to the overall argument?

History — Does the passage explain a historical event or a precedent to back up its claim?

Statistics — Does the passage provide any numbers or data? Does the data help the author’s position?

Logical reasoning — Is there a strong element of logic or “common-sense” to the argument, and is it presented in a clear, cohesive manner?

Ethics — Is a moral argument made? Does the author insist his or her position is correct because it is the “morally right” thing to do?

Emotion — Does the author appeal to the reader’s feelings? Does the argument evoke an emotional response?

Reasonable Assumptions — Does the author rely on assumptions to draw any conclusions? Are the assumptions reasonable?

Forceful Vocabulary — Does the author’s word choice add weight and importance to the argument?

Not all of these will be present in every passage, but you will only need 3, and it is likely that at least 2–3 of these will be used in each argument. If the passage you choose only has 2 of the above supports, consider writing more than one paragraph about each, using different support. Let’s look at how we can “plug” three of these examples into our thesis from above:

  When you outline your GED Essay, pre-write your thesis and decide on which three forms of support you will discuss to prove that your passage is better-supported. This will help you organize of the rest of your essay. Now that we have chosen our three examples, we can make a more specific outline:

• Paragraph 1 — Introduction (why Position X is better-supported)
• Paragraph 2 — Emotional Appeal
• Paragraph 3 — Authority Figure’s Opinion
• Paragraph 4 — Forceful Vocabulary
• Paragraph 5 — Conclusion (why Position Y is not well supported)

Let’s look at how we can “plug” some of these ready-made arguments into a body paragraph:

  Notice how this body paragraph introduces the example in the first sentence (“logical reasoning”), and then cites 3 specific examples from the passage that employ this logical reasoning. The final sentence reiterates and emphasizes the overall idea of the paragraph. This paragraph is only 5 sentences (if you include a quote), yet it does a great job (1) introducing the superiority of the argued position, (2) giving examples from the passage to support a specific idea, and (3) concluding the paragraph.

In each body paragraph, you must defend your assertion that ONE position is better-supported with at least one specific reference showing this support. If you choose, “authority figures” as an example, but there is only 1 authority figure mentioned in the passage, it’s okay to spend the entire body paragraph discussing that one figure. You do not need to make up anything that is not in the passage—in fact, you shouldn’t!

★ Paragraph 5 — Conclusion

Finally, let’s look at how we can structure the conclusion:

GED Essay Scoring

Three separate scorers will grade your response based on each of the three traits of your essay: (1) Analysis of Arguments and Use of Evidence, (2) Development of Ideas and Structure, and (3) Clarity and Command of Standard English. Notice that if you follow the strategy and template provided above, all of these traits will be accounted for, and you won’t have to worry about them on Test Day! 😀

GED Essay Practice

Now you’re ready to write a practice essay. Try our GED Essay Practice Question .

GED Essay-Topics, Samples, And Tips

Last Updated on March 24, 2024.

This language Arts lesson is part of this website’s free online GED classes a nd practice tests, generously provided by the accredited comprehensive GED prep course created by Onsego.

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One part of the GED Reasoning through Language Arts (RLA) test is writing a GED Essay, also known as the Extended Response. You have 45 minutes to create your essay. The GED essay is an argumentative essay.

A common method for writing this type of essay is the five-paragraph approach.

Writing your GED® Essay is not about writing an opinion on the topic at hand. Your opinion is irrelevant. You are asked to determine and explain which of the arguments is better.

This lesson is provided by Onsego GED Prep.

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Table of Contents

• 0.1 Video Transcription
• 1 GED Essay Structure
• 2 GED Essay Topics
• 3 GED Essay Samples
• 4 Tips for Writing your GED Essay
• 5 How your GED Essay is Scored

Video Transcription

After reading the stimulus with two different arguments about a subject, your task is to explain why one of these arguments is better.

Remember, when writing your GED® Essay, you are NOT writing your opinion on the topic. That’s irrelevant. You must write about why one argument is better than the other.

You are writing an analysis of the author’s two positions and explaining which argument is stronger. These two arguments are presented in the stimulus, so you don’t need to create any own examples.

So again, you only need to decide what argument is stronger and claim it and prove it. It is NOT about your opinion.

Since in your essay, you need to determine which argument is best supported, your claim should clearly state which of the two positions is stronger.

You will be provided with the stimulus material and a prompt.

The stimulus is a text that provides 2 opposing opinions about a certain subject. The prompt provides instructions and tells you what you need to do.

I’ll say it again because so many students make mistakes here, it’s NOT about your opinion on the topic but the subject that matters!

You need to analyze the arguments and determine which opinion is best supported throughout the text.

You are NOT asked which argument you agree with more, and you should NEVER respond with a personal opinion.

So, don’t use the word “I” such as “I think that…” “I agree because…” “In my opinion…”.

The GED essay is graded on a machine that uses algorithms to figure out your score.

So, no teacher will decide about the score in any way.

It’s very important that you remember this!

Let’s take a look at the structure, topics, and format of the GED Essay.

GED Essay Structure

Ged essay topics.

• GED Essay Sample
• GED Essay Scoring
• GED Essay Writing Tips

Remember: you need to analyze which of the presented arguments is better and explain why it’s better.

Likewise, make sure your reasons come from the text – you aren’t making up your examples; you’re talking about the ones in the passages.

How should you prove that one argument is stronger? – Look at the evidence in the text.

Did the author use a relevant statistic from a reliable source, or did he/she assume something with a hypothetical anecdote?

Once you know which is better supported, you’re on your way.

Keep in mind: Don’t Summarize!

It’s easy to substitute a simpler task (summarize each side) for the more complex task of evaluating arguments. But if all you do is summarize, your response will be considered off-topic and likely will not receive any points.

The GED Essay should contain:

• 4-7 paragraphs of 3 to 7 sentences each and 300-500 words in total.
• An essay (or response) that is significantly shorter could put you in danger of scoring a 0 just for not showing enough of your writing skills.
• As you read the stimulus material (text), think carefully about the argumentation presented in the passage(s). “Argumentation” refers to the assumptions, claims, support, reasoning, and credibility on which a position is based.
• Pay close attention to how the author(s) use these strategies to convey his or her position.

Every well-written GED essay has an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.

Your response will be an argument or an argumentative essay. Remember that you are NOT writing your opinion on the topic.

You are writing an analysis of two of the author’s positions and explaining which argument is stronger.

Things to keep in mind: the Extended Response (GED Essay) is scored by smart machines that are programmed to recognize correct answers. So, don’t try to be creative; just be correct. Also:

• Use proper grammar and sentence structure.
• Practice writing a 300 to 500-word essay.

Let’s look at the GED Essay structure: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.

• The Introduction introduces the topic you are writing about and states your claim or thesis statement. Stand your position.
• The Body of the essay presents reasoning and evidence to support your claim. This is the longest part of the response and should be at least two paragraphs.
• The concluding paragraph sums up your main points and restates your claim.

Here are a few examples of GED Essay Topics. Click on the title to read a full stimulus and a prompt.

An Analysis of Daylight-Saving Time

The article presents arguments from both supporters and critics of Daylight-Saving Time who disagree about the practice’s impact on energy consumption and safety. Check here to read the full article.

Should the Penny Stay in Circulation?

Analyze the presented arguments and decide which one is better supported. Check here to read the full article.

Is Golf a Sport?

Proponents say that golf meets the definition of “sport.” Opponents say that golf better meets the definition of “game” than “sport. Analyze both opinions and determine which one is better supported. Check here to read the full article.

GED Essay Samples

Click here to access a sample of a GED essay with an explanation of the structure. Getting familiar with GED essay samples will help you plan your essay and understand what elements are important.

When reading the essay subject, you really should take the time to pull together your thoughts. By arranging your ideas rationally, you will be able to express your thoughts far better on paper. When you start writing, concentrate on the guidelines that you came to understand in English class.

Pay attention to English language usage (grammar); you must use the right punctuation and capitalization and decide on suitable word solutions.

Check here to read a GED Essay Sample with our comments.

Tips for Writing your GED Essay

1. Make sure you read the stimulus and prompt cautiously

It’s good to practice this carefully. Check out each question carefully and take a little time to figure out the topic and what kind of answer will be expected.

It is important to read the questions meticulously.

Usually, students simply run over stimulus and prompt and begin to write immediately, believing that they will save time this way.

Well, this actually the most undesirable thing to do. Take a short while and try to understand the questions completely in order to respond to them appropriately. If you wish, highlight the essential words and phrases in the stimulus to be able to look at it from time to time to be certain you stick to the topic.

2. Sketch an outline for the essay

In general, you will only need a few minutes to plan your essay, and it is imperative to take that time. As soon as you grasp the questions entirely, and once you have scribbled down some initial ideas, make an outline of the essay and follow that.

Plan an introduction, body, and conclusion. Following this process is going to save you a lot of time and it helps establish a rational development of thoughts.

3. Stick to the subject

Each paragraph in the body of your response should explain why a piece of evidence supports your claim or disputes the opposing claim to explain your evidence.

You can describe or restate it. This shows that you understand precisely what it means and how it relates to your claim.

Cite the mentioned details or facts of a specific point and relate them to your claim.

Your response should include evidence from both passages and explain what strong evidence supports one argument and why faulty evidence weakens the other argument.

4. Proofreading and Revision

By the time you completed writing your essay, you should go back to the beginning and read your essay carefully again, as you quite easily could have forgotten a comma or have misspelled a word while writing your essay. See also this post ->  Is the GED Language Arts Test Hard?

While rereading your essay, pay close attention to whether your essay provides well-targeted points, is organized clearly, presents specific information and facts, comes with proper sentence construction, and has no grammar or spelling mistakes.

How your GED Essay is Scored

Your GED essay is scored by smart machines that are programmed to recognize correct answers. So don’t try to be creative; just be correct.

They will be using five criteria to assess your essay.

• Organization: were you clear about the essential idea, and did you present a well-thought strategy for composing your essay?
• Clear and swift response: did you deal with the subject adequately, without shifting from one focal point to another?
• Progress and details: did you apply relevant examples and specific details to elaborate on your original concepts or arguments, as opposed to using lists or repeating identical information?
• Grammar Rules of English: did you use decent writing techniques like sentence structure, spelling, punctuation, syntax, and grammar, and did you shape and edit your essay after you penned the first draft?
• Word choice: how far did you choose and employ suitable words to indicate your points of view?

Your 45 minutes will go quickly, so focus on these important points to get the best score.

What’s important is to make a clear statement about which position is better supported. Write clear sentences and arrange paragraphs in a logical order.

GED testing includes four modules (independent subtests) in Mathematical Reasoning (Math), Reasoning through Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies that can be taken separately. You should study very well, be effective on test day, and pass the subtest(s) you registered for.

GED writing for essays may be a bit tricky, but you can store all this information for proper learning on a list and change to proper write essay techniques before test day has arrived. Just practice a lot, and you’ll see that it’ll be getting better and better. So now you know all about writing the GED Essay.

GED Extended Response Essay Prompts & Examples

A quick guide to writing an extended response for the ged language arts test.

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Check out our other Free GED© Practice Test

Many students fear the writing part of the GED test. And we understand. After all, it takes effort and time to organize your ideas, fix sentence structures, and ensure that grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling are correct. With only 45 minutes to complete your essay, how will you be able to finish your piece? Thankfully, there are ways to make this part easy for you. You don’t have to be a gifted writer to write succeed in writing a winning essay for the Extended Response portion of the GED writing test. There are tips to succeed in writing your essay.

Start reviewing with our helpful contents: GED Reasoning Through Language Arts Guide

What’s in the GED Writing Extended Response Portion of the Test?

This test will check how well you create arguments and use evidence. Also, it would also test your clarity and command of Standard English language.

Quick Tips to Remember When Writing Your Essay:

• Take a deep breath. Nervous about the test? Ease anxiety by taking deep breaths before writing your essay. Being stressed while writing might keep your focus away from the task and affect the quality of your essay.
• Read the two passages carefully . Make sure you understand each passage before choosing your position.
• Make an outline . Don’t write right away. Create an outline first. Choose a position that you can easily defend based on what you’ve read, then list down the main points to support this position.
• Your essay should have:
• 1. An introduction that states your main argument 2. At least 3 paragraphs with your supporting evidence 3. A conclusion that restates your main argument and main points.
• Focus on the first and last paragraphs first . This will help you stick to your argument and main points.
• Be clear . The paragraphs in between your first and last paragraphs should clearly explain your main points. Start each paragraph by stating the main point that you want to talk about.
• Proofread your work . Check your work for grammar and spelling errors. Improve sentence structures with the time that’s left.

Keep in mind that the saying, “practice makes perfect” applies here. Mastering essay writing takes a lot of practice and reading. Begin practicing your writing as well improving your comprehension skills with our Free GED Practice Tests for Language Arts. We also recommend reading high-quality newspapers, publications, and literary pieces to help build your English writing skills.

Related Topics:

• 7 Top Jobs For GED Graduates: Earn Six Figure Income Without A College Degree
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• Reasoning Through Language Arts
• GED Reasoning through Language Arts
• GED Reasoning through Language Art PRACTICE TEST
• GED Math Practice Questions | Fractions
• GED® Reasoning Through Language Arts Practice Tests
• GED Science Practice Questions | GED Study Guide

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GED Essay: Everything You Need To Know In 2024

Learn all you need to know about the GED essay, its structure sample, topics, tips, and how it is scored in this post.

January 1, 2022

The GED essay is intimidating to many people. Writing an entire essay from scratch in 45 minutes or less may seem difficult, but it does not have to be. This GED essay writing overview will help you prepare for and learn about the written section of the exam . In this post, Get-TestPrep will show everything you need to know about GED essays , including their structure, sample topics, tips, and how they are stored .

What Is The GED Essay?

The GED exam consists of four subjects : Mathematical Reasoning, Social Studies, Science, and Language Arts Reasoning (RLA ). The GED extended response , sometimes known as the GED essay, is one of the two portions of the RLA subject test. You’ll have 45 minutes to finish the essay to your best capacity. Don’t worry if you don’t finish on time! Because the essay accounts for just 20% of your ultimate RLA score, you can still pass the test even if you don’t receive a high essay score.

The GED extended response can cover a wide range of topics, but it will always be formatted in the same way. You will be assigned two articles on the same topic, which will typically be argumentative essays with a firm position. You’ll be asked to assess the two arguments and create your own argumentative essay based on which article delivered the more compelling argument. The essay should be three to five paragraphs long, with each paragraph including three to seven sentences.

GED Essay Structure

An introduction, a body, and a conclusion are included in every well-written GED essay. You have to write an argument or an argumentative essay. Keep in mind that you are not expressing your own view on the subject. You’re analyzing two of the author’s points of view and determining which one is more compelling. Keep in mind that the Extended Response (GED Essay) is graded by machine intelligence that has been designed to detect the right responses. So, instead of trying to be creative, simply be accurate. Also:

• Make sure you’re using proper grammar and sentence structure.
• Practice writing a 300-500 word essay.

Let’s take a look at the format of a GED Essay : an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.

• The introduction outlines your claim or thesis statement and explains the topic you’re writing about. Maintain your position.
• The body of the essay includes facts and arguments to back up your claim. This section of the response should be at least two paragraphs long.
• The concluding paragraph restates your claim and summarises your important points.

GED Essay Topic Examples

Here are a few GED Essay Topics to get you started:

Topic 1: An Analysis of Daylight-Saving Time

The article presents arguments from proponents and opponents of Daylight Saving Time, who disagree on the practice’s impact on energy consumption and safety.

Topic 2: Should the Penny Stay in Circulation?

Analyze the arguments offered and pick which one has the most support.

Topic 3: Is Golf a Sport?

Golf , according to proponents, satisfies the criteria of “sport.” Opponents argue that golf more closely resembles a “game” than a “sport.” Analyze both points of view to see which one has the most support.

Visit our website for more topics as well as full articles on each topic and take our free latest FREE GED practice test 2024 to get ready for your exam!

GED Essay Examples

Getting to know the GED essay sample  can assist you in planning your essay and determining which elements are most vital.

When reading the essay topic, you should truly take your time to collect your views. You will be able to articulate your views better on paper if you organize your thoughts properly. Concentrate on the standards that you learned in English class before you begin writing.

Pay attention to how you use the English language (grammar); you must use proper punctuation and capitalization, and you must use appropriate word solutions.

Tips For Writing Your GED Essay

Make sure you carefully read the stimulus and prompt.

Putting this into practice is an excellent idea. Examine each question carefully and set aside some time to determine the topic and the type of response that will be requested. It is critical to read the questions thoroughly. Students frequently skip past the stimulus and prompt and get right into writing, assuming that they will save time this way. 

This is, by far, the most uninteresting thing to do. Take a few moments to attempt to fully comprehend the questions so that you can reply accurately. If you like, underline the important words and phrases in the stimulus so you can go over it again later to make sure you’re on track.

Make a rough outline for the GED language arts essay

In general, planning your essay will only take a few minutes, but it is critical that you spend that time. Make an outline of the essay and follow it as soon as you have a complete understanding of the questions and have scribbled down some early ideas.

Make an outline for your introduction, body, and conclusion. Following this procedure will save you a lot of time and aid in the development of a logical thought process.

Keep your focus on the topic

To describe your evidence, each paragraph in the body of your response should explain why a piece of evidence supports your claim or disputes the opposing claim. You have the option of describing or restarting it. This demonstrates that you know exactly what it means and how it applies to your claim. Refer to the specifics or facts of a certain issue that you’ve discussed and tie them to your claim.

Include evidence from both passages in your response, and explain why strong evidence supports one thesis and why flawed evidence undermines the other.

Revision and proofreading

By the time you’ve finished writing your essay, you should go back to the beginning and reread it attentively, since you may easily have missed a comma or misspelled a term while doing so.

Pay great attention when rereading your essay to see if it has well-targeted arguments, is arranged properly, contains particular information and facts, has good sentence construction, and has no grammatical or spelling mistakes.

Learn more about how to practice GED essays as well as the whole Language Arts section in GED Language Arts Study Guide  

How To Write a GED Essay?

When writing the GED essay, you should allocate the time as follows:

• 3 minutes to read the directions and the topic
• 5 minutes of prewriting (freewriting, brainstorming , grouping, mapping, etc.)
• 3 minutes to organize (create a thesis statement or controlling idea, and summarize important points)
• 20 minutes to draft (write the essay)
• 8 minutes to revise (go over the essay and make adjustments to concepts)
• 6 minutes to edit (check for grammatical and spelling errors). 

How Your GED Essay Is Scored?

Smart machines that are designed to detect the right answers score your GED essay. So don’t try to be creative; just be accurate.

They will evaluate your essay based on five factors.

• Organization : did you give a well-thought-out approach to writing your essay and were you clear on the main idea?
• Clear and swift response: Did you deal with the matter appropriately, without straying from one emphasis point to another, with a clear and quick response?
• Progress and specifics: instead of utilizing lists or repeating the same material, did you use relevant instances and particular details to expound on your initial notions or arguments?
• Grammar Rules of English: Did you apply proper writing strategies such as sentence structure, spelling, punctuation, syntax, and grammar, and did you shape and revise your essay after you finished the initial draft?
• Word choice : How well did you pick and use appropriate phrases to express your points of view?

Your 45 minutes will fly by, so focus on these key elements to get the best score possible. What is more important is to state unequivocally which side is more popular. Check that your phrases are clear and that your paragraphs are organized logically.

Each of the four modules (independent subtests) in Mathematical Reasoning (Math), Reasoning via Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies can be taken independently. To pass the subtest(s) for which you registered, you must study thoroughly and be efficient on test day. Consider taking our GED Language Arts Practice Test for the Language Arts section.

GED essay writing can be difficult, but you can keep a list of everything you need to know and switch to proper essay writing approaches before the exam. Simply practice a lot and you’ll notice that it gets better over time. So you’ve learned everything there is to know about writing the GED Essay .

How to write an essay for the GED?

• Read through all of the instructions.
• Create an outline.
• Make a list of all the evidence.
• Last, write your introduction.
• Write first, then edit.
• Make use of formal language.
• Don’t look at the time.

Is there an essay portion on the GED test?

How is the ged essay graded.

The essay is graded on a four-point scale by two certified GED essay readers. The scores of the two GED readers are averaged. If the essay achieves a score of 2 or above, it is merged with the language arts multiple-choice score to generate a composite result.

Final Words

In conclusion, this guide on the GED essay provides valuable insights and strategies to help you excel in the GED essay section. By understanding the structure of the GED essay , practicing effective writing techniques, and familiarizing yourself with the scoring rubric, you can approach the GED essay with confidence and achieve a successful outcome. Remember to plan your essay, organize your thoughts, and support your ideas with relevant examples and evidence. Additionally, refining your grammar and punctuation skills will enhance the overall quality of your writing. With consistent practice and a thorough understanding of the expectations for the GED essay, you can showcase your writing abilities and earn a strong score on the GED essay.

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How To Write The GED Essay 2023 (Extended Response)

Santiago mallea.

• Career Planning , Non-Traditional Students , Writing Tips

Chief of Content At Gradehacker

• Updated on August 2023

How to Write The GED Essay

The best strategy for writing the GED essay is:

• Read the passages (5 minutes)
• Analyze the data and create an outline (5 minutes)
• Write your extended response (30 minutes)
• Reread and edit your writing (5 minutes)

If you want a clear example of what your GED essay should like like, later in this blog you’ll find a sample.

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If you are planning on taking the GED test , you’ll eventually have to pass the GED essay .

Also known as the extended response, this assignment tests your evidence-based writing skills, and it’s where many students get stuck. However, writing the GED essay is easier than most people make it out to be .

It just takes practice and patience . And with these tips, you’ll be able to ace the test in no time!

Here at Gradehacker, we are the non-traditional adult student’s most trusted resource. Earning a GED diploma is necessary to enroll in college or access better job opportunities. We want you to be capable of writing an entire essay that will clearly show that you are up to the task .

This guide will teach you how to write a GED essay and share the best tips to make your text stand out and meet the passing score.

What Is The GED Essay?

The GED test consists of four sections:

• Mathematics
• Social Studies
• English Language Arts

The Reasoning Through Language Arts exam mainly consists of multiple-choice questions but also includes the Extended Response assignment, where you have to write an essay from scratch from two passages they give you.

You’ll have 45 minutes to analyze these two texts, choose which argument presents strong evidence, and explain why each piece of evidence supports your point.

While this part only represents 20% of your Reasoning Through Language Arts exam score (meaning that you can pass the Language Arts writing test even if you perform poorly in this section), it’s key that you know how to create a well-written GED essay.

Since they are testing your analysis of arguments and writing skills, it’s your opportunity to prove that you have mastered the core elements of the entire Language Arts section.

Plus, if you are planning on pursuing a college degree, where knowing how to analyze texts and write an essay response is important, passing the GED extended response is key.

GED Essay Prompt

To pass the essay portion, you’ll have to read two different passages that talk about the same issue but take an opposite stance about it. Your task is to determine which position presented is better supported.

It doesn’t matter if you disagree with that position; you must defend and explain your decision using multiple pieces of evidence from the texts.

Regarding length, the essay prompt suggests that your response should be approximately four to seven paragraphs of three to seven sentences each , which should be a 300-500 word essay.

While there is no essay length requirement regarding the number of words, we recommend writing between 400 and 500 .

GED Essay Sentence Structure

So, how do you write a GED extended response? Well, It has a structure similar to an argumentative essay.

• Introductory paragraph:

This should be a primary and short thesis statement where you clearly address which of the two passages is better supported.

• Body paragraphs: 

Consist of three or four body paragraphs where you formulate your thesis using the text’s information as your source.

• Conclusion paragraph:

As a final step, briefly summarize your argument and reiterate its importance. If this is not your forte, there are many conclusion tips that can help you!

How to Pass The GED Essay

Now that you understand the GED Extended Response and what you need to do, here is our essay writing guide.

You’ll find multiple tips throughout it, but essentially, to write a cohesive, well-constructed essay, you’ll have to follow this four-part strategy:

• Read the passages
• Analyze the data and create an outline
• Write your extended response essay
• Reread and edit your writing

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Read the two passages (5 min)

The first step is to read both body passages thoroughly but quickly.

You need to understand what the topic is about, and while you read the text, highlight the statistics and factual data each author uses as support.

Remember that you can have differing views on your chosen side. Recognize which stance has better sources to defend your point, and explain why in your essay.

Analyze the data and create an outline (5 min)

Once you are done reading both texts and already highlighted all the essential information the authors use, you’ll need to analyze the evidence!

While ideally, you should recognize who supports their point better in the previous step , doing it in this part will be easier as you have all the factual data on sig ht.

Usually, the text with more information highlighted will be the one that defends its stance the best . 

So, the next thing you need to do is make an outline and write down your ideas. This way, you’ll have all the information organized to begin the most crucial part of the writing process.

Write your extended response essay (30 min)

And now, with evidence highlighted and an outline created, you are ready to start writing!

If you are going for the minimum and writing a 5-paragraph essay, you’ll need at least three major ideas to develop individually in separate paragraphs.

Stick to one idea per paragraph , and include one or two of your selected pieces of evidence from the texts to organize the information better and keep a good flow.

Remember to use connectors! However, nevertheless, furthermore, additionally, and more! These vital elements will help you introduce the reason for your argument at the beginning of each paragraph.

And just like with any essay, you must use formal and academic language , but remember to be concise and straightforward. It’s the content of what you write that’s important here, so choose your words wisely to show your English language knowledge.

Plus, remember that there’s no specific word count you need to meet.

Our own pro-tip here is to write the introductory paragraph last.

Because many students struggle and waste valuable minutes when trying to begin with the introduction, you can save extra time by explaining and defending your arguments first and writing the intro once you are done.

You’ll see how easy it will be to summarize the main issue and thesis statement once you’ve already developed your points.

Since the GED essay works very similarly to an argumentative paper, there are many more pro-tips you can learn in our guide on how to write an argumentative essay . So be sure to check it out!

Reread and edit your writing (5 min)

Before submitting your essay, you must read what you wrote, check for spelling errors, and ensure that your ideas are clearly understood .

Not editing your essay can be one of your most critical mistakes!

Remember they are testing your understanding of the English language and writing skills; handing in an essay with spelling mistakes, flawed evidence, or poorly structured text can make you lose valuable points.

For this part, it’s crucial you know the most common essay mistakes so you can avoid them!

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GED Essay Sample

Follow all of these tips, and you are guaranteed to pass the GED essay!

However, here you have a   GED Testing Service’s essay example that perfectly explains how this assignment should be completed:

Mastering the GED Essay

Now you know how to write the GED essay!

Remember to follow our essay-writing strategy to pass the Language Arts section by demonstrating mastery of your writing skills.

You are more than capable of completing the GED test with the highest score and then applying to the best colleges to continue your educational journey .

Once you make it happen, don’t forget that if you ever need assistance with your essays or classes , Gradehacker is always here to help!

And if you need more tips on how to improve your writing skills , check out these related blog posts:

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Santiago Mallea is a curious and creative journalist who first helped many college students as a Gradehacker consultant in subjects like literature, communications, ethics, and business. Now, as a Content Creator in our blog, YouTube channel, and TikTok, he assists non-traditional students improve their college experience by sharing the best tips. You can find him on LinkedIn .

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33 min read

Ged reading & writing study guide 2024 [ged academy].

By: Teresa Perrin on January 3, 2023 at 3:45 AM

Welcome to the Reading & Writing Study Guide part of our GED study guide series to help you better prepare for taking the GED test.

Table of Contents Frequently Asked Questions about the Reading & Writing Test What is language arts and why it is important? Is the GED language arts test hard? Is GED reading hard? Is GED writing hard? What to Expect on the GED Language Arts Test How Many Questions are on the GED Language Arts Test and How Long Does the Test Take? The Reading Questions The Writing Questions Part I: Reading, Writing, and Essay Part II: Reading and Writing How Can I Pass my Language Arts Test? 1. Reading 2. Writing (Language) 3. GED Essay, or Extended Response Where Can I Take the GED Language Arts Practice Tests? What GED Language Arts Books Should I Study? Essential Skills Workbooks Steck-Vaughn GED: Test Prep 2014 GED Reasoning Through Language Arts Spanish Student Workbook (Spanish Edition) GED Reasoning Through Language Arts Study Guide 2018–2019 Are There GED Language Arts Worksheets to Help Me Study? Reading Worksheets Writing Worksheets Is There a GED Language Arts Cheatsheet to Help Me Understand the Test? What to Expect on the GED Language Arts Test GED Reading Test GED Writing Test Grammar and Language GED Essay, or Extended Response 10 GED Language Arts Tips and Tricks: How to Study for the Test 1. Study Reading First 2. Take GED Language Arts Practice Tests 3. Study More Quickly and Effectively, Here Is How! 4. Read for Pleasure! 5. Make Time and Space to Study 6. Answer Reading Practice Questions 7. Write Practice Essays! 8. Have Someone Read Your Writing 9. Say It Out Loud! 10. Review What You Need to Know to Pass the GED Language Arts Test (Checklist) Reading for Meaning Relationships Purpose and Point of View Words and Phrases Structure Comparisons Identify and Create Arguments Main Idea and Details Conclusions Arguments and Evidence Comparisons Grammar and Language Essay 10 Ways to Improve Reading Comprehension Eight GED Essay Tips Online GED Reading and Writing Classes

Reading and writing for the GED can seem hard, and even confusing! The good news is, with the right kind of preparation, any student can pass the test. This guide will help you understand what you need to study to learn the skills you need quickly and easily.

In this guide, you’ll learn about the GED Reasoning Through Language Arts Test—the reading, writing, and language portion of the GED Test. The GED Test gives you one test for both reading and writing because these skills are closely connected. If you want to get a personalized idea of where you are now and what you need to learn, try taking a GED Reading Practice Test or a GED Writing Practice Test . When you’re done, you can always come back here to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Reading & Writing Test

What is language arts and why it is important.

Put simply, language arts is reading and writing. The GED tests your ability to understand what you read and to write clearly and effectively. In other words, it’s about communication. Can you read an email from your boss? Can you write a letter asking for a refund? Can you read and understand a news article or get the point of a story? Can you express your thoughts on a topic? These everyday skills are the core of the language arts test.

Is the GED language arts test hard?

The GED language arts test is one test that covers both reading and writing. It doesn’t have to be hard, with the right preparation.

Is GED reading hard?

The reading test will ask you to read a few passages that are 400 to 900 words long, and then you’ll answer 6 to 8 questions about each passage.

About 25% of the passages will be stories—literary passages. The language won’t be too hard or complicated, but you’ll need to understand the characters, theme, and plot. What’s going on?

The other 75% of the passages are informational. The main topics are workplace, science, or social studies. The whole idea of these passages is to give you real-world letters or articles, and see if you understand what you read. They might include diagrams or graphics.

The basic idea is, can you read a short passage and understand what it says? Can you find details? Can you get the main idea? Can you compare what two passages say? With a little bit of practice, you can easily get the skills you need.

Is GED writing hard?

The writing part of the test will have two types of question. First, along with the reading passages, you’ll have some writing passages. For these questions, you’ll need to make edits or corrections to the passages. The readings will be mostly workplace documents, like letters and memos. The passages will be short, around 450 words. You’ll need to make choices to make sure the grammar and punctuation is correct. What is the right word to use? What’s the best punctuation? Where should a sentence end, and another one begin? Most learners need to brush up on their language skills a little, but luckily, these skills are easy to learn.

Second, you’ll need to write an essay. The essay is called the extended response, and it combines your reading and writing skills. You’ll need to read two passages with two different points of view about a topic. Then you’ll need to write a response that talks about the arguments in each passage. What points do the authors make? Which one has better evidence? Which is the strongest argument? The essay can seem hard, but it doesn’t have to be. To be successful, you need to know what to expect. You need a structure to follow, with a beginning, middle, and end. If you try to answer the question with details from the passage and write a full essay with a beginning, middle, and end, then you’ll do well. It doesn’t have to be perfect!

What to Expect on the GED Language Arts Test

The GED Reading Test is about 80% of the test and consists of:

• What order do things happen in?
• What inferences can you make about what you read?
• What are the relationships between ideas, people, or events?
• What are the details, and why are they important?
• What’s the author’s point of view or purpose?
• How does the writer use words and phrases?
• What is the structure of the text, and why is it organized that way?
• How do two passages compare?
• What are the details and evidence?
• What’s the main idea?
• What inferences or conclusions can you make about what the author is saying?
• How are details used to support the main idea?
• How good is the evidence or support for an idea?
• How do two arguments compare?
• The other 20% of the test is writing.
• They’re between 400 and 900 words.
• They cover science, social studies, work texts, and stories.
• There are 6 to 8 questions about each passage.

The GED Writing Test is about 20% of the language arts test and consists of:

• Can you edit to fix commonly confused words?
• Can you fix problems with word usage, like the wrong verb form or the wrong pronoun?
• Can you fix confusing language or make the language clearer?
• Can you fix capitalization?
• Can you fix run-on sentences, fragments, or connecting words?
• Can you use apostrophes correctly?
• Can you use punctuation correctly?
• This essay question tests your reading and writing skills!
• Read two passages.
• Write an essay that compares the two arguments. Which has better evidence? Why?

How Many Questions are on the GED Language Arts Test and How Long Does the Test Take?

The GED Reasoning Through Language Arts test is one reading and writing test, so you’ll take it all at one time. You’ll have one 10-minute break.

• You’ll take the test on a computer at a testing center.
• The whole test is 150 minutes, or 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• There are about 50 questions, plus 1 essay.
• The test is scored from 100 to 200 points.
• You need 145 to pass the test. (In New Jersey, you need to score 150.)

The Reading Questions

• Expect about 40 reading questions and 5 or 6 passages.
• Expect 1 to 2 literary passages, and 4 or 5 science, social studies, or workplace passages.
• Expect 6 to 8 questions per passage.
• Reading questions could be on Part I (before the break) as well as Part II (after the break).
• Most questions are multiple choice.
• Some questions are drag-and-drop.

The Writing Questions

• Expect about 10 editing (language) questions and about 2 passages to edit.
• Most questions will be a drop-down in a sentence, so you’ll choose the best way to complete the sentence.
• Editing questions could be on Part I or Part II.
• 1 essay question is on Part I. You’ll need to read two passages and compare them.
• The essay is called the extended response.

Part I: Reading, Writing, and Essay

• You’ll have 3 minutes to read the instructions.
• Part I is 72 minutes.
• Part I will have a set of questions plus the essay, or extended response.
• After Part I, you’ll have a 10-minute break.

Part II: Reading and Writing

• Part II is 65 minutes.
• You’ll answer most of the multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, and drop-down questions in Part II.

How Can I Pass my Language Arts Test?

To pass GED language arts, you should study three things:

Reading questions are about 80% of the test. You should be able to read and understand passages on a wide variety of everyday topics, including stories, science, social studies, and workplace documents like letters, instructions, or memos. Here are some good steps to take:

• Take a practice test to find out what you need to study. You can take a free reading practice test here .
• Study with a workbook, an online course, or on your own.
• Start by reading easier passages and answering questions. What’s the main idea? What are the details? Then, start reading harder passages. Can you compare them? What’s the author’s point of view.
• A good online course like GED Academy can help lead you through, step by step.

2. Writing (Language)

Writing questions are about 20% of the test. You should be able to edit workplace documents like emails, letters, and memos to fix errors or make the meaning clearer:

• Take a practice test to find out what you need to study. You can take a free writing practice test here .
• The questions for this section are editing questions, so make a list of topics you need to study, like subjects and verbs, punctuation, or pronouns. If you use an online course, it can make this list for you.
• Study with a workbook, an online course, or on your own. Try to focus on the specific topics that you need help with. Ask yourself: What are common errors or mistakes? Can you edit a sentence to make it error-free?

3. GED Essay, or Extended Response

• You’ll read two different points of view about a topic that make an argument and use evidence.
• You’ll compare the two points of view. Which one has better evidence? Which one is better supported?
• You’ll use details from the reading in your written response.
• Learn about arguments, so you can compare two arguments and their evidence.
• Learn about essay structure, so you can write an essay with a beginning, middle, and end.
• Practice writing extended responses with GED-type essay questions.
• Make sure you write 300 words or more, with a beginning, middle, and end!

Where Can I Take the GED Language Arts Practice Tests?

A good practice test is a great place to start! You can find out what types of questions you’ll see on the GED test and figure out what you need to study. You can take a free online practice test for the GED Reading Practice Test and for the GED Writing Practice Test .

What GED Language Arts Books Should I Study?

For many people, studying with a written workbook is the best way. Here are some good workbooks to try.

Essential Skills Workbooks

For the reading portion of the language arts test, try Essential Reading Skills . This workbook is easy to use and targets the types of questions on the GED Language Arts test. In this book, you’ll:

• Read science, social studies, literary, and workplace texts.
• Answer questions about GED topics like point of view, main ideas, themes, and details.
• Learn to read about arguments and support, to help with both writing and reading.

For the writing portion of the test, including the extended response essay, try Essential Writing Skills . This workbook focuses on practical editing and writing GED extended response essays. You’ll get a wide range of practice that will help you score well on writing.

Steck-Vaughn GED: Test Prep 2014 GED Reasoning Through Language Arts Spanish Student Workbook (Spanish Edition)

If you’re planning to take the Reasoning Through Language Arts test in Spanish, Steck-Vaughn provides a complete Spanish-language prep workbook that can help you prepare. This workbook covers both reading and writing in Spanish for the GED test.

• A simple, repeated structure takes you through lessons on both reading and writing for the GED
• Includes practice questions and tips

GED Reasoning Through Language Arts Study Guide 2018–2019

If you’re looking for a quick, short study guide, this book by Inc. Exam Prep Team Accepted gives a brief overview of the GED and three quick preparation guides:

• Grammar and Sentence Structure

The preparation section is only about 65 pages long, and provides a practice test at the end. For students seeking a quick refresher, this book might suit your needs.

Are There GED Language Arts Worksheets to Help Me Study?

Here are some free GED worksheets to help you refresh your skills!

Reading Worksheets

Try this sample Essential Reading Skills chapter with sample questions and exercises to learn about text structure. Use these worksheets while you read to improve your reading comprehension and understanding:

• Are the Ideas Clear?
• How Sentences Develop a Claim
• Outline by Paragraph or Section

Writing Worksheets

• Use this Paragraph Writing Worksheet to help organize your paragraphs.
• Learn about Fallacies in this worksheet, to help you evaluate arguments in your GED essay.

Is There a GED Language Arts Cheatsheet to Help Me Understand the Test?

Check out our GED Reasoning Through Language Arts cheat sheet below to get a quick overview of the test and what you need to know.

Before you take the test, it’s important to know what to expect on the GED Language Arts test. If you’re prepared, then you’ll score better. It’s that simple!

The Reasoning Through Language Arts test can be confusing because it combines reading and writing in one test. That includes:

• Reading: Multiple choice and drag-and-drop reading questions
• Language: Multiple choice and drop-down language questions
• Writing: An essay question, called the extended response

These aren’t separate tests or even really separate parts of the test. When you take the test, it will have two parts, with a 10-minute break in between. Part I will include some reading and/or language questions and the writing essay. Part II will be more reading and language questions. What’s important is that you know what to study for the three subject areas of the test. Here’s a closer look.

GED Reading Test

About 80% of the test is reading. For these questions, you’ll read a short passage and then answer 6 to 8 questions about it. So, what are the passages like?

• The passages are 400 to 900 words long. That’s about 1 to 2 single-spaced typed pages. They’re not very long, but they’re long enough to give a good amount of details.
• 75% of the passages are informational. Some of them will be workplace documents, like instructions, emails, memos, or letters. Some of them will be science or social studies articles.
• 25% of the passages are literary. These passages are short stories with characters, themes, events, and details.

What are the questions like? Well, here are the topics on the GED Reading portion of the test.

Reading for Meaning questions make up about 35% of the test. The questions ask whether you understand the structure of the text, the use of words, the point of view, and the development of ideas, relationships, and events. In short, what’s going on? Try a sample question!

Read this passage and answer the question that follows.

Buffalo Bill in Show Business

William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody was an accomplished Indian scout and buffalo hunter when E.Z.C. Judson, a writer who went by the name of Ned Buntline, met him in the summer of 1869. Judson wrote western stories and what were known as "dime novels" (small paperback books that sold for 10 cents.) He helped create "Buffalo Bill" and made him the hero in a number of his books. These stories made Buffalo Bill famous in the East and when he went to New York for a visit, he saw a play based on his adventures.

After his trip to New York, Buffalo Bill went home to Nebraska but decided to try his hand at show business. Ned Buntline adapted the play and together they produced the show, The Scouts of the Plains. Although some critics thought the show was ridiculous, Buffalo Bill was praised because his acting was based on genuine experience. The following year Buffalo Bill organized his own troop of players, called the Buffalo Bill Combination. In 1883, he came up with the idea for the Wild West show. It was an outdoor spectacle designed to educate and entertain. When Buffalo Bill's Wild West show came to town, it was a big deal. There would be a parade, like the one in this film, which included cowboys, Indians, soldiers on horseback, and horse-drawn carriages.

In 1887, Buffalo Bill's show performed at Madison Square Garden in New York City with 100 Indians, Annie Oakley, trick riders, ropers, and shooters as well as many different wild animals. The show was four hours long and included Indian war dances and an "attack" on a stagecoach. The show even went on tour to England and Europe. It was such a success that Queen Victoria saw it three times. Even after Buffalo Bill died in 1917, the Wild West shows continued.

Source: “Buffalo Bill in Show Business” by America’s Library. Available at: http://www.americaslibrary.gov/aa/cody/aa_cody_business_1.html

What does the writer mean by saying that Judson “helped create ‘Buffalo Bill’”?

• Judson helped William F. Cody create the nickname “Buffalo Bill.”
• Judson helped make “Buffalo Bill” popular by writing stories about him.
• Judson created a fictional character in his books called “Buffalo Bill.”
• Judson created the idea of “dime novels,” which inspired “Buffalo Bill.”

Answer: Judson helped make “Buffalo Bill” popular by writing stories about him. When the writer says Judson “helped create ‘Buffalo Bill,’” he or she means the popular stories about and popularity of “Buffalo Bill.” Judson wrote stories about William Cody that helped make him popular as “Buffalo Bill.”

Identifying Arguments questions make up about 45% of the test, although part of this 45% is the essay. The questions ask about the main idea and details of an argument the writer is trying to make. What evidence does the writer use? How strong is the evidence? Can you compare two arguments and their evidence? Try a sample question about an argument!

To: General Manager From: Anna Garcia, Human Resources Subject: We Need a New Workplace Policy

After last week’s office party, it is clear that the workplace needs a clear policy about decorations. Currently, the employee handbook contains no policy about decorations in the office. Decorations, both permanent and temporary, can cause damage to the office walls and cubicles. I am proposing a new policy, with the following wording:

All temporary office decorations for holidays, parties, or other events should be put in place using non-damaging, removable wall adhesives. Permanent decorations for your cubicle may use non-damaging, removable adhesives or thumbtacks applied to cubicle walls. Any decorations that cannot be hung without damage require approval from human resources. Non-damaging wall adhesive tape will be made available in the supply closet.

The main reason for this policy is the use of nails, tacks, and tape in the conference room walls to hang decorations for last week’s party. These temporary decoration caused damage to the paint and walls of the conference room, which is used for client meetings. The repairs took most of a week and cost the company $200.

I understand that our supply budget is low, but the cost of non-damaging tape will be far less than the potential cost for repairs after future events. Please see the attached spreadsheet for details.

Thank you for your attention, Anna Garcia

Which piece of evidence would help support Anna Garcia’s argument?

• After one employee’s last day, the company found that water from a plant had damaged her desk.
• After one employee’s last day, the company found that her cubicle wall was torn by hanging a photo.
• When one employee started, employees in nearby cubicles complained about the bright colors of her decorations.
• When one employee started, employees in nearby cubicles complained about the noise caused by nailing pictures to the wall.

Answer: After one employee’s last day, the company found that her cubicle wall was torn by hanging a photo.

This is an example of hanging decorations causing damage to the office. This problem would be solved by hanging the photo with a non-damaging material.

GED Writing Test

About 20% of the test is language or editing questions, and the writing portion also includes the GED essay, or extended response, which covers both reading and writing skills.

Grammar and Language

Language or editing questions might be multiple choice or drop-down. A drop-down question will ask you to complete a sentence with the correct word, phrase, or punctuation. For this section of the test, you’ll need to:

• Write clearly and eliminate wordy or awkward language
• Fix commonly confused words
• Edit errors in verbs, pronouns, informal language, or misplaced modifiers
• Use parallel sentence structure
• Use transition words and phrases and connecting words
• Use correct sentence structure
• Use correct punctuation, capitalization, and apostrophes

Try a sample question!

One group of employees ____________ meeting in the conference room right now.

• will have been

Answer: is The sentence should read: “One group of employees is meeting in the conference room right now.” The words “right now” show that the verb should be present tense. The subject is singular, “group,” so the verb needs to be singular, too. The phrase “of employees” is a distraction that can sometimes lead to mistakes. Try eliminating any phrase between the subject and the verb to see what sounds best! “One group is meeting in the conference room” sounds right, but “one group are meeting…” doesn’t!

GED Essay, or Extended Response

The GED essay is only one question on the test, but often it’s the one that students worry about the most. Keep in mind that the essay is only one part of the test. If you write a complete essay with a beginning, middle, and end that answers the question, you’ll do great. Try this technique:

• What is the main position of each side?
• Which point of view has better support or evidence?
• What are some general reasons why one is better?
• What is one piece of evidence that’s strong from the best argument? What does it mean? How does it support the argument? Why is it strong?
• What is one piece of evidence that’s weak from the worse argument? What does it mean? How does it hurt the argument? Why is it weak?
• What are two pieces of evidence that you can compare in the two arguments? How do they compare? Which is stronger? Why?
• How would you summarize the evidence in the two arguments?
• What other information would be helpful to know?
• Which point of view has better support?
• Why is this issue important?

Download this sample essay prompt to try your skills!

10 GED Language Arts Tips and Tricks: How to Study for the Test

The best way to study for GED Language Arts is to spend some time, separately, on reading, writing, and language. Although they are on the same test, you can study these three different skills separately.

1. Study Reading First

Reading is a great place to start for the GED Reasoning Through Language Arts test! Reading is about 80% of the test, and bumping up your reading skills will help you with the essay, too.

2. Take GED Language Arts Practice Tests

Taking a practice test is the best way to start studying and improve your score. A good practice test shows you what the test is like. It also shows you what you need to study. You can start with our free, online reading and writing practice tests. You’ll find practice questions just like the ones on the GED Test.

3. Study More Quickly and Effectively, Here Is How!

The language arts test can be tough because reading and writing are big subjects. How can you learn quickly? Use these techniques every time you study! To learn to read better, use this easy technique:

• Ask yourself questions before you read. Skim through the title, the beginning, and the end. Then ask questions about what you’ll read.
• Think about the questions and make notes while you read. Did you find the answers? Do you have more questions? What seems important?
• Review and organize your notes after you read. What conclusion can you come to about what you read?

To learn to write better, use a writing process:

• Plan before you begin to write. What is your main idea? What details will you use? What will go in your conclusion?
• Draft a complete essay with a beginning, a middle, and an end.
• Revise and edit what you’ve written. Make it clearer. Give it more details. Fix any errors.

4. Read for Pleasure!

What do you like? What are you interested in? Find short, easy books or stories that are interesting to you, and read them for fun. Read newspapers or magazines or websites. Get a library card for access to free books. With most library cards, you can check out free ebooks from the Libby app or Overdrive . Read about something that is important to you! This is a great way to improve your reading. It doesn’t matter what you read, but reading more will help!

5. Make Time and Space to Study

Make a study space that’s organized and has everything you need. Schedule a regular time to study every day and stick to it!

• Study a little every day before you go to sleep. What you learn will stick with you better!
• Stick with studying. Keep a tracker and mark off every day that you study. After a whole week, give yourself a reward!

6. Answer Reading Practice Questions

Here’s how to approach a reading question when you study or on the test!

• Read the question or questions first. The question tells you what to look for in the text! If you know what you need to answer, you can pay attention to the right part of the text.
• Read the text carefully. Find the part that’s relevant to the question, and slow down. Check your understanding of what you read. Do you get the meaning?
• Read the answer choices. Eliminate any answer that you know is wrong. Most of the questions will be multiple choice, so you can increase your chances by removing wrong answers!
• If you know the right answer, great! If not, have a strategy for guessing. After taking away all the answers you know are wrong, guess either the first or last answer. This can help you improve your test score! Don’t leave any answers blank.
• For practice questions, make sure you understand! Read or listen to the feedback on your answer so that you understand the right answer and learn more.

7. Write Practice Essays!

Here are some practice GED writing prompts from the GED Testing Service to help you get started. Make sure you write a complete essay, at least 300 words, with a beginning, a middle, and an ending. Answer the question: Which passage makes a better argument? Why? Be sure to use details from the text!

8. Have Someone Read Your Writing

Have a friend, teacher, or family member read what you wrote. Are some parts confusing? What good points did you make? Can they tell what your main idea is? Can they tell that you have a beginning, middle, and end? Some feedback from a reader will help improve your writing!

9. Say It Out Loud!

Reading out loud can help with reading, writing, and language.

• Try reading a section of text out loud to see if it helps you understand better. Go slow, and go back to check your understanding.
• When you’re writing, try reading your own writing out loud! Does it make sense? How would you say it to a friend? Revise your writing to sound more like someone talking.
• When you answer a language question, read the answer choices out loud in the full sentence. Which choice sounds right? While a few rules might be tricky, for the most part, what sounds right is right. Don’t overthink. Trust your ear when you’re not sure!

When you sit down to study, review what you went over the previous day. A quick review will help yesterday’s learning stick and make your next learning task a little easier. At the end of a week, do a whole-week review to go over what you’ve learned.

What You Need to Know to Pass the GED Language Arts Test (Checklist)

The GED Reasoning Through Language Arts test covers reading, writing, and language in one test. Here’s what you need to know.

Reading for Meaning

Relationships.

• You need to know how to put events in a text in the order that they happened.
• You need to know how to make inferences about the events, people, setting, relationships, or ideas in what you read.
• You need to know how to analyze relationships between people, ideas, and events, and their roles in the text.

Purpose and Point of View

• You need to be able to identify details and their purpose in a text.
• You need to figure out the writer’s point of view or purpose, even if it’s not stated outright in the text.
• You need to analyze the specifics of a writer’s point of view and how a writer response to other people with different opinions.

Words and Phrases

• You need to know how to analyze how a writer uses rhetorical techniques, like repetition or analogies.
• You need to figure out the meaning of words and phrases, including figurative language and connotations.
• You need to know how the writer’s word choice impacts the meaning and tone of the text, and analyze why the author uses specific words.
• You need to know how sentences, paragraphs, chapters, or sections fit into the structure of the text. What purpose do they serve? How do they support the author’s purpose or create meaning?
• You need to look at the relationships between two nearby sections of a text.
• You need to know how to analyze the author’s use of transition or connecting words and phrases.

Comparisons

• You need to compare texts that have similar themes or topics but different formats or genres.
• You need to know how to find similarities and differences in perspective, tone, style, structure, purpose, or impact.

Identify and Create Arguments

Main idea and details.

• You need to understand the main idea and details in what you read and be able to summarize them or make inferences about them.
• You need to know how to make inferences about the main idea and details.
• You need to understand how the details support the author’s purpose, ideas, or point of view.
• In a story, you need to know how to find the theme and support for the theme.

Conclusions

• You need to know how to make generalizations, hypotheses, or conclusions based on one or more ideas or pieces of evidence in what you read.
• You need to know how to apply or extend what you read.

Arguments and Evidence

• You need to know the parts of an author’s argument and how they work together.
• You need to identify whether a claim is supported by evidence and identify specific evidence that the author gives.
• You need to know whether the author gives enough good evidence to support a claim, including identifying fallacies or problems with the writer’s logic.
• You need to evaluate data, charts, graphs, or images and whether they support an author’s ideas.
• You need to compare two arguments on the same topic or two similar ideas or themes in different genres or formats.

You need to know how to:

• choose the correct word among commonly confused words or words that sound alike but are spelled differently.
• correct errors involving verbs, pronouns, informal language, and modifiers.
• use parallel structure.
• use good sentence structure, including independent and dependent clauses, avoiding run-ons and fragments.
• edit to eliminate wordiness or awkward sentences.
• use transitional and connecting words and phrases.
• use capitalization, punctuation, and apostrophes correctly.

You need to:

• write a clear and well-organized essay that compares two texts.
• compare two different arguments about the same topic, citing specific evidence from the text.

10 Ways to Improve Reading Comprehension

Reading comprehension is a big part of the GED Language Arts test. Here are some easy ways to improve your ability to understand what you read.

• Identify what you don’t understand. Try reading slowly and asking, do I understand what I just read? When you don’t understand, go back and check. What’s giving you a problem? Is it a long sentence that you can break apart? Is something else confusing you? Can you figure it out?
• Identify words you don’t know. Sometimes, you can guess the meaning of a sentence without all the words, but it helps to find the words you don’t know. Then, find the definition. Go back and try to understand the sentence or paragraph again. Does the meaning of the word help you understand it better?
• Make an outline. A good way to understand what you read is by making an outline. What’s the main idea? What are the important points? Which details are important, and where are they? Make the outline while you read, and then revise and reorganize it after.
• Make and organize notes. You don’t always need to make a formal outline. Sometimes, it’s helpful to just make notes about what’s important. The difference here is that you can ask questions and put down your own thoughts. Try writing your thoughts and questions in different colors to keep track! Then, when you’re done reading, reorganize your notes. That will help you understand and remember better.
• Identify the structure. Figuring out the structure of a text helps you understand it better. Does it talk about cause and effect? Does it give a problem and then explain a solution? Does it give events in order by time? Does it make a claim and then give reasons?
• Ask questions. Try asking questions before you read, while you read, and after you read. Asking questions makes you think about what you’re reading.
• Make a diagram. Try making a diagram or chart to compare ideas or show relationships in the text.
• Predict. Ask yourself: what do you think will happen next? What’s the writer going to say? Predicting helps you understand what you read.
• Visualize. If you’re reading a story or a description, try to imagine what you’re reading about. Creating pictures in your mind will help you understand.
• Summarize. Write a summary of the important ideas in the text. If you can pick out the most important ideas and details, you’ll understand the reading better.

Eight GED Essay Tips

The GED essay can seem tough, but it’s not really that hard. Use these tips to write a high scoring essay!

• Read the Passages First. Your writing prompt will have two passages. Start by reading through them. What’s the point of view of each writer? What evidence do they give?
• Write a Good Beginning. Start by explaining the issue that you read about. Then say which of the two arguments is stronger. Give a general reason why.
• Quote from the Text. Find 2 to 3 pieces of evidence or support in each passage that you read. In your essay, quote the evidence and tell which passage it is from. Explain how the writer uses it. Then, tell whether it’s strong or weak and why. Does it help prove the writer’s argument? Why is it good or bad?
• Tell Which Passage Has the Most Evidence. Sometimes a writer doesn’t have enough evidence. The passage with more evidence might be stronger.
• Point Out Problems. Does one of the passages have flaws or problems? Is the reasoning not logical? Can you think of a way the argument isn’t true? If you don’t agree, point it out! (And be sure to tell why!)
• Write a Conclusion. In your conclusion at the end of the essay, restate which passage has a better argument. Summarize your evidence and details.
• Write Clearly. If you have trouble writing, don’t try to make it too complicated. Write simple sentences, and make sure it’s easy to understand.
• Write Enough. If you have a beginning, a middle with quotes and details, and a conclusion, then you’ve probably written enough. But make sure! Write about 5 paragraphs, with at least 300 words. Otherwise, you need more detail.

Remember to practice using these tips by writing practice essays! Here’s a good way: Find two newspaper articles that disagree about a topic, and write about them for practice.

Online GED Reading and Writing Classes

Are you looking for easy online classes to help you get ready fast? GED Academy provides a quick and easy way to get prepared. GED Academy has three language arts courses:

• The GED Reading course is filled with lessons that help you read and understand GED-style passages and answer the kinds of questions you’ll find on the GED exam.
• The GED Language lessons teach you all the grammar and language you’ll need to know for the language questions.
• The GED Writing course prepares you to write the GED essay. You’ll take easy-to-understand writing lessons and write practice GED essays. You’ll learn everything you need to know in a quick and easy course.

Everyone starts out their GED prep at a different level. GED Academy finds out what you need to know and then gives you the exact lessons that you need to prepare. Our online GED language arts prep course can take as little as three or four weeks. With directed learning, you can be ready to take your GED language arts test right away.

Try studying an hour every night. With short, easy lessons, you can move forward through the GED Academy course quickly. After about 15 or 20 hours of language arts study, you could be ready for the test. Some people need a little more or a little less study, but no matter what your level, GED Academy has the right lessons for you.

GED Academy starts out by giving you a practice test or self-assessment to see what you need to study. Then it gives you a personalized learning plan that leads you through every lesson you need. It’s like having a personal tutor who can recommend the lessons and quizzes that you need right now to get ready quickly.

Are you ready to get started? Take a look at how GED Academy works.

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GED Essay Prompt

The articles below present arguments from supporters and critics of police militarization.

In your essay, analyze both articles to determine which position is best supported. Use relevant and specific evidence from both articles to support your response.

Type your essay. You should expect to spend up to 45 minutes planning, drafting, and editing your response.

News reports frequently show police wearing helmets and masks, wielding assault rifles, and riding in mine-resistant armored vehicles. These are not isolated incidents—they represent a nationwide trend of police militarization. Federal programs providing surplus military equipment have equipped police officers with firepower that is far beyond what is needed for their jobs as protectors of their communities. Sending a heavily armed team of officers to perform routine police work can dangerously escalate situations that never needed to involve violence in the first place.

Throughout the United States, heavily armed SWAT teams are raiding people’s homes in the middle of the night, often just to search for drugs. Military-style police raids have increased dramatically in recent years, with one report finding over 80,000 such raids last year. It should enrage us that people have needlessly died during these raids, that pets have been shot, and that homes have been ravaged. Sometimes children are in the crossfire—often with deadly results.

Our neighborhoods are not warzones, and the police should not be treating us like wartime enemies. And yet, every year, billions of dollars’ worth of military equipment flows from the federal government to local police departments. The main beneficiaries of this militarization are military contractors who now have another lucrative market in which to sell their products. Companies like Lockheed Martin and Blackhawk Industries are making record profits by selling their equipment to local police departments that have received Department of Homeland Security grants.

Police departments use these wartime weapons in everyday policing, especially to fight the wasteful and failed drug war, which has unfairly targeted people of color. According to a recent ACLU report, “of all the incidents studied where the number and race of the people impacted were known, 39 percent were Black, 11 percent were Latino, 20 were white.” The majority of raids that targeted blacks and Latinos were related to drugs—another metric exposing how the “war on drugs” is racist to the core.

The Truth about Police Militarization

by David Hagner

Over the last few years the role of police in American society has increasingly drawn harsh criticism. Much is made of the militarization of police, from their acquisition and use of surplus military equipment, their training with and adopting similar tactics to the military, and intrusive search procedures. These criticisms are disproportionate and do not take into account the everyday facts of policing, including:

• The nature of the threat has changed: Terrorist attacks on American soil have risen in frequency. Though none have been as destructive as those of 9/11, many more recent attacks have occurred at the local level and have to be confronted by police. When these incidents occur, officers need the best available equipment in order to neutralize heavily armed opponents before they can inflict serious harm on civilians.
• There is little evidence that new procedures have increased causalities: Statistics of police killings of civilians do not show any significant increase, while deaths of officers in the line of duty are at an all-time low, indicating the newer procedures have helped save lives.
• The vast majority of police-civilian interactions are peaceful: Criticisms about the overuse of SWAT teams and officers decked out in military gear ignore the fact that most officers patrol the streets in standard uniforms and interact peacefully with multiple civilians during a given day. Rates of violent crime are down in most parts of the country. Violent confrontations are the exception, not the rule.
• Taking valuable tools away from police officers endangers lives: The stability of police shootings of civilians, the decline in violent crime, and the decline in police officer fatalities all suggest that current procedures are working. If officers lose the tactics and equipment they have come to rely on, these trends could be adversely affected and officers could be put in harm’s way without adequate protection.

Police exist to serve their communities, and while accusations of over-militarization are exaggerated, officers do still need to focus heavily on community outreach and dialogue. The only way misconceptions can be corrected is through transparency, so civilians can see and understand why certain approaches are warranted.

Write your essay and then review our sample response!

GED Sample Essay >>