GED Essay Information
The essay is the second and final portion of the GED Language Arts exam. Test takers are allotted 45 minutes to complete this portion. Writing proficiency is examined because it is necessary for test taking as well as general life skills such as updating a résumé, organizing reports or completing an insurance claim.
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Topic
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According to the American Council on Education, test takers will write an essay "about an issue or subject of general interest." This is positive in nature as the writer is sure to have the correct answer. The challenge is to structure writing in a way that clearly reflects mastery of basic writing rules and structure. A sample essay test question, according to the official GED website, The American Council on Education, is "What is one important goal you would like to achieve in the next few years?" The task is then to select a singular goal, clearly explaining a plan to meet it using experience and knowledge as supporting points.
Planning
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The University of Mexico recommends a time structure as follows: Three minutes for reviewing the instruction and carefully reading the topic; five minutes for pre-writing, including brainstorming; three minutes for writing the thesis statement and organizing the ideas and structure; 20 minutes to draft the essay; eight minutes to proof-read the essay and revise; and six minutes to edit, correcting grammar and spelling.
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Structure
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The basic structure of an essay is five paragraphs. The first should be an introductory paragraph, including the thesis statement. The next three paragraphs comprise the body, each reflecting a concise point in support of the thesis. The final paragraph is the conclusion, which should clearly link to the thesis statement, actively connecting the introduction and conclusion so the essay comes full circle.
Scoring
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The final essay score will be an average of two. Each will be presented by trained readers using a holistic scoring rubric. The rubric is based on a four-point system, with four being the highest, based on the following: main points; organization; development of ideas; and mechanics, grammar, word choice and spelling. If the test taker's score is less than a two on the essay portion, parts I and II of the Language Arts Writing Test must be retaken. Test takers are required to meet or exceed the average score of about 60 percent of high school graduating seniors.
Tips
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The test taker should be sure to address the topic specifically and not veer into another realm of written conversation. Do not write a rough draft, as 45 minutes allows just enough time to plan, structure and write one draft. Before exam day, practice writing using a sample essay topic and compare to the rubric with a discerning eye or have a friend assist with the evaluation portion. After completing a practice essay, read it aloud to hear how natural your writing voice is. Remember that if you can speak, you can write.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit writing image by Petro Feketa from Fotolia.com
