According to the GED Testing Service, “All GED essay questions will ask you to read and evaluate two passages that take different stances on the same topic. Essays should determine which passage presents a stronger argument and back up that claim with analysis of evidence from the passages.”
There are 3 levels of skills that students must master to ace the argumentative essay on the GED.
1. Students first have to understand exactly what they are being asked to do – which is tricky
2. Then they need the skills to compose a well-constructed essay.
3. The essay must also convey a well thought-out argument.
Most students struggle with this. I even struggled to understand what is required. That’s why I created a short tutorial to give students clearer guidelines and extra practice to develop these skills.
Here’s an example of a student essay that shows how students often struggle to separate these skills. First read the essay in its entirety, then we’ll analyse a few of the problems with this essay. Even though we don’t have the original passages on hand, we can see some typical errors in the student’s essay:
Gambling is an important issue. Passage 1 argues that gambling should be legalized. On the other hand, passage 2 argues that gambling should remain illegal. Both arguments make good points, but the article for legalized gambling is stronger and more complete.
One reason why gambling should be made legal is that there is evidence from surveys that support the claim. A study from the University Of Chicago’s National Opinion Research Center tells us that, 12% to 17% drops in employment statistics happened because of casinos in the area. This data shows that gambling isn’t a problem. Since this data was done in a research center, we know that it is accurate.
While passage 2 makes interesting points, there is no proper evidence to support its argument. The only study used was a study in 1995. A study used in 1995 is old data, so passage 2 is less credible. It also provides opinions over facts.
In conclusion, gambling should be legalized. This argument is supported by facts, surveys, and expert testimonies. In contrast, the argument for gambling to remain illegal is based on opinions and unreliable sources. Based on the evidence, gambling should be legalized.
Let’s pull out some of the areas that could be improved:
One reason why gambling should be made legal is that there is evidence from surveys that support the claim.
This sentence shows that the student has missed the point of the essay. In place of the section in bold above, he should say something like “Passage 1, in favour of legalising gambling, gives evidence from surveys to support the claim.”
The essay should not be about why gambling should be made legal, but about why the passage supporting this argument better supports ITS ARGUMENTS than the other one. There is a subtle but vitally important difference.
To emphasise this, the next sentence could say something like this (edits in bold):
Passage 1 gives further data to support its claim in the form of a study from the University Of Chicago’s National Opinion Research Center which tells us that, 12% to 17% drops in employment statistics happened because of casinos in the area. This data shows that gambling isn’t a problem. Since this data was done in a research center, we know that it is accurate.
The next passage is a bit ‘thin’. Adding some more arguments about why passage 1 supports its arguments more convincingly than passage 2 would strengthen the essay.
While passage 2 makes interesting points, there is no proper evidence to support its argument. The only study used was a study in 1995. A study used in 1995 is old data, so passage 2 is less credible. It also provides opinions over facts.
The conclusion again misses the point:
In conclusion, gambling should be legalized.
The student’s essay should not argue for or against GAMBLING. It should argue that one passage better supports its arguments than the other. This kind of comment will not score well. You should rather say something like, “Passage 1 is by far the position that demonstrates the best support” …or something more ‘fluffed out’ than that!
This argument is supported by facts, surveys, and expert testimonies.
Which expert testimonies? Until now, the student hasn’t mentioned any expert testimonies at all. This could potentially be another paragraph of the essay supporting the argument that one passage is better supported than the other.
In general, each paragraph of this essay could give more detail and more explanations of evidence to support its argument.
In contrast, the argument for gambling to remain illegal is based on opinions and unreliable sources.
Yes, this sentence addresses the essay topic better – can you see the difference between this and the first sentence in the concluding paragraph?
Based on the evidence, gambling should be legalized.
Again the student has missed the purpose of his essay. The topic is WHY PASSAGE 1 is better than PASSAGE 2, not why gambling should be legalised or whatever the topic of your exam essay might be. The topic is always why one passage better supports its argument than the other passage.
There are a few more important points where this essay might possibly be improved, but the above should demonstrate how students battle to stay on the topic of THEIR essay!
Acing the Argumentative Essay on the GED
Understanding the requirements of the argumentative essay is not easy and this is why most students need plenty of practice.
1. They need to understand the mechanics of constructing a good essay.
2. They need the tools to be able to do that.
3. Then they need to understand the nuances of taking two opposing arguments and using them selectively to create a third argumentative essay, which compares them and gives evidence to support the argument that one of them is better than the other.
It’s because of this complexity that most students struggle. This is why they need the short tutorial, Acing the Argumentative Essay on the GED.
All my students are also using it when they do English. It is extremely helpful.
JENNY MOOR, PRINCIPAL OF HAVEN ACADEMY
Acing the Argumentative Essay on the GED
by Shirley Erwee
All our Grade 8 to 10 students do the course. I am also going to have my staff do the course.
Bronwyn Murray, Thrive academy
Need more tips for Acing the Argumentative Essay on the GED?
Here is another student essay, demonstrating typical errors which can be improved and Tips for the Argumentative Essay on the GED
…and here is another sample essay and a critique of it which highlights Common Mistakes on the GED Argumentative Essay