How to Compose an Argumentative Essay for the GED® Reasoning Through Language Arts Test - Student Workbook

Sep 14, 2026

Guidance for composing an argumentative essay on the GED® Reasoning Through Language Arts test, including how to respond to two provided texts presenting different viewpoints. The workbook explains the scoring criteria: argument and evidence, development and organisational structure, and clarity and command of standard English. A time-management plan supports planning, drafting, editing, and revision within 45 minutes, then provides a step-by-step method for selecting the best-supported text and drafting a thesis and body paragraphs.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction and Overview

Test timing and scoring criteria

Step 1: Read With Understanding

Choose the text that best supports its argument

Evaluate and Contrast the Two Texts

Evidence, examples, appeals, and organisation

Plan Your Reasons

Rough point-form plan and contrast table

Write the Introduction

Thesis statement and opposing viewpoints

Continue Writing the Body and Conclusion

Evaluate and develop paragraphs

HOW TO COMPOSE AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY FOR THE GED® REASONING THROUGH LANGUAGE ARTS TEST In part of the GED® Reasoning Through Language Arts test, a student has 45 minutes in which to type an argumentative essay in response to two given texts, which each present a different point of view on a topic. Your essay will be graded according to three criteria: Creation of argument and use of evidence – This refers to how well you analyse the arguments presented, stay on topic and use the evidence in the given texts Development and organisational structure – This refers to how you structure your ideas and develop your arguments in a logical sequence and back those ideas with supporting evidence from the source text Clarity and command of standard English – This criterion examines how concisely and effectively you are able to express yourself in standard English. It will look at the mechanics of language such as correct sentence structure, stylistic features such as transitional phrase and appropriate vocabulary. You will only have 45 minutes to plan, draft and revise your essay. Here is a good plan of action for time management: Read texts and plan essay outline – 10 minutes Draft and type essay – 30 minutes Edit and revise – 5 minutes An argumentative essay for the GED® examination Work book © Shirley Erwee 2 STEP 1: READ WITH UNDERSTANDING STEP 2: DECIDE WHICH TEXT BEST SUPPORTS ITS ARGUMENTS Points to consider when evaluating the two texts: 1. Are there facts and figures given to support the argument? 2. Are there quotes from evidence-based research or statistics from experts on the topic or is the author simply expresses his or her own opinion? 3. Are specific examples used to support or prove a statement made? 4. Are there good analogies or other details to support the argument? 5. Is convincing personal experience described to support the argument? 6. Does the author appeal to a reader’s ethical values, morality, or common sense? 7. Is the text well written with clear language, logical connections, accurate vocabulary or is it rambling and vague? 8. Are the arguments well-constructed and well-organised? 9. What other qualities can you spot in the texts that make one better than the other? 10. Does the introduction and the conclusion support the overall argument? 11. Are there literary devices that are used for effect? An argumentative essay for the GED® examination Work book © Shirley Erwee 3 STEP 2: THE TEXT I CHOSE IS STEP 3: WRITE YOUR REASONS ( IN A ROUGH POINT FORM PLAN ) Now you can use some of these questions to plan YOUR arguments, once you have chosen which text you think is the best supported. You should have at least three reasons for your choice and evidence to support your choice. You could also use a table (like the one on the next page) to contrast the two texts. An argumentative essay for the GED® examination Work book © Shirley Erwee 4 | TEXT A | TEXT B | | --- | --- | | Evaluate the introduction | Evaluate the introduction | | .................................................. | ................................................ | | .................................................. | ................................................ | | .................................................. | ................................................ | | .................................................. | ................................................ | | .................................................. | ................................................ | | Evaluate the first body paragraph | Evaluate the first body paragraph | | .................................................. | .................................................. | | .................................................. | .................................................. | | .................................................. | .................................................. | | .................

FAQs

What are the three criteria used to grade a GED argumentative essay?

Essays are graded on argument and evidence, development and organisational structure, and clarity and command of standard English, including sentence structure and appropriate vocabulary.

How should a student manage the 45 minutes for the GED essay?

The workbook suggests 10 minutes to read and plan, 30 minutes to draft and type, and 5 minutes to edit and revise.

How do you decide which of the two texts to base your essay on?

Check which text provides stronger evidence such as facts, expert research or statistics, examples, analogies, personal experience, ethical appeals, and clearer writing and logical connections.

Sep 14, 2026

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