The Writing Section of the GED

• Clearly state the issue and your position on it in the introduction
• Use language appropriate to the audience you are addressing
• Support your position with facts, statistics, and reasons from the stimulus texts
• Show clear reasoning
• Conclude with a summary of your main points and state your claim

An argumentative essay follows the traditional paragraph structure that includes an introductory paragraph, body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph. Your essay should be between 4 to 7 paragraphs long. Aim for 3 to 7 sentences in each paragraph, with 300-500 words in total.

The Introductory Paragraph:

The goal of your introductory paragraph is to introduce your topic. The introduction should contain a strong opening sentence that states your claim or thesis statement. In this exercise, you will be analyzing two stimulus texts that contain opposing viewpoints about a topic and determining which argument is stronger. Your position statement should be clear and direct so the reader understands what you are trying to accomplish with your essay.

The Body Paragraphs:

The body paragraphs are where you will develop your position about your subject. This is where you present reasoning and evidence to support your claim. You can state facts, examples, and explanations from the stimulus text to support your main ideas. Each body paragraph should contain one well-developed example.

Your goals for each body paragraph are to: introduce an example, describe the example, explain how the example fully supports your thesis. Use evidence from the stimulus prompt and NOT your own opinions to support your position. Be sure to use transition words at the beginning of each body paragraph to introduce your next example.

The Conclusion:

The ultimate goal of your conclusion is to summarize your main points and restate your claim. In your concluding paragraph, you might introduce the opposing side to your argument. Then refute their position by reinforcing the validity of your thesis. Use a strong ending sentence to emphasize the main point of your essay.

Sample Essay Prompts

Before you sit for your exam, practice writing a sample essay to become familiar with the process and comfortable with the format. Below is an essay prompt.

Try to follow the paragraph organization as outlined in this lesson. Then, once you have written your draft, review the rules of grammar and conventions of English (spelling, punctuation, capitalization) in the Reasoning Through Language Arts section of this study guide to help you fine-tune your writing. If the opportunity permits, ask a teacher, relative, or friend read your essay and offer feedback on your work.

Essay Prompt: Is Curling a Sport?

Curling has been around for centuries. The first recorded curling match took place in 16th century Scotland, as evidenced by paintings of peasants playing the game. When people immigrated to North America, they brought curling with them. In 1807, the first Canadian curling club was established in Montreal, followed by the first American club in 1828, located in Michigan. Even with its lengthy history, the debate over whether or not curling is a sport wages on the Internet, in bars, amongst sportswriters, and even in ice arenas.

Proponents say that curling meets the definition of “sport” found in the dictionary. Curling requires physical exertion, coordination, and skill; it adheres to a specific set of rules, and is recognized as a sport by athletic associations, fans, the media, and more. They point to curling’s inclusion in the Olympics, starting with the 1924 Winter Olympics in Chamonix, France, as further evidence of its qualification as a sport.

Opponents say that curling should be considered a “game” and not a “sport.” They argue that curling does not require rigorous physical activity and can be played professionally by people who are generally non-athletic or overweight. They argue that curling is a game or leisure activity.

Pro Arguments

According to fitness tracking programs, participating in curling burns 272 calories. This is approximately the same amount of calories per hour as bowling or practicing yoga. While this is not as much as gymnasts, who burn 345 calories per hour, the standard curling competition includes eight 15-minute long matches that are completed in about two hours.

Curling matches adhere to a set of rules that is governed by the World Curling Federation. There are specific guidelines for equipment, such as the stones, brooms, and specialized footwear. Each of the four players on a curling team has a specific role to play. The “lead” player sets up the match by throwing the first two stones. The “second” playing throws the next two stones. The third player is called the “vice skip.” This is the player who holds the broom. And lastly, the “skip” is the captain and chief strategist of the team.

Con Arguments

Unlike a sport, curling does not require rigorous physical activity. Burning 272 calories per hour while curling is much less than the number of calories burned per hour in competitive sports. Soccer players burn 900/hour while football, basketball players burn 727 calories/hour. Professional curlers are sometimes overweight, old, or out of shape. There is no running, jumping, or cardiovascular activity in curling.

Sports experts agree that curling lacks the athletic rigor needed to be a real sport. Curling was ranked 56 out of 60 activities by a panel of sports scientists, athletes, and journalists assembled by ESPN. They ranked the athletic difficulty of 60 activities based on ten categories such as endurance, agility, and strength.

Prompt

In your response, analyze both positions presented in the article to determine which one is best supported. Use relevant and specific evidence from the article to support your response.

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

The following video will provide an overview of the Writing Section pertaining to the GED.