Guide to Writing the Extended Response
GED 2014 RLA Test
What is the Extended Response?
How is it different than an opinion essay?
Watch this video for an overview
Watch this video to get some more details about the Extended Response (ER) and to see how it will look on the computer screen on test day.
Click here to watch the overview video
How is it graded?
Breakdown of traits
Trait 1: Creation of Arguments and Use of Evidence
Breakdown of traits
Trait 2: Development of Ideas and Organizational Structure
Breakdown of traits
Trait 3: Clarity and Command of Standard English Conventions
What’s the big deal?
Understanding the prompt
Use this example prompt to answer the questions:
While the writer of passage A proposes the benefits of clean coal, the writer of passage B identifies drawbacks to this position.
In your response, analyze both selections to determine which position is better supported.
Understanding the prompt-answers
While the writer of passage A proposes the benefits of clean coal, the writer of passage B identifies drawbacks to this position.
In your response, analyze both selections to determine which position is better supported.
1. What is the writing assignment about? It is about two selections that take different positions on clean coal.
2. What does the prompt ask you to do? The prompt asks me to write about which position on clean coal is better supported.
3. What are you being asked to include in your response? The prompt says I have to use relevant and specific information from both texts.
4. Are you being asked for your opinion on the topic or to take a position on the writers’ arguments? I am being asked to take a position on the writers’ arguments.
Understanding the writer’s argument/claim
To best protect children from being subjected to portrayals of violence, we must reduce the amount of violence that is present in video games. Numerous studies done by various groups show a positive correlation between video game usage and violence.
Many people consider violence in video games a recent trend, but one of the earliest and most controversial video games was Death Race, released in 1976. In this game, the players controlled cars that ran over gremlins. The game was later pulled from stores due to public outcry. With the successful protest against Death Race as a model, we should be as proactive now to reduce or eliminate violence in video games.
Understanding the writer’s argument/claim
To best protect children from being subjected to portrayals of violence, we must reduce the amount of violence that is present in video games. Numerous studies done by various groups show a positive correlation between video game usage and violence.
Many people consider violence in video games a recent trend, but one of the earliest and most controversial video games was Death Race, released in 1976. In this game, the players controlled cars that ran over gremlins. The game was later pulled from stores due to public outcry. With the successful protest against Death Race as a model, we should be as proactive now to reduce or eliminate violence in video games.
Analyzing Evidence
Watch part two of the video to learn how to find strong and weak evidence in the authors’ claims.
The video references a graphic organizer to help you organize your notes when you are writing your own ER. Find the graphic organizer here (#1)
Review of strong evidence
Strong evidence is:
Specific
Includes facts, statistics
Results from studies or surveys that are recent in date
Includes authorities (experts) on the topic
Review of weak evidence
Unclear
Unreliable or unnamed experts
Outdated studies or statistics
Confusing details
Flawed reasoning
Personal opinions
A closer look at fallacies
A fallacy is faulty reasoning, which renders an argument invalid. Understanding these types of fallacies will help you identify weak evidence.
The “crap” test
Follow this link (#2) for a fun activity where you choose between two statements and decide which evidence is better!
Please complete the “crap” test before moving on! (The answers are at the end of the document).
Which position is best supported?
In part 3 of the video, watch how the student finds strong and weak evidence to help decide which author better supports their argument.
Time to practice!
This link here takes you to a document in Google Drive (“Are Tweens Ready for Cell Phones”).
Directions:
Creating a thesis statement
A thesis statement is your central argument that you will defend with evidence from the text. Usually it is located in the introduction and summarized in the conclusion of the extended response.
You are able to write your thesis statement after you analyze evidence from both passages and conclude which author best supports his/her claim.
You can “memorize” a few frames (a sentence guide) to use in your introduction to clearly state your claim.
Thesis Frames: Example (a)
*use this frame when you are presented with one article containing two opposing claims.
When comparing the two positions in this article, ________________ provides the
(the strongest position)
clearest evidence ________________________.
(for or against the strongest position).
Example on using frame (a)
When comparing the two positions in this article, the arguments against daylight
(the strongest position)
savings time provide the clearest evidence that the practice of daylight savings
time does not have a significant impact on energy savings and safety.
(for or against the strongest position).
Thesis Frames: Example (b)
*use this frame when you are presented with two separate articles
The general argument made by _______ is that _______. Although (_______)
(name of weaker author) (weaker author’s claim) (name of weaker author)
(believes/demonstrates/argues) that __________, __________
(weaker author’s claim) (stronger author’s name)
supports/provides the clearest evidence.
Example on using frame (b)
(Pretend you are presented with two separate articles on daylight savings time. The author named Jenkins supports daylight savings time, and the author Smith is a critic of daylight savings time).
The general argument made by Jenkins is that there are more benefits to
(name of weaker author) (weaker author’s claim)
keeping the tradition of daylight savings time. Although (Jenkins) argues
(name of weaker author)
that daylight savings time results in energy savings and increased safety,
(weaker author’s claim)
Smith provides the clearest evidence against continuing the practice of daylight
(stronger author’s name)
savings time.
Thesis Frames: Example (c)
*use this frame when you are presented with two separate articles
Looking at the arguments regarding ___________________, it is clear that
(insert topic of the articles)
_____________ supports (his/her) claim with stronger evidence than __________
(insert stronger author’s name) (insert weaker author’s name)
Example on using frame (c)
Looking at the arguments regarding daylight savings time, it is clear that
(insert topic of the articles)
Smith supports his claim with stronger evidence than Jenkins.
(insert stronger author’s name) (insert weaker author’s name)
List of Thesis Frames
Check out this document (#6) for a printable list of different thesis frames.
Setting up your Extended Response
It is important that your extended response is well organized and has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
There are a few different methods to help you organize your writing.
Idea Web
* use short phrases and words in each bubble.
Outline
Example:
Remember:
Include fallacies in the author’s reasoning and evidence, and use direct quotations from the text when giving evidence (supporting details), and then summarize those quotations and their meaning in your own words.
Another organizational tool:
If you don’t like an outline, but need to visualize your essay into paragraphs, you can use this “box” method.
Click here (#7) for a printable version
Next steps
You are now ready to transform your idea web or outline
into your written extended response!
One of the biggest hang-ups is “HOW DO I START!”
Don’t panic! You’ve already “started!”
Whether you used an idea web or an outline, you can transform each main “bubble” in the web or each Roman Numeral in your outline into your topic sentence (the first sentence) in each body paragraph.
The smaller “bubbles” in the web, and the letters in your outline become the supporting details in each body paragraph.
Student Sample: Working from an outline to an extended response
Let’s take a look at how one student created his outline and then turned it into his extended response. (source: https://www.gedpracticequestions.com/ged-sample-essay/ )
Importance of transition words
In your ER, remember to use transition words to create a clear flow of ideas from one paragraph to the next (trait 2 grades organization and development of ideas). Examples of transition words or phrases include:
Finally...
Don’t forget to edit your ER! This will ensure points for Trait 3 (Clarity and Command of Standard English Conventions)
*Look for things like:
-Spelling, punctuation, capitalization
-Subject-verb agreement
-Parallelism (all sentences written in the same tense)
*Your opinion should never appear in your ER!
Writing Framework
If you still feel unsure of taking your outline and turning it into complete sentences and paragraphs to complete your ER, try using this writing framework here (#10) until you are comfortable writing on your own.
Remember, you got this!
Final Assignment!
Your final task in completing this assignment is to write a practice Extended Response essay!