The GED, or General Educational Development, is a credential that is awarded to students who choose not to finish high school but still need to prove that they have the skills necessary to place into college-level courses.
The GED test is split into four sections: writing, reading, math, and science. Each section is multiple choice save for the RLA section, which requires students to craft an essay response to a given prompt within 45 minutes.
What Type of GED Essay Will Be Required?
Typically, students taking the GED test will need to write an argumentative, persuasive, or informative essay.
An argumentative essay will require the test taker to support their opinion with evidence and reasoning.
A persuasive essay will require the test taker to convince the reader of their point of view using evidence and reasoning.
An informative essay will only require the student to provide information without giving an opinion or persuading anyone.
The prompt will offer insight into the best essay type to choose, so it is best to pay close attention to the prompt when reading.
GED Essay Rubric: Determining the Quality of Your Essay
This essay can be tricky to write if you aren’t familiar with academic requirements, so it’s best to use a GED essay rubric as a guide.
A GED essay rubric is simply a list of criteria that you can use to evaluate your responses. You can think of it as a frame for your writing. If your essay meets the requirements in each area, then you’ve done all you need to do, and your answer is complete.
However, keep in mind that while the rubric is important, it doesn’t act as a replacement for your own critical thinking. Instead, it’s there to help you assess your work at the end of the writing process and give you an idea of how well you did.
For example, let’s say you were asked to write an essay about what makes healthy relationships. Here are the criteria you should have covered in your essay:
Introduction
The introduction should include a thesis statement that states what you will discuss within your paper. This allows the reader to understand where you are heading early on in your writing process. You can also use it as an opportunity to establish common ground with your audience, which is especially important if your essay is going to be discussing a controversial topic.
In the case of our healthy relationships essay, you might start by talking about what most people would consider to be a healthy relationship. This could be anything from having common interests and mutual respect to communicating openly and honestly.
Body
The body of your essay is where you will go into more depth on the subject, whether that be by drawing examples from personal experience or providing research to support your argument.
Your writing should always begin with a topic sentence that states exactly what your supporting idea is. This allows the reader to follow along easily and ensures that all of your thoughts are cohesive and organized.
Conclusion
The conclusion should summarize everything that you talked about in your essay. Of course, it’s a good idea to restate your thesis statement, but you can also use it as an opportunity to provide your own thoughts on the topic. For example, in the case of our healthy relationships essay, you might want to say something like:
“Healthy relationships build people up, not tear them down. This could be ones where people share similar interests, communicate openly and honestly, or respect one another’s personal space. However, not everyone will agree on what makes a relationship healthy, which is why it’s important to realize that there are many different opinions on the matter.”
It’s important to remember that each section of your essay should be cohesive and work together to create a full picture for the reader. Your introduction leads into your body, which leads to your conclusion, just like a good story would. If you don’t do this, your essay will seem choppy and unfinished.
How Can I Prepare for the Essay Writing Section of the GED Test?
Since the content of your essay will depend on the writing prompt given during the test, it can be difficult to prepare for the writing section. However, there are some things you can do to better equip yourself for test day.
For example, you should make sure that you practice writing under timed conditions. This will help to simulate the stress of the test and ensure that you can still produce quality work under pressure.
You should also make sure to read over practice writing prompts ahead of time. This will give you a sense of what the test may ask and help you determine the best answers for them.
70 GED Essay Topics
To help practice writing skills and timed essay writing, consider using the following GED essay prompts as part of your preparation.
GED Essay Topics About Relationships & Family
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of large vs. small families?
- Discuss the positive and negative effects of sports on relationships.
- What is the best way to handle a disagreement with a loved one?
- What are some tips for maintaining a healthy relationship?
- How can people improve their communication skills?
- What makes a successful long-term relationship?
- Can technology interfere with interpersonal relationships?
- Why do teen relationships often end in disaster?
- Is it better to be single or in a relationship?
- What are the benefits of staying single?
- How can people tell if they’re ready for a committed relationship?
- How do different cultures view relationships?
- What is an open relationship?
- Compare the benefits and drawbacks of polyamory?
- What are some signs that a relationship is unhealthy?
- How can people make their relationships more fulfilling?
GED Essay Topics About Political Science
- What are the responsibilities of citizens during an election?
- How can people get involved in politics at their local level?
- How does voting impact our government?
- To what extent do lobbyists influence public officials?
- What is gridlock, and how does it affect Washington DC?
- Why did voter turnout decline in the 2016 presidential election?
- How can people stay informed about current events?
- Why is social media so influential in politics?
- What are some important facts to consider before voting?
- How has technology changed the way campaigns are run?
- What are some of the political repercussions of global warming?
- Who should be responsible for protecting the environment, corporations or politicians?
- What are some of the most important responsibilities of a president?
- How does a democracy differ from authoritarianism?
- What are some causes and effects of political corruption?
- How has social media impacted politics?
- What effect can social media have on civil unrest or riots?
- How do historians determine if a political leader was effective or not?
- Why is it important to study history?
GED Essay Topics About Education
- What is the most important thing students should learn in school?
- How can schools better prepare students for college and careers?
- What makes a good teacher?
- How do different teaching methods impact student learning?
- Should schools start later in the morning?
- What are the benefits of homeschooling?
- What is the best way to discipline students?
- How can schools create a safe and positive learning environment for all students?
- Should standardized tests be eliminated?
- How does technology impact student learning?
- What are some ways schools can save money?
- Should teachers be paid more?
- What makes a good school district?
- What are some ways to improve education in the United States?
- Should students have more say in what they learn in school?
- How can schools better prepare students for the real world?
- What is the value of a college education?
GED Essay Topics About Social Issues
- What is the best way to handle bullying?
- What is the cause of social anxiety?
- How does society benefit from having homeless people?
- What are some solutions for ending poverty?
- How can we reduce crime rates in our communities?
- Are there positive aspects to social media addiction?
- What effects does war have on society?
- What should be done about the increasing number of refugees?
- How can we reduce the amount of violence in our society?
- What is the root cause of racism?
- What are the effects of sexism and gender discrimination?
- Is social media tearing us apart or bringing us closer together?
- Should everyone have the same rights and opportunities?
- How can we create a more tolerant society?
- What are some solutions for poverty and homelessness?
- How does technology impact social issues?
- What can be done to reduce the number of guns in society?
- Should we allow refugees into our country?
With these 70 GED writing prompts, students can get in the essential practice needed to complete the essay writing section of the test within the allotted time. The prompts can also be used as a study tool to help students better understand the types of topics covered on the exam. By following these tips, students can feel more confident and prepared when taking the GED writing test.
