10.4 Essay Planning, Writing, and Revision
Key Takeaways
- The GED RLA Extended Response is a 45-minute task, so planning, drafting, and revising must be brief but deliberate.
- A practical response often uses 4 to 7 paragraphs and develops the better-supported argument with multiple pieces of textual evidence.
- A strong introduction names the better-supported position and previews the reasons without spending time on broad background.
- Body paragraphs should pair evidence with explanation, showing why one author's support is stronger than the other's.
- Final revision should target thesis clarity, paragraph order, evidence integration, transitions, sentence boundaries, agreement, punctuation, and word choice.
Essay Planning, Writing, and Revision
The GED RLA Extended Response gives you 45 minutes to read two source texts, plan, write, and revise. That is enough time if you use a simple process. The goal is not to produce a perfect literary essay. The goal is to produce a clear, evidence-based argument that shows control of organization and standard English.
A full response often needs several developed paragraphs. Very short responses may not show enough writing for scorers to judge the three traits well. Aim for a focused essay of about 4 to 7 paragraphs, with each body paragraph doing a specific job.
A 45-Minute Plan
| Time | Task | What to produce |
|---|---|---|
| 0-5 minutes | Read the prompt and both sources. | Identify the task and each author's claim. |
| 5-10 minutes | Reread and mark evidence. | Choose the better-supported argument and 2 or 3 reasons. |
| 10-13 minutes | Outline quickly. | Thesis, body paragraph order, key evidence. |
| 13-38 minutes | Draft. | Introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. |
| 38-45 minutes | Revise and edit. | Fix unclear ideas, weak transitions, and convention errors. |
Do not skip planning. A short outline prevents the common problem of writing a summary of both passages instead of an analysis of support.
Essay Structure
Use a structure that helps the reader see your reasoning.
Introduction: Name the better-supported argument and give the main reason. Example: Source A presents the stronger argument because it uses local data, addresses cost, and explains how the proposal would affect residents.
Body paragraph 1: Explain the strongest evidence from the better source. Tie the detail directly to the claim.
Body paragraph 2: Explain another strength of the better source, such as credibility, specific examples, or logical reasoning.
Body paragraph 3: Compare the weaker source. Show that it may raise a concern but lacks enough evidence, relies on assumption, or uses less relevant support.
Conclusion: Restate the judgment in a fresh way. Do not add a new reason that should have been developed earlier.
Evidence Plus Explanation
Each body paragraph should follow this pattern: point, evidence, explanation, comparison. The explanation is where many essays gain or lose strength. If you write, Source A says 62 percent of residents support the plan, add why that matters: Because the survey measures the affected community, it gives stronger support than Source B's general claim that people may dislike change.
Use short quotations or paraphrases. Long copied passages do not prove that you can write. Your words should explain how the evidence supports your position.
Revision Targets
Save time to revise. Read your essay as a scorer would.
- Trait 1 check: Did I clearly choose the better-supported argument and use evidence from the texts?
- Trait 2 check: Are my paragraphs in a logical order, with transitions that show relationships?
- Trait 3 check: Are sentence boundaries, agreement, pronouns, punctuation, capitalization, apostrophes, and word choices mostly correct?
Fix high-impact errors first. A missing thesis, unsupported body paragraph, or fused sentence can harm clarity more than a minor typo. If time is short, revise the introduction and topic sentences, then scan for run-ons, fragments, comma splices, vague pronouns, and informal wording.
Exam Mindset
You do not need to agree with the better-supported source. You need to prove that you can judge support. Keep the tone formal, stay close to the texts, and explain your reasoning step by step. A practical essay that is organized, evidence-based, and mostly clear is exactly what this task is designed to measure.
A student has 45 minutes for the GED RLA Extended Response. Which approach is most effective?
Which revision goal best supports all three GED Extended Response traits?