The Extended Response gives you 45 minutes to read two sources and write an essay arguing which one is stronger. You do not need prose that wins prizes - you need a clear position, evidence from the passages, and a structure you can finish.
The four-paragraph template
Paragraph 1 - state your position
One or two sentences: which source is stronger and why, in one line. No throat-clearing, no dictionary definitions.
Paragraph 2 - first reason with evidence
Name the reason, then quote or paraphrase a specific line from the source. Explain how that evidence supports the point - do not just drop a quote and move on.
Paragraph 3 - second reason with evidence
Same pattern. Two well-supported reasons beat four thin ones every time.
Paragraph 4 - restate and close
Restate the position in new words and add one sentence on why it matters. Keep it short.
The minute-by-minute plan
- 0-5 minutes - read both sources once. Underline the claim in each.
- 5-8 minutes - choose your side and pick two pieces of evidence per source.
- 8-40 minutes - write the four paragraphs. Roughly nine minutes each.
- 40-45 minutes - proofread for run-on sentences, missing periods, and repeated words.
The three mistakes that sink scores
Summarizing instead of arguing. The prompt asks you to evaluate, not retell. Ignoring one source. You must engage both, even if you favour one. No evidence. Every reason needs at least one specific reference to the passage.
Grammar and reading practice for the rest of this section is covered in our GED Language Arts guide. If time pressure is the real issue, pair this with the test-anxiety techniques that keep you writing when the clock starts.
How the GED RLA essay is scored
The Reasoning Through Language Arts essay is graded by software against a five-point rubric, and the rubric cares about three things: clear organization, direct engagement with both source texts, and specific evidence. You do not need beautiful prose - you need a five-paragraph skeleton filled with defensible claims. Open with a thesis that answers the prompt in one sentence, give each body paragraph one reason plus one reference to the passages, and close by restating your position in new words. Length matters only as a proxy: a full page of writing gives the grader more to reward than four thin sentences. Students who outline for two minutes before writing average nearly a full point higher than students who start typing immediately.
GED RLA reading: the skill under the essay
The essay sits inside a larger section where most points are actually lost - reading comprehension under time pressure. You get roughly forty-five minutes for the reading questions, which means most passages must be read once, at speed, with a clear idea of what the question will ask. That skill is trainable: read actively, mark the claim of every paragraph in the margin, and predict the question before you look at the answers. The complete breakdown of the section, its question types, and its scoring is on our GED Language Arts guide, and the daily reading habits that build speed are covered in our study schedule for working adults.
Hate writing under a timer? Skip it
Every weakness in this section has an exit. If essays, reading clocks, or grammar questions are the wall you keep hitting, you can order professional GED test taking and have an expert complete the entire language arts section for you. Our flat-rate service covers all four subjects - language arts, math, science, and social studies - with a 98.6% pass rate, NDA-bound confidentiality, and results in 2-5 business days. You keep the diploma; the essay stays in the test center where it belongs. Thousands of students rewrite the essay five times before passing - the ones who value their evenings pay someone to take the GED and never type under a countdown again.
GED essay questions students ask us
Is the GED essay graded by a person? No - software scores it against a five-point rubric first, and only borderline responses get a human review. That means structure and keywords matter more than style: clear paragraphing and direct references to both sources are what the rubric rewards.
How long should the essay be? Aim for five paragraphs and roughly a page. There is no fixed minimum, but thin responses give the rubric fewer opportunities to award points, and students who outline for two minutes consistently outperform students who start typing on sight.
Can I skip the language arts section entirely? You can skip sitting it - our GED test taking service has an expert complete language arts, math, science, and social studies for you, with a 98.6% pass rate and results in 2-5 business days.