GED Essay Examples: Commentary for Students

Here is an example of a response to a GED Essay Practice Question for you to review. This will help you understand the typical format of a well-written essay. This essay follows the format outlined in our GED Essay Writing Guide. After reading this response, you will find a brief explanation of why it is considered an effective essay and would likely receive a high score.

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GED Essay Example

Recent discussions around climate change have sparked intense debate. While some dismiss the concept as unfounded, suggesting efforts to mitigate it are futile, others champion the necessity of recycling to preserve our planet’s climate and ecosystems. The contrasting viewpoints underscore the significance of the debate. Yet, the argument in favor of recycling stands out for its robust logical foundation, comprehensive statistics, and compelling ethical appeal.

The advocate for recycling presents a well-reasoned case, illustrating that recycling encompasses far more than merely sorting paper and plastic into the correct containers. It involves a complex cycle of collection, transportation, processing, and manufacturing. Highlighting the inefficiency of producing goods from virgin materials, the author poses a poignant question: “Why should we destroy forests instead of recycling paper?” This line of reasoning vividly illustrates the logic behind recycling, making a persuasive case for its efficiency and necessity.

To further bolster this argument, the recycling proponent introduces concrete statistics, demonstrating the tangible benefits of recycling: “Recycling aluminum saves 95% of the energy required to make the same amount of aluminum from raw resources.” This point, among others, underscores the energy efficiency and environmental benefits of recycling, providing a stark contrast to the opposing viewpoint, which lacks similar empirical support.

Moreover, the pro-recycling narrative incorporates a powerful ethical appeal, urging collective action to safeguard our planet for future generations. Through evocative language, the author paints a vision of a pristine environment, appealing to the reader’s conscience with the assertion that recycling is not just an option but a moral obligation. This emotional resonance strengthens the call to action: “Please ensure you recycle!”

In summary, the argument for recycling is distinguished by its logical coherence, empirical support, and ethical persuasiveness, making it significantly more compelling than the opposing stance. The latter suffers from a lack of specificity and fails to engage with the topic with the same depth, resorting instead to suggesting that recycling is merely a means for individuals to assuage guilt. This approach not only weakens the argument but also overlooks the broader environmental and ethical imperatives of recycling. Thus, the case for recycling emerges as the more substantiated and persuasive of the two, advocating for a practice that is both environmentally responsible and ethically sound.

Commentary

This essay example would be graded as exemplary on the GED test. The author carefully considered the prompt and constructed a clear argument before starting to write. In general, the essay shows a well-organized structure:

  • Introduction
  • Body Paragraph 1 — Rational Argumentation
  • Body Paragraph 2 — Statistical Evidence
  • Body Paragraph 2 — Ethical Principles
  • Conclusion

The introduction effectively outlines what the passage will be about, presents both perspectives and shows comprehension of each author’s argument. The student employs precise language and ends with a confident thesis statement that presents three reasons why the selected argument is more well-supported.

The student shows a strong understanding of each of the criteria for scoring in the body paragraphs:

  • Evaluation of arguments and use of evidence: The student provides quotes from various parts of the text to reinforce their points, indicating a thorough comprehension of the content provided.
  • Presentation of ideas: The student demonstrates a clear and logical approach to organizing their ideas by dedicating each body paragraph to a specific supporting reason and effectively connecting them with transitions such as “in addition to” and “finally.” This allows for a smooth flow between paragraphs.
  • Language proficiency and clarity: The author demonstrates a clear understanding and control of standard English through effective sentence structures and consistently correct spelling and grammar.

Moreover, the passage acknowledges the arguments of the opposing side, demonstrating an understanding of the issue’s complexity, and then reiterates why the pro-recycling argument is more strongly supported than the anti-recycling one.

To conclude, this essay presents an exemplary response to the GED test, showcasing a structured, well-argued, and thoroughly supported case for recycling. Through rational argumentation, statistical evidence, and ethical principles, it communicates the importance of recycling in addressing climate change.

Author Bio

Ghost writer Nicole Hardy, a distinguished journalist in the realms of education and the arts, is celebrated for her thorough and discerning coverage of performing arts education. Her career, which extends beyond ten years, has solidified her status as an authoritative figure in this domain. Hardy is praised for her thorough analyses and captivating writing manner. She earned her Master’s in Journalism from the University of Arts, with a focus on arts and culture journalism.