GED Social Studies: How to Write an Extended Answer Response

The GED Social Studies extended response item has been eliminated on March 1, 2016.

If you’re studying for the GED® Social Studies Exam, you’ve probably been wondering about the Extended Response portion. Today, I’m going to tell you all about it.

In this blog post, you will learn,

- What to Expect
- What is Required
- Grading Scale
- How to Write an Extended Response Guide

Additional Information

What to Expect

What is Required

Because this response is expecting you to create an evidence-based writing, there are specific things you should include, like:

A well-developed thesis statement
3 pieces of relevant evidence from the material
A strong conclusion
Well-organized thought process
Clear Understanding of Standard English

Grading Scale

(This is ©GED®StudyGuide.org’s interpretation of the official GED® Social Studies Extended Response Rubric)

There are three main things you will be graded on:

Argument and Use of Evidence
Ideas and Organization
Understanding of the English Convention

Now, each of the categories above has a possibility of earning 0 to 2 points. To get your score, you add each of the three categorical scores together. You may earn six possible points total.

To help you understand what is expected, I will break down each category, showing you what components they should include:

Argument and Use of Evidence

2 POINTS
-You make LOGICAL and SPECIFIC claims about the texts and/or graphics
-You present an accurate analysis of ideas, figures, and events that relate to the information
-You have an accurate analysis of the historical context surrounding the pieces
1 POINT
-You make only ONE claim or implication that is somewhat unclear
-You present a limited analysis of ideas, figures, and events that relate to the information
-You have a limited understanding of the historical context surrounding the pieces
0 POINTS
-You make an illogical claim, or you fail to make a claim at all
-There is a limited analysis of ideas, figures or events that relate to the information, or you there is NO analysis at all
-You appear to have no understanding of the historical context surrounding the pieces

Related Topic: Online GED Classes

Ideas and Organization

2 POINTS
-There is logical organization in your response
-There is a clear transition between ideas. Your ideas progress clearly
-Your style, tone, and word choice are appropriate
1 POINT
-Your organization is inconsistent
-Transitions between ideas seem disconnected
-Your style, tone, and word choice are not always appropriate
0 POINTS
-You have no organization
-There are unclear and illogical transitions between topics and ideas
-Your style, tone, and word choice are incorrect and inappropriate

Related Topic: GED Study Guide

Understanding of Standard English Conventions

2 POINTS
-Your sentence structure is mostly correct
-Your grammar is mostly correct
-You use proper capitalization, punctuation, and spelling
1 POINT
-Your sentence structure is not consistent
-Your grammar has frequent errors
-You have frequent errors in capitalization, punctuation, and spelling
0 POINTS
-There is no control of your sentence structure
-Your grammar is illogical
-You do not properly use capitalization, punctuation and/or spelling

So… then add the points you receive from each category…
If you scored 0 to 3 points, you are considered weak and should improve upon all three traits.
If you scored 4 to 5 points, you need to improve upon one or two of the traits.
If you scored 6 points, your essay is considered a strong response.

How to Write an Extended Response

1. Read the Question Prompt
2. Read the Prompts/Graphs/Charts/Information Provided
3. Create a Thesis Statement
4. Brainstorm
5. Start WRITING!
Make sure to include: