Understand the Task: It Is a Comparison, Not a Creation

Here is the most important mindset shift: the ER does not ask you to invent an argument from thin air. It gives you two source texts arguing opposite sides of an issue, and your job is to explain which author builds the stronger argument — and why — using evidence from the texts. You are not choosing the side you personally agree with; you are judging the quality of the argumentation. That framing changes everything: your thesis becomes "Source A is better supported because…" and every paragraph is a comparison of evidence, reasoning, and credibility.

The Scoring Rubric: 3 Traits × 2 Points = 6

Two professional readers score your response (when human-scored) across three traits, each worth 2 points, for a total of 6:

  1. Analysis of Arguments and Use of Evidence — Did you accurately identify the claims in both sources? Do you cite specific evidence from the texts (quotes or paraphrases attributed to the correct source)? Do you explain why one argument is stronger?
  2. Development, Organization, and Cohesion — Do you have a clear thesis, body paragraphs with topic sentences, smooth transitions, and a conclusion? Is your logic easy to follow?
  3. Clarity and Command of Standard English Conventions — Are your sentences clear and varied? Is grammar, spelling, and punctuation controlled enough that errors do not interfere with meaning? GED annotated ER rubric

Notice what the rubric does not reward: fancy vocabulary, personal opinions, outside knowledge, or agreeing with the "right side." A clean, well-organized, evidence-rich essay built entirely from the two sources is the 6/6 recipe.

The 45-Minute Breakdown (Minute by Minute)

Minutes 1–8: Read and annotate both sources (twice). Read Source A fully. Then Source B fully. On scratch paper (or using the on-screen highlighting), jot down for each source: (1) the main claim, (2) two supporting reasons, (3) the strongest piece of evidence, (4) any weakness or gap. If one source uses a study, statistic, or expert quote, flag it — concrete evidence almost always beats emotional rhetoric on this rubric.

Minutes 9–13: Write a 4-sentence outline. Do not skip this step — it is the difference between a rambling essay and a 6/6 essay.

  • Sentence 1 (thesis): "Source A presents the stronger argument because it supports its claims with concrete evidence and directly addresses the opposing side's concern."
  • Sentence 2–3 (body points): "Body 1: A uses statistics from a national study; B relies on anecdote. Body 2: A acknowledges B's valid point but counters it with data."
  • Sentence 4 (conclusion idea): "Because A offers verifiable evidence and anticipates objections, its argument is better supported."

Minutes 14–34: Write the essay. Follow the template below. Keep sentences short and direct. If you catch yourself making a grammatical fix, make it quickly and move on — polish is the last step.

Minutes 35–45: Review and revise. Read your essay as a stranger. Fix run-ons, add a missing "Source A" attribution, tighten the conclusion. Verify that every body paragraph contains text evidence with a source label.

The Paragraph Blueprint That Scores on All Three Traits

Introduction (3–4 sentences) Hook with the issue, then state your thesis naming which source wins and one or two reasons why. Example: "Both authors address the question of whether school start times should be delayed. However, Source A builds the stronger argument, supporting its claim with research data while directly addressing the likely objections. For these reasons, Source A's position is better supported than Source B's."

Body Paragraph 1 — Evidence comparison Sentence 1 (topic sentence): state which source has stronger evidence. Sentences 2–3: present Source A's evidence, with attribution: "Source A cites a three-year study of 40,000 students showing grades rose after start times were delayed." Sentences 4–5: contrast with Source B: "In contrast, Source B relies on a single parent's anecdote about early mornings." Final sentence: explicit analysis — "A nationwide study is more convincing than one personal story, so A's evidence carries more weight."

Body Paragraph 2 — Counterargument handling This paragraph earns the second point on Trait 1. Show that you noticed each source's weaknesses and which one handles criticism better: "Source B argues that later starts would disrupt bus schedules. Source A concedes this concern but provides a stagger plan used successfully in 14 districts. By addressing the opposition's strongest point, Source A creates a more complete and credible argument."

Conclusion (2–3 sentences) Restate your thesis in fresh words and end with a judgment: "Because Source A grounds its argument in verifiable data and answers the hardest objections, it is the better-supported position."

Evidence Etiquette: The "Source A" Rule

Every piece of evidence you use must be traceable to a text. Write things like "Source A reports," "according to Source B," "Source A's chart shows," or "Source B argues." If a grader cannot tell which text a fact came from, you lose Trait 1 points even if the fact is real. Also: paraphrase more than you quote — a short, well-placed quote is powerful, but a wall of quotes reads as padding.

What NOT to Do (The Silent Point Killers)

  • Do not bring in outside knowledge. "In my own town…" or "Everyone knows that…" earns nothing and can distract graders from your source analysis. The world of the essay is the two texts, period.
  • Do not write "I think." State judgments directly ("Source A is stronger because…"). Hedging reads as uncertainty.
  • Do not argue your personal side. If you love Source B's politics but its evidence is weak, you must still explain why A wins. The rubric rewards analysis, not agreement.
  • Do not write more than you can polish. A focused 4–5 paragraph essay with clean sentences beats a sprawling 8-paragraph draft riddled with errors.
  • Do not ignore Source B. A one-source essay caps you at roughly half the available points.

Practice Protocol for a Real 6/6

  1. Weekly, timed, handwritten-ish practice: Twice a week, pick any two opposing op-eds (or GED practice prompts), set a 45-minute timer, and write the full response on paper or with a plain text editor.
  2. Self-score with the rubric: Score your own essay 0–2 per trait and write one sentence explaining each score. Be honest.
  3. Use free GED resources: The official GED "Test Ready for the RLA Extended Response" workbook and the annotated rubric are free; the GED Ready practice test (often discounted or free via state programs) includes a scored ER sample. GED RLA overview

Conclusion

The GED RLA Extended Response is not a test of creativity — it is a test of controlled comparison. Read both sources carefully, name the stronger argument, support your judgment with attributed evidence, concede and counter, and keep your sentences clean. With the 8-minute read, 5-minute outline, 20-minute write, and 10-minute review game plan, you are not gambling on inspiration; you are executing a repeatable system. Run the drill twice a week for a month, and the ER will become the section you are least worried about on test day.

Your next move: Download the free GED Extended Response workbook, find its practice prompt, and run the 45-minute game plan right now — timer on, sources annotated, outline written. Then score yourself against the rubric and repeat next week. The reps are the whole secret.