I'm about to take my GED test, and it's long overdue. I'm fairly confident I'll pass most sections, but how can I keep from over-thinking the essay question?
April 18, 2011 6:22 PM   Subscribe

I'm about to take my GED test, and it's long overdue. I'm fairly confident I'll pass most sections, but how can I keep from over-thinking the essay question?

I just finished a practice essay. The prompt was, "In your opinion, are 'No smoking' sections in restaurants a service to the public, or are they simply a nuisance to smokers?" I ended up writing a long essay about how the question presents a false dichotomy, that such signs can be a public service AND a nuisance, that's why we have democracy, so the people can weigh the annoyance of standing outside with the potential harm to service workers, blah blah blah. My problem is, most of the practice questions I've been given have required you make a definite black and white stance on issues that I see a lot of gray area about. The problem I run into is that if you don't present a definite answer in the first couple sentences, you're marked down. Should I just write an essay I can't really stand behind in order to pass? I know it's a GED test and it doesn't matter, no one besides me and the person that is grading will see it, but I'm finding it difficult to completely bullshit and write things that are very oversimplified. I know it's the best strategy, but I'm still struggling with it.
posted by mingo_clambake to Education (25 answers total) 3 users marked this as a favorite
 
Best answer: Contemplate the fact that the scorer will take 1-2 minutes to skim your essay and assign it a grade.
posted by Nomyte at 6:27 PM on April 18, 2011 [8 favorites]


Best answer: Should I just write an essay I can't really stand behind in order to pass?

Yes, absolutely. The point of this essay is to demonstrate that you know how to argue a point. It doesn't matter if you agree with the point -- that's not the goal. The goal is to set up a thesis (SUPER KEY), and then defend it. Again: whether or not you agree with that is completely irrelevant. This is an important life skill, not just a GED skill. Imagine that you're presenting the opening argument in a two-sided debate, not really arguing for All of Logic and Right.
posted by brainmouse at 6:28 PM on April 18, 2011 [4 favorites]


Yes. Just write what you know will make the grader's life easiest. Intro, hypothesis, argument 1, argument 2, argument 3, conclusion from specific to the general universe as a whole.

Congrats on getting your GED soon!
posted by ttyn at 6:29 PM on April 18, 2011


Contemplate the fact that the scorer will take 1-2 minutes to skim your essay and assign it a grade.

Exactly. I have been a standardized test scorer for the Educational Testing Service though not for the GED. Use paragraphs, clear handwriting, a few good words used correctly, segues between each paragraph, no stupid Thomas Jefferson quotes and don't be cute. Think of it as a palate cleanser for the real brain work that the rest of the test requires. You're welcome to make the case in your essay that both sides are equally compelling, but this is a more difficult essay, harder to do well on and really easy to tank. Your job is to come up with a thesis that is stated clearly and supported concisely. It is not about telling people anything about you at all. If it makes you feel better you can take the exact opposite stance to the one you personally hold and consider it a challenge, but please play it straight and get it over with.
posted by jessamyn at 6:32 PM on April 18, 2011 [1 favorite]


Response by poster: I figured the consensus would be "Yes, just write one side and do it well." But I'm still struggling with it. What can I do to make my brain shut up?
posted by mingo_clambake at 6:33 PM on April 18, 2011


This isn't a test of your intelligence, or of your cleverness, it's a test of your test-taking abilities. The "answer" to the essay question is to answer in the form that the scorer anticipates. Maybe seeing it that way will help?
posted by xingcat at 6:39 PM on April 18, 2011 [2 favorites]


I approached it as an exercise to write the most direct, concise essay that would get my point across with a quick read. That's a skill in itself. Yes, it wasn't the most well crafted essay, but it's not the same beast as a dissertation, thesis or other long format essay. It's a very direct sample of can you get the point across clearly.
posted by kendrak at 6:43 PM on April 18, 2011


What can I do to make my brain shut up?

Practice. It's been a few years since I took the GED, but I think (and from what you've described here, suspect) the questions are similarish to what you see on the SAT/ACT, so buy a test prep book with a bunch of essay prompts, and just do them. And yes, do the stupid 5 paragraph essay.
posted by PMdixon at 6:59 PM on April 18, 2011


Just a guess, but might you feel a little defensive or insecure about the fact that you're having to take this test at all? Because it sounds as if you might be trying to use the essay as an opportunity to prove how smart you are by wowing the graders with your sophisticated insights.

Look, the graders know very well that the questions are simplistic. They don't actually care what side of the debate you come down on. Ten minutes after they grade your essay, they'll barely even remember what you wrote. The essay is the 100m hurdles, not a dance; the object is to clear certain bars and make it to the finish line. Anything else you do along the way is going to hurt your time, and might cost you the race, so don't fuck around on the track.

You're struggling because you've got some emotions tied up in this. Deal with the emotions, whatever they are, separately. Don't bring them with you to the test.
posted by jon1270 at 7:04 PM on April 18, 2011 [3 favorites]


Some possible "cheats":

Realize that the question really (REALLY) isn't, "Which of these two things do you personally believe and why?"

It's, "Pick one of these sides and argue it." Read it that way to yourself. Ignoring the shades of gray isn't a lie; it's following the prompt.

Start your essay with "Some people believe..." and then erase those three words when you're done.

Make a deal with yourself beforehand that you'll just choose the first option, no matter what it is.

Write it in character (I mean, don't explain that you're doing this, but imagine that you're someone who would have an easy time picking one side, and write in that person's voice. Voila, fiction!)



I think there's something to what jon1270 says: you've got some emotions tied up in this. So the real answer is to figure that out and work it out. But I don't think you need therapy to pass your GED.

At worst, you can just feel vaguely bad about it and do it anyway.
posted by emumimic at 7:15 PM on April 18, 2011 [2 favorites]


If I were stuck and being asked to write what will obviously be a boring essay, I (a confirmed liberal) would probably try to channel my interior conservative and vociferously argue against whatever i naturally think is better. I bet you do actually hold an opinion about smoking in restaurants, you just felt bored with the challenge of writing about it. Play the devil's advocate and do your best to BE the devil for this essay. Of course, YMMV.
posted by samthemander at 7:31 PM on April 18, 2011


Rephrase the question for yourself. Instead of answering the question "are smoking bans a good idea?" pretend that the assignment is "write an essay defending the answer "yes" to the question "are smoking bans a good idea?" Remember, it's not a test of your opinion, even if the question pretends to ask for your opinion. The grader doesn't care what your opinion is. If I were you, I'd pick a side before you even read the question. Choose yes. Then, whatever the question is, your job is to write the best possible argument in favor of the proposition.
posted by decathecting at 7:43 PM on April 18, 2011 [2 favorites]


There's a "formula" for writing these essays. Which side you take is irrelevant.

- intro
- one side's view, back up with examples
- other side's view, back up with examples or refute previous example(s)
- choose one side, present examples
- conclusion

3 examples for each side. "Real world" examples, especially current event ones, are golden since they're easier for the grader to "get." I maxed out one of my MCAT essays about a decade ago which asked about whether public figure's private lives are fair game for the media/whatever. Gave an example about Clinton - which was one side (plus 2 others); in contrast, gave examples about prominent old-school NHL legends and their relatively humble and private post-playing lives (plus 2 others). Chose a side: while a public figure, is fair game (I forget what example I used, but some current national politician) but after they leave public life, their private lives should be respected (some example about a movie personality).

You don't have to believe what you write, as long as it's readable, logical, and structured.

If it helps, think of it as an Mad Lib except you know what the situation is. Just fill in the blanks to make a funny story.
posted by porpoise at 7:44 PM on April 18, 2011


Response by poster: jon1270, sure, I do have some emotions tied up in this. I'm sure everyone in the room who will be taking the test along with me will have some have some emotions involved. Probably no one expected when they were 8 and had big dreams that they'd end up not finishing high school and having to take the GED. But shit happens. I don't care to get into my particular circumstances because I don't think it's relevant to my question. I don't think emotions are always a "problem" to be dealt with. It is emotional, but for me it doesn't have anything to do with trying to wow someone I will never meet, or me wanting to feel superior to anyone.

Thanks to everyone for answering so far. I know it's not about me or what I actually think, so thanks especially for the tricks and hacks that will help me kinda depersonalize my answer.
posted by mingo_clambake at 7:53 PM on April 18, 2011


I also pick the one I don't believe in and argue that. I get... uhmmm.. overly involved in my opinions sometimes, it's easier for me to stay focused and not angsty if I make a conscious decision to write a work of fiction from the viewpoint of a fictional person who believes x, y, and z.

Also, I had a teacher once who disallowed the phrases "in my opinion", "I think", "I believe", and so on, especially at the beginning of an essay. So:

In my opinion Smoking sections no more than a nuisance to smokers ....

Removing any reference to yourself makes your essay stronger and helps you detach from the question, double win!
posted by anaelith at 8:22 PM on April 18, 2011


Best answer: Ok, here's a mind-hack I often use: you're an actor playing a part. While you are writing the essay you will no longer be mingo_clambake who is ambivalent about smoking in restaurants (or whatever the topic is) you will be Smoker McGee, or Miss Prissypants the Anti-smoking crusader, or some other character you make up that has a strong opinion about it. (And is a good essay writer.)
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 8:24 PM on April 18, 2011 [2 favorites]


Yes, the point with the question is to write a persuasive argument for one side or the other. You will not be marked down for your opinion, whichever side you take. What you have to do to earn high marks is simply support the position you take with statements, examples, statistics or facts that will back up the position you've chosen. I frequently argue in opposition to my actual opinion--it's good practice for debating an issue.

True scary essay story: In college, I once wrote a paper about whether cigarette smoking should be allowed in public spaces. Back then, smoking was pretty much an accepted practice and people who had a problem with it were considered the extremists.

But we wrote an essay every week, I was bored, and besides I had bronchitis and smoke bothered me. So I decided to take the stance against smoking in public places. I used every argument I could think of, including little niggling things like how smoking is unattractive because it stains your fingers and makes your teeth yellow.

My instructor had us all meet one-on-one with him for feedback on our essays and how we could improve our writing after each assignment. So I turned this paper in, and later that day I go to his office to get his feedback.

And he's smoking a cigarette.

I thought, "Well, I guess I'm going to have to write THIS paper over!"

You know the feedback I received? "You're the best writer in my class. Always choose a challenging topic like this one. Keep it up. Don't get lazy." That was the entire meeting. He didn't have me change a word.

My favorite professor ever, that man. And he smoked!
posted by misha at 8:52 PM on April 18, 2011


I'm a GED instructor and here's what I tell my students.

First, write it LEGIBLY. Try to avoid cursive unless you're reeeeeeally good at it.

Secondly, the person reading your essay doesn't really care about you or your thoughts.
They're grading hundreds of essays and will be following a rubric, so throw out style and focus on structure. You can focus on style, creativity, and proving your thesis later on in your education, when you're in college or writing for your job.
On the GED essay, you only need to focus on meeting the criteria they set.

Second, keep it basic!
- Do you have an introductory paragraph?
- Does every body paragraph begin with a topic sentence that is clearly stated?**
- Are there at least 3-5 supporting detail sentences in every body paragraph?
- Do you have a conclusion paragraph?


That right there, the basics, that's like 80% of what they are looking for. Spelling and punctuation are not nearly as important as, "Can you follow the basic outline of a 5 paragraph essay?"
I am not kidding.
I have had students, who spell like they're texting and who have never learned to capitalize, pass the essay by simply being able to follow the basic pattern of topic sentence and supporting details. The language section will test you for grammar and spelling-- the essay is less concerned, as long as it is legible.
"smoking is bad for u and here are 3 reesons why i feel people shuld stop."
Seriously.

Constructing a "convincing argument" is well and good, and it will definitely serve you well later in life. However, for this test JUST WRITE OUT A CANNED ESSAY AND BE DONE WITH IT. Your GED is not your endpoint; it doesn't have to be pretty. Just do it and get on with your life.

**do not fight me on the placement of your topic sentence. this is not debatable. put it front and center so your grader doesn't have to search for it.
posted by elleyebeebeewhy at 12:04 AM on April 19, 2011 [1 favorite]


Also, upon re-reading your question again:

- think about the 50 bucks you're blowing by philosophizing about the ethics of smoking.

- Since the essay comes last (I'm pretty sure...) you should, honest to god, schedule something to do really close to the end time of your test. Be it a dr appt, date, hair-cut, movie with friends, whatever. It will make you want to hurry in order to get ready/get there in time, and it will stop you from taking up too much time writing down stuff you shouldn't be focusing on anyway.

- you are are too damn smart to eff it up by not being simple enough. You are not writing for you! You should pretend that you are writing to a 5th grader. Explain to an 11 year old what your views are and how you support them.
posted by elleyebeebeewhy at 12:12 AM on April 19, 2011 [2 favorites]


Best answer: Speaking as a former test prepper, your writing is obviously above the grade already and as long as you write in the style you posted here, you will be fine.
However, the essay tests 2 things:
1) can you write? (yes, you can)
2) can you follow directions?

You should just follow the directions and if they say take a side, take a side. If they say argue the merits of each side, then you can do that. But answer the prompt you are given. No sense in getting dinged points for silly stuff. This isn't about great writing and thinking, this is about answering a question for points.

Good luck but you don't need it.
posted by rmless at 8:33 AM on April 19, 2011


I think elleyebeebeewhy has it. I've been helping my boyfriend prepare for his GED test, and he does not have your writing skill. From the instructor he has and the test prep book he is using it is evident that the test is looking for ability to follow directions above all else. Many of his sentences are fragments and his spelling is mediocre, but it is clear that what matters most is a 5 paragraph structure arguing one side or the other.

I don't know if it will help your brain shut up, but consider that writing a "smart" essay may cost you more money and cause you to have to sit through the essay portion of the test again. If your brain still won't shut up then go home and write the essay you want to write when you get home.

Try to consider that inability to follow directions is cause for a 1 on the essay section. If you are feeling insecure about having to take the GED, prove that your smart by doing exactly what the test takers are asking of you.

If you are feeling uncomfortable about having to take your GED, please keep in mind that most people who didn't finish high school weren't stupid- there are a host of life events that can bring a 16-year-old to drop out, and I don't think it's ever because they were incapable of learning the material. Obviously I don't know your reasons for not getting a high school diploma but I don't think anybody is going to think that it's a reflection of your intelligence.

Good Luck!!!
posted by thankyouforyourconsideration at 8:48 AM on April 19, 2011


Oh, and as a general guideline, markers score essays above 300 words better than essays of less than 300 words, regardless of content.

Which is annoying as hell, because brevity and clarity should be the focus. But, anyway, aim for over 300 words.
posted by misha at 9:44 AM on April 19, 2011


Response by poster: I would just like to follow up by saying that I passed! In the 99th percentile, no less, for all sections. I really don't know what I was so worried about, now. Probably no one is reading this besides others who are in the same situation as I was and consequently searched AskMefi, so, to those people: Study to review things you're rusty on, but don't stress out about it too much. You'll do fine.
posted by mingo_clambake at 10:34 AM on April 26, 2011 [3 favorites]


That's great news, congratulations! :)
posted by brainmouse at 10:54 AM on April 26, 2011


Response by poster: Thank you!
posted by mingo_clambake at 12:40 PM on April 26, 2011


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