Liz’s World

Writing can be scary. Especially writing that asks you to talk about things you don’t normally talk about. Like, if the GED essay asked me about what sort of things I might go grocery shopping for and why, I could probably fill up page after page. And sometimes the writing prompt does ask some pretty interesting questions, but explaining it in a real clear way that everyone can understand is hard. And I think the only way to prepare for it is to write write write.

So, I’m thinking I need to write a little more. Nothing too long, not a full essay, just a little paragraph to get some practice in. And you can write too. We can help correct each other’s mistakes and learn more about the rules of writing together.

Here’s a prompt from Can Teach, and what I wrote:

What is something you do well?

I think that I am good at parenting. I had kids pretty young, and I know I made a lot of mistakes when I was raising my two boys, but I worked hard to make sure they had a good upbringing. They always had nutritious meals, and there was no disrespect allowed to their elders like I’ve seen with some other kids. I also always made sure they knew they were loved. I always went to their games, and now that they’re older, I visit them as much as I can. I know no one’s perfect, and I certainly wasn’t the perfect mom. However, I think I did a good job and that it’s something I do pretty well.

That’s a good start. It’s not a full essay, like the GED test asks for, but I could definitely write an essay from the ideas I came up with in this paragraph. Writing up short paragraphs like this as often as you can gets your brain working and thinking about how to answer these types of questions, and when you have time, you can use a paragraph you already wrote to practice writing a longer GED essay, with 4 or 5 paragraphs.

Write your own answer to this prompt, just a short paragraph, then think about how you can turn that into a full essay.

For more information about the GED test and GED test preparation, visit the GED Academy at http://www.passGED.com.

Joachim writes:

Thanks for giving me chance to contact with you. i appeared ged exam for two times. But i can’t make it. i don’t know why i couldn’t pass essay part. my grammar part is fine. Now i decide to appear again. Will you suggest me, how i can get better number in essay part.

Okay, the essay part can be hard. Here are a couple of tips… brainstorm beforehand about ideas, people, and events that are important to you. You won’t know what the test is going to ask about, but it’ll get the ideas flowing. Then, when you take the test:

(1) Make sure you understand what the question’s asking, and really respond to the prompt. That’s a big deal. Spend some time reading the prompt and thinking about it, so you’ll be able to answer the question, otherwise, you’ll be “off-topic,” and that’s not passing!

(2) Write enough detail. Don’t just write a couple of sentences or be really general. Think of real-life examples…. things that happened to you, something you saw on the news, what your son did… having details is important to passing! If you’re too general, that’s not going to pass!

(3) Get your writing organized. Have A MAIN IDEA, and tell what it is in the beginning. In the middle, give details that support or give reasons for your MAIN IDEA. In the end, make a conclusion about what you wrote. What’s it all mean? Why’s it important?

If you do those three things, and the readers can understand what you wrote, then you’ll pass!

Brock writes:

I have A.D.D and staying on task is really hard for me I have been to take practice tests for the GED and would have passed if the essay was not a part of it. I also have a few problems when it comes to writing. Do you know of any good methods to stay on task.

Here’s my advice:

A.D.D. can be tough! First, have you checked whether you qualify for extra time or breaks because of your A.D.D.? It’s at least worth looking into. There’s information on the ACE GED website: http://www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ged/test/Take/Accommodations_Disab.htm

Now, you may or may not be able to get accommodations, depending on your medical history. There are still things you can do to maintain focus. One is breaking apart the essay into smaller tasks. Write a list on your notepaper of the things you’re going to do:
1) Read the prompt and restate it in my own words:
2) Make an outline of a main idea, two supporting ideas, and a conclusion:
3) Write an intro paragraph:
4) Write the first body paragraph:
5) Write the second body paragraph:
6) Write the conclusion:

That gives you six small things to do, instead of one big thing that you can be lost in. It’ll also help your writing stay organized and focused. A couple more tips: (1) Give yourself a break. If you find yourself drifting, take a deep breath, look around, say “I can do this,” and re-focus. It can help to have a ritual, like doodling a cat or saying a mantra (I will pass!) to yourself, to give a short break and then be back on track. (2) Eat before the test, layer your clothes so you won’t get too hot or cold, and choose a seat that won’t be distracting. Being hungry or by a window or cold or hot can ruin your concentration, so pay attention to your needs!

Hope this helps!

For more information on the GED test or GED test preparation, visit the GED Academy at http://www.passGED.com.

One of the things your GED essay is scored on is whether it’s organized. It’s got to all work together, and it’s got to be easy to follow. In other words, you’ve got to write something that makes sense. The basic idea of organization is simple, especially since the GED essay is pretty short: You’ve got to have a beginning, a middle, and an ending. Read the rest of this entry »

Hi everyone! I had someone write into the forums and ask about a few things, so I’m going to put my answers here, too, so everyone can find them on the blog. The first one was about possessives! I know they give lots of people trouble. Read the rest of this entry »

Vic wrote:

Well Good advice. But still unable to get Idea or moving to start to write essay I am worried to take my test on January 15th . and I need to start or just giving up. I did try reading every day for one month and copying others. Or, what was the other word for copying statements making it your own?
Still having hard time to come up with an idea to write!

Okay, Vic, here’s some more advice! Hopefully we can get you going: Read the rest of this entry »

Hello, everyone! Tanya wrote a good question, and I thought I’d put it in a blog post, too. She writes:

Im takeing my test next week,and I have a question about,how I start out an essay.Im also a little nervouse about,when they give you a topic,you have to write about it,my brain kinda freezes up.what if I can’t think of anything?How do I go about this? Please help!

Hi, Tanya! I know the essay can be a little intimidating. Here are some things to help… Read the rest of this entry »

Hi, everyone! Hope the studying is going great! I get a lot of comments that ask, how do you start? How do you even begin writing a GED essay? Here’s one:

I need help starting my essay.My mind go blank when I have to write anything let alone an essay please tell me where to begin thanks

Here’s my advice… Read the rest of this entry »

Hi, all GED writers! I thought I’d go back to the GED writing multiple choice test, to go over some of the other common things on there. The GED writing test is different from the other tests, because it’s got two parts that are so completely different! The GED essay is one part, and of course, it’s different because you show your writing skills by writing an essay, something that you don’t have to do anywhere else on the test. The multiple choice test is the other part… it’s more like the rest of the exam, where you need to choose the right answer. But there are definitely a few skills to learn to do well! Read the rest of this entry »

Hey GED writers! Here’s a real good question from Shannon about writing an essay:

i have an essay due on tues the 2nd i have to think of one memoralble day i want to tell about i want to do it on having my two boys but i dont no how to start it i think of it in my head but it wont come out right on paper please help. Read the rest of this entry »