A small lesson.
A clearer next step.

A short plan helps you write a clear argument. The GED® extended response gives you forty five minutes; five minutes of planning is one possible approach.

Read both passages. Ask which argument is better supported, rather than which opinion you personally prefer.

Write each main claim in a few words. Then list the evidence beside it. Check whether each detail is relevant and believable.

Imagine two original arguments about library hours. One reports a dated survey with its sample size. The other only says everyone wants longer hours.

The survey offers evidence you can examine. It is not automatically reliable: ask who was surveyed and how the information was collected.

Choose a thesis. Build each body paragraph around a reason, a specific passage detail, and your explanation of why that detail matters.

Finish with a short conclusion. Leave time to reread. Use your own words, refer to both arguments, and explain the evidence.