Language Arts
“You have the evidence. You have the plan. Now build the argument.” — Lady Flawless
🎯 Your Mission
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
Write a clear thesis.
Organize a complete extended response.
Use and explain evidence from both sources.
Compare the strength of two arguments.
Review and edit your response.
🎙️ Lady Flawless Intro
Lady Flawless starts the 45-minute timer:
“Champ, this is where everything comes together.”
“You learned how to find central ideas, evaluate evidence, compare arguments, build complete sentences, and plan your response.”
She points toward the timer:
“Now you will use those skills to write like a GED test-taker.”
⭐ What the test Scores
Your extended response is evaluated in three areas:
1. Argument and Evidence
Did you identify the better-supported argument?
Did you use relevant evidence?
Did you explain why the evidence is strong?
2. Organization and Development
Is there a clear thesis?
Are ideas presented in a logical order?
Are connections between ideas explained?
3. Standard Written English
Are the sentences complete?
Is the grammar clear?
Are capitalization and punctuation used correctly?
🧠 The Flawless Paragraph Formula
Use this structure inside each body paragraph:
Point → Evidence → Explanation → Comparison
Point
What does this paragraph prove?
Evidence
What specific information supports the point?
Explanation
Why is that evidence relevant or trustworthy?
Comparison
Why is it stronger than the opposing source’s evidence?
📝 Practice Prompt
Read both positions about the Lakewood shuttle. Decide which author builds the more convincing case. Support your decision with details from both texts and explain why that evidence is effective.
✍️ Original Model Response
Both sources address whether Lakeview should continue operating its free downtown shuttle. Source A presents the better-supported argument because it uses long-term ridership records, survey results, and specific financial information. Source B raises a reasonable concern about cost, but its conclusion relies heavily on two personal observations and alternatives that have not been fully evaluated.
First, Source A provides stronger evidence about how frequently residents use the shuttle. Transportation records documented 31,200 rides during the six-month pilot. The source also reports that most rides connected residents with the bus station, hospital district, and downtown employment center. In addition, 312 of the 500 surveyed riders reported that they did not have regular access to a vehicle. This information is relevant because it demonstrates both the amount of shuttle use and the transportation needs of its riders. In contrast, Source B bases its conclusion partly on seeing nearly empty shuttles during two weekday afternoons. Two observations do not represent the complete six-month ridership record.
Source A also responds more effectively to concerns about cost. Both authors acknowledge that the pilot cost $240,000. However, Source A explains that local hospitals and businesses offered to contribute $110,000 toward another year of service. The source also reports that reducing service during low-ridership hours could save an estimated $35,000. These details show that the author considered the cost and proposed specific ways to reduce it. Source B suggests discounted bus passes and app-based transportation, but it provides no cost estimates showing that those alternatives would save money or serve the same riders.
Overall, Source A presents the stronger argument. Its position is supported by information gathered throughout the pilot, a large rider survey, and detailed financial proposals. Source B identifies a valid concern, but its limited observations and unsupported alternatives are not as convincing as Source A’s broader evidence.
🔍 Why This Response Works
Clear Thesis
The introduction identifies Source A as better supported and previews the reasons.
Specific Evidence
The response correctly references:
31,200 rides
The survey of 500 riders
The 312 riders without regular vehicle access
The $110,000 contribution offer
The estimated $35,000 savings
Accurate Language
The response says 31,200 rides, not 31,200 people. Strong writers represent evidence accurately.
Evidence Is Explained
The response does not simply list numbers. It explains why the numbers are relevant.
Both Sources Are Evaluated
The writer identifies Source A’s strengths and Source B’s weaknesses.
Logical Organization
Each paragraph has a clear purpose:
Thesis and position
Ridership evidence
Financial evidence
Conclusion
⭐ Helpful Sentence Starters
Introduction
Both sources discuss ____________.
Source ___ presents the better-supported argument because ____________.
Introduce Evidence
Source ___ reports that ____________.
According to Source ___, ____________.
The author supports this claim by explaining ____________.
Explain Evidence
This evidence is relevant because ____________.
This information strengthens the argument by showing ____________.
Compare Sources
In contrast, Source ___ relies on ____________.
While Source ___ raises a reasonable concern about ____________, the author does not provide ____________.
Conclusion
Overall, Source ___ presents the stronger argument because ____________.
🚫 Do Not Stop at the Evidence
Weak
Source A says there were 31,200 rides.
Stronger
Source A reports 31,200 rides during the pilot. This evidence is strong because it represents shuttle use across six months rather than one moment.
Lady Flawless explains:
“Evidence tells the reader what happened. Your explanation tells the reader why it matters.”
🚫 Avoid Personal Opinions
Weak
I think Source A is right because I like free transportation.
Stronger
Source A is better supported because it uses long-term attendance records and survey results.
The GED scores your analysis of the sources—not whether the grader agrees with your personal opinion.
🔧 Edit a Weak Response
Before Editing
Source A is better it has numbers. They had 31,200 people and stuff. Source B only looked twice so its wrong.
After Editing
Source A provides stronger support because its ridership records document 31,200 rides across six months. Source B relies partly on two observations, which do not represent the entire trial.
What Changed?
The run-on was corrected.
Informal language was removed.
Rides replaced the inaccurate word people.
The evidence was explained.
The comparison became clearer.
⏱️ Your 45-Minute Writing Challenge
Minutes 1–3: Read the Prompt
Identify exactly what the prompt requires.
Minutes 4–13: Read and Mark the Sources
Find:
Each claim
Strong evidence
Weak evidence
Counterclaims
Responses
Minutes 14–18: Plan
Write:
Your thesis
Evidence for Body Paragraph 1
Evidence for Body Paragraph 2
A weakness from the opposing source
Minutes 19–40: Write
Follow your outline and explain every piece of evidence.
Minutes 41–45: Edit
Check your argument, organization, grammar, and punctuation.
✅ The Flawless Final Check
Before submitting, ask:
Argument
Did I identify the better-supported source?
Did I avoid relying on personal opinion?
Evidence
Did I use specific evidence?
Did I represent every fact accurately?
Did I explain why the evidence matters?
Did I evaluate both sources?
Organization
Does my introduction contain a thesis?
Does each paragraph have one main purpose?
Did I use transitions?
Does my conclusion match my argument?
Grammar
Are my sentences complete?
Did I correct fragments and run-ons?
Do my subjects and verbs agree?
Is my verb tense consistent?
Did I check capitalization and punctuation?
🎮 Question
Which sentence provides the strongest comparison?
A. Source A is better because I agree with it.
B. Source A uses numbers, and Source B does not sound good.
C. Source A’s six-month ridership record is stronger than Source B’s two observations because it represents a longer period.
D. Both sources discuss a shuttle.
✅ Correct Answer: C
The sentence identifies evidence from both sources and explains why one is stronger.
⭐ Exit Ticket
What are the three major areas evaluated in the extended response?
A. Personal opinion, handwriting, and passage length
B. Argument and evidence, organization and development, and standard written English
C. Vocabulary memorization, reading speed, and paragraph count
D. Title, font size, and number of quotations
✅ Correct Answer: B
🎤 Lady Flawless Outro
“Champ, you completed all 20 Language Arts missions.”
“You can find central ideas, make inferences, evaluate arguments, edit sentences, and build an evidence-based response.”
“Now take those skills into your checkpoint, prove what you know, and keep moving toward your GED.”