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Contemporary's GED Language Arts, Writing
Ellen Carley Frechette
Tim Collins
Review of the Writing Process

Chapter Outline

Study the chapter outline below. Use the page numbers below each topic to refer to the corresponding section in Contemporary's GED Language Arts, Writing. When you are finished, go to the Chapter Review Quiz or choose a different activity or chapter from the menu on the left.

The Five-Paragraph Essay

(See page 298)

The five-paragraph essay has a clear, logical organization:

  • An introductory paragraph introduces the topic of your essay, states your main idea, and gives the thesis statement. The introduction is usually organized from general to specific.
  • Three body paragraphs give specific information to support the thesis statement. Each body paragraph begins with a topic sentence, which gives the paragraph's main idea.
  • A concluding paragraph restates the main idea of your essay and relates it to broader ideas. The conclusion is usually organized from specific to general.

The Writing Process

(See pages 299–304)

There are four steps in the writing process:

1. Gather ideas

  • Analyze the GED essay question.
  • Decide on a main idea.
  • Think of ideas and supporting details that support the main idea.

2. Organize the ideas

  • Choose a pattern of organization.
  • Use circling or outlining or a chart to organize ideas.
  • Cross off any ideas that are not about the main idea.
  • Make sure there are enough ideas.
  • Name and number the groups of ideas.

3. Write the essay

  • Write the introductory paragraph.
  • Write the body paragraphs.
  • Write the concluding paragraph.
  • Indent paragraphs and leave wide margins.
  • Write quickly but neatly.

4. Revise the essay

  • Revise for content and organization.
  • Revise for Edited American English (EAE).

Following the Steps in 45 Minutes

(See pages 305–308)

Since you have only 45 minutes to write your essay, keep an eye on the time. If any one step is taking too long, wind it up and go on to the next step. Here's a good way to allocate your time:

  • Gathering ideas: 10 minutes
  • Organizing: 5 to 10 minutes
  • Writing: 15 to 20 minutes
  • Revising: 10 minutes








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