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.

Analyzing the GED Essay Question

(See pages 220–222)

Each GED essay question tells you the essay topic and suggests how to respond. Look for key words in the question to help you figure out what kind of response to write.

Key Words	Type of Response

• tell whether you think	state an opinion
• give your views	give reasons to explain your belief
• give reasons why
• present your opinion
• state whether you believe
• state whether you agree

• tell what happens when	state causes and effects
• state the effect of
• tell the causes of
• tell why
• explain how

• compare	compare and contrast two items
• explain the similarities and differences

Choosing Your Main Idea

(See page 223)

Once you have figured out the topic of the GED essay question and how you will respond, you need to choose your main idea (the point of view your essay will develop).
You aren't being tested on what your opinion is. You're being tested on how well you explain your opinion and give reasons for it. Your opinion—your point of view—is the main idea of your essay.

Thinking of Ideas and Supporting Details

(See pages 224–227)

Once you choose a main idea, start to jot down specific details. Here are two ways to generate supporting ideas:

Brainstorm—simply list ideas as they come to you. Use details you've gathered already to think of new details.
Idea map—first, write your main idea inside a circle in the middle of the page. Then add new ideas as they come to you, in clusters that show how they relate to the main idea and to each other.

2002 McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Any use is subject to the Terms of Use and Privacy Notice.
McGraw-Hill Higher Education is one of the many fine businesses of The McGraw-Hill Companies.