GED Sample 5-Paragraph Essay

GED Essay Sample:

Word count: 283

Personal comments:  I would give this essay an overall rating (0-4) of about a 2.  I feel it would be acceptable as a GED essay, but the conclusion could be stronger.  

Topic: Think of something you really enjoy doing. In an essay of about 200 -250 words, explain why you enjoy this activity and how you benefited from it. Be sure to give specific examples and reasons.

Introduction: Blogging, web design, sewing, and cooking are all activities I enjoy doing, but if I had to choose one of my favorites it would be cooking. I enjoy cooking for several reasons. I find it relaxing, delicious, and entertaining! In this essay I will be sharing with you the joys and benefits of cooking. So sit back, grab a great cup of coffee and enjoy!

Body: Cooking can be very relaxing.  When I come home from a long day at work, I need to unwind.  Cooking helps a person unwind.  Peeling potatoes, baking cookies, or making hamburgers on the grill is a great way to ease the pressures of the day. Take your stress and frustration out on the potatoes or carrots. 

Cooking is also entertaining. Invite a few friends over and have a "bite" together.  Perhaps try a theme meal.  The host can make the main course and others can bring additional dishes.  Don't forget the wine!  Not only is it a great way to spend time with people you like, but you get to taste other treats as well.

Finally, cooking is delicious!  You are able to taste your delicious treats while you are preparing them as well as when they are complete.  Who wouldn't enjoy a fresh apple pie, Cinnamon basted ham, creamed corn, and walnut salad.  A nice combination of sugar and spice and everything nice!

Conclusion:  In conclusion, if you have some spare time, try cooking up a new recipe or one of your all-time favorites.  Sit back, relax, and entertain some friends.  Cooking is not for everyone, but it is one of my all-time favorite things to do.  Try it and you might also enjoy cooking!

Can you pick out the errors in the following sentences?

1. The girls saw there favorite snack.

2. The birds sung in the trees and the worms hid in their holes.

3. The warm blaze of the fireplace filled the familys home.


1. there- their

2. sung - sang

3. familys - family's

I recently started a sample GED essay. I will continue with the conclusion of the essay.

Sample Essay Topic: If you were given a large sum of money with the stipulation that you could not spend any of it on yourself, your family or your friends...... to what worthy cause would you donate it and why? Write an essay 200 - 250 words explaining to what cause you would donate the money and why.

Introduction Paragraph: Has anyone in your family died of cancer? Do you know anyone who has had cancer? I would guess that the answer is yes. If I would be given a large sum of money and could not spend it on myself, my family, or my friends, I would donate it to the American Cancer Society. My three main reasons are the following: first, I have family who have died from cancer; second, the American Cancer Society could use the money for research; and finally, with research lives might be saved.

Body (first paragraph) First, I would donate the money to the American Cancer Society because my father and sister both died from cancer. My father was 62 and died from mesothelioma, a cancer caused from asbestos exposure. My sister was 40 and died from ovarian cancer.

Second, the American Cancer Society needs the money. Money is needed for research. To do research, doctors and scientists, and other professionals must be hired. It all takes time and lots of money. But, perhaps with enough time and money a cure might be found.

This leads me to the third reason and final reason. By donating to the American Cancer Society, lives will be saved. Research and cures for different types of cancer are being found all the time. What I would give if a cure could have been found and the lives of my dad and sister could have been spared!

In conclusion, I would donate any money received to the American Cancer Society. They are a respected organization that spends a lot of time and energy to research cures, and they can certainly use all the money they can get! If a cure could be found, there would be a lot of grateful parents, grandparents, spouses, kids, and friends. I know I would be!

In the next session I will review the essay and make some changes......

Feel free to give some advice.

I recently started a sample GED essay. I will continue with the body of the essay.

Sample Essay Topic:

If you were given a large sum of money with the stipulation that you could not spend any of it on yourself, your family or your friends...... to what worthy cause would you donate it and why? Write an essay 200 - 250 words explaining to what cause you would donate the money and why.

Introduction Paragraph:

Has anyone in your family died of cancer? Do you know anyone who has had cancer? I would guess that the answer is yes. If I would be given a large sum of money and could not spend it on myself, my family, or my friends, I would donate it to the American Cancer Society. My three main reasons are the following: first, I have family who have died from cancer; second, the American Cancer Society could use the money for research; and finally, with research lives might be saved.

Body (first paragraph)

First, I would donate the money to the American Cancer Society because my father and sister both died from cancer. My father was 62 and died from mesothelioma, a cancer caused from asbestos exposure. My sister was 40 and died from ovarian cancer.

Second, the American Cancer Society needs the money. Money is needed for research. To do research, doctors and scientists, and other professionals must be hired. It all takes time and lots of money. But, perhaps with enough time and money a cure might be found.

This leads me to the third reason and final reason. By donating to the American Cancer Society, lives will be saved. Research and cures for different types of cancer are being found all the time. What I would give if a cure could have been found and the lives of my dad and sister could have been spared!


Coming in the next post: the conclusion of my essay. Feel free to comment!

This is the first of a three part blog on writing a GED Essay. Part one will be the introduction. Part two is the body of the paragraph. Part three is the conclusion. Feel free to comment.

Sample Essay Topic: If you were given a large sum of money with the stipulation that you could not spend any of it on yourself, your family or your friends...... to what worthy cause would you donate it and why? Write an essay 200 - 250 words explaining to what cause you would donate the money and why.

Introduction Paragraph:

Has anyone in your family died of cancer? Do you know anyone who has had cancer? I would guess that the answer is yes. If I would be given a large sum of money and could not spend it on myself, my family, or my friends, I would donate it to the American Cancer Society. My three main reasons are the following: first, I have family who have died from cancer; second, the American Cancer Society could use the money for research; and finally, with research lives might be saved.

(next post will be the body of the essay)

Five Paragraph Essay

When practicing essay writing for the GED Writing Test, you should use the 5-paragraph essay.

See below for a quick look at each paragraph:

First Paragraph- Introduction (The first paragraph is an opportunity for the writer to introduce the topic of the essay and three supporting reasons.)

Second-Fourth Paragraph- Body of the Essay (Each one of the three paragraphs should include one supporting reasons.)

Fifth- Paragraph- Conclusion (The fifth paragraph is the concluding paragraph where the writer will summarize what they had written.)

Successfully passing the GED Writing test may require practice for some students. It has been by experience (15 years) that of the five GED Tests, the GED Writing Test is one that many students will want help with.

Most students do not come to me with vast experience in writing. Yes, they may email and text quite a bit... but that is NOT the same as putting together your thoughts in sentence/paragraph/essay format.

They also will need practice and instruction on the basics of grammar and mechanics. I like the Steck Vaughn GED Language Arts, Writing book best because there is alot of practice.

In addition, there are alot of great resources on the web.