GED Language Arts: Author's Purpose, Arguments, and Evidence Concepts
Importance ★★★★★ · 25% (estimate)
Overview
This chapter covers reading arguments with a critical eye. You will identify an author's purpose and point of view, separate the main claim from the evidence, judge whether evidence is relevant and strong enough, spot faulty reasoning, find unstated assumptions, and compare two texts or a text and a table. These skills are also the core of the GED essay, in which you decide which of two arguments is better supported.
An author's purpose is usually to inform, to persuade, or to entertain. In an argument, the claim is what the author wants you to believe, and evidence is the facts, data, examples, or expert findings offered to support it. Evidence that names a source, a number, or a specific case is stronger than vague statements like studies have shown.
Strong writers also answer the other side. A counterclaim is an opposing view; a writer may name it and then respond with reasons or evidence. Weak arguments often use faulty reasoning, such as the bandwagon appeal (everyone does it), a celebrity endorsement presented as proof, or a hasty generalization from one example.
Every argument rests on assumptions, ideas the author takes for granted without stating them. To weaken an argument, attack the link between the evidence and the claim; to strengthen it, support that link. When a text comes with a table or a second passage, ask whether the extra information supports, contradicts, or simply adds to the claim, and remember that a change happening at the same time does not prove one thing caused the other.
Key concepts
Claim
The main point an author wants readers to accept, often stated near the beginning with words like should or must.
Memory tipAsk: what does the author want me to believe or do?
Evidence
Facts, data, examples, or expert findings that support a claim. Good evidence is relevant to the claim and specific enough to check.
Memory tipEvidence can be checked; opinions use words like should, best, or most important.
Counterclaim
An opposing view. Writers strengthen their arguments by stating a counterclaim and then answering it.
Memory tipLook for signals like some people argue, critics say, or some parents worry.
Faulty reasoning
A flaw in logic, such as the bandwagon appeal, using a celebrity as proof, or a hasty generalization from too few examples.
Memory tipAsk whether the reason actually proves the claim, or only makes it sound appealing.
Assumption
An unstated idea that must be true for the argument to work.
Memory tipFind the gap between the reason and the claim; the assumption fills that gap.
Correlation vs. cause
Two things changing at the same time does not prove that one caused the other; another factor may explain both.
Memory tipAsk what else changed during the same period.
GED essay (extended response)
A 45-minute written response in which you read two passages, decide which argument is better supported, and explain why using evidence from the passages.
Memory tipPractice by naming the claim and the two strongest pieces of evidence in each passage you read.
Source: GED Testing Service, Test Subjects page and Assessment Guide for Educators: RLA · as of 2026
Often tested
- Evidence with a named source, number, or specific case is stronger than vague claims.
- To weaken an argument, break the link between its evidence and its claim.
- Bandwagon and celebrity appeals are not proof that something works.
- In paired passages, find where one passage answers the other's main point.
- A table can support, contradict, or have no bearing on a claim; check the numbers.
Easy to confuse: Strong vs. weak support
| Feature | Strong support | Weak support |
|---|---|---|
| Source | A named report or survey with a year | Studies have shown, people say |
| Amount | Data from many cases | One person's story |
| Logic | Directly backs up the claim | Popularity or fame used as proof |
3 sample questions
Verified practice questions from this unit.
Question 1. Our school district should start high school classes at 8:30 a.m. instead of 7:15 a.m. Studies by sleep researchers show that teenagers' body clocks shift during puberty, making it hard for them to fall asleep before 11 p.m. When school starts early, many students get far less than the eight to ten hours of sleep that health experts recommend for teens. Districts that have moved to later start times have reported better attendance and fewer car crashes involving teen drivers. Some parents worry about after-school sports and jobs, but schedules can be adjusted. The health and safety of our students should come first. What is the author's main claim?
- ① High school classes in the district should start later.
- ② Teen drivers cause most car crashes.
- ③ Teenagers should go to bed before 11 p.m.
- ④ After-school sports should be cancelled.
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ① High school classes in the district should start later.
Key point: Claim: the main point the author wants you to accept
The first sentence states the claim: classes should start at 8:30 a.m. instead of 7:15 a.m. The rest of the passage gives reasons and answers an objection.
Wrong choices
- "Teen drivers cause most car crashes.": The passage mentions fewer crashes after later start times, not that teens cause most crashes.
- "Teenagers should go to bed before 11 p.m.": The author says teens find it hard to fall asleep before 11 p.m.; this is a reason, not a demand.
- "After-school sports should be cancelled.": The author says schedules can be adjusted, not that sports should be cancelled.
Question 2. Tired of feeling tired? Try VitaBoost, the energy drink that thousands are talking about! Famous racecar driver Max Turner drinks VitaBoost before every race. Everyone at the gym is switching to VitaBoost, so you should too. Don't be the only one left behind. Each can is packed with flavor and comes in three fruity styles. Why wait? Get your first case today, and see why VitaBoost is the drink everyone is choosing this year! What is the main purpose of the passage?
- ① To explain how energy drinks are made
- ② To tell the life story of a racecar driver
- ③ To warn readers about caffeine
- ④ To persuade readers to buy a product
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ④ To persuade readers to buy a product
Key point: Author's purpose: inform, persuade, or entertain
The passage praises VitaBoost and ends with "Get your first case today!" Its purpose is to persuade readers to buy the drink.
Wrong choices
- "To explain how energy drinks are made": The ad never explains how the drink is made.
- "To tell the life story of a racecar driver": Max Turner is mentioned only to promote the drink.
- "To warn readers about caffeine": The ad does not warn about anything.
Question 3. Our company should ban personal phone use on the factory floor. Last year, the safety office recorded 14 near-miss accidents, and in 9 of them, a worker was looking at a phone. Phones also slow production; a time study found that workers who checked phones often finished 12 percent fewer units per shift. Workers can still use their phones during breaks in the break room, and supervisors can post an emergency number so families can reach workers quickly. Which statement is the author's claim?
- ① There were 14 near-miss accidents last year.
- ② Workers can use phones in the break room.
- ③ A time study measured units per shift.
- ④ Personal phone use should be banned on the factory floor.
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ④ Personal phone use should be banned on the factory floor.
Key point: Claim vs. support
The first sentence states what the author wants: a ban on personal phones on the factory floor. The numbers and break-room details support or explain that claim.
Wrong choices
- "There were 14 near-miss accidents last year.": The number of near misses is evidence for the claim.
- "Workers can use phones in the break room.": Break-room use is a detail that answers a possible concern.
- "A time study measured units per shift.": The time study is evidence, not the claim.
AI-written · Verified · Written by AI. Only units that passed a separate AI check (re-reading facts and numbers) are published. Tell us if you find a mistake.