GED Reasoning Through Language ArtsExtended Response (Essay)Easy
A student is reviewing their argumentative essay draft and notices several sentences that are overly long and contain multiple clauses, making them difficult to understand. Which aspect of good writing is primarily affected by this issue, and what is the best strategy to address it?
- ADevelopment of ideas; add more supporting evidence to each paragraph.
- BClarity; break down complex sentences into shorter, more precise ones.
- CConventions; check for spelling and grammatical errors throughout the essay.
- DOrganization; reorder the paragraphs for better flow.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Clarity; break down complex sentences into shorter, more precise ones.
Overly long and complex sentences directly hinder clarity, making the writing difficult for the reader to follow. Breaking these sentences into shorter, more precise ones improves readability and ensures the message is conveyed effectively.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Adding more evidence addresses development, but not the fundamental issue of sentence complexity affecting clarity.
- C. Conventions include spelling and grammar, but the primary issue described is sentence structure, which impacts clarity more directly than basic grammatical errors.
- D. While organization is important, sentence structure issues primarily affect clarity, not overall paragraph order.
Clarity in Writing
The quality of writing that makes it easy to understand, unambiguous, and straightforward for the reader.
- Achieved through precise word choice and effective sentence structure.
- Avoids jargon, convoluted phrasing, and excessive complexity.
- Ensures the reader grasps the intended meaning quickly and accurately.
Memory trick: Good writing: clear, organized, developed, and correct.