Read the two passages as arguments, not as articles
Start with the prompt, not the passages. It tells you the issue and what you are being asked to judge. Then read each passage with one question in mind: what is this writer trying to prove, and how are they trying to prove it?
As you read, note three things for each passage on your scratch paper: the main claim in one sentence, the evidence used to support it, and any place where the reasoning is weak. Keep the notes short. A few words per item is enough, as long as you can find the line again later.
- Claim: the position the writer wants you to accept.
- Evidence: statistics, studies, expert statements, examples, or firsthand experience.
- Reasoning: how the writer connects the evidence to the claim.
- Weak spots: vague claims, emotional appeals with no support, old or one-sided data, or a key objection the writer never answers.
Decide which argument is better supported
Your job is to judge the arguments, not the issue. You may personally agree with one side and still conclude that the other passage argues its case better. Scorers are looking for that kind of judgment, so set your own view aside.
Compare the evidence directly. Specific numbers from a named source usually carry more weight than general statements. A study of thousands of people outweighs one person’s story. Evidence that actually matches the claim beats evidence that is only loosely related. Also look at whether each writer answers the other side. An argument that admits a concern and responds to it is stronger than one that ignores it.
Make your decision within the first few minutes of planning and stick with it. Either side can earn a high score if you support your choice well. Switching halfway through the essay usually leaves you with a muddled response and no time to fix it.
Plan and structure your response
Spend the first several minutes planning. A short plan saves time later because you are not deciding what to say while you write. A common and effective structure has four or five paragraphs.
In the introduction, name the issue, name both passages, and state which one is better supported. That last sentence is your thesis. In each body paragraph, make one point, quote or closely paraphrase the passage, and explain why that evidence is strong or weak. At least one body paragraph should address the weaker passage directly, showing what it lacks. The conclusion restates your judgment in fresh words and does not add new evidence.
Leave a few minutes at the end to reread. Fix missing words, unclear pronouns, and run-on sentences. Clear, correct sentences are part of the score.
- Introduction: issue, both passages, thesis.
- Body 1: the strongest evidence in the better-supported passage.
- Body 2: a second strength, such as answering the other side.
- Body 3: the main weakness in the other passage.
- Conclusion: restate the judgment and why it holds.
Common mistakes that cost points
The most frequent mistake is writing a personal opinion essay. If your response could have been written without reading the passages, it will score low no matter how well it is written. Every main point needs a reference to the text.
Other mistakes are easier to avoid once you know them. Some test takers summarize both passages in turn and never say which is stronger. Others drop in a quotation and move on without explaining what it proves. Some spend so long on the introduction that the body paragraphs are rushed. Plain, organized writing with specific evidence scores better than long, elaborate writing that stays general.
- Giving your own opinion on the issue instead of judging the arguments.
- Summarizing without evaluating.
- Quoting without explaining.
- Ignoring the weaker passage entirely.
- Skipping the final reread.
A short annotated sample outline
Suppose the passages argue whether a city should replace a downtown parking lot with a public park. Passage A supports the park and cites a city survey and data from two nearby towns. Passage B opposes it and relies mostly on one shop owner’s worries. Here is how a planned response might look. It is an outline, not a full essay.
- Thesis: “Passage A is better supported because it relies on survey results and data from similar towns, while Passage B depends mainly on one business owner’s predictions.” (States the choice and previews the reason.)
- Body 1: Passage A reports that most surveyed residents favor the park. Explain why a city survey is stronger than individual opinion. (Uses specific evidence and explains it.)
- Body 2: Passage A notes that two nearby towns saw more foot traffic after similar parks opened, and it addresses parking by naming a garage two blocks away. (Shows the writer answers the other side.)
- Body 3: Passage B predicts lost sales but offers no figures and quotes only one shop owner. Explain why a single prediction is weak support. (Evaluates the weaker passage directly.)
- Conclusion: Restate that Passage A’s evidence is broader and more specific, so it makes the stronger case. (No new evidence, no personal opinion about parks.)
Frequently asked questions
- Do I have to agree with the passage I choose?
- No. You are judging which argument is better supported, not which side you prefer. Choose the passage you can defend best with evidence from the texts.
- How long should the Extended Response be?
- There is no required length. A well-organized response of four or five developed paragraphs with specific evidence is a practical target for the time available.
- Can I use outside facts in my response?
- Keep the focus on the passages. The score depends on how well you analyze the evidence in the two texts, so outside facts add little and can pull you off task.