Rhetorical Analysis Essay Draft: The GED

            Education is one of the most important pillars of American society. Serving as a foundation for children to develop through a microcosm of democracy and prepare for reality, the level of education can often predict one’s success in the future. Receiving an education and meeting all of the requirements in a timely manner often results in the earning of a high school diploma. While the high school diploma serves as the most common membership pass for students to take on a new, less defined role in society as active citizens in democracy, it is not the only means of transitioning from secondary school to the real world. With the belief that “one decision shouldn’t define a lifetime,” the General Education Development (GED) “test was created in 1942 as a second-chance opportunity” for individuals to earn a certificate with high school equivalency (1^ST CITATION HERE). While the GED not only serves as a second opportunity for individuals to receive an education that can change their life, but also demonstrates that it is never too late to learn, it is often accompanied with a negative connotation, diminishing the value of the certificate and the effort put forth from the individual.

In this paragraph, I want to talk about why second chances, especially in education, are crucial. We’ve all experienced second chances, whether it was a teacher allowing you to turn an assignment in late or redo a quiz. The important point here is that if we don’t allow second chances, we’ll never allow anyone to succeed. No one can be perfect the first time they attempt something, and sometimes, there are certain circumstances that inhibit someone from finishing school. Think about illness, family struggles, lack of money, etc.

After analyzing the importance of second chances, I’m going to tackle the idea that it is never too late to learn. The GED shows that although you may not be in high school anymore, the education is still important. It is needed to be successful in life, and the GED allows you the opportunity to be educated properly, even if you couldn’t finish high school. I plan on discussing how earning this opportunity is better to be attained later than never; it can be life changing.

Although the GED is recognized as the equivalent of a high school education, it is associated with a negative connotation. There is a stigma surrounding the GED that can make people hesitant about pursuing it. Why should someone be looked down upon for wanting to receive an education? Where did this stigma arise? In addition, this means that there is a stereotype associated with the people earning a GED. These people are often classified as unmotivated, dropouts, lazy, incapable, and so one. In doing so, we are ultimately insulting ourselves by calling other people these names, because our education is considered equivalent.

The GED allows members of our society to be successful. It is a second chance at earning an education that makes a difference in the lives of people who were not able to successfully accomplish the task at the first try. While the GED was created with the idea of giving people a second chance at education, and it has proven successful in doing so, it has also been associated with the wrong meaning. The GED is a prime example of the importance of persistence and hard work; just because something doesn’t exactly work out the first time doesn’t mean one should give up. The GED is the quintessential representation of why education is so crucial; it is difficult to be successful without it in our society.

Works Cited

“What Is the GED Test?” GED Testing Service, http://www.gedtestingservice.com/testers/about-ged-test.