SAT Writing Gen Information and Strategy

Question 1

What is the SAT writing assignment?

Answer 1

You must compose a 300-350 word essay on a given prompt taken from a quote of a noteworthy person.

Question 2

What type of essay should you expect to write?

Answer 2

You will have to write a persuasive essay.

Question 3

How many minutes do I have to write my essay? How should I structure my time?

Answer 3

You have 25 minutes to write your essay

• 5-7 minutes planning (on scrap paper provided)
• 16-19 minutes composing the essay
• 1-2 minutes proofreading and making quick edits

Question 4

What will you be instructed to write with – and where?

Answer 4

You will be instructed to write in pencil only in the space provided.

Question 5

What are some things that could cause you to not get full credit for the essay that you write?

Answer 5

• Writing too lightly
• Poor penmanship
• Writing in pen
• Writing outside the space provided
• Writing off topic

Write large enough to be read when scanned, but small enough to fit 300+ words on two pages.

Question 6

How important are grammar and spelling?

Answer 6

Nothing needs to be perfect, but errors that affect clarity, coherency, or effectiveness will impact your overall score.

Question 7

What are the criteria for evaluating the essay?

Answer 7

There are three areas of focus in the criteria for evaluation:

• demonstrating strong critical thinking through a developed point of view and appropriate examples / support
• smooth-flowing and well-organized structure
• effective use of language with varied and appropriate sentences

Question 8

How is the essay scored?

Answer 8

Two high school or college English teachers (or their equivalent in skill set) will independently read and score your essay on a scale of 0-6.

Therefore, the maximum score is a 12.

Question 9

How should I structure my essay?

Answer 9

You should write 4-5 paragraphs.

• Intro
• 2-3 body paragraphs
• Conclusion

Question 10

What should your first paragraph accomplish?

Answer 10

The first paragraph should…

• Establish contact with the audience.
• Clearly state your position and basic reasoning why you think the way you do.
• Introduce the examples that support your point in the order that they follow in the body paragraphs.

Question 11

What should the body paragraphs accomplish in the structure of the essay?

Answer 11

The body paragraphs present each example (one per paragraph) and relate them to the main sentence of the 1st paragraph.

Question 12

What should the conclusion paragraph accomplish?

Answer 12

The conclusion should briefly…

• Restate your main sentence.
• Restate how your examples supported your point of view.
• Connect back to the idea in the introduction.
• Leave the audience wanting more.

Question 13

Should you add endnotes or a bibliography?

Answer 13

No, that is never necessary in this type of essay.

Question 14

Should you try to explore both sides of the question in your essay?

Answer 14

No. Although acknowledging the other side is acceptable, it harms the essay’s unity to try to fully cover both sides of the question.

In 25 minutes, it shouldn’t be attempted.

Question 15

What are some non-writing keys to a successful approach to the SAT essay?

Answer 15

Focus, time management, and good strategic use of scrap paper.

Question 16

What makes the SAT essay more difficult than writing samples on other standardized tests?

Answer 16

The SAT writing test is more difficult because of the time limitation.

25 minutes means a student must plan in no more than 5 minutes, compose at a speed of nearly 18 words per minute, and edit in less than 2 minutes.

Question 17

What is the best way for you to improve your understanding of SAT essay prompts?

Answer 17

The best way to improve that skill is practicing on sample questions.

(We’ll go into how you can best do this later.)

Question 18

What kinds of essay prompts are typical for the SAT?

Answer 18

SAT essay prompts usually involve value judgements (‘how important is this thing, or how important is it compared to this other thing?’), or moral or societal obligations (‘what should a person do?’).

Question 19

Which techniques can help you better analyze the prompt?

Answer 19

Try marking the keywords and clearly defining them before attempting to take a position.

This step ensures focus and clarity when you do the steps to answer the assignment prompt.

Question 20

Find and define the keywords from this quote and prompt:

“Men kick friendship like a football, but it doesn’t seem to crack, women treat it like glass, and it goes all to pieces.” – Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Prompt: Is the durability of friendship different within the sexes?

Answer 20

The keywords are “durability of friendship” and “different within the sexes”.

“Durability of friendship” refers to how well friendship stands against rough or careless treatment.

“Different within the sexes” refers to how men treat friendships among men and how women treat them among women.

Question 21

How should a student begin to practice for the SAT Writing section?

Answer 21

Evaluate your general writing skills in these areas:

• Writing under pressure
• General focus level
• Prior knowledge
• Relating ideas
• Composing logical statements
• Finding and assessing examples
• Grammar and style

Question 22

What should you do to improve your ability to deliver enough words to satisfy the demands of the SAT essay?

Answer 22

Practice writing under time pressure!

You could turn some of your writing tasks at school into timed tests with a goal of 18 words per minute.

Writing under time pressure is just a skill. All skills are improved by practice.

Question 23

How should you address a low focus level?

Answer 23

Practice minimizing distractions as you do your work.

Learn to turn off music, cell phones, etc. while working. Set a limited amount of time to do a task and do it, gradually increasing your focus time as you improve.

This problem will affect your performance on all sections of the SAT. If you have a problem here, try to find a way to address it.

Question 24

How can you improve your ability to use prior knowledge for effective examples on the SAT?

Answer 24

Concentrate on areas of strength.

If you’re stronger in literature, build up literature. If you’re stronger in history, sharpen history. If you’re strong in neither, pick one.

Question 25

How can you beef up your usable knowledge of literature for the SAT essay?

Answer 25

Use the College Board’s list of the 100 best books to study for the SAT, as well as book summary websites.

Remember you only need enough knowledge of these books to write 4 to 5 sentences within a body paragraph. Concentrate on books you’ve already studied. Review your notebooks from English classes. Target 20-25 books to know, then go to summary websites and pull out details, put them into a graphic organizer, and study. Instant knowledge!

Question 26

How can you beef up your usable knowledge of history for the SAT essay?

Answer 26

Use timelines from textbooks or internet sources to check your familiarity of major figures and events. Study what you don’t know.

The place to start is old notebooks. You might even ask your history teacher to provide you notes (he or she probably has them on file) to study. You need not be a master of history, but you do need to be able to write half a paragraph relating Julius Caesar to the concept of ambition, for example.

In both cases, if you kept good notebooks from classes, reread them.

Question 27

How do you address a difficulty in relating ideas?

Answer 27

A proactive approach where you consider a list of possible ideas to relate long before you sit down to take the test.

Example: “Success” may be defined as “reaching one’s goal”, but in order to write about that you’ll need to relate goals to other words like money, fame, love, family, etc.

Question 28

How do you get better at composing logical statements?

Answer 28

Practice composing logical statements with someone you acknowledge as a better writer.

Find someone with whom you’re comfortable working. Some things in writing are much eaiser to learn with someone else. Ask your English teacher for advice here too.

Question 29

What should you do if you realize you have difficulty finding and assessing examples to use to support a position?

Answer 29

Proactive approach. As you practice prompts, after you’ve picked your own brain, research excellent examples.

For friendship, choose Hamlet and Horatio. Remember the example you choose should impress the two people reading the essay.

Question 30

What do you do if you realize you are weak in grammar and style?

Answer 30

Don’t panic. You are not alone.

When you practice doing the other portions of the SAT writing section, you’ll receive guidance on how to improve grammar and style in your own writing. Keep it in mind while you’re practicing!

Question 31

How should you divide your time in essay preparation vs. preparing for the critical reading and math of the SAT?

Answer 31

Take a real practice test. If your number is an 8 or above on the essay, then target and work 10% of your practice time and concentrate on planning.

You may check our flashcards on planning the essay. Structural problems related to ineffective planning are usually the reasons that the essay failed to earn a top score.

Question 32

How can you successfully use SAT prep books to prepare for the SAT essay?

Answer 32

Use them to sharpen your comprehension of the writing task and to assess your own skill.

Read and analyze the scoring rubric and sample essays by other students. Compare them to sample essays of your own.

Question 33

What should you gather from other sources to help you prepare for the SAT essay?

Answer 33

You need a source for vocabulary and a source for practicising writing prompts.

Question 34

How long should you expect to have to practice to improve in SAT writing?

Answer 34

Students build this skill at different rates, but with focused practice–even 5-10 hours, many students can improve their essay score by 2 points rather quickly.