<p>I'm horrible at timed writing. Writing is one of the components I'm most worried about. I've only take the SAT once but I got an 8 on the essay. What can I do to improve my writing?</p>
<p>Prepare your examples ahead of time. Find 2 historic time periods and one novel, or 2 novels and one historic time period. The idea is to know enough about the period or plot or period to contrive examples that match the essay prompt. </p>
<p>Spend 2 minutes "planning" your essay. Jot down the 3 examples you are using and anything you remember about them. IMO it's a better idea to refresh your memory w/ Sparknotes before you go to the testing center, since it's the first section. </p>
<p>I think the best thing you can do is practice. I got a 8 on my essay on the June SAT, but I've been writing essays for the practice tests and I think it helps a lot.</p>
<p>An 8 isn't horrible. Stop stressing out. Work on coming up with good ideas and examples quickly and backing them up. For example, try looking at some prompts and then spend maybe 5 minutes coming up with an outline of what you're going to say. Then you'll have a clear idea of what you need to write and it shouldn't be that hard. I think the hardest part isn't really thinking about the right word to use, but more what topics you can use as support and what you could say about the topics.</p>
<p>And I still disagree with those who suggest to use generic pieces of evidence that you've thought about at home. I KNOW that someone here will mention that.</p>
<p>And just as I was writing this message, someone did!</p>
<p>I think my biggest problem might be choosing the words. I've been using RR and there were examples of how choosing the right words and adding lots of details can make all the difference. The problem is, I can't think of enough words or details in 25 minutes.</p>
<p>I have to be honest i used 2 examples on the June SAT, but i had 35 minutes to write the essay instead of 25 due to the extended time. Don't think that its an advantage, it's enough time for ones who have a learning disability(myself). I got a 10 on the essay, i used 4 paragraphs.</p>
<p>sprintuser: Even if you use good words you wouldn't get an 8 if you weren't making bigger mistakes. You don't need gobs and gobs of details, like you're an encyclopedia or something. Just mention the proof/evidence you have and explain how that detail explains that you're right. People who use RocketReview tend to write in their body paragraphs like 4 sentences of fluff talking about the actual example and one sentence explaining how that supports your thesis. I don't recommend that practice. In my essay I give like 2 sentences explaining the situation and analyze the example to prove that I'm right.</p>