Read this before you post your SAT essay for grading.

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
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<p>I’ve graded a lot of SAT essays, and I can say with confidence that all too many SAT essays have the same fundamental problems. It gets annoying to read an SAT essay that is poorly argued, say that it is poorly argued and give suggestions, and then read another SAT essay that has the same problem: the arguments are all weak.</p>

<p>This is why I think that it will help those about to post their SAT essays for comments to read the following.</p>

<li><p>Post an essay only if you’ve done a good job. If you know that you did a bad job and you know how to improve, correct it until you think it’s good, and then post it. </p></li>
<li><p>Look at how the SAT essay graders grade essays: [How</a> the Essay is Scored](<a href=“http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about/sat/essay_scoring.html]How”>http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about/sat/essay_scoring.html). Look at your essay and think about how it can be improved.</p></li>
<li><p>Think about the strength of your argument. This means: find your thesis. Does it answer the question? Now look at what you use to support your essay. Summarize your arguments/body paragraphs. Many times people write body paragraphs that they think are good, but when I read them, I summarize their arguments and tell them what they’re really saying, and that helps them realize that their arguments are actually weak. Most of the essays that I read don’t have enough support. Often I see people take one example and then stretch it to support one huge idea that you can’t possible support well enough in 25 minutes.</p></li>
<li><p>Read other essay posts, and see what other people have said about their essays. Think about what they would say about yours. Think about what the SAT essay graders would say about your essay, based on the rubric.</p></li>
<li><p>Wait a few days after you write your essay before you post it. After a few days (2 or 3, at least), read your essay again. It can be amazing how bad it sounds after you’ve given your essay a few days to cool, so to speak.</p></li>
<li><p>Correct all the grammar/spelling mistakes when you post your essay.</p></li>
<li><p>Take your time. Go beyond the time limit. Take a look at the SAT essay prompt and write an essay that you think is genuinely good. It will help you more when people pinpoint the mistakes of your argument and give suggestions based on that, rather than say what you did wrong because you didn’t have enough time.</p></li>
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<p>I think that if everyone followed these steps, people would get more out of their essays and corrections. I hope that for those who read the essays, this will give some relief. If anyone has any more tips that people should read before someone posts another “Please Grade!” thread, feel free, definitely.</p>

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<p>Tip 8: Answer the SAT question! It helps to come up with an answer and write it on the SAT booklet so that you don’t forget that. Your answer to the question is essentially your thesis.</p>

<p>Tip 9: You can use big words to try to create an impression, but don’t overdo it. Just a sprinkle.</p>

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<p>I have a few tips–these are just my opinion:</p>

<p>a. When you read the prompt and question, think about what kind of essay it is looking for.
b. Make sure you take a position and defend it. Don’t argue both sides.
c. Make sure your examples support your position. It’s OK to have some universal examples in mind, but if they don’t fit, think of something else.
d. Don’t worry that your examples are likely to be common–it is more important that they are stated well and support the thesis. They don’t have to be original or different.
d. Don’t use a word–big or small–unless you really know what it means and how it is used.
e. It is my opinion that if you’re on the fence about which position to take on the question, choose the one that is the more positive (i.e., argue that the world is getting better, not getting worse). Your essay is being graded by a human being using a somewhat subjective rubric–a positive outlook may help you.
f. Similarly, if you are on the fence, agree with the statement in the quote. You are more likely to understand it if you agree with it.</p>