<p>Okay, so I'm really worried about the SSAT writing portion. I'm taking the SSAT in December. I've begun studying and I feel like I have math down and reading and verbal pretty well, but I'm so worried about the writing. I'm really scared I will get a topic I don't understand or something I have nothing to support it with! What do you think? If you have taken it already, what was your prompt? </p>
<p>Also, are these good examples of literature to use in it?
The Miracle Worker
Red Scarf Girl
Watership Down
The Odyssey
Things Fall Apart
Animal Farm
The Crucible
Our Town</p>
<p>I am in 8th grade, by the way. Do you have any tips for doing well that aren't in the Princeton Review Book?</p>
<p>Depending on the question, all of those books might work–as might Harry Potter. Don’t worry about it so much. If I were an admissions rep., I’d look at that essay to see if the voice in the writing is more or less the voice in the other essays (in other words, that you mom didn’t write your other essays for you!) and that you’re able to pull together a reasonably well-structured, well supported answer in 20 minutes. </p>
<p>So, as an English teacher, here’s my advice.</p>
<p>Begin with a clear opening sentence or two that lets the reader know where your essay is headed. Be sure that you’re addressing the topic–you don’t want to go off track at the beginning. At the same time, you don’t need to outline the whole essay in your intro.–just introduce the topic.</p>
<p>Illustrate whatever point you’re making with at least two examples–one personal and one from literature, a movie, whatever–a source outside yourself. It’s more important that the example be relevant than that it be impressive–don’t use an example from Shakespeare just to show you’ve read Shakespeare if an example from a movie you love would make the point better. Be sure that you’re both giving specifics from the experience/book/whatever AND discussing how those specifics relate to the topic at hand. Each example/discussion will probably be in its own paragraph.</p>
<p>End with a statement or two that answers the original question. Don’t just repeat the intro.–ask yourself, “So what do I know now that I didn’t when I started writing/thinking? What have my examples shown me about the topic?” </p>
<p>Hope that helps.</p>
<p>im not so nervous anymore</p>