Does anyone have tips on how to do well on the SAT essay? Any advice is greatly appreciated!
All complex tasks become easier if we break them down into simpler (and doable steps). The SAT’s Essay is no different.
Step 1– Read and Annotate. 1/3 of your score will rely on how well you understood the given material. So give yourself some time to read and note the key points. After having read the given materials you should have a clear idea of the Main Idea, Tone, and Key points. Write these down (point form), so you don’t have to juggle them in your mind.(15-20 minutes)
Step 2– Identify the evidence, reasoning and rhetorical elements used and pick the 3 most important or prevalent.
Common elements to identify are Statistical/Factual Evidence, Analogy, Logical reasoning, Diction, Comparison, Appeal to Authority, Personal Experience, Emotional Appeal, and Concession.
Step 3-Make an outline. Plan the order of information you will be writing about. The introduction should summarize the given material and end with a thesis that gives the reader a path to what you will discuss. Leave your strongest element to the end because readers remember what they read last the best. (5-10 minutes)
Step 4-Write like the wind. That means fast. Hopefully you have at least 25 minutes left to write your essay. Follow your outline and remember to include references to the given materials including quotations to support your analysis.
Use formal language and sentence structures. Try to avoid grammar errors, but don’t get hung up if there are a couple of flaws. Finally, leave a blank line between paragraphs and write neatly because some poor people will have to try to read it off of a screen.
@academiccoach thank you so much for taking the time post that!