My daughter is a current junior and will be taking both tests with essays in the next few months. Are there major differences between the two essay requirements, like in format, content, style, length, etc? Will one prep fit both tests? My daughter is a good test taker but not a great essay writer so she’ll probably need to prep just the essay part. Are there any essay prep books that may be helpful?
Thanks.
The essays are completely different.
The ACT essay provides the student with an issue and 3 points of view. The student is expected to develop his/her own point of view and contrast that point of view with the ones provided, essentially creating a “They say/I say” structure. This essay requires the student state his/her opinion and have logical reasoning to back his/her opinion up.
The SAT essay provides the student with a persuasive passage and the student is expected to analyze the rhetorical elements used and explain how these elements are used to sway the reader. This essay is more analytical and requires a little more knowledge of rhetorical structure beforehand. This essay does not require the student’s opinion, but focuses more on the student’s ability to pull apart the provided passage and explain why the author used certain rhetorical elements.
The College Panda’s books (her has one for each essay type) have a clean, logical approach to both essays.
Thank you very much for the detailed explanation. Will go look for the books you mentioned. BTW from your ID I’m guessing you’re a tutor, right?
For the SAT essay, take a look at the AP English Lang. rhetorical analysis essays. They are the same thing.
Yes, I am a tutor who specializes in Reading, Writing and the Essay. Tigerman333 is correct as well. The SAT essay can be prepared for by using AP English Language and Composition materials.