how to write the new SAT essay

8/20/16
OVERVIEW

MULTI PARAGRAPH ESSAY50 min to read, analyse, write, and

proofread
o analyse someone elses 650-750 word article, exploring how
their article supports their main claim via evidence, rhetorical
devices, and structure
youre not writing about your own opinion at all
the essay question never changes:
o Write an essay in which you explain how [author] builds an
argument to persuade their audience that [argument]. In your
essay, analyze how [author] uses one or more of the features in
the directions that precede the passage (or features of your own
choice) to strengthen the logic and persuasiveness of their
argument. Be sure that your analysis focuses on the most
relevant features of the passage. Your essay should not explain
whether you agree with [author]s claims, but rather explain how
[author] builds an argument to persuade their audience.
scored by two separate graders on a scale of 1-4 for three categories:
writing, reading, and analysis; two scores in each category are added
up to form three scores from 2-8 each
o e.g. a 8/6/7 or 5/6/7
o scores are not added to your other SAT portion (reading, writing,
maths)
optional and some schools dont require it bah dont be a wuss just
study a lil and take it idiot
o some schools require it! dont eff it up for future u.

B4 test day;

read sample essays and commentary/scoring that goes with it

read rubrics
practice man. do practice promptsTIMED.
o then have someone grade them;; services online where u can
pay to have someone review itor ask a teacher, or parent, or
even a good writer pal!
be active in your prep: chat about it, research it/look for new resources
as they appear, etc

stay focused and work as hard as possible, be critical of your work, but
only up until 24 hours before the testby then, you do harm by having
anything other than a positive mindset

HOW TO TAKE THE TEST

1. READ: take 7-10 min on this
a. Includes: annotation, and fill out a paper with each point of
CERTS:
i. Claim: authors position on the subject: usually in the first
paragraph
ii.
Evidence: facts/ideas which support the claim
iii.
Rhetorical devices: using language
persuasively/strategically
1. Evidence
Historical Facts
Statistics
Anecdotes
2. Reasoning
Applying a general rule to a specific case
Deducing a general rule from specific cases
Using logic to rule a possibility in or out
3. Stylistic or Persuasive Elements
The author tries to sound like the reader
Word choice
Irony or sarcasm
Repetition

iv.

Tone: authors attitude toward subject (e.g. sarcastic,

serious, informal, concerned, etc)
v. Structure: how the argument is laid out in writing, is it
linear reasoning from one paragraph to the next, is there
a counterclaim, etc
2. OUTLINE: 10 min
a. Dont spend too longyoure not writing the essay yet
b. Use bullet points and legible shorthand so you can focus on
ideas, not fitting it in your allotted time
c. There are FOUR basic types of structures you can employ here
i. Classic: always a safe bet, when in doubt, use this one
1. Intro + Thesis: The author used evidence, rhetorical
elements, and structure to persuade the reader of
their position/claim.
2. How author used evidence to persuade reader
a. Quote/evidence, and thorough
analysis/evaluation

3. How author used rhetorical devices

4. How author used structure
5. Conclusion + Thesis restate
ii.
Three Points: if the author makes three distinct points
1. Intro + Thesis: The author builds their argument by
explaining how [a, b and c] support their claim.
2. Point a
a. Evidence, and rhetoric quotes, how did the
author use these effectively?
3. Point b
4. Point c
5. Conclusion + Thesis restate
iii.
Structure: if there is a clear beginning, middle, and end
in passage, and the argument is formed though this
progression
1. Intro + Thesis: provide claim [and relation to the
passages structure]
2. First part of essay
a. Evidence/quotes showing use of evidence and
rhetoric +analysis
b. Analysis of how placement of this evidence in
context to other sections strengthens
argument
3. Middle part
4. Last part
5. Conclusion + Thesis restate (round off the big picture
structure eval you did throughout)
iv.
Rhetoric: for passages based primarily on rhetorical
elements i.e. speech
1. Intro + Thesis: Authors argument is developed
through pathos, statistics, and other rhetorical
devices.
2. Rhetorical Device 1
a. Quote, explanation, analysis and how it
develops argument
3. Rhetorical Device 2
4. Device 3
5. Conclusion + Thesis restate
3. WRITE: 28-30 min
a. go go go go go gogogogogogo
b. dont let your train of thought stall, but dont let it get away from
yourefer back to your outline as much as possible, and
remember the purpose of your essay: ANALYSIS OF HOW THE
PASSAGE PERSUADES
c. use big/formal words, especially in reference to devices/types of
evidence/writing mechanics in general

i.

but dont look like a dingus and use a word you arent
totally sure of in definitionlmao
d. geeeenerally..length does = better scores. get to know how
fast/much you can write, and dont overestimate. shorter
paragraphs > missing a point and conclusion
i. practice is the only way really
e. dont give up man!! chances are its not as crappy as you think.
f. dont stop to correct small things because
4. REVISE: 2-3 min, as much as is left
a. Skim through your essay for grammatical errors, spelling errors,
content changes, and illegible words to clean up, in that order of
importance
b. After that, if theres anything left in terms of content you want to
change at the last moment, do it.
c. DONT BE THE FOOL THAT FINISHES EARLY. Idiot
d. dont try to do an entire overhaul with 20 sec on the clock. Youre
gonna end up with a big erased portion and if the proctor isnt in
a good mood, you could get in big trouble for writing after time is
up

B5 [after] TEST

forget about it dude! Ya did your best

if you have another opportunity to take the essay test in the future,
note feelings/opinions on the test session for future reference, what
you felt you could have prepped to have made it easier, etc.

TIPS

write in pencil, foo! bring a fast, effective eraser +sharpener if its not
mechanical
acquire a watch or timepiece of some kind and get used to itgood
practice in tests of any type
be mindful of how time is progressing in relation to where you are in
terms of progress.
o the thing to cut corners on is the outline. out of time? skip out a
lil on the outline, youll end up writing out the essay anyway
keep it barebones if you really have to
good handwriting is a must (a human has to grade ur work remember
lol)
when doing practice tests, emulate the test environment, w/o
distractions or music or stuff, blah blah as youve heard 100 times b4
youll get out what you put into your prep

[MY TIMETABLE OF SAT 2016 PREP]

----date of test: Nov 5 2016

---prep begins August 24 2016
--areas of emphasis for SAT prep: ESSAY and MATH
WEEK OF AUG 21:
o review quarter of Writing
o practice essay #1
o review quarter of Math
WEEK OF AUG 28
o revisit essay/grade?
o review Reading
o review Math
o essay #2
WEEK OF AUG 29
WEEK OF SEPT 5
WEEK OF SEPT 12
WEEK OF SEPT 19
WEEK OF SEPT 28
WEEK OF OCT 3
WEEK OF OCT 10
WEEK OF OCT 17
WEEK OF OCT 24
WEEK OF OCT 31 to Saturday, Nov 5