1. SAT Essay

2. What does it look like? You have 25 minutes.
You are given a prompt. You do not get to choose what you write about.
The prompt is followed by an assignment. This is also where you get your specific instructions.
Students need to state a position supported with examples from schoolwork, literature, history, or their own experience.

3. Things to Remember
You do not have much time. Once you start something you need to go with it.
Brainstorming should only be a minute of determining a thesis and listing examples to use.
SAT wants a 5 paragraph essay. You need an introduction, 3 body paragraphs and a conclusion.
Make sure you stay on topic.
This is your opinion. That means you can get away with the I statements.
They know you don’t have much time. It should be a polished rough draft.

4. Strategies
Choose a point of view to argue, and stick to it. Hint – Pick the side with the stronger support!
Develop your ideas logically (use transition words, and don’t jump randomly from one thought to another).
Support those ideas with appropriate examples and evidence (think concrete and precise)
Use clear, concise language, and proofread for spelling, punctuation, and grammar mistakes.
Write only in the space provided

5. Scoring
Although readers will give your essay one score based on a holistic response, they look at four areas to determine that score: meaning (content), development (support), organization (flow of ideas), and language use or mechanics (grammar and punctuation). Scores range from a low of 1 (showing writing incompetence) to a maximum of 6 (demonstrating clear and consistent competence).
The graders will focus on the strength of your argument. Are you convincing? Do your ideas make sense? Do you have insightful, supported comments on the topic? Do your ideas flow logically? Your writing style will also be judged (but keep in mind that a few stray commas and spelling mistakes will be forgiven). Overall, are you observing the standard rules of grammar, punctuation, and spelling? Is your vocabulary sufficient to adequately put forth your ideas? Are yoursentences varied?

6. Scores
A 6 essay stands out because of its thinking; it has a strong point of view, which is developed in an organized, focused manner. Examples and evidence are used to support the point of view. There may be a few errors in grammar, usage, and/or mechanics, but word choice (vocabulary) and structure (varied sentences) show mastery of language and writing skills.
A 5 essay is also effective in the position it takes and how it develops that position, but it has more errors than a 6 essay. It uses examples and evidence skillfully, and presents its argument in an organized way. A strong vocabulary is evident.

7. Scores
A 4 essay in this category is adequate, developing a position reasonably well, and supporting it with examples and evidence. Its organization and focus will be weaker than that of a 5 essay. There will be errors in language, grammar, and mechanics.
A 3 essay is inconsistent. While some elements may be adequate, such as demonstration of critical thinking skills or use of appropriate examples, others are weak. It may lose focus and provide evidence for some points but not others. There will be little or no variety in sentence structure, and a number of errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

8. Scores
A 2 essay is inadequate. Its point of view will be weak, poorly developed, and/or insufficiently supported. There is a lack of organization and evidence of poor language skills. Errors in mechanics, word choice, grammar, and spelling will be serious and plentiful.
A 1 essay will be incoherent, with no clear position taken or supported. It will be disorganized, with serious errors in vocabulary, sentence structure, grammar, and mechanics. These errors will prevent the reader from understanding the essay.
0 - No matter how well written, essays that do not address the assignment are scored zero.

9. Sample Prompt & Assignments
Prompt: "That which we obtain too easily, we esteem too lightly. It is dearness only which gives everything its value." Thomas Paine
Assignment: Do we value only what we struggle for? Plan your response, and then write an essay to explain your views on this issue. Be sure to support your position with specific points and examples. (You may use personal examples or examples from your reading, observations, or, knowledge of subjects such as history, literature, science.)

10. Plan of Attack
Put the quote in your own words. This will help you understand what is being said and how to proceed.
Look at the assignment. Here it is asking our opinion.
Decide your response and list your examples.
Start writing!

11. Sample Prompt & Assignments
Prompt: If we are afraid to reveal our lack of knowledge we will not be able to learn. In order to make progress we must admit where we are now. Such an admission of ignorance is not easy. As Thoreau says, “How can we remember our ignorance which our growth requires, when we are using our knowledge all the time?”
Assignment: Does the present system of education encourage us to admit our lack of knowledge, or is there too much pressure to demonstrate the acquisition of knowledge? Plan your response, and then write an essay...

12. Sample Prompt & Assignments
Prompt: “The price of greatness is responsibility.” Winston Churchill
Assignment: Do we expect too much from our public figures? Plan your response, and then write an essay...

13. Sample Prompt & Assignments
Prompt: “What man calls civilization always results in deserts. Man is never on the square – he uses up the fat and greenery of the earth. Each generation wastes a little more of the future with greed and lust for riches.” Don Marquis
Assignment: With our modern awareness of ecology are we likely to make sufficient progress in conservation, or are we still in danger of damaging the earth beyond repair? Plan your response, and then write an essay...

14. Sample Prompt & Assignments
Prompt: “Independence? That’s middle class blasphemy. We are all dependent on one another, every soul of us on earth.” Bernard Shaw expected to provoke controversy with these words, but I would agree with him that these days there is too much emphasis on independence. While it is certainly true that excessive dependence on others is not a sign of maturity, total independence of others is neither attainable nor desirable: we need to be mature, and unselfish enough to recognize our interdependence.
Assignment: Do we put too much emphasis on self-reliance and independence, and are we afraid of admitting that we need other people in our lives? Plan your response, and then write an essay...