The SAT Persuasive Essay:
We have talked a bunch about the SAT essay, but I wanted to jot down some
specific advice and help you understand how they grade this:
First, grading is done as a holistic or overall impression of the composition.
Keep in mind graders are reading essays on their computers, so it is not like
your English teacher who labored over each paper with his/her red pen.
Graders have a minute or two to read the essay and make an overall judgment
of its quality. Essays do not need to be perfect to receive the highest scores,
but they should consistently demonstrate the thinking and writing skills of a
college bound student.
Each essay will be graded on a scale of 1 to 6. A 1 or 2 paper is obviously
unsuccessful in developing a college bound type of answer; a 6 essay is
excellent. Most essays will fall in the 3 to 4 range, and you can be happy with a
4 or 5. Essays are graded by two readers working independently. If scores
differ by more than one point, a third “expert” reader will be brought in.
Graders evaluate five elements. Here is a description of each, including the
College Board description for a score of a 6, and a couple hints for what
students can do to improve.
1. Content
A score of a 6 “effectively and insightfully develops a point of view . . .
demonstrates outstanding critical thinking, using clearly appropriate examples,
reasons, and other evidence. . .” To improve your own content you should:
 Develop a point of view. It is not enough to state your position, you
must develop it! This is where I have advised spending a moment to not
only think of the tangible example that you will discuss, but the general
reason that example connects to your point of view. These general
reasons can then be provided in your first paragraph.
 Provide depth in examples. You can give great detail by developing one
example at length or you can provide two or three examples that are
presented in depth. This is where I have advised that practicing on one
Theme or Shelf of Knowledge can help you get very good at writing
about that topic and hence bring in a lot of detail.
2. Organization
A score of a 6 “is well organized and clearly focused, demonstrating clear
coherence and smooth progression of ideas.” There is not one right way to
organize an essay.
 Establish a clear answer (thesis).
 Develop your answer in a logical and orderly way. Do not jump from
idea to idea and back again. You should also evaluate the strength of
your examples and try to put the strongest example last.


No matter what format you select for your essay, you should provide a
logical beginning, middle, and end to your work.
If the first paragraph is the introduction to the whole argument, think of
each of the body paragraphs as a mini-argument where the first sentence
is the mini-thesis, or what you will prove in the paragraph. The last
sentence should tie that mini-argument back into the main argument.
3. Use of Language
A score of 6 “exhibits skillful use of language, using varied, accurate, and apt
vocabulary.”
 Avoid slang and colloquialisms, but do not appear too haughty. DO
NOT practice all of those obtuse SAT vocab words that you have been
mugging up!
 Maintain a natural tone using well-chosen words that are actually part of
your vocabulary.
 It is easy to repeat words or phrases from the question; be aware of
repetition and look for opportunities to use varied vocabulary. There are
inevitably some words in the prompt that you will end up needing to
come back to as you are writing, try to find synonyms for the words so
that you are not repeating. For ex, if the prompt is about change, you can
have a reservoir of words like: alter, different, adjust, fashion, reshape,
mutate, reorganize, model after, etc.
4. Sentence Structure
A score of a 6 “demonstrated meaningful variety in sentence structure.” The
excellent essay will not only use a variety of sentence structures; the various
structures will be used purposely.
 Mix it up. Use long compound-complex sentences. Use short
sentences. In fact, if you do use a long sentence, follow it up with a
short sentence afterwards, this adds to the clarity of your argument.
 Be aware of your own writing style. We all have bad habits: using too
many quotations or rhetorical questions, telling instead of showing, etc.
 Look for ways to show the reader your sophistication and aptitude with
words.
5. Freedom from Errors
A score of a 6 “is free of most errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics.” The
paper that earns a 6 does not need to be perfect, but it has very few errors.
 Watch for errors that interrupt a reader’s understanding of a sentence.
 Re–read your paper before time is called. Too often students have a
complete idea in their minds, but in the rush to finish the essay in 25
minutes, they make careless grammatical errors. If nothing else, proof
the first para as first impressions DO matter.
Keep in mind that SAT essays are viewed as drafts. No one expects perfection
in two pages and 25 minutes, but good writing always goes a long way.
Example of a good Draft of an Essay (followed by the essay itself):
I. Intro
A. Thesis statement
B. Reasons for thesis statement
II. Reason 1
A. Background information on example
B. Example/evidence in support
C. Tie into main argument
III. Reason 2
A. Background information on example or transition sentence if on the
same theme
B. Example/evidence in support
C. Tie into main Argument
IV. Reason 3 If you have, but not necessary and probably not time if you
developed the first two appropriately.
A. Background information on example or transition sentence if on the same
theme
B. Example/evidence in support
C. Tie into main Argument
V. Conclusion
A. Restate—but don’t repeat—thesis statement
B. Expand thesis to larger point, editorialize or relate to another area
(optional)
Example of an Essay using this process:
Think carefully about the information presented in the following excerpt and
the assignment below.
People's lives are the result of the choices they make—or fail to make. The path
one takes in life is not arbitrary. Choices and their consequences determine the
course of every person's life. All people, whatever their circumstances, make
the choices on which their lives depend.
Assignment: Are people's lives the result of the choices they make? Plan and
write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support
your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies,
experience, or observations.
Alexander the Great was probably the greatest and most well known
general in history. Having conquered the entire known world, Alexander
was hailed as 'the Great' after his defeat of Darius, king of the Persians,
ruler of the largest empire the world had ever seen. However,
Alexander’s success came as a result of the choices he made. These
choices were creative and decisive and they exemplified his life, his
personality and his place in history. Alexander the Great, son of Philip II
of Macedonia, was a self-made man.
Many notable individuals assisted Alexander in his rise to power.
Aristotle, student of Plato, tutored Alexander from boyhood, and
Hephaistion became his inseparable companion and confidant. Alexander
had a remarkable relationship with his mother, and though his father died
while Alexander was still in his teens, the young king always strove to
follow in his father’s footsteps. Through experienced advisors Alexander
learned the art of war, and his decisive choices during the heat of battle
often turned the tide in his favor. One notable example was his famous
clash with Darius III. The battlefield near Issus where Alexander had
chosen to face the Persian King was bisected by a meandering river with
wide sloping mud banks and rocky mountains at one end. Once
Alexander saw Darius' left flank was comprised of inexperienced slaves
and only guarded by a troop of archers, he made the monumental
decision to attack there instead of the usual center attack. Alexander’s
army quickly slaughtered the left flank and made short work of the rest of
the fleeing Persians. Alexander’s choices had won him a kingdom.
Another choice of great importance was that of the Gordian Knot. This
monster of a knot was tied around a plow cart much like those in Turkey
today. It was said that whoever could untie this knot would rule the world
and become the greatest general in history. After examining the knot for a
day, Alexander had determined that he could not untie it in the traditional
manner. Determined that there was a solution to any problem, Alexander
resisted the temptation of defeat and enlisted his creative mind. He
unsheathed his sword and split the knot cleanly in two. By deciding to
make the Daeadalian challenge into one of a strength of arms, Alexander
demonstrated his manner of decision-making which would take the world
by storm.
Needless to say, the prophecy of the Gordian knot came true; Alexander
the Great did become the most famous general of all the known world.
However, it was not the prophecy that made him so—it was his superior
decision making skills and critical choices that led to his success.