SAT Essay Prep Course
Chapter 1
Writing the SAT Essay: The Basics
Part 1: Introduction
Imagine this nightmare: You are seated uncomfortably in a cold and inhospitable high
school cafeteria, surrounded by anxiously nail-nibbling fellow teenagers. You are all being
forced to prove your writing competence to a pair of inaccessible and forever anonymous
evaluators who will take about three minutes to read and score your work. The authorities in
charge demand an essay on a topic of their choosing, but won’t reveal it until the very moment
you begin. You are given a mere twenty-five minutes to produce a paper that is intelligent,
persuasive, original, and grammatically sound. All the while, you are aware that your future
college options, perhaps your eventual career, depend upon your performance. What’s worse –
you paid to take this test!
This is not someone’s idea of a cruel joke. This is the SAT essay.
Okay, maybe we’ve overdone the melodrama, but the now familiar SAT format has
certainly caused many students understandable anxiety. Fortunately for you, WriteAtHome is
here to help.
This lesson begins an intensive two-week course that will prepare you to successfully
tackle the SAT essay. To get you ready, we’ll…

provide you with the most thorough instruction you’ll find anywhere on how to write
impressive on-the-spot essays. We’ll explain what the essay will be like, what the scorers
will be looking for, and the best strategies for scoring high.

give you four practice essays just like the one you’ll have on the SAT. Practice is essential.
In fact, it’s the most important part of the course. You’ll need to set aside about 30 minutes
twice each week to simulate the testing experience and write the essay we’ll provide.

assign to you a trained, experienced, flesh-and-blood writing coach who will not only score
your essays according to SAT guidelines, but will also provide thorough feedback and
specific suggestions for improving your score.
There is simply no better way to get ready for the SAT essay than this class. By the time
you’ve completed the course, you’ll be able to face the SAT essay with confidence. Your
experience may not be a dream come true, but we promise to take some of the terror out of the
nightmare.
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Part 2: Common Questions about the SAT Essay
Why does the SAT include an essay?
In 2005, the SAT was revised to include, among a number of changes, an essay writing
section. The essay was added because the SAT purports to test a student’s ability to succeed in
college, and writing skill is an important part of college success.
Is the addition of an essay a good thing?
This, of course, is a matter of opinion and some controversy. We at WriteAtHome,
believe that overall the essay is a good idea, although there are two things we don’t like.
First, we’d like students to have more than twenty-five minutes to write the essay. It’s
hard to show what you can do in such limited time. We understand, however, that the essay is
only one portion of an already long test (3 hours, 45 minutes, to be exact). The folks who run the
SAT didn’t want to drag it out any longer. We get that.
Second, we think writing is best learned as a process involving steps like planning,
composing, revising, and proofreading. Asking students to complete a final draft in less than half
an hour doesn’t allow for this process approach. That’s just a reality we have to face in a timed
examination.
Despite these objections, we think the SAT is as well-designed as time limitations allow
it to be.
We also think that space devoted to criticizing the exam is wasted in an SAT preparation
course, so we’ll say no more. Like it or not, the SAT now includes an essay, so let’s just focus on
helping you do the best you can.
What will the whole SAT be like?
The focus of this course is the essay, which is included in the writing skills section of the
test, but you should be familiar with the structure of the SAT as a whole.
The SAT Reasoning Test, which most people refer to simply as the SAT, is designed to
test a student’s ability to think. In other words, it is not a test of particular knowledge. You
won’t, for example, be asked to name state capitals nor describe the process of photosynthesis.
The SAT covers three areas, each worth a maximum of 800 points:
1. Mathematics
The mathematics portion of the SAT is divided into two 25-minute sections with 20
questions each and one 20-minute section which includes 15 questions. This portion of the
SAT will test mathematical reasoning skills and will require basic knowledge of algebra and
geometry.
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2. Critical Reading
The critical reading portion of the test is also divided into three sections: two 25-minutes and
one 20-minutes long. The 25-minute sections include 9 or 10 sentence completion questions
and 15-16 reading comprehension questions. The 20-minute section includes 16 reading
comprehension questions.
The critical reading sections are designed to test your vocabulary and ability to understand
various prose passages.
3. Writing Skills
In addition to the essay, the writing skills portion of the SAT includes about 39 multiplechoice questions of three types:
1) identifying sentence errors
2) improving sentences
3) improving paragraphs
These questions will test your knowledge of grammar, usage, idioms, mechanics, and
stylistic elements of good writing. You will have 35 minutes to complete this section.
Chapter six in this booklet will provide information that can be applied to the entire writing
skills portion of the exam.
The Parts of the SAT
Section
Type of Questions
Mathematics: tests mathematical reasoning
involving algebra and geometry
Critical Reading: tests vocabulary and reading
comprehension
Writing Skills: tests rules of usage and mechanics
and written communication skills
general math
general math
general math
sentence completion
reading comprehension
sentence completion
reading comprehension
reading comprehension
essay
identifying sentence errors
improving sentences
improving paragraphs
No. of
Questions
20
20
15
9-10
15-16
9-10
15-16
16
1
Time
Limit
25 min.
25 min.
20 min.
20 min.
25 min.
± 39
35 min.
25 min.
25 min.
What will the essay part be like?
You should know that the essay will be the first thing you’ll do when the test begins. The
other sections appear in random order depending on the test date, but Those in Charge allow you
to attempt the essay while your mind is still fresh.
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You will have 25 minutes to write your essay. That’s it. Part two of this chapter will
discuss how to make the best use of that time.
The answer sheet you will be given during the test will include a lined section for the
essay. You must use that sheet and you may not have additional space, so write small enough
that you don’t run out of room. You will write with the pencil or pencils you use for the rest of
the test. You may either print or write longhand (we recommend you print unless your cursive is
particularly neat).
You may be given a passage, a quotation, or a set of related quotations. You will be asked
to write an essay defending your position on the idea addressed in the passage or quotes. After
the passage, you will be given further clarification of the issue and be reminded to support your
viewpoint with examples from history, politics, literature, science, or your own experience.
Below is an example of an essay question:
Sample SAT Essay Question
Directions: Consider the issue presented in the following paragraph and the assignment
that follows:
Happiness should be secondary to moral uprightness, but ask any parent today what he
most wants for his children, and he is almost certain to respond, “I just want them to be
happy.” Isn’t there something more noble and important for which to aim? I, for one,
hope that my children are both, but if I had to choose, I would rather they be good than
merely happy.
-Charles Walsh
Assignment: Is seeking happiness the highest pursuit, or are there better goals to aim for?
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.
How important is the essay?
The writing skills section is worth 800 points out of a possible 2400 – one-third of the
maximum score. The essay accounts for one-third of the writing skills section. That works out to
about 11% of your total SAT score.
How will it be scored?
Your essay will be scored by two readers who will read your essay and give it a score
between 1 and 6. The readers are experienced teachers who have been trained to score essays
according to an established standard.
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The two scores you receive are combined to form a “raw score” of up to 12 points. To
assure consistency, if the scores given by your two readers differ by more than a point, they are
thrown out and your essay goes to a third reader. That reader’s score is then doubled.
For example, if your essay receives a 3 from one reader and a 4 from another, you end up
with a raw score of 7 for the essay. If, however, one reader gives you a 3 and another gives you a
5, that’s too much difference, so the scores are scrapped and a third reader has a go. Let’s say he
gives it a 4. That score is then doubled to give you a raw score of 8.
If that all makes perfect sense to you, the next part will be a cinch. Your essay’s raw
score is then multiplied by an undisclosed number and combined with the raw score from the
multiple choice parts of the writing skills section to give you your scaled writing skills score,
which will be between 200 and 800. The unknown multiplier may differ from one test to the next
because it is designed to adjust your essay raw score so that it is worth 33% of your total writing
skills score.
Arriving at a final SAT score is no clearly simple matter, but this course is only
concerned with the essay, which is given an easy-to-comprehend score between 1 and 6 by two
separate readers. That’s the part you need to remember.
What is “holistic scoring?”
The SAT readers will use an approach known as holistic scoring when grading your
exam essay. Holistic scoring involves reading the paper quickly one time, then assigning a score
based on an overall impression. Readers will require only three minutes to read and evaluate
each essay.
So, you’ll be going through weeks of study and preparation for an essay that a pair of
teachers will speed-read and evaluate in about three minutes. That’s the reality, but don’t let it
discourage you. These readers will be reading and scoring countless essays and evaluating them
all according to the same set of guidelines. It might be crazy, but at least it’s fair.
In that one reading, each scorer will be looking for proficiency in six broad areas:
strength of position or point of view, support, organization and focus, use of language,
sentence variety, and writing conventions. The chapters in this booklet focus on these
assessment categories, providing instruction and suggestions for impressing the readers in every
aspect of your essay.
What will the scorers be looking for?
Even though readers will score your essay holistically after one reading, they will have in
mind six broad categories. These include:
1. Position and point of view: Readers are looking for papers that take a clear position on
the topic and demonstrate critical thinking.
2. Support: The opinion you express in your essay must be sufficiently supported through
clear reasoning, examples, and/or evidence.
3. Organization and focus: Essays must be logically organized, coherent, and focused.
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4. Sentence variety: Strong essays contain an effective variety of sentence types.
5. Language and vocabulary: Word choice should be precise, varied, and appropriate.
6. Writing conventions: Essays should contain minimal errors in usage, spelling, and
mechanics (punctuation, spelling, capitalization, etc.).
We’ve given you only a brief introduction to these six areas, but the upcoming lessons will
focus more thoroughly on each particular area. We believe improving your writing in these five
areas is the best way to maximize your score on the SAT essay.
SAT essay readers will use guidelines like those below to determine your essay score:
Score of 6:
An essay that receives a score of six, must be exemplary. It may have a few
insignificant errors, but it should reveal obvious writing proficiency. A six-point
essay…
Position or Point of
View
…takes a strong position and defends it effectively, demonstrating exceptional insight
and critical thinking skills.
Support
…supports the position with clear and relevant reasoning, examples, or evidence.
Organization and
Focus
Language &
Vocabulary
…is rationally organized and sharply focused with smooth transitions connecting ideas.
…demonstrates skillful and dynamic use of language with varied, precise, and
appropriate choice of words.
Sentence Variety
…demonstrates meaningful variety in the structure and length of sentences.
Writing Conventions
…contains at most a few minor errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics.
Score of 5:
An essay that receives a score of five must be effective. Errors may be apparent, but
it should reveal consistent writing proficiency. A five-point essay…
Position or Point of
View
…takes a strong position and defends it effectively with good critical thinking skills.
Support
…generally supports the position with clear and relevant reasoning, examples, or
evidence.
Organization and
Focus
…is well-organized and focused with coherent transitions connecting ideas.
Use of Language
…demonstrates mastery of language with precise and appropriate choice of words.
Sentence Variety
…displays variety in the structure and length of sentences.
Writing Conventions
…contains at most a few minor errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics.
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Score of 4:
An essay that receives a score of four is competent. Though errors will be likely, it
reveals general writing proficiency. A four-point essay…
Position or Point of
View
…takes a clear position and defends it with adequate critical thinking skills.
Support
…supports the position with adequate reasoning, examples, or evidence
Organization and
Focus
…is organized and generally focused with some coherence.
Use of Language
…demonstrates adequate if inconsistent mastery of language with generally appropriate
choice of words.
Sentence Variety
…displays some variety in the structure and length of sentences.
Writing Conventions
…contains a few minimally distracting errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics.
Score of 3:
An essay that receives a score of three reflects emerging writing proficiency. A
three-point essay…
Position or Point of
View
…takes a position but defends it inconsistently. Critical thinking skills may need
sharpening.
Support
…may not be sufficiently supported by reasoning, examples, and/or evidence.
Organization and
Focus
…demonstrates inconsistent organization or focus with vague transitions among ideas.
Use of Language
Sentence Variety
…demonstrates emerging mastery of language with weak or occasionally inept word
choice.
…displays little variety in the structure and length of sentences and/or problems with
sentence composition.
Writing Conventions
…contains noticeable errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics.
Score of 2:
An essay that receives a score of two is unsatisfactory. It demonstrates little writing
proficiency. A two-point essay…
Position or Point of
View
…takes a vague or weak position on the topic, reflecting weak critical thinking skills.
Support
Organization and
Focus
Use of Language
… insufficiently supports the writer’s point of view with inadequate reasoning, examples
and/or evidence.
…is poorly organized and lacks focus. Connections between ideas are lacking or
obscured.
…demonstrates little mastery of language, with limited and/or erroneous choice of
words.
Sentence Variety
…displays errors in sentence structure and little to no variety.
Writing Conventions
…contains errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics that weaken the clarity of writing.
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Score of 1:
An essay that receives a score of one is profoundly flawed. It demonstrates very
little or no writing proficiency. A one-point essay…
Position or Point of
View
…takes no clear position on the topic.
Support
…fails to support any position or point of view.
Organization and
Focus
…lacks organization and focus.
Use of Language
…demonstrates frequent errors in choice of words.
Sentence Variety
…displays obvious flaws in sentence structure, and little to no variety.
Writing Conventions
…contains significant distracting errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics that are
detrimental to the clarity of writing.
Score of 0:
An essay that receives a score of zero addresses a topic other than the one provided
on the SAT. Even an essay of superior quality, if it does not relate to the test’s
writing prompt, will receive a score of zero.
Note: The reason the SAT gives zeros to essays on unrelated topics is to prevent students from
simply memorizing an excellent essay and transcribing it during the test. Obviously, we don’t
recommend you try this.
How long should my essay be?
After statistics revealed that longer essays tended to score higher, some SAT critics got
pretty worked up. They accused the essay readers of looking only at the length of the essay and
not at the quality.
The truth is, however, that high quality essays tend to be a little longer than weak ones.
They more fully defend their position and demonstrate attention to structure. It seems common
sense that, on average, long essays would score higher than short ones.
That said, don’t assume that piling on the words will assure you a high score. The answer
sheet you’ll be provided will have two sides and a total of 46 lines. You are not expected to fill it
up. Readers are looking for quality writing in a sufficiently persuasive essay. That does mean
you’ll need more than one paragraph — we suggest four or five. Follow the strategies we’ll
provide you in the next several lessons and you won’t have to worry about the length of your
essay.
How important is neatness?
Readers are supposed to ignore bad handwriting in their evaluations, but a sloppy paper
will probably have at least a subconsciously negative effect on your score. Certainly, if a reader
can’t decipher your penmanship, he won’t be able to evaluate your writing. Our
recommendation, therefore, is to be as neat as you can. If your printing is neater than your
cursive, then by all means print.
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Will the colleges I apply to have access to my SAT essay?
Colleges that receive your SAT score may request a copy of your essay. It doesn’t seem
likely that many schools will do this, but it could help admissions officers make borderline
acceptance decisions. It’s also possible that a school might want to compare your SAT essay to
your application essay. There’s really no telling how often or why colleges will ask for the
essays, but we thought you should know that they can.
We hope Part One of this booklet has answered some questions for you. In the next part,
we’ll suggest some ways to effectively manage your time during the exam.
Tips from Chapter 1, Part 1
 Know what to expect. Be ready not only for the essay section, but for the whole test.
 Understand the scoring. Readers will give you two scores, each between 1 and 6.
 Know what they are looking for. Get familiar with the six areas in which your essay will
REad be evaluated.
 Write small. You can use only the lined sheet provided for the essay.
© Copyright 2006
 Write on the topic. If you don’t,
you will receive
a zero.
WriteAtHome,
Incorporated
All
rights
reserved
 Write enough. There’s no extra points for mere length, but effective writing will be
thorough and organized.
 Be neat. The reader can’t score what he can’t read.
 Understand the topic. Be sure you know the topic you are supposed to address. Writing
on anything else will get you a zero.
Part 3: Managing Your Time
Success on the SAT essay depends upon using time efficiently. You might be capable of
writing a prize-winning essay, but if you can’t do it in twenty-five minutes, it won’t help you on
the SAT. Even the strongest, most confident writers have underperformed on the SAT essay
because they did not make good use of the time. That’s why this section is so important. Read it
carefully now and review it often between now and test day.
Below are six suggestions for using your writing time wisely.
1. Practice
The best way to get used to writing an essay in 25 minutes is to, well, practice writing
essays in 25 minutes! Don't cheat when writing your WriteAtHome practice essays. Stick to the
25-minute limit every time. Be strict; you’ll be glad you did.
Train your brain to instinctively know what 25 minutes feels like. You want to be able to
sense the half-way point and when you are getting close to the end. To really get comfortable
with that 25-minute time frame we suggest you do as many timed writing projects as possible.
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Don’t limit your practice to WriteAtHome assignments. Several times each week, you might sit
down, set your timer, and fill in a page or two of random writing. Come up with your own topics,
or have parents or friends create some for you. The more practice you get, the more comfortable
you’ll be come test-time.
2. Read the Essay Assignment
Every second counts, but don’t skip over the instructions. The first and last sentence or
two will be familiar to you from your practice essays, but the passage or quotation and the
Assignment section will be brand new. It’s vital that you understand the topic, so take your time
here. Remember, if you write on a topic other than the one given, you will receive a score of
zero. Be sure you read and clearly understand the passage and subsequent assignment.
In fact, we recommend that you read the assignment first and the quotation or passage second.
The most important part of the instructions are in the part labeled Assignment. It’s possible that
you could read the quotation and misunderstand what you are being asked to respond to. The
Assignment section clarifies that, so pay special attention there.
Sample SAT Essay Question
Directions: Consider the issue presented in the following paragraph and
the assignment that follows:
Happiness should be secondary to moral uprightness, but ask any parent
today what he most wants for his children, and he is almost certain to
respond, “I just want them to be happy.” Isn’t there something more
noble and important for which to aim? I, for one, hope that my children
are both, but if I had to choose, I would rather they be good than merely
happy.
Pay special
attention to
this section.
You should
read it before
the quotation
or passage
above.
-Charles Walsh
Assignment: Is seeking happiness the highest pursuit, or are there better
goals to aim for? 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.
3. Take Time to Outline
Because outlining takes time, many SAT takers are tempted to skip it and jump right into
the essay. We think that’s a mistake. Taking a few moments at the beginning to organize your
thinking in an informal outline will not only improve the organization of the paper, but will also
save you time in the long run. It will help you avoid that stuck feeling when you’re midway
through a paper and don’t know where to go next.
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It’s not necessary, of course, to craft a detailed formal outline. You won’t be turning it in;
it’s for your own benefit. Jot down your thesis and two or three supporting points, in the proper
order. Use bullets if you like instead of numbers and roman numerals, but map out a plan at the
outset. We’ll give you more information on outlining in the lesson on organization.
4. Leave Time to Proofread
Another mistake students make is leaving no time for proofreading. When you are
writing under pressure and time constraints, it is particularly easy to make careless errors. Do
yourself a favor and stop three minutes before time runs out to give your paper a quick runthrough. Mechanics and usage are part of the evaluation, so you’ll want to tidy up as much as
possible.
5. Relax
Tension and anxiety are not your friends. You will do your best if you are relaxed and
sure of yourself. Completing this course will help you gain that kind of confidence. Also,
remember that all the SAT essay readers are aware of the time limitations you will be operating
under. They know as well as anyone not to expect polished, publishable essays. An essay doesn’t
have to be perfect to receive an exceptionally high score.
6. Plan Wisely
There’s no single right way to manage your time, but we think the following suggested
plan gives you the best chance of success:
SAT Essay Time Management Plan
1.
2.
3.
4.
Carefully read the passage and assignment:
Draft informal outline:
Compose the essay:
Proofread:
Total:
2 minutes
3 minutes
16 minutes
3 minutes
25 minutes
This is only a suggested guideline. If you can read the assignment and draft a rough outline in
less time—great! That will leave you more time to compose the essay. And if it takes a few extra
minutes to get your outline together, that’s no cause for alarm either. Just be aware that if you are
seven or eight minutes into your time and still tinkering with the outline, you should leave it as is
and get started writing!
Keep this time management advice in mind as you complete your WriteAtHome practice
essays, starting with your first essay. As you practice improving your writing, you should also be
practicing time management.
Copyright 2011 WriteAtHome, Incorporated All rights reserved 11
Tips from Chapter 1, Part 2
Manage your time by:
1.
practicing writing for 25 minutes.
2.
reading the Assignment carefully.
3.
taking time to outline.
4.
leaving time to proofread.
5.
relaxing.
6.
plan your time wisely.
Copyright 2011 WriteAtHome, Incorporated All rights reserved 12
SAT Essay Prep Course
Chapter 2
Content: Position and Support
Part 1: Defining the Essay
Now that you know what to expect on SAT day, let’s get down to the business of creating
a top-notch essay.
The essay prompts provided on the SAT will ask you to form and defend an opinion.
That means your essay will be essentially persuasive — your job will be to win over your reader
to your viewpoint on the subject. You must keep this purpose in mind as you write. No other
kind of essay will get you a decent score.
Defining Essay
Originally, the word “essay” was used to describe any kind of written exploration of a
topic (it comes from the 15th century French word, assayer). As time has passed, the definition
has changed.
It has become customary for teachers in all fields to require written answers to questions
on tests. Regardless of the length, subject, or purpose of these kinds of questions, they are
typically referred to as “essay questions.” Essay in this sense just means an answer longer than a
sentence or two. The purpose of this “essay,” however, may be to inform, describe, or even
narrate (tell a story). In other words, teachers have broadened the meaning of essay to cover
writing of almost any kind.
On the other hand, many parents and teachers have created an overly strict definition of
essay. In an effort to help students create well-organized papers, they have developed what is
commonly referred to as the “five-paragraph essay.”
We don’t disagree with the basic concept of the five-paragraph essay. In fact, you’ll see
that our suggestions in the next lesson will essentially follow the five-paragraph essay formula.
But we want to be clear that a well-written essay does not always follow that structure. And just
as important—not all essays that follow the five-paragraph format are well-written!
So, if some have defined essay too broadly and others too narrowly, how are we to
usefully define the term as it applies to the SAT? This will do nicely:
An essay is a composition on a single topic, which seeks to persuade
the reader toward a particular opinion.
That is the meaning of essay in the minds of SAT readers. It is, by definition, persuasive
in purpose. At the same time, it is not limited to any particular length or structure. It can be five
Copyright 2011 WriteAtHome, Incorporated All rights reserved 13
paragraphs, or two, or twelve. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. We’ll discuss length and
organization in the next chapter.
For now, just get into your head what kind of paper you’ll be expected to write. Writing
teachers helpfully define four basic purposes for all writing: narrative, descriptive, expository,
and persuasive. SAT essays fall into the final category. Let’s briefly review the four options just
to be sure you’ve got it:

Narrative: Narrative writing is simply story-telling. The stories can be fictional, as in
short stories, novels, plays, and narrative poetry. They can also be true stories, as in
histories and biographies.

Descriptive: Descriptive writing seeks to leave the reader with a sensory concept of the
thing described. It “paints a picture” with words so that the reader can imaginatively see,
hear, feel, smell and/or taste the subject. Descriptive writing rarely stands alone, although
you can find pure description in catalogs, advertisements, and some photo captions. More
often, descriptive writing is woven into narratives and other kinds of writing to bring
people, places, and things to life.

Expository: Expository writing informs or explains. It is the kind of writing you’ll find
in encyclopedias, news articles, and textbooks.

Persuasive: Persuasive writing attempts to defend an opinion in order to convince the
reader of its truth or validity. Persuasive writing presents an argument for a particular
point of view.
We have reviewed all four purposes so that you can avoid writing that is primarily narrative,
descriptive or expository. This is not to say that your SAT essay may not include a story, some
description, or an explanation. It is possible that your essay will contain elements of all these, but
your overall purpose must be to persuade.
What You Will Be Writing About
The aspect of the SAT essay that creates the most anxiety is the actual topic you’ll be
asked to address. For obvious reasons, you won’t know the topic until test time. That means we
can’t tell you exactly what you’ll be writing about. But we can tell you the kind of topic you’ll
encounter.
First, the topic is designed to be something about which anyone might have an opinion. It
doesn’t require any kind of specialized knowledge. The SAT is a test of thinking ability,
remember, not of academic content. That means you don’t have to worry about remembering
facts from history or science to do well on the essay.
So, what kinds of topics might you find? Topics on broad concepts that anyone might
think about from time to time. The passage and assignment you receive might be about subjects
like the following:
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Possible SAT Essay Topics
courage
fear
success
honesty
experience
talent
leadership
knowledge
conformity
maturity
imagination
goals
sacrifice
friendship
happiness
challenges
growing up
competition
keeping promises
heroes
dreams
Now, don’t worry. You’ll get more than just a single-word like relationships or justice.
You’ll get either a brief passage, a quotation, or a series of related quotations that present a
particular perspective on a topic. Then you’ll be asked to write an essay agreeing or disagreeing
with that perspective. Below is the example we gave you in the last chapter. You’ll see a new
example with each WriteAtHome practice essay:
Sample SAT Essay Question
Directions: Consider the issue presented in the following paragraph and the assignment
that follows:
Happiness should be secondary to moral uprightness, but ask any parent today what he
most wants for his children, and he is almost certain to respond, “I just want them to be
happy.” Isn’t there something more noble and important for which to aim? I, for one,
hope that my children are both, but if I had to choose, I would rather they be good than
merely happy.
-Charles Walsh
Assignment: Is seeking happiness the highest pursuit, or are there better goals to aim for?
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.
Part 2: Strength of Position
Scoring High in Content
One of the most important aspects of your essay the SAT readers will be evaluating is the
your position on the topic. They want to see an essay that takes a strong position and adequately
defends it. In order to earn a top score, your paper should take a strong position and defend it
Copyright 2011 WriteAtHome, Incorporated All rights reserved 15
effectively, demonstrating exceptional insight and critical thinking skills. your point of view
should be supported by clearly appropriate reasoning, examples, and/or evidence.
Here are four keys to impressing the reader with the content of your paper:
Key #1: Have a Clear Thesis
Key #2: Don’t Be Wishy-Washy
Key #3: Don’t Overstate
Key #4: Be Insightful
Key #1: Have a Clear Thesis
A thesis is a single sentence that summarizes the overall point of your paper. Your thesis
statement is the most important sentence in your essay. It’s the anchor, the fulcrum, the central
point of your paper. Every good essay has a thesis, although some writers reveal it gradually as
the essay unfolds rather than stating it bluntly in one place. For the SAT essay, however, we
strongly recommend that you include a simple, clear thesis statement early in your paper.
As we’ve said, time is short, but it will be worth your effort to spend a few extra seconds
on your thesis statement. Getting the thesis right is a giant step toward getting the whole paper
right. It is like pointing the bow of a ship in the right direction at the start of a voyage.
Keep the following tips in mind as you write your thesis statement.
Three Tips on Crafting the Thesis:

Avoid formulas. It is a common practice for teachers to recommend a formula for thesis
statements. The most popular formula includes the main idea and a list of three supporting
points. They all look like something like this:
Parents should limit the TV-watching of their children because it makes them passive,
it emphasizes entertainment above education, and it inhibits family relationships.
Baseball should still be considered the national pastime because it was created in
America, it reflects the melting pot of American culture, and it remains a captivating
spectator sport.
Dogs make better pets than cats due to their intelligence, playfulness, and loyalty.
Notice the pattern? The first part of the sentence states the thesis, and the second half lists
the supporting points. For the last example, the student would include the sentence in the
introductory paragraph, followed by three paragraphs: one about the intelligence of dogs, one
about their playfulness, and one about their loyalty. Add a concluding paragraph, and you’ve
got the standard five-paragraph essay formula.
Copyright 2011 WriteAtHome, Incorporated All rights reserved 16
We will suggest a similar pattern for organizing your essay, but we do not recommend
this way of drafting a thesis statement. We think it’s bland, simplistic, and predictable.
Writing that conforms too closely to a pattern like this will not impress most readers. They
want to see that you can express yourself with originality and eloquence, not simply that you
can conform to some predetermined formula.

Keep it simple. So, how should you write a thesis statement? We think it’s even easier than
the “main idea + 3 supporting points” formula. Just leave out the list of supporting points.
You’ll get to those eventually anyway – in the body of the paper. We think a good thesis
simply and clearly states the point you are going to defend in your essay. Check out the
following improvements on the previous examples:
Parents who care about their families should limit the TV-watching of their children.
Football and basketball may have gained a larger audience, but baseball deserves to
keep the title of America’s pastime.
Dogs make better pets than cats.
These are strong, tight, and clear, without giving away too much of the paper. They
encourage the reader to keep going as you explain your position. They also sound natural
rather than pre-packaged.

Don’t assume the reader knows the topic. A common mistake among teenage essay writers
is to refer to the quote or topic as though the reader is already familiar with it. This is a
problem not only in the thesis statement, but anywhere in the essay:
This idea is common in the world today.
This may seem true at first glance, but look at what this quote is saying.
It is probable that the SAT readers will be well-acquainted with the passage and/or quotation
you’ll have been given, but your paper must be able to stand alone. In other words, write as
though you have not been given a prompt at all — as though the idea for the paper simply
occurred to you. Any reader should be able to understand your paper whether or not he has
access to the prompt given in the test:
It is common in the world today to believe that the best learning comes by experience.
At first glance, it may seem true that knowledge is the key to success, but let’s examine
the following words by Socrates…
Key #2: Don’t Be Wishy-Washy
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The first thing your essay reader will look for is a strong position. Taking a half-hearted
or diplomatic perspective on the topic is a sure way to drop your score. Pick a side and defend it
with confidence.
Humility is a rare and precious virtue in our culture, but it won’t score you any points on
the SAT essay. That doesn’t mean you have to be obnoxious or arrogant. It just means that you
should hold unswervingly to your opinion. Below are mistakes common to the wishy-washy.
Avoid them.

Indecisiveness. Your first priority is to take a position on the issue presented in the
quotations and assignment and defend it with confidence. Even if you are genuinely
undecided about the issue, choose a side and stick to it throughout the paper. Presenting both
sides of the issue will be interpreted as wimpy equivocation, not humble open-mindedness.
Remember that there is no “right answer” regarding the essay (enjoy it – it’s the only
part of the SAT that doesn’t have a right answer!) Don’t worry about what the reader might
think about your opinion. The important thing is that you are clear and unequivocal about
your position. The readers will not judge your paper based on what you think – only on how
your present your case.
Usually, it will be best to writ what you really believe. You are free to take either
position on an issue, whether you really believe it or not, and if you feel like you can write a
more convincing paper on a position you don’t sincerely hold, go for it. But in our
experience, the most persuasive papers come from the heart. Instead of spending time
wrestling with which side to take, it’s usually best to go with your first instinct.

To Concede or Not to Concede. If you have taken the WriteAtHome Essay Writing
Workshop, you will be familiar with the strategy of making a concession. Good essayists
often include at least one concession to the opposing viewpoint. A concession involves
admitting that those you disagree with are correct about something. For example, in a paper
advocating stricter gun control laws, a concession might look like this:
Although the right to bear arms is a vital mark of freedom guaranteed in the Bill of
Rights, reason dictates that some restrictions are necessary for a safe, peaceful, and
truly free society.
The first part of this sentence concedes the importance of the right to bear arms—a
right often cited by opponents of gun control. By acknowledging this point right away, the
writer accomplishes two things:
1) He appears open-minded and fair.
2) He beats his opponent to the punch, stripping him of a strong point of argument.
Copyright 2011 WriteAtHome, Incorporated All rights reserved 18
Notice, however, that the concession is
brief – only half a sentence and that the
"Rather, very, little, pretty — these
concession is immediately followed by a
are the leeches that infest the pond
qualification or counter-argument. If you decide
of prose, sucking the blood of
to include a concession in your SAT essay, be
words."
sure to follow this example – keep it short and
- E.B. White, Elements of Style.
follow it up with a point that supports your
argument. Also be sure to make your concession
early in the paper (usually in the first or second paragraph).
For most SAT takers, however, we recommend skipping concessions altogether. With
limited time you are better off investing it in sentences that directly support your position. An
additional concern is that writers unskilled in concession-making can seem to be
contradicting themselves rather than acknowledging the validity of a particular point.
To summarize: unless you are a confident and experienced essayist, don’t bother
including a concession in your SAT essay.

Unnecessary Qualifiers.
Nothing weakens a persuasive paper like doubt. Papers riddled with qualifiers come
across as timid and uncertain. In seeking to be humble and open-minded, writers too often
dilute sentences with qualifiers like “I believe,” and “in my opinion.” Let’s make it simple:
Never, ever write “I believe,” or “In my opinion.”
If I say to you, “The lasagna is delicious” wouldn’t you assume that was my opinion? If
you read the words, “Education is the most important factor in a successful career,” isn’t it
obvious that this is the opinion of the author? This is simple: If you write it, the reader will
assume it is your opinion. Therefore including the words, “in my opinion,” is always
redundant and unnecessary.
But there are other words to avoid as well. Subtler and more tempting ways to waterdown your prose. Words like “sort of,” “a bit,” “somewhat,” and “pretty,” wear away at the
forcefulness of your paper. Check out these examples:
weak:
stronger:
Corporate America is somewhat to blame for the current climate.
Corporate America is to blame for the current climate.
weak:
stronger:
The government’s ability to invade our privacy is just a bit disconcerting.
The government’s ability to invade our privacy is disconcerting.
See how these little qualifying words can strip a sentence of confidence?
Qualifiers to Beware
I think
I believe
I feel
in my opinion
19
it could be argued that
a little
in my view
a bit
Copyright 2011 rather
kind of
WriteAtHome, Incorporated sort of
pretty
All rights reserved to a degree
many believe
somewhat
quite
Key #3: Don’t Overstate
Don’t misunderstand – we are not suggesting that all qualifiers are bad. You should avoid
only unnecessary qualifiers. Resist the temptation to sprinkle your writing with qualifying words
and phrases that make you seem unsure of yourself. There are, however, appropriate occasions
for using qualifiers – namely, to avoid generalizations and overstatement.
Generalizing and overstating are common problems with novice writers.
Examples of Generalizations:



Scientists are by nature objective people.
All politicians learn how to lie and distort the truth.
Corporate executives don’t care about the common employee.
Examples of Overstatements:



Everybody knows how important nuclear power is to the armed forces.
Nothing is more important than self-confidence.
That’s why Hemingway is unquestionably America’s greatest novelist.
When you generalize or overstate, you give a reader an easy point to dispute. It’s a simple
thing to find an exception to a generalization or to disagree with an overstated point. If your
argument is strong, you don’t need to exaggerate. Wisely qualifying statements will help you
appear more reasonable and honest.
Qualified Generalizations



Most scientists are by nature objective people.
Too many politicians learn how to lie and distort the truth.
Many corporate executives don’t care about the common employee.
Qualified Overstatements:



The importance of nuclear power to the armed forces is commonly known.
Self-confidence is important.
That’s why Hemingway is unquestionably one of America’s greatest novelists.
Copyright 2011 WriteAtHome, Incorporated All rights reserved 20
Key #4: Be Insightful (Not Obvious)
There’s no trick to this. Stating the obvious will not impress an SAT reader. They will not
reward statements like:



Most people want to be happy.
It is better to be a success than a failure.
Responsible people do what is expected of them.
Perhaps you chuckled as you read these. Obvious, right? Be careful, however; many good
writers resort to this kind of needless filler when in a time crunch. And sometimes we make
statements like this without even realizing how silly they sound.
Don’t treat your reader like a numbskull (you don’t want to offend the person scoring
your exam). Assume they know as much, if not more, than the average human being.
Your greatest challenge will be to come up with something original, interesting, and
insightful to say about the topic you’ll be given. You’ll want to convince the reader that you are
a deep thinker. In fact, you will want to seem as though the topic is something you have
pondered for years (rather than an idea you just got handed).
Part 3: Supporting Your Position
Your thesis contains the point of your essay –what you think about the issue given you in
the essay prompt. Now you’ve got to defend your opinion. You need to give clear and persuasive
reasons for thinking the way you do.
The body of your paper will consist of several paragraphs that contain illustrations,
examples and/or reasons for your thesis. An effective paper is not only clear, but convincing.
Every sentence of every paragraph in your essay’s body should be designed to win your reader to
your side.
We’ll talk about this more in the next chapter, but constructing the body of your paper
should be as simple as this general rule: One paragraph for each supporting point.
That means if you have three supporting points, you’ll have three paragraphs in the body
of your paper (add an introduction and a conclusion – that makes five paragraphs).
We suggest that you shoot for precisely this: three strong supporting points for your
thesis. It’s not written in stone, but the rule of three is pretty well understood in the realms of art,
rhetoric and composition. Fewer than three points will seem weak (unless they are particularly
strong points), and more than three will leave you with too little time to complete the essay
(Remember, you’ve only got 25 minutes!).
What if you can only come up with two supporting points? We’ll address this later as
well, but basically, it would be better to include two and get your essay done well, than to waste
so much time coming up with a third point that you don’t finish the essay.
If your brain cranks out four or more good supporting points, quickly decide on the best
three (and leave the rest for a future doctoral dissertation). This is a loose rule also, of course. If
you can concisely defend your opinion with four winning points within the time limitations, go
for it. We just think you’re better off with three and staying safe.
Copyright 2011 WriteAtHome, Incorporated All rights reserved 21
Understand this. We are recommending that you defend your thesis with three concise
supporting points. But this is not an eleventh commandment. It is certainly possible to score high
on an essay with one strong, vividly expressed supporting illustration. There really is no single
right way to compose an essay.
What Kinds of Supporting Points?
The directions instruct you with a statement like, “Support your position with reasoning
and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.”
There are many ways to effectively support a position. Take advantage of the options.
Your paper doesn’t have to fit a particular mold. You can support your thesis with three strong
reasons, or with illustrations from something you’ve studied, read, seen or experienced. And any
combination of these will work as well. What matters is that you select strong supporting points
that come easily to mind, that clearly defend your position, and that effectively persuade your
reader.
Let’s look at different ways to build support for your thesis.
Reasoning
Simple logic goes a long way. You can support your position by simply demonstrating its
intellectual reasonableness (why it makes sense).
Supporting point for the thesis, Self-sacrifice actually leads to greater personal
happiness:
People who live lives of self-sacrifice end up benefiting themselves as well as others.
Their continual service will be recognized and appreciated, leading their families and
friends to treat them in kind. People who live to serve and make others happy inevitably
enjoy the benefits too, as others return the kindness.
Logic is more than just a type of support. It should be a governing principle. Your whole
paper should demonstrate sound reasoning. As you provide illustrations and examples like those
suggested below, be sure to tie them back to your thesis by making clear, logical connections.
Personal experience
Consider including an illustration from your personal experience. While this might seem
an informal or subjective way to defend your opinion, the advantages of including something
personal are too great to ignore.
The most obvious advantage is that everyone can come up with an experience that
supports your position. You don’t have to be well-read or up-to-date on current events to pull
something out of your own historical archives.
Copyright 2011 WriteAtHome, Incorporated All rights reserved 22
And what’s great is you don’t have to limit your support to your own experience.
Something that happened to your father, your best friend, or your optometrist would do just as
well, as long as it vividly illustrates your point.
Supporting point for the thesis, Self-sacrifice actually leads to greater personal
happiness:
My Uncle Harry, for example, was the most giving, generous person I’ve ever known.
He owned a small but successful restaurant and was famous for his free Thanksgiving
feast for the homeless and his regular visits to the children’s hospital with desserts and
baked goods. He loved to volunteer at blood drives and retirement homes. I can’t
remember ever leaving his home or restaurant without an armload of something hot and
yummy. When it comes to Uncle Harry, the only thing that stands out more than his
generosity is his perpetual grin. Uncle Harry overflowed with joy and zest for life.
A common question about personal experience is: Does it have to be true? Is it
okay to make up your “experience?”
The answer is, yes; it’s okay. At least, from the perspective of the SAT readers.
They have no way of knowing what’s fact or fiction, and they honestly don’t care. As
long as what you write supports your position effectively, you can feel free to fabricate.
If your conscience resists the idea of making up an experience, however – if it
feels more like lying than simply creative license, then please heed your heart rather than
this test prep book. In fact, it’s probably something you should figure out before you take
the test. Are you willing to invent an illustration or not? Knowing the answer might save
you a time-consuming moral dilemma.
Literary Illustrations
If possible, look for an illustration from something you’ve read in a literature course.
Supporting point for the thesis, Self-sacrifice actually leads to greater personal
happiness:
Ebenezer Scrooge, from Dickens’s classic story “A Christmas Carol”
experiences a dramatic reformation after his night-long encounter with the
ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. Dickens is clear about the
transformation not just of Scrooge’s character, but also of his experience of
life. As a money-grubbing miser, Scrooge is also miserable and alone. He
lives in a cold, dark, dismal house with no one to call friend. As the book
closes, however, and Scrooge has become the most generous man in town,
his kindnesses pay off in exuberant joy and pleasant companionship.
It’s not supposed to matter, but the greater the literary merit of your example, the more
impressed your reader is likely to be. In other words, if you have the option, choose Hamlet over
Copyright 2011 WriteAtHome, Incorporated All rights reserved 23
Harry Potter, and Ahab over Darth Vader. But go with what you know. If you can make a strong
argument using a comic book character, don’t be afraid to try it.
Historical Illustrations
Support your ideas with examples from history when possible and appropriate. You don’t
have to have dates and details at your fingertips, just use what you clearly remember. It will have
a negative effect on your reader if you get your facts wrong.
Supporting point for the thesis, Self-sacrifice actually leads to greater personal
happiness:
Benjamin Franklin, who began his adult life as a poor tradesman, was
able to translate his considerable talents into great wealth. He was known for
both his philanthropy and his good nature. The University of Pennsylvania
exists today because of Franklin’s concern for practical, affordable
education. He can also be credited for founding the first public libraries,
hospitals, and firefighting associations. Franklin himself said, “Be in general
virtuous, and you will be happy.”
Illustrations from Science/Technology
Supporting point for the thesis, Self-sacrifice actually leads to greater personal
happiness:
A study by psychologist and author, Robert Brooks, has shown that one of the leading
factors in a person’s happiness is regular, intentional acts of kindness. Data was collected
by asking adults about their happiest memories from school days. A large percentage of
respondents recalled a time when they were asked to help others as a particularly fond
memory.
Areas of Personal Expertise
If you have a particular hobby or interest, you may be able to draw on your expertise in
that area to find support for your main idea. Are you knowledgeable about automobile engines?
Jazz music? Ballet? You never know when knowing something interesting and unique might
come in handy. Like personal examples, distinct areas of personal interest may provide a
reservoir of supporting illustrations for your essay.
Other Kinds of Support
There is almost no limit to the ways you can support and illustrate your position. A recent
news story, a current political issue, stories from the world of sports, music, entertainment, even
pop culture might fit the bill.
Copyright 2011 WriteAtHome, Incorporated All rights reserved 24
The most important thing is that you clearly and appropriately support your thesis. Don’t
try to force-fit clever or impressive illustrations. At the same time, you don’t want to take all
your examples from television or pop culture. It’s not supposed to matter, but trust us, readers
will be more impressed with a quote from Dante than one from Dumb and Dumber.
3 Key Qualities of Strong Supporting Points
Wherever your supporting points come from, keep in mind these three descriptive words:
clear, specific and memorable.
1. Clear: Don’t make your readers stretch to see the relationship between your supporting
example and the thesis you are trying to defend. The point should be obvious and stated
clearly.
2. Specific: E.B. White advised aspiring writers, “Don’t write about man, write about a
man.” Good illustrations are not vague and general. They include names, places and
details. Don’t write about something that happened “many years ago,” write about
something that happened in the 1960s. Don’t write about teachers, write about Mrs.
Wilson, your 3rd grade teacher. Don’t write about scientists, write about Albert Einstein.
3. Memorable: The best illustrations are surprising, emotional, or vivid. They are in some
way remarkable. Making your supporting points memorable may not be as hard as you
think, however. The fact that you remember them well enough to include them in your
paper is a good hint that they already are memorable!
To Prepare or not to Prepare
You are going to need supporting examples and illustrations. Students get panicky about
this. “What if I can't think of any?”
It's a valid concern, so feel free to prepare yourself by reading material that might provide
helpful illustrations: newspapers, news magazines, literature summaries, Reader's Digest, and so
on. Just keep in mind that because you have no idea what the topic of the essay will be, there's no
way of knowing what kind of examples might be helpful. It's possible that all your preparation
would provide nothing to help your essay. But if you've got the time – it can't hurt.
Some SAT advisors suggest memorizing a handful of quotations on a variety of topics
before the test date. There’s no doubt that a poignant direct quotation would wow the readers, but
we don’t recommend this strategy. It’s impossible to predict the topic of the essay, and the
likelihood is too great that the time you spend memorizing would be wasted. You’d be better off
spending that time writing practice essays or working on problem areas in grammar and
mechanics.
Copyright 2011 WriteAtHome, Incorporated All rights reserved 25
Tone
One final note on the tone of your essay: Tone is the attitude of the writer that comes
through the writing. You want your essay to sound comfortable but also thoughtful and mature.
Keep the tone of your paper between the extremes of slangy and stilted. Write with words
and expressions that come naturally to you, but weed out bad habits and mechanical errors.
Students who try too hard to impress readers end up with overly formal, academic prose that
sounds awkward and unnatural. Write like you would talk if you had lots of time to prepare your
words.
Slangy:
Shakespeare is basically awesome. Of all the dead dudes I’ve read, Old
Bill definitely tops my list.
Stilted:
This writer would, without hesitation, proclaim that illustrious bard,
William Shakespeare, to be the undisputed master of English prose.
Just Plain You:
Of all the writers I’ve enjoyed in my school years, my favorite is William
Shakespeare.
Summary of Chapter 2
Remember, the SAT tests how well you think, not just how well you write. Readers really
do care about the quality of your essay’s content, not just your skill with words and knowledge
of grammar. Take a strong position on your topic and support it with good reasons and examples.
That’s the heart of a strong SAT essay.
In the next chapter, we’ll talk about the best way to organize your essay. In the remaining
chapters, we’ll talk about how to express your ideas well.
Copyright 2011 WriteAtHome, Incorporated All rights reserved 26









Tips from Chapter 2
An essay must persuade. Your job is not just to entertain or to inform. It’s to defend an
opinion.
Create a strong thesis:
o Avoid formulas
o Keep it simple
o Don’t assume the reader knows the topic
Don’t be wishy-washy
o Be decisive
o Don’t make concessions (unless you are practiced and confident)
o Avoid unnecessary qualifiers (like “I think,” “in my opinion,” etc.)
Don’t overstate or make generalizations
Be insightful; don’t state the obvious
Support your thesis with reasoning, examples and illustrations
o Try for three
o Draw from:
 reasoning
 personal experiences (fabricate if necessary)
 literary illustrations
 historical illustrations
 science and technology
 areas of expertise
 pop culture
Make your supporting points clear, specific, and memorable
Don’t memorize illustrations or quotes
Keep your tone natural
Copyright 2011 WriteAtHome, Incorporated All rights reserved 27
SAT Essay Prep Course
Chapter 3
Organization and Focus
In Chapter 2, we looked at the first broad categories the SAT readers will have in
mind as they score your essay: position and support. In this chapter we’ll address the next
category: organization and focus.
A strong thesis and convincing supporting points are the heart of a good essay.
Next, you need to get your ideas into an effective order and be sure that your paper
maintains a consistent focus. This chapter will help you with these issues.
Take Time to Outline
Some people are compulsive outliners. They crave structure and require a detailed
plan before they feel comfortable enough to start writing. These people are also likely to
keep their rooms neat and their closets organized. They keep calendars and to-do lists. If
that describes you, you don’t need to be convinced of the importance of outlining your
essay. But don’t skip this chapter; we’ve got some advice for you, too.
If, on the other hand, you are the messy-room, take-life-as-it-comes type, listen
up. You probably see outlining as an unnecessary waste of time (and in the SAT essay,
time is precious). You’d rather jump into the project and let your natural flow of thought
carry you through the essay.
On many writing projects, we might encourage you to follow your inclinations.
We don’t believe there is a single “right way” to write. Outliners should outline. Freeflowers should compose on the fly. Since in most writing projects you have time to
reread, revise, and rework your paper, it doesn’t much matter how you get started. But, as
you know by now, the SAT essay isn’t like most writing projects.
Non-outliners are at a disadvantage in the SAT essay because there is no time to
go back to a meandering paper and give it some structure. Your first draft needs to
demonstrate organized thinking.
For this reason – to put it simply – you are crazy if you don’t outline!
You might think that with only 25 minutes to write the essay, there’s no time to
outline. We’d say that with so little time, you can’t afford not to. The few minutes you
take to sketch out a plan will save you time in the long run. It will help you set priorities
so that you include the most important information even if you run out of time.
So, one mistake is to skip the outline altogether. Another is to spend too much
time on it. Either way, you will end up wasting time.
You don’t need anything formal. Your SAT essay outline should simply include:
Copyright 2011 WriteAtHome, Incorporated All rights reserved 28
1) your thesis statement in shorthand and
2) your supporting points, in order of importance
That’s it. Don’t worry about Roman numerals, upper case and lowercase letters, or proper
indentation. None of that matters, because you won’t turn in this outline. Scribble it on
your test booklet somewhere (You can write on it all you want, you know!) What does
matter is that you take time to think through your paper as a whole before you put pencil
to answer sheet.
We suggest you take no more than 3 minutes to sketch a rough outline. If you can
do it in less time, great. Keep an eye on the clock. If you hit the three-minute mark, and
you haven’t completed the outline, move on. Start composing with what you have – some
organization is better than nothing.
Here’s an example of what an outline might look like:
Thesis: “Our goal should be to do as much good as possible in life, rather than just to
be happy.”
1. living for pleasure might make us happy, but is empty
*use Citizen Kane example—rich but miserable
2. history remembers the good, not the happy
*Mother Teresa example
3. Real happiness actually comes from doing good
*example of serving in soup kitchen
For clarity’s sake, this example includes more detail than necessary. If it was your paper,
you might need only a few words to remind you of the thoughts you want to include. Feel
free to use shorthand and abbreviations to keep it brief. The outline above might be just
as effective like this:
Goal: do good, not just happy
1. just happy—empty: Cit. Kane
2. history rems. good, not happy—Moth. T.
3. real happiness = doing good—soup kitchen
Remember, the outline is for you, not for your readers. All that matters is that it helps you
organize your points and plan your essay.
Copyright 2011 WriteAtHome, Incorporated All rights reserved 29
The Structure of Your Essay
Maybe you’ve heard the analogy before: an essay is like a sandwich. The
introductory and concluding paragraphs are the bread, top and bottom, and your
supporting paragraphs are the meat (cheese, lettuce, pickles, etc.) in between.
introduction
body with concession and
supporting paragraphs
conclusion
Some people object to this sandwich-essay idea. They fear it will produce bland,
predictable essays. These critics have a point, and there is no doubt that writing strictly
according to predetermined templates can limit creativity. But the SAT has made it
known that they are looking for clear, intentional organization in the essay. We therefore
think it’s too risky, in this context, to experiment with form. Play around with structure
elsewhere. For this essay, stick with the tried and true.
Let’s take each sandwich part one at a time.
The Introduction
A good introduction grabs the reader’s attention and points him in the direction
the essay is going. Your goal is to gain his interest from the first sentence. Here are a few
practical tips for making a big splash in your introduction.
1. Keep it short and simple. Two or three sentences is all you need. In fact, one
really good sentence would do fine. Resist any urge to get elaborate and detailed
in your introduction. You are too likely to use up the time you’ll need for writing
the body of the paper.
Don’t include too much in your introduction either. Don’t begin
supporting your idea. Save that for the body of the paper. All that first paragraph
needs to do is introduce the thesis.
2. Place your thesis at the end of the introduction. One component of your
introduction must be your thesis. By the end of the first paragraph, your reader
should know where the paper is going and what position you will be defending.
But that doesn’t mean you have to lead off with your opinion statement. In most
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cases, it is best to start with a broad statement that introduces the subject matter of
the paper and to save your thesis till the last sentence.
Think of a funnel. Catch your reader with your opening sentences, and
draw them down to the narrow opening at the bottom. In the following examples,
the thesis is underlined. Notice how the second paragraph builds interest in the
thesis before it is introduced.
Adequate:
Our society idealizes childhood because of the innocence that children
possess. Other characteristics of children like happiness and an
eagerness to learn are important but do not compare with innocence.
Better:
Our culture has an idealized notion of childhood as expressed in our
popular art and entertainment. Children portrayed by Americana
artist Norman Rockwell, for example, evoke in adults a longing for
simpler times. Of all the qualities we admire in children—joy, wonder,
and simplicity, for example, nothing is as appealing as child-like
innocence.
3. Start strong, but don’t get too cute. Take your time with the opening line. Grab
your readers’ attention with the first words. You want them thinking, “This paper
is a 6” from the very first sentence.
Don’t, however, make the mistake of trying too hard. You want to attract
and interest your readers, not startle or offend them. You want to be the party
guest who draws a crowd because of his wit and intelligence, not because he’s got
a lampshade on his head. Outlandish openers often backfire.
Too Cute:
Warning! This essay might shatter your preconceptions of the typical
teenager.
Better:
The stereotype of a normal teenager is a sullen, apathetic slob with an
irresistible desire to rebel against authority. But as with most popular
stereotypes, this is a terribly unfair and inaccurate portrayal.
The Body
The body of your paper consists of the paragraphs that support your thesis. There
is no rule regarding the number of paragraphs in your essay body, but we recommend
sticking to a simple rule of thumb: one paragraph for each supporting point.
So, if you have three supporting points, expect to have three paragraphs in the
body of your essay. If you have a supporting point that is complex and requires
explanation or elaboration; however, don’t hesitate to break it into several paragraphs. In
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general, readers prefer several small paragraphs to one or two long ones. It’s easier on the
eyes. Avoid discussing two separate points in the same paragraph.
1. The Concession. In the last chapter, we noted that a common strategy for persuasive
essays is to make a concession early in the paper. A concession is an admission that
the other side of the debate has a point in its favor. Writers who concede a point
demonstrate that they have looked at both sides of the issue. This makes them seem
open-minded and fair.
For these reasons, including a concession in your essay may be a good idea. But
only consider including a concession if you are practiced at this kind of writing.
Otherwise, we recommend you skip it. There are more important things to spend your
time on.
If, however, a concession seems appropriate, follow these rules:
1) Place your concession immediately after the introduction. The idea is to
concede a point right away, then turn your reader’s attention to the reasons
that this particular point is not convincing enough.
2) Keep it brief. Often one sentence or even part of a sentence is all that’s
necessary.
3) Start with “concession words.” Common transitions that indicate a
concession include: admittedly, undoubtedly, of course, undeniably, certainly,
without question, etc.
4) Include a “however.” It’s not the word that matters, it’s the idea. Be sure you
show that the point you are conceding doesn’t trump your argument. Your
concession should convey the feeling, I admit X is true, but X isn’t enough to
make me change my mind.
Sample Concessions:
Admittedly, stricter gun control laws would make it more difficult for criminals to
acquire weapons; however, the negative consequences of this legislation outweigh this
positive outcome.
Of course there are lots of gloomy, unmotivated teenagers in the world, but they
are increasingly outnumbered by hopeful, enthusiastic young people with big dreams
and bright futures.
Certainly there are times when caution is wiser than risk-taking; on the other
hand, a life without any adventure is hardly worth living.
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2. Organize Supporting Points. Let’s back up to the outline for a moment. The outline
we recommend should include your thesis and your supporting points in order of
importance. Let’s talk about that last phrase.
After you come up with your supporting points, think about them for a
minute. Which of them is likely to be most persuasive to your reader? Is one of them
obviously weaker? Number them from least to most important. Go with your gut
instinct, and don’t waste too much time on this, but do it.
Experience has shown that building from a relatively weak point to a strong,
convincing point is the most effective way to build an argument. That’s why we
recommend numbering your points in the outline. When it’s time to compose, you
won’t have to wonder which point to tackle first – start with the weakest.
Regardless of the number of supporting points you use, the first paragraph of
your body should discuss your least convincing point, and each ensuing paragraph
should address a more convincing point.
Time Management Strategy
You must stay aware of time. If time is running out, make an exception to
the least-to-most-persuasive-point rule. If you are short on time after the
introductory paragraph, skip your first (weakest) point, and start with point
number 2. Or, if you finish elaborating upon your first body paragraph and find the
clock ticking, skip point 2 and get to your most persuasive point.
You don’t want to run out of time before you cover your best point!
The Conclusion
An excellent paper ends with a satisfying sense of closure. At the end of a tiring
trip, it’s nice to pull into your driveway and park. An essay without a conclusion is like
slamming on the brakes a block from home. Don’t introduce any supporting points or
new information in the final paragraph. Use it to wrap up your essay by reemphasizing
your thesis and leaving the reader with something to think about.
When time is short, SAT takers often omit the conclusion, and since the readers
are supposed to keep in mind the time limitations, they might overlook its absence. On
the other hand, your last few words can be just as important as the first few. You want to
leave your readers with a good impression. Manage your time well so that you will have
a few minutes to compose a strong concluding sentence or two.
Gracefully concluding an essay takes practice and instinct. There’s no formula to
guarantee success. In general, however, you will do well to keep these two principles in
mind:
1) Start by restating your thesis. This doesn’t mean copying your thesis word for
word, or simply changing a word or two. Express the main idea in a completely
different way. English is a varied and flexible language. There are countless ways
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to say essentially the same thing. Here are some examples of ways to restate a
thesis:
Thesis
The internet is the 21st century’s most
effective means of advancing freedom and
democracy.
Restated
The world will be freer and more
democratic in the next generation because
of the powerful influence of the internet.
The most courageous people are not those
without fear, but those who act in spite of
their fears.
Courage isn’t the absence of fear, but the
will to keep going when confronted with
frightening circumstances.
A world without great works of art would
be a sad and shallow place.
Humans are artistic beings with a deepseated need to express themselves through
art; thus art must be encouraged and
protected.
2) Conclude with a broad concluding statement. If your introductory paragraph is
funnel-shaped, think of the conclusion as an upside-down funnel (like the Tin
Man’s hat in The Wizard of Oz). After creatively restating your narrow thesis,
finish the paragraph with a broader statement that leaves the reader with
something to think about.
Example: Courage isn’t the absence of fear, but the will to keep going when
confronted with fearful circumstances. Everyone knows what it is to be afraid,
even the bravest among us.
Coherence
A solid essay is organized – built solidly brick by brick. If you follow your outline
and the organizing guidelines above, you have taken an essential step toward a highscoring essay.
But an excellent essay is also coherent – it holds together. There must be mortar
between the bricks, or a good shove will knock the wall over. The distinct parts you
created in your outline should transition naturally from one sentence to the next.
A paper that is well-organized, but jumps abruptly from one idea to the next, or
that is clumsy and difficult to follow will score lower than one that flows easily. That
flow of ideas depends upon a wise use of transition devices. Transitions are the mortar
that holds your bricks together.
Never leave the reader wondering, "What does this have to do with the thesis?"
Make it obvious. He should never have to ask, "Where are you going with this?" Be sure
to show him.
Below are some transition devices you might find handy in increasing the
coherence of your essays.
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Key Word Repetition
Sometimes you can create an effective transition by repeating a word or two from
an earlier sentence or paragraph. Here’s an example:
I’m a loyal sports fan. I pull for the same teams year after year. Once my
favorite team has been eliminated, however, I tend to root for the underdog.
The underdog in last year’s Super Bowl was the Cleveland Browns, so
you know which team I was cheering on…
See how repeating the word underdog pulls you from one paragraph to the next?
Use this repetition technique sparingly, however. It can be awkward and distracting if
used too often. Let your ear be your guide. If repeating a key word sounds uncomfortable
to you, find a different way to make the transition.
This
Writers commonly use the word this as a transition from one idea to another. This
technique is fine, but we recommend using this as an adjective, not as a pronoun.
If your grammar skills are rusty, just remember this: if you use this as a transition
word between sentences or paragraphs, stick a noun after it: this point, this perspective,
this accomplishment, etc.
Bad:
Henry Aaron overcame enormous obstacles on his way to setting the
major league record for career home runs. This gained him both admirers
and enemies.
Good:
Henry Aaron overcame enormous obstacles on his way to setting the
major league record for career home runs. This accomplishment gained
him both admirers and enemies.
This, when used as a pronoun, is too often vague, as in the bad example above. It
is difficult to determine what exactly this is referring to. In the first example, this seems
to refer to Aaron’s overcoming of obstacles, rather than his home run record. By using it
as an adjective to modify a clarifying noun (like accomplishment above), you make
things clear.
Transition Words & Phrases
Many words and phrases exist to join ideas and show the relationship between
words and ideas. If you care about the grammar, they are conjunctions, conjunctive
adverbs, and prepositions. But we don’t care if you know what they are called as long as
you know how to use them. Below is a list of common transition words and phrases
categorized by the kind of relationship they create.
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Relationship
Time or Sequence
Logic
Similarity
Degree
Contrast
Introducing examples
Signaling emphasis
Signaling more information
Signaling explanation
Words/Phrases
before, during, after, earlier, then, later, soon, first,
next, finally, once, eventually, in time
since, therefore, as a result, because, inevitably,
besides, consequently
as, like, and, again, too, also, likewise, equally,
similarly, another, moreover, in addition
better, best, more, most, worse, worst, less, least,
greater, greatest
but, yet, not, still, nevertheless, however, in contrast,
otherwise, although, on the other hand, nonetheless
as, like, for example, that is, such as, namely, for
instance, to illustrate, in particular
indeed, in fact, in other words
in addition, moreover, besides, also, furthermore, as
well
for example, that is, in other words
You’ll notice that just about all of these transitions are common, familiar words. You
don’t need to be taught how to use them, just reminded to use them!
As you write your essay, cement the parts of your outline by making clear
transitions between your paragraphs and sentences. Read the short essay excerpt below to
see how a wise use of transition devices can strengthen the readability of an essay.
Growing up in the early part of the 21st Century means being
familiar with a wide variety of entertainment choices. Our greatgrandparents gathered around radios. Our grandparents saw the
birth of the television age. Our moms and dads have grown
comfortable with personal computing. But today’s teens can listen
Transition word
indicating contrast.
to music from satellite radios and ultra-portable MP3 players. Only a
generation ago, a movie fan had to buy a theater ticket. Today, your
favorite movies and TV programs can be carried in your pocket. Video
Transitional
word
indicating
time.
games provide unlimited access to fantastic virtual worlds, and
internet technology allows us to chat and play with anyone anywhere
in the world. The question is, does easy access to all this
entertainment make us happier? I don’t think so.
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Transitional phrase
signaling emphasis.
Of course, there is a kind of pleasure in all this entertainment. It
can provide escape and relaxation when used wisely and in
This used as an
adjective.
moderation. There’s nothing wrong with having fun, after all. Too
many of us, however, don’t understand the concepts of wisdom and
moderation.
Key word
repetition.
Teenagers are famous for lacking the kind of discretion needed
to keep entertainment in perspective. Too many teens become so
enamored with the latest movie or video game that it grows into
an obsession. For example, I recently read an article on a high
Transitional phrase
signaling explanation.
school student who dedicated so much time to an online virtual
reality game that he had become an internet legend. He now ignores
his school work and gets paid for coaching other teenagers in the
video game. I can’t help but wonder how far that particular skill will
take him…
Use these simple transitional devices to guide your readers through your essay. As you
practice essay writing to prepare for the SAT, read each sentence as though you were
hearing it for the first time. Is it easy to follow the line of thinking? Is it obvious how
each sentence contributes to the point of the paper? These questions will help you
evaluate your essay’s coherence.
Focus
SAT essay readers will be looking for essays that are tightly focused. Wandering
from your thesis is a big no-no. To avoid straying, be sure that every sentence clearly
introduces, supports, or concludes your argument. If the connection between a sentence
and your thesis is in the least vague, reword the sentence or delete it.
Note: You will not be penalized for editorial corrections to your paper. If you decide to
delete a word, phrase, or sentence after you have written it, feel free to erase it, or just
cross through it with a horizontal line.
Chapter 3 Summary
Chapter 2 talked about the content of your paper. In this chapter, we talked about
how to wisely arrange the various pieces so that your paper is most organized, most
easily understood, and most persuasive. We talked about the importance of outlining,
using appropriate transition words, and staying focused. In the following chapters, we’ll
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Transitional
word
indicating
time.
get smaller. Instead of talking about the big picture of your essay, we’ll talk about the
individual sentences and words.






Tips from Chapter 3
Take the time to outline. Keep it short and informal. It is for your eyes only.
The introduction:
o Keep it short and simple – one to three sentences is plenty.
o Save your thesis for the end of your introduction.
o Catch the interest of your reader in the first sentence, but don’t get too cute.
The body:
o It’s probably best to skip a concession. If you must, keep it short.
o Arrange your supporting paragraphs from weakest to strongest.
o Watch the time and be sure to include your best point.
The conclusion:
o Restate, but don’t just copy your thesis.
o Conclude with a broad, interesting sentence.
Use transitions between ideas and paragraphs wisely. Avoid rough jumps from point
to point.
Maintain your focus. Every sentence should contribute to the essential point of the essay.
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