SAT ESSAY
It looks like this
• Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and
the assignment below.
• Some people ruin their chances of achieving success or refrain from
attaining a goal because they have learned that success is selfish. But
they should not feel guilty about trying to achieve their own goals.
People who act on their inner desires—their greatest wishes and
ambitions—only make their own and other people's lives better and are
more likely to benefit society. Imagine how much better the world
would be if everyone could be happy and fulfilled.
Assignment
• Do society and other people benefit when
individuals pursue their own goals?
How is it Graded?
• 1 (worst) -
6 (best)
• Content of your essay is not relevant;
readers are not checking your facts, nor will
they judge you on your opinions.
• They want to see how well you
communicate your point of view.
Skills
•
•
•
•
Keeping on topic
Supporting ideas well
Presenting ideas cohesively
Writing clearly
How to Prepare
• Information Bank
– Read wikipedia pages about famous people (for
example, athletes, politicians, movie stars, popculture icons)
– Think about people in your life whose decisions
have had either a positive or negative effect on
your life or theirs.
– Know a few books really well
What does a 4 look like?
•
•
•
•
Addresses the topic
Supports ideas with examples
Shows logical thought and organization
Avoids major errors in word use that lead to
unclear writing
What does a 5 look like?
• Addresses the topic in depth (offers
examples and details)
• Supports ideas with examples
• Shows logical thought and organization
• Avoids major errors in word use that lead to
unclear writing
What does a 6 look like?
• Addresses the topic in depth (offers examples and
details)
• Supports ideas with examples
• Shows logical thought and organization
• Avoids major errors in word use that lead to
unclear writing
• Shows variety in syntax and a range of vocabulary
• Shows insight into topic
Lets Break it Down
• Prompt – Can be a quote or a
statement that you may consider
when responding
• It is like a critical lens
Assignment
• This is what you are being asked to do.
• It is a question or a series of questions
related to a topic
For example,
Do society and other people benefit when
individuals pursue their own goals?
Suggestions
• Read the entire assignment.
• Imagine you are talking to the author of the
paragraph about the issue
• Would you argue or agree?
• What other ideas or examples would you
bring up?
Don't oversimplify
• Focus on one or two examples to provide as
evidence of your thesis
There's nothing wrong with
"I."
• Say what YOU think and know about the
topic
• Use phrases like:
• “I believe…”
• “In my experience…”
• I have found…”
The Plan
• Know the prompt (1 minute)
• Plan (2 minutes or less)
– Topic = only the strong survive
– Intro: Disagree. Gentle is strong
– Para 2: Aunt Marge and the bully
– Para 3: Gandhi and the British Empire
– Concl: look who survived. Who is really strong?
Write essay (20 minutes)
Proofread (2 minutes)
Paragraph 1
• Try to create interest in the topic
If Thomas Edison believed it was selfish to research
electricity, I would be writing this essay in the dark.
• Must include a thesis statement to point the reader
in the right direction.
Pursuing and accomplishing positive goals is
beneficial to society
Paragraph 2
Part I of the example
• Describe the situation and cover about half the
“example” here.
The pursuit of goals leads to discovery, innovation
and greatness. The quote suggests that some
people are afraid they would be considered selfish
if they …
Bill Gates is someone whose pursuit of of excellence
has created Microsoft, and is now improving the
world.
Paragraph 3
Example Continued
• Gates started a small company in his garage
and now it is one of the worlds largest
corporations. He is personally worth 42
billion.
He now devotes his time to charity….
Paragraph 4: Discussion/analysis
• Explain what your example has proven
Bill Gates’ achievements benefit the society
and individuals. His business… and his
charities…
Paragraph 5
Conclusion
• Show how the example leads to more
general conclusions about the topic. (If
possible, relate to material from the
introduction to round the essay off.)
• People like Edison and Gates achieve
personal success that betters the world…