Sat Essay: Get A High Score In 6 Easy Steps
1. Read the prompt carefully
Most essays with a low score are written by students that misunderstood the prompt. Don’t be one of them. Take the time to read the prompt and mark key words and phrases with your pencil and fully digest it.
2. Decide on a thesis
Decide on a thesis by deciding which side of the issue you want to prove. If the prompt asks “Does the media determine what is important to most people” Your thesis needs to be the equivalent of a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to that question. For example, “The media does determine what is important to most people.”
3. Brainstorm 3-4 examples to support the thesis
Because SAT Essay graders are high school and college teachers they tend to give more weight to examples from literature and history or other subject studied in school. (The College Board says this is not true but research done by Adam Robinson of Princeton Review bears this out.) Brainstorm several works of literature and events from history that you can use to support your point of view.
4. Create a short introduction that incorporates the thesis
To introduce your essay just say a few words on the topic. You don’t need to start out with something briliant although a brief analogy or anecdote can help here. Just make sure that your last sentence is your thesis and that it is obvious which side of the issue you are taking.
5. Write 3-4 body paragraphs
Now that your introduction is done it’s time to write the body paragraphs. Use the examples you brainstormed earlier to make each paragraph. Make sure you have only one idea per paragraph as this is easier for graders to read and research shows that this gets higher scores.
6. Write a conclusion that ideally uses an analogy or metaphor to back up your thesis
The minimum conclusion just restates the examples described in the body of the essay and restates the thesis. A better conclusion offers a new analogy or anecdote that further drives the point home. Or refers back to something said in the introduction and provides a sense of closure. These more advanced techniques are not necessary but can improve your chances of writing a high scoring essay.
