Understanding the SAT Essay
The SAT Essay, an optional but pivotal component of the SAT, measures your ability to analyze a source text and explain how the author builds an argument. You’re given 50 minutes to read a 650-750 word passage and write an essay dissecting how the author used evidence, reasoning, and stylistic elements to construct their argument.
Crafting a Strong SAT Essay
1. Understand the Prompt
Every SAT Essay follows the same prompt. You’re not asked to agree or disagree with the author’s argument, but to explain how the author builds it. Familiarize yourself with the prompt so that you can immediately focus on understanding the passage when test time comes.
2. Read and Analyze the Passage
Before you start writing, read the passage carefully, annotating as you go. Identify the author’s main claim, the evidence used to support it, how the evidence is linked to the claim, and stylistic elements that enhance the argument.
3. Plan Your Essay
Planning is essential for a coherent and structured essay. Your plan should include an introduction that paraphrases the author’s argument, several body paragraphs each focusing on one strategy the author used, and a conclusion that wraps up your analysis.
4. Use a Clear Essay Structure
The SAT Essay is scored on reading, analysis, and writing. To score well in all three domains, your essay needs a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Make sure each paragraph has a clear point, evidence from the passage to support it, and an explanation of how the evidence supports the point.
5. Be Specific and Analytical
Your essay should provide specific examples from the passage and explain how they contribute to the author’s argument. Avoid vague statements and stay focused on the analysis.
6. Practice
The key to mastering the SAT Essay is practice. Regularly writing practice essays will help you become comfortable with the format and timing and give you the chance to receive and incorporate feedback.
By applying these strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to write a strong, clear, and analytical SAT Essay.
