A Prep Guide to the SAT Essay

JuniorMint · April 20, 2013, 12:16am

The Essays That Make Them Cry

To my absolute consternation, College Board includes a copy of your essay when it sends SAT results. It will haunt you forever.

I still have no clue why they do this. Do they want you to frame it? Torch it? Are you supposed to smack your lips scrumptiously and think, “Oh boy oh boy, is this a mighty fine example of insta-rhetoric or what?” Mind you, I bagged the 12, but I would never look at that sloppy scribble-dash again.

So if you would be embarrassed by having evidence of a 25-minute case of writer’s block, then make sure you succeed on your first or second attempt. This guide may help.

Prep Time

As you know, the PSAT does not have an essay. Consequently, many students will never see an SAT prompt until they are seeing the one that matters. Kids on CC will no doubt be different, but it is important to realize that the essay deserves as much practice as the other sections. I would recommend writing ten essays, using different prompts each time. I did close to forty over the summer. The College Board free test grades the essay based on keywords and length, so it is not terribly accurate.

The first two times should be untimed. Take your time to read the prompt carefully and come up with less obvious examples. Then write a two page essay as you would for school, proofreading and polishing as you go. This could take you forty minutes or longer, but it will get you familiarized with the process.

The next five prompts should be timed to thirty minutes. You will get used to the time-crunch and the speed with which you have to come up with examples. Try to not use a mechanical pencil or pen; they are quicker than a regular pencil, but you won’t be able to use them on the test.

The last two prompts should be timed to twenty-five minutes. If you find yourself struggling, consider practicing more prompts. You should take these two a day before the actual test, because the process should be fresh in your mind.

Pacing

You will see a pattern develop as you practice. Some people take five minutes to plan and then go into a speed writing mode. Some people don’t proofread. Some don’t even have pacing. Ultimately, if you have a practice pace, the actual essay won’t feel so rushed and hectic.

I would recommend that you spend one minute reading the prompt. You should read it at least twice. If you find yourself mindlessly rereading it, then stop and slap yourself softly. The next two minutes should be spent coming up with examples. Scribble a one or two word phrase for the opposing sides of the argument and write the examples under each heading. The side you can argue more effectively is the side you should choose. In some cases, you could use the examples for the side you are not using to present a counterargument. If you find that you can only come up with two examples and three minutes have already passed, then start writing. With luck, you will think of a third example when you come to it.

The next 3-4 minutes should be spent writing the introduction. I will explain what you should write in this section later.

The next 12-13 minutes should be spent writing your body paragraphs and developing the examples. I will explain these sections in detail later

The next 3-4 minutes should be spent writing the conclusion.

The last 1-2 minutes should be spent proofreading.

Structure

As bland and unlovable as it is, the five-paragraph essay is the format nearly every student will use on the SAT. You can use a four paragraph essay if you have two mind-bogglingly relevant examples, but only do this if you can’t come up with a third one. Keep in mind, that you are not limited to three examples. If you can come up with more, then combine similar ones into a single body paragraph. Perhaps make a six-paragraph essay. A favorite tactic of mine was to bombard the reader with a series of names, events, books, and other examples in the conclusion. At the very least, this tells the grader that a 25 minute essay did not exhaust your entire knowledge base.

The Introduction. There are several things that need to happen here. The very first sentence should introduce the topic. Often, you can achieve this by repeating the question mentioned in the assignment part of the prompt (below the quote, adage, or concept). The next two sentences should suggest the position you will be taking, and broadly speaking, why you think that way. The next sentence should reference the examples you will be talking about. The final sentence in the introduction should be your thesis.

For example, here is a prompt from the March 2013 test.

Your introduction could look like this:
Is it a disadvantage to pay attention to details? While some describe attention-to-detail as tunnel vision, not paying attention to the details can be worse. To put it in analogy, if the absent-minded professor is run over by a bus because he is more interested in his work than crossing the street safely, then a big-picture sort of bus driver would be running over everyone because he is not paying attention to the details. Simply put, ignoring the details can be disastrous and in most cases, heeding them will be beneficial. For example, Israel was able to notice slight changes in its neighbor’s activities preceding the Six Day War in 1967 and launched a successful preemptive strike. The city of Ilium suffered by not paying enough attention to the Trojan Horse, while the hubris of Oedipus Rex prevented him from noticing the horrid truth of his past. Consequently, it is to one’s advantage to pay attention to the details.

The Body Paragraphs. These two to four paragraphs also have specific duties. The topic sentence should set the paragraph in relation to the rest of the essay. This is done by using transitional phrases such as “for example”, “similarly”, “meanwhile”, or “conversely”. The bulk of the paragraph should explain the example. Mention dates and names whenever possible. I will talk later about good examples and avoiding clich

ramoanwar · April 20, 2013, 5:18am

thank you so much, this is probably the best essay guide i’ve read.

TomerHd · April 20, 2013, 7:08am

Cool guide, thanks! :)

VSJon300 · April 20, 2013, 4:00pm

I, too, found this really helpful! :D

JuniorMint · April 21, 2013, 2:04pm

Thanks guys, and good luck! :)

JuniorMint · April 25, 2013, 7:29pm

I think this might answer a few questions asked elsewhere. :)

cheerioswithmilk · May 3, 2013, 8:16pm

Wow, this looks well written and very helpful!

sg12909 · May 5, 2013, 1:29am

Very nicely made, JuniorMint! Congratulations on the 12!

dzzallday · May 5, 2013, 10:18am

Thanks so much! Very helpful!

jessgn · May 5, 2013, 10:22am

Wow thank you so much! This was so helpful.

Modykadry · May 5, 2013, 11:31am

do you have any templates? i need one for a good score… thanks for help

JuniorMint · May 5, 2013, 2:03pm

Here is a much larger guide that might help you out: **<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/645763-how-write-12-essay-just-10-days.html[/url][/b]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/645763-how-write-12-essay-just-10-days.html**</a>. Credit to AcademicHacker.

And here is a list of SAT prompt archetypes originally compiled and posted by ObsessedOne on this thread: **<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/764514-sat-essay-prompt-archetypes.html[/url][/b]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/764514-sat-essay-prompt-archetypes.html**</a>

<hr>

Individuality

Following the Crowd

[ul]
[]Do people need to compare themselves with others in order to appreciate what they have?
[]Are widely held views often wrong, or are such views more likely to be correct?
[]Is there any value for people to belong only to a group or groups with which they have something in common?
[]Is it always best to determine one’s own views of right and wrong, or can we benefit from following the crowd?
[]Is it more valuable for people to fit in than to be unique and different?
[]Are people more likely to be productive and successful when they ignore the opinions of others?
[]Does tradition prevent people from doing things in new or more sensible ways?
[]Is it always harmful for an individual to think and live as other people do?
[]Is it often difficult for people to determine what is the right thing to do?
[]Do groups that encourage nonconformity and disagreement function better than those that discourage it?
[]Should originality always be more highly praised than conformity?
[]Do people tend to get along better with people who are very different from them or with those who are like them?
[]Is talking the most effective and satisfying way of communicating with others?
[]Do people succeed by emphasizing their differences from other people?
[li]Do society and other people benefit when individuals pursue their own goals?[/li][/ul]

Following Authority

[ul]
[]Should we pay more attention to people who are older and more experienced than we are?
[]Should society limit people’s exposure to some kinds of information or forms of expression?
[]Can a group of people function effectively without someone being in charge?
[]Is it important to question the ideas and decisions of people in positions of authority?
[]Should society limit people’s exposure to some kinds of information or forms of expression?
[]Is education primarily the result of influences other than school?
[]Should schools help students understand moral choices and social issues?
[]Should people respect and tolerate everyone’s opinions, or should people take a stand against opinions they consider to be wrong?
[]Should people accept unfairness and find ways to make the best of it?
[]Do people put too much trust in the guidance of experts and authorities?
[]Can a small group of concerned individuals have a significant impact on the world?
[]Should individuals take responsibility for issues and problems that do not affect them directly?
[]Is a group of people more likely than an individual leader to bring about significant change?
[]Should the government be responsible for making sure that people lead healthy lives?
[li]Should leaders of a country or group be judged by different standards? [/li][/ul]

Following Creativity

[ul]
[]Is it always better to be original than to imitate or use the ideas of others?
[]Is it better for a society when people act as individuals rather than copying the ideas and opinions of others?
[]Is creativity needed more than ever in the world today?
[]Can people ever be truly original?
[]Do we put too much value on the ideas or actions of individual people?
[]Does planning interfere with creativity?
[]Do idealists contribute more to the world than realists do?
[]Is imagination less valuable than facts and objectivity?
[li]Is it absolutely necessary for people to study the creative arts? [/li][/ul]

Motivation and Success

Hardship and Success

[ul]
[]Do people truly benefit from hardship and misfortune?
[]Do we really benefit from every event or experience in some way?
[]Do people place too much emphasis on winning?
[]Do people learn more from losing than from winning?
[]Does true learning only occur when we experience difficulties?
[]Does being ethical make it hard to be successful?
[]Can knowledge be a burden rather than a benefit?
[]Is persistence more important than ability in determining a person’s success?
[]Is the effort involved in pursuing any goal valuable, even if the goal is not reached?
[]Is it best to forget about past mistakes as soon as possible?
[]Do people have to pay attention to mistakes in order to make progress?
[]Are people better off if they do not listen to criticism?
[]Does every achievement bring with it new challenges?
[]Do rules and limitations contribute to a person’s happiness?
[]Does every individual have an obligation to think seriously about important matters, even when doing so may be difficult?
[]Does society put too much emphasis on working hard?
[li]Is using humor the best way to approach difficult situations and problems? [/li][/ul]

Self-Determination and Success

[ul]
[]Is identity something people are born with or given, or is it something people create for themselves?
[]Is it best for people to accept who they are and what they have, or should people always strive to better themselves?
[]Do success and happiness depend on the choices people make rather than on factors beyond their control?
[]Are people more likely to be happy if they focus on goals other than their own happiness?
[]Is it more important to do work that one finds fulfilling or work that pays well?
[]Is solitude—spending time alone—necessary for people to achieve their most important goals?
[li]Is it better for people to stop trying when they feel certain they will not succeed?[/li][/ul]

Self-Expectation and Success

[ul]
[]Do highly accomplished people achieve more than others mainly because they expect more of themselves?
[]Can people achieve success only if they aim to be perfect?
[]Is it best to have low expectations and to set goals we are sure of achieving?
[]Are optimistic, confident people more likely than others to make changes in their lives?
[]Do people need discipline to achieve freedom?
[]Is real success achieved only by people who accomplish goals and solve problems on their own?
[li]Is it best for people to accept who they are and what they have, or should people always strive to better themselves? [/li][/ul]

Collaboration and Success

[ul]
[]Is it necessary for people to combine their efforts with those of others in order to be most effective?
[]Are organizations or groups most successful when their members pursue individual wishes and goals?
[]Do people achieve more success by cooperation than by competition?
[]Are people more likely to achieve their goals by being flexible or by refusing to compromise?
[]Is it better for people to act on their feelings than to talk about them?
[]Is it wrong or harmful to motivate people to learn or achieve something by offering them rewards?
[]Is it better for people to act quickly and expect quick responses from others rather than to wait patiently for what they want?
[]Is it better for people to learn from others than to learn on their own?
[]Is it better for people to work out their own ideas on a problem or issue before learning how others have approached it?
[]Does everyone, even people who choose to live alone, need a network or family?
[/ul]

Ethics and Success

[ul]
[]Does fame bring happiness, or are people who are not famous more likely to be happy?
[]Are people’s actions motivated primarily by a desire for power over others?
[]Is it better for people to agree with others, even if doing so means being insincere?
[]Does money lead to selfishness?
[/ul]

Quality or Quantity and Success

[ul]
[]Do people achieve greatness only by finding out what they are especially good at and developing that attribute above all else?
[]Are all important discoveries the result of focusing on one subject?
[]Is it better to aim for small accomplishments instead of great achievements?
[]Are people likely to succeed by repeating actions that worked for them in the past?
[]Are the consequences of people’s actions more important than the motives behind the actions?
[]Is an idealistic approach less valuable than a practical approach?
[]Do people put too much importance on getting every detail right on a project or task?
[]Do temporary or otherwise imperfect solutions to problems only create more serious problems?
[]Would it be better if people were more accepting of mistakes?
[]Do small decisions often have major consequences?
[/ul]

Technological Progress

[ul]
[]Does a strong commitment to technological progress cause a society to neglect other values, such as education and the protection of the environment?
[]Are there benefits to be gained from avoiding the use of modern technology, even when using it would make life easier?
[]Has today’s abundance of information only made it more difficult for us to understand the world around us?
[]Is the most important purpose of technology today different from what it was in the past?
[]Have modern advancements truly improved the quality of people’s lives?
[]Do newspapers, magazines, television, radio, movies, the Internet, and other media determine what is important to most people?
[]Should modern society be criticized for being materialistic?
[]Does progress reduce the number of problems in the world, or does solving old problems just lead to new ones?
[]Do advertisements contribute to unhappiness and dissatisfaction?
[]Does improvement or progress usually involve a significant drawback or problem of some kind?
[]Are people overly influenced by unrealistic claims and misleading images?
[]Does the way that information is communicated today result in people learning less than ever before?
[]Is it better for people to have limited choices?
[]Is it easier now to form friendships than ever before?
[]Should people give up their privacy in exchange for convenience or free services?
[]Can common sense be trusted and accepted, or should it be questioned?
[li]Has today’s abundance of information only made it more difficult for us to understand the world around us? [/li][/ul]

Heroes

[ul]
[]Do we benefit from learning about the flaws of people we admire and respect?
[]Should we limit our use of the term “courage” to acts in which people risk their own well-being for the sake of others or to uphold a value?
[]Should we admire heroes but not celebrities?
[]Is there a value in celebrating certain individuals as heroes?
[]Is it possible to be a hero in the modern world?
[]Should ordinary people be considered heroes, or should the term “hero” be reserved for extraordinary people?
[li]Do we benefit from learning about the flaws of people we admire and respect? [/li][/ul]

Tradition

[ul]
[]Do all established traditions deserve to remain in existence?
[]Do people need to “unlearn,” or reject, many of their assumptions and ideas?
[]Should people always prefer new things, ideas, or values to those of the past?
[]Do incidents from the past continue to influence the present?
[]Do memories hinder or help people in their effort to learn from the past and succeed in the present?
[]Is it always necessary to find new solutions to problems?
[]Does tradition prevent people from doing things in new or more sensible ways?
[]Should we pay more attention to people who are older and more experienced than we are?
[/ul]

Loyalty

[ul]
[]Should people always be loyal?
[]Do circumstances determine whether or not we should tell the truth?
[]Can deception—pretending that something is true when it is not—sometimes have good results?
[]Is it sometimes necessary to be impolite?
[]Is acting an essential part of everyday life?
[]Does familiarity prevent people from developing or maintaining respect for others?
[]Is it wise to be suspicious of the motives or honesty of other people, even those who appear to be trustworthy?
[]Does accepting the values of a group [family, sports teams, country] allow people to avoid taking responsibility for their own thoughts and actions?
[/ul]

Miscellaneous

[ul]
[]Is compromise always the best way to resolve a conflict?
[]Should people choose one of two opposing sides of an issue, or is the truth usually found “in the middle”?
[]Is the main value of the arts to teach us about the world around us?
[]Can books and stories about characters and events that are not real teach us anything useful?
[]Can common sense be trusted and accepted, or should it be questioned?
[]Do people put too much emphasis on learning practical skills?
[]Should people take more responsibility for solving problems that affect their communities or the nation in general?
[]Should people let their feelings guide them when they make important decisions?
[]Can people have too much enthusiasm?
[]Do images and impressions have too much of an effect on people?
[]Are decisions made quickly just as good as decisions made slowly and carefully?
[]Should people change their decisions when circumstances change, or is it best for them to stick with their original decisions?
[]Is it better to change one’s attitude than to change one’s circumstances?
[]Is criticism—judging or finding fault with the ideas and actions of others—essential for personal well-being and social progress?
[]Do people benefit from forms of entertainment that show so-called reality, or are such forms of entertainment harmful?
[]Are photographs straightforward representations of real life, or are they artistic creations reflecting the photographer’s point of view?
[]Is it important for people to spend time outdoors and to learn to appreciate the natural environment?
[]Are the values of a society most clearly revealed in its popular culture?
[li]Should people let their feelings guide them when they make important decisions?[/li][/ul]

JuniorMint · May 8, 2013, 11:19pm

Sorry for the long post, by the way. Good luck to all of those studying for the June exam!

tuan1997 · June 30, 2013, 6:42am

Hey Junior Mint, could you give me a list of examples to use on the essay?

Entric · June 30, 2013, 2:21pm

JuniorMint - Clear out your inbox, I can’t message you anything.

Weeknd · June 30, 2013, 4:27pm

I would also like a list of examples if you could provide them :)

academickid15 · June 30, 2013, 4:32pm

This is amazing! You give good tips!

redviolin · August 22, 2013, 11:08am

Thanks soo much for the advice, JuniorMint! I’m just wondering if you could post the essay that you did for us to admire. It would really help! :)

jkjeremy · August 22, 2013, 7:11pm

I wont debate the morality of length versus score, but it would seem that the longer your essay, the greater your score becomes. If you fill out both pages, most kids on CC get between a 10 and a 12

Generally, the kids here are already gifted. 80% of the kids here will receive “between a 10 and a 12” despite whatever “advice” they get.

The average student who just fills up two pages will receive somewhere around the national average, which is 7.2.

saminclouds · January 5, 2014, 9:39pm

this is great

A Prep Guide to the SAT Essay

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