<p>Can you guys suggest pointers on how to get a good score on the essay portion? I am really scared that I am gonna to end up with a 2 or 3! I can seem to manage grammar. But the essay portion is killing me.
Those who got 9 and over, can u guys share ur wisdom?</p>
<p>I got a 10 my first try. Just pick a stance on an issue and defend it/prove it. That’ll get you a high score.</p>
<p>If you write words, you will get at least a 6.</p>
<p>[Online</a> test-prep strategies for the SAT Essay](<a href=“http://www.novapress.net/sat/writing.html]Online”>http://www.novapress.net/sat/writing.html)</p>
<p>Transition!!! Look at my sentences below to this question:</p>
<p>What is the impact of pro sports today?(Not the best SAT question but it’s something)</p>
<p>“Pro sports encourage bad values in today’s societies; one can easily spot the ongoing disputes over money, drugs and violence. On the other hand, college sports all about tradition, school spirit, and excitement; for this reason, college sports are better. The QBs learn and you can see it. The stadiums are bigger. The cheerleaders have more spirit. Players like Michael Vick put a bad influence on young people.”</p>
<p>I’m sure you can identify many errors in here, but I’ll list the main ones which can you points taken off easily. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Transition! Don’t go from a to b, do something like a, ab, then b. Each sentence should relate to the one before it in some way(even if you’re contrasting two things, there is still a relationship). Make it look like something interesting. </p></li>
<li><p>Answer the dang question! Many students do not actually answer the question and just talk about stuff. Granted, hopefully most people won’t talk the way I did, but you get the point. Make sure you answer the question. </p></li>
<li><p>Give other sides of arguments. The NFL helps a lot more than it causes bad. They encourage physical activity among young kids, and then you can tie this into 60% of kids obese and it helps. If you give both sides(good and bad) and smash either one, it makes it look better. </p></li>
<li><p>Start it off with a question or something interesting that makes anyone say I want to finish this essay! Ask some interesting question so that the person will want to find the answer. </p></li>
<li><p>Vocab! Without good vocab, I can imagine your score dropping 2 points(it’s already hard to get a 12). When I read essays with scores like 5s and 6s, I see vocab words that I’ve never heard, but it makes the essay seem cool. You have to use new words so that it won’t become repetitive. When you repeat ideas throughout the essay, using new vocab won’t make it redundant.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>RahoulVA, thanks for the link! It is really helpful.</p>
<p>Got an 11 on my first try, so I guess I might not be able to give concise adivce, but…
Pick one side of the argument quickly, and well, argue it!
I usually follow thesis statement in the intro, 3 supporting paragraphs, 1 conclusion.
For the supporting paragraphs think of examples! Think of LITERATURE. =]
On my first essay, I used college/marie curie/great expectations as examples, so your examples do NOT all have to be literature though it will always impress those graders! If you can quote shakespeare, that’d be a great bonus.
As for vocab, use a couple of high words but don’t fill your essay with unnecessary big words that could be replaced by smaller,to-the-point words.
AVOID hackneyed or banal expressions! and do not use jargon.
Avoid using the same word OVER and over again! Try to use a synonym.
Try to get time to reread it. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any time to reread my essay!</p>
<p>I prefer writing four paragraph essays instead of the traditional five paragraph format because I like to choose two good examples and elaborate on them.</p>
<p>Make sure you think of some possible examples before (maybe from literature?) you go in to write your essay. It definately helps and saves a lot of valuable time that could be spent writing.</p>
<p>Don’t just summarize when you write your examples. Don’t forget to analyze them and explain their significance (very important). Relate your examples back to your thesis/ answer to the question. I tend to tie my examples in to the bigger picture and focus more on that instead of the specifics of the examples. After all, you aren’t being graded on all the little details but rather the overall message.</p>
<p>Transitions. Even simple ones will do if you’re short on time.</p>
<p>No matter what always have a conclusion, even if you have to leave another sentence unfinished.</p>
<p>^wise advice right there. ALWAYS do ur conclusion even if its 2 sentences, because if u dont u probably will end up with 7 or worse. Dont over think the essay, write simplistically. Dont try to use fancy words for every sentence. Write ur views on it, include solid examples (3 would be the best) even if u have to make them up. Even if u cant remmember what year child labor laws were passed, make one up. They dont grade you on if your info is factual or not. Most importantly make ur thesis clear, dont try to beat around the bush with 3 sentences to pick an issue. If you agree, say “I agree that…” 5 paragraphs would be best, unless ur 2 examples are amazing, and if you are having problems (which it seems you are) with the essay section, use 3 examples they dont have to be over developed, just a few sentences showing why you agree. </p>
<p>Also at the end of each “example” refer back in someway to the prompt in reference to the side you chose.</p>