Writing Essays for the SAT How to Do It; What to Expect from It

Choosing a Method of Development You will learn four specific ways to develop expository paragraphs and practice each method. The topic sentences have been provided for you by SAT and TCA folks. You will choose your own methods of development. Write your introductory paragraph then select a rhetorical stance appropriate to the subject and your knowledge. The method you choose to develop a paragraph depends upon your purpose in writing.

Using Facts Facts may be included in any paragraph, but a paragraph developed mainly by facts answers the questions who? what? when? where? and how? Consider, for example, the following sentence about George Washington: –(who?) George Washington –(what?) was named head of the Continental Army –(when?) in 1775 –(where?) in Philadelphia –(how?). by an act of the Second Continental Congress

Using Examples When you generalize about a group or an idea, develop your paragraph with examples. Paragraphs developed mainly with examples answer who specifically? what specifically? where specifically? when specifically? or how specifically? A topic sentence about fathers (generalization) could be illustrated with sentenced about –Jane's father (specific), –Arnold's father (specific), and –Tim's father (specific). If you were writing about equality (generalization), you might give examples of –political equality (more specific) or –social equality (more specific).

Using Reasons Paragraphs developed with reasons answer the question why? Suppose your topic sentence was Teenagers too young to drive automobiles should have a moped. Why? –Mopeds are economical, –give teenagers practice in observing laws, and –relieve parents the need to drive their teenagers to so many places. The sentence of illustration gives reasons for the assertion made in the top sentence.

Using Incidents When you want to tell what happened, relate an incident. Suppose your history teacher asks on a test, what happened at Gettysburg in 1863? Your paragraph might begin: –In Gettysburg Pennsylvania, on July 1 to 3, 1863, one of the most decisive battles of the War Between the States was fought. Then you could illustrate your paragraph with sentences that tell in chronological order what happened each day of the battle

Writing an Opening Paragraph Writing the lead paragraph clarifies your thinking and points the way for your reader You want to spark the readers interest and set the tone of the essay The opening paragraph should include one of these –A funny story or dramatic statement –A thought provoking question –A fitting quotation –A small taste of the conclusion –List your main points –Have an unexpected angle your reader hasn’t seen.

Selecting a Rhetorical Stance Narrate- Tell me a story, recreate an experience Describe- Tell how someone or something appeared Define- Clarify or explain the meaning of a term Explain- Prove a point by providing examples or reasons Analyze- Break something down into component parts Classify– Divide a large complex set of things into smaller groups and identify each group Compare– Measure one thing against another similar thing or something new to something older and familiar Argue– Use logic and evidence to prove something is true

Concluding your Essay Sometimes your writing will come to an effective stopping point after you have made your last point. Closing paragraphs are important to tie up loose ends or clarify the meaning of points you have made in the body of the essay. Play with several endings before choosing which one best serves to bring home your thesis in the essay.

Clarification of the Obscure Each opening paragraph can be part of or the opposite to a method of development Rhetorical stance is dependent upon the method of development but may be counterpoint to your opening paragraph Whether you write a conclusion or not it should flow from your essay and append itself naturally. It should come as a surprise to the reader. Your audience is expecting intelligently worded responses. The use of slang or informal language needs to be anecdotal and revealing of certain point of view. Your writing needs to rise to a more formal tone without being condescending or judgmental. Many of life’s truths are particular to a worldview embedded in the vernacular.

Outstanding Essay Criteria Critical Thinking: The essay effectively and insightfully develops a position on the subject that is supported by clearly relevant examples, evidence, and logic. The writer uses excellent critical thinking, and the central idea is clearly defined and developed. Organization: The essay is well organized and stays focused on the topic. Ideas are logically and clearly developed, and paragraphs are carefully constructed and organized. The essay is a unified presentation of the thesis and has a clear introduction, body and conclusion. Use of Language: The writer has versatility and mastery in use of language and a comprehensive vocabulary. Words are well chosen, and transitional devices create a smooth flow from sentence to sentence. Sentence Structure: The writer uses variety in sentence structure to enhance communication. Usage and Grammar: The essay has very few if any errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Accepted conventions are followed.

Critical Thinking: The essay effectively and insightfully develops a position on the subject. The essay effectively and insightfully develops a position on the subject. It is supported by clearly relevant examples, evidence, and logic. It is supported by clearly relevant examples, evidence, and logic. The writer uses excellent critical thinking. The writer uses excellent critical thinking. The central idea is clearly defined and developed. The central idea is clearly defined and developed.

Organization The essay is well organized and stays focused on the topic. The essay is well organized and stays focused on the topic. Ideas are logically and clearly developed. Ideas are logically and clearly developed. Paragraphs are carefully constructed and organized. Paragraphs are carefully constructed and organized. The essay is a unified presentation of the thesis The essay is a unified presentation of the thesis It has a clear introduction, body and conclusion. It has a clear introduction, body and conclusion.

Use of Language The writer has versatility and mastery in use of language and comprehensive vocabulary. The writer has versatility and mastery in use of language and comprehensive vocabulary. Words are well chosen, Words are well chosen, Transitional devices create a smooth flow from sentence to sentence. Transitional devices create a smooth flow from sentence to sentence. READ

Sentence Structure; Usage and Grammar The writer uses variety in sentence structure to enhance communication. The writer uses variety in sentence structure to enhance communication. The essay has very few if any errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. The essay has very few if any errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Accepted conventions are followed. Accepted conventions are followed.