1. Reverse Engineering an Essay
SAT Essay Portion
Reverse Engineering an Essay

2. How is the Essay scored? 2 different people read your essay
They will give you a score of 1-4 points for a total of 2-8 points
Your essay score is NOT FACTORED into your total score from the rest of the test
A perfect score on the SAT is a 1600
800 for reading & grammar, 800 for math
The essay does not factor into this score

3. So, why do the SAT essay?
As Juniors you will be required to do a lot of “State proficiency testing.”
In years past, this used to just be the MEAP test for all subjects (math, English, science, and social studies).
The State, back in 2000, decided that since most Juniors were already taking the ACT that they should just make the required “proficiency test” for all 11th graders.
However, in 2015 the state decided that the ACT was too expensive and changed to the SAT. The SAT though only does English and Math and the essay portion is now optional, unlike the ACT.
SO, Juniors now take the SAT, have to take a MAP test for science and social studies (because those are not covered on the SAT) and they have to do the essay portion, all so that the State of Michigan can say, “yes, our children are proficient in all of these areas and our teachers are doing a good job.”

4. To summarize…
You take the Essay portion because the State of Michigan requires you to.
It’s worth a grand total of 8 points that do not effect your overall score.
Most colleges want you to write them a proper admittance essay regardless of the test essays you may or may not have written.

5. Essay Time – 50 Minutes
Directions: The essay gives you an opportunity to show how effectively you can read and comprehend a passage and write an essay analyzing the passage. You should, therefore, take care to read the passage carefully, present a clear and logical analysis, and use language precisely. Your essay must be written on the lines provided in your answer booklet – except for the Planning Page at the front of your answer booklet, you will receive no other paper on which to write. You will have enough space if you write on every line, avoid wide margins, and keep your handwriting to a reasonable size. Remember that people who are not familiar with your handwriting will read what you write. Try to write or print so that what you are writing is legible to those readers.

6. Let’s break down these instructions…
Directions:
The essay gives you an opportunity to show how effectively you can read and comprehend a passage and write an essay analyzing the passage.
You should, therefore, take care 1. to read the passage carefully, 2. present a clear and logical analysis, and 3. use language precisely.

7. Let’s break down these instructions…
Directions:
Your essay must be written on the lines provided in your answer booklet – except for the Planning Page at the front of your answer booklet, you will receive no other paper on which to write.
You will have enough space if you 1. write on every line, avoid wide margins, and 3. keep your handwriting to a reasonable size.
Remember that people who are not familiar with your handwriting will read what you write. Try to write or print so that what you are writing is legible to those readers.

8. Important Reminders (from the test)
Do not write your essay in the prompt booklet. Only what you write on the lined pages of your answer booklet will be evaluated.
An off-topic essay will not be evaluated.
You have fifty minutes to read the passage AND write an essay in response to the prompt provided inside this booklet.

9. Tips & Tricks (from Mrs. Josephson)
You are looking for the author’s main point (or THESIS statement) in the reading prompt. As you read, think to yourself, what is the main argument of this passage.
Take notes in the margin as your go. Underline things. Circle things. You can WRITE in your booklet.
Find the thesis and underline.
After that you are looking for the author’s examples that help him or her prove that thesis point.
What examples does he or she use?
Are they trying to appeal to your emotions or sympathies? Or are they trying to appeal to your sense of logic.
What figurative language do they use in order to convince you that their thesis is correct?

10. Let’s go through and analyze the reading passage together.
Extra Instructions at the top…
As you read the passage below, consider how Jimmy Carter uses
Evidence, such as facts or examples, to support claims.
Reasoning to develop ideas and to connect claims and evidence.
Stylistic or persuasive elements, such as word choice or appeals to emotion, to add power to the ideas expressed.