TE - The SAT Essay Lesson

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The SAT Essay

The SAT essay will have three distinctive features:

  • Use of a common prompt
  • Emphasis on analyzing the argument
  • Use of clear, powerful evaluation criteria

The directions on the essay portion of the exam will remain consistent and use wording similar to the following:

As you read the passage below, consider how the author 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.

The SAT will then provide a passage for students to read.

Write an essay in which you explain how [the author] builds an argument to persuade [his/her] audience that [author's claim].  In your essay, analyze how [the author] uses one or more of the features listed above (or features of your own choice) to strengthen the persuasiveness of [his/her] argument. Be sure that your analysis focuses on the most relevant aspects of the passage.

The key to writing an effective essay is to remember that your goal is not to share your opinion about the passage or the author. Your goal is to analyze the author's argument. Did he/she effectively get across his/her points? What rhetorical techniques did the author use to try and persuade his/her audience?   Did the persuasive techniques work? Why or why not?

Sample Essay

Please view the Sample Essay Question Links to an external site., which will familiarize students with the essay directions as well as the types of passages they will write about on this section of the SAT.

SAT Essay Scoring

SAT Essay responses are scored using a carefully designed process:

  • Two different people will read and score your essay.
  • Each scorer awards 1–4 points for each dimension: reading, analysis, and writing.
  • The two scores for each dimension are added.
  • You'll receive three scores for the SAT Essay — one for each dimension — ranging from 2–8 points.

You may also view the Essay Scoring Rubric Links to an external site..

Review

Analytical writing can be challenging, especially when formulating your ideas in only 50 minutes. The most important thing you can remember about the SAT essay is that your goal is to analyze the author's argument, not to form your own argument. Your analysis will come when you identify the types of rhetoric the author uses and when you explain why that rhetoric is or is not effective.

 

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