Format:
The essay section is 25 minutes long and is always the first section in the test.
The ‘question’ will be a very short passage followed by a general question or topic that you are to write about.
Scores:
The essay counts for 1/3 of your SAT Writing score.
Grading works as follows: Two readers will read your essay and give it a score between 1 and 6 (1 is the worst and 6 the best). These two scores are then added together, so your essay score will be between 2 and 12 points. If the two readers’ scores differ by more than one point, a third reader will determine the score.
Scoring Guide: (from College Board)
| Score |
|
| 6 |
An essay in this category demonstrates clear and consistent mastery, although it may have a few minor errors. A typical essay:
- Effectively and insightfully develops a point of view on the issue and demonstrates outstanding critical thinking, using clearly appropriate examples, reasons and other evidence to support its position
- Is well organized and clearly focused, demonstrating clear coherence and smooth progression of ideas
- Exhibits skillful use of language, using a varied, accurate and apt vocabulary
- Demonstrates meaningful variety in sentence structure
- Is free of most errors in grammar, usage and mechanics
|
| 5 |
An essay in this category demonstrates reasonably consistent mastery, although it has occasional errors or lapses in quality. A typical essay:
- Effectively develops a point of view on the issue and demonstrates strong critical thinking, generally using appropriate examples, reasons and other evidence to support its position
- Is well organized and focused, demonstrating coherence and progression of ideas
- Exhibits facility in the use of language, using appropriate vocabulary
- Demonstrates variety in sentence structure
- Is generally free of most errors in grammar, usage and mechanics
|
| 4 |
An essay in this category demonstrates adequate mastery, although it has lapses in quality. A typical essay:
- Develops a point of view on the issue and demonstrates competent critical thinking, using adequate examples, reasons and other evidence to support its position
- Is generally organized and focused, demonstrating some coherence and progression of ideas
- Exhibits adequate but inconsistent facility in the use of language, using generally appropriate vocabulary
- Demonstrates some variety in sentence structure
- Has some errors in grammar, usage and mechanics
|
| 3 |
An essay in this category demonstrates developing mastery, and is marked by ONE OR MORE of the following weaknesses:
- Develops a point of view on the issue, demonstrating some critical thinking, but may do so inconsistently or use inadequate examples, reasons or other evidence to support its position
- Is limited in its organization or focus, or may demonstrate some lapses in coherence or progression of ideas
- Displays developing facility in the use of language, but sometimes uses weak vocabulary or inappropriate word choice
- Lacks variety or demonstrates problems in sentence structure
- Contains an accumulation of errors in grammar, usage and mechanics
|
| 2 |
An essay in this category demonstrates little mastery, and is flawed by ONE OR MORE of the following weaknesses:
- Develops a point of view on the issue that is vague or seriously limited, and demonstrates weak critical thinking, providing inappropriate or insufficient examples, reasons or other evidence to support its position
- Is poorly organized and/or focused, or demonstrates serious problems with coherence or progression of ideas
- Displays very little facility in the use of language, using very limited vocabulary or incorrect word choice
- Demonstrates frequent problems in sentence structure
- Contains errors in grammar, usage and mechanics so serious that meaning is somewhat obscured
|
| 1 |
An essay in this category demonstrates very little or no mastery, and is severely flawed by ONE OR MORE of the following weaknesses:
- Develops no viable point of view on the issue, or provides little or no evidence to support its position
- Is disorganized or unfocused, resulting in a disjointed or incoherent essay
- Displays fundamental errors in vocabulary
- Demonstrates severe flaws in sentence structure
- Contains pervasive errors in grammar, usage or mechanics that persistently interfere with meaning
|
| 0 |
Essays not written on the essay assignment will receive a score of zero |
Formula For a Good Essay: (from Spark Notes: The New SAT)
- Precise use of language
- Clarity of expression
- Sustained focus
- Logical and coherent presentation of ideas
- Ample development of a point of view
- Use of clear reasoning and appropriate evidence
Strategies:
- Give Yourself Time to Plan: Don’t just start writing. Give yourself at least 5 minutes at the beginning to plan the structure of your essay and what you’re going to talk about. Make some sort of outline and settle on a thesis topic.
- Make it Pretty Clear: SAT essay readers have their work cut out for them. They have to read a lot of essays and so they are most likely skimming. Make a good first impression, since it’s the only one you’re going to have. Make it pretty by writing in clear, neat handwriting, visually organizing your essay into paragraphs, and having a solid first and last paragraph. Make it clear by keeping your arguments organized and logically arranged.
College Coached 