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Philip Lee

The SAT essay doesn't affect your score, but it is used by some colleges as an independent measure of your writing ability. However, it is very easy to do well on this essay if you follow my template, which addresses everything the graders are looking for.

With just a few days of practice, you will be able to score at least 16 on the SAT essay. If you do exactly as my template suggests, you will score over 20 for sure.

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What's inside

Learning objective

How to write the sat essay

Syllabus

Introduction

Learn about what is included in this course. We will cover the components of the SAT essay and I will give you clear template to follow that will lead you to a high score.

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Understand how the SAT essays is graded

Learn what goes into the reading component of the SAT score.

Learn what goes into the analysis component of the SAT score.

Learn what goes into the language component of the SAT score.

Learn how to write the SAT essay quickly while maximizing your score.

Discover what you need to do within the first five minutes of the SAT essay.

Follow my template to write a clear and effective introduction paragraph.

Follow my template to write clear and effective body paragraphs.

Follow my template to write a clear and effective conclusion paragraph.

Know what to do after completing this course.

Now that you've finished the course, here is what you should do next.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides a template-based approach to writing the SAT essay, which can be helpful for students seeking a structured method
Focuses on speed and efficiency in essay writing, which is crucial under timed conditions like the SAT
Breaks down the essay grading components (reading, analysis, language), offering insights into how essays are evaluated
Offers a clear template for each paragraph type (introduction, body, conclusion), which can simplify the writing process
Claims that students can score at least 16 on the SAT essay with just a few days of practice, which may set unrealistic expectations
The SAT essay doesn't affect your score, but it is used by some colleges as an independent measure of your writing ability

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in SAT Essay with these activities:
Review Essay Structure
Reinforce your understanding of basic essay structure to better grasp the template provided in the course.
Browse courses on Essay Structure
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  • Review the basic components of an essay: introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
  • Practice outlining different essay prompts to solidify your understanding of structure.
Review 'The Elements of Style'
Improve your writing style and grammar by reviewing the principles outlined in 'The Elements of Style'.
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  • Obtain a copy of 'The Elements of Style'.
  • Read through the book, paying attention to the rules of grammar and style.
  • Apply the principles to your own writing.
Review 'Eats, Shoots & Leaves'
Improve your writing style and grammar by reviewing the principles outlined in 'Eats, Shoots & Leaves'.
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  • Obtain a copy of 'Eats, Shoots & Leaves'.
  • Read through the book, paying attention to the rules of punctuation.
  • Apply the principles to your own writing.
Four other activities
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Show all seven activities
Practice timed essay writing
Improve your speed and efficiency in writing essays under timed conditions, crucial for the SAT.
Show steps
  • Select a variety of SAT essay prompts.
  • Set a timer for 25 minutes (or the allotted time for the SAT essay).
  • Write a complete essay following the course template.
  • Review and edit your essay for clarity and errors.
Analyze Sample Essays
Develop your analytical skills by examining sample essays and identifying strengths and weaknesses.
Show steps
  • Find sample SAT essays online or in prep books.
  • Read each essay carefully.
  • Identify the thesis statement, supporting arguments, and evidence used.
  • Evaluate the essay's overall effectiveness and suggest improvements.
Critique Peer Essays
Deepen your understanding of essay writing by providing constructive feedback to other students.
Show steps
  • Find a peer who is also preparing for the SAT essay.
  • Exchange essays with your peer.
  • Provide detailed feedback on your peer's essay, focusing on structure, argumentation, and grammar.
  • Discuss your feedback with your peer and receive feedback on your own essay.
Create a Personal Template
Customize the course template to better suit your individual writing style and preferences.
Show steps
  • Review the course template and identify areas where you can personalize it.
  • Experiment with different sentence structures, vocabulary, and argumentation strategies.
  • Create your own personalized template.
  • Practice writing essays using your personalized template.

Career center

Learners who complete SAT Essay will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Test Preparation Specialist
A test preparation specialist helps students prepare for standardized tests such as the SAT. This course is a direct asset for any test preparation specialist focused on the SAT. A test preparation specialist can use the course's template and insights to guide students in writing high-scoring essays. The course’s focus on the reading, analysis, and language components of the essay, as well as its emphasis on time management, provides the specialist with valuable tools for improving student performance.
Writing Coach
A writing coach provides personalized guidance to individuals seeking to improve their writing skills. A writing coach can use the course's template to guide students in crafting well-organized and persuasive essays. The course's focus on specific writing components such as introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions, is also helpful for a writing coach. The strategies for maximizing scores, even under time constraints, are also valuable for a writing coach.
Tutor
A tutor provides individualized instruction to students, often focusing on specific subjects or skills. If you are a tutor, this course offers a direct approach to improving your students' SAT essay scores. A tutor can use the course's template to guide students in writing well-structured and persuasive essays. A tutor can also help students improve their reading, analysis, and language skills as they pertain to the SAT essay. The course's emphasis on time management is also helpful for tutors preparing students for timed essay writing.
Educational Consultant
An educational consultant advises students and families on educational planning, including test preparation. An educational consultant can use the course's insights into the SAT essay to provide informed guidance to students. The consultant can leverage the course's template and strategies to help students improve their essay scores and overall college readiness. The course's emphasis on time management and effective writing techniques can be particularly valuable for students preparing for the SAT.
English Teacher
An English teacher instructs students in writing, reading comprehension, and literary analysis. This course may be useful for English teachers seeking practical strategies for improving student writing skills, especially in the context of standardized tests. An English teacher can use the course's template as a model for teaching essay structure and argumentation. The course helps teachers improve their students' grasp of the key concepts emphasized by graders, thereby giving their students an advantage when they sit down to take the SAT.
High School Teacher
A high school teacher instructs students in a variety of subjects, including English and writing. This course may be useful for educators looking for strategies to help their students succeed on the SAT essay. A high school teacher can use the provided template to teach students to produce clear and effective essays under time constraints. By taking this course, a high school teacher can gain insights into the specific criteria used by SAT graders, enabling them to better prepare their students for the exam. Instruction on crafting introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions can also inform lesson planning.
Curriculum Developer
A curriculum developer designs educational materials and programs. This course may be helpful for curriculum developers focused on test preparation or writing skills. A curriculum developer can adapt the course's template and strategies to create comprehensive SAT essay preparation resources. The course's insights into the grading criteria and the specific components of the SAT essay would inform the development of effective and targeted learning materials. Pay attention to the course's discussion of introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions.
Grant Writer
A grant writer prepares proposals to secure funding from foundations, government agencies, and other organizations. Grant writing demands clear, persuasive writing and adherence to specific guidelines. This course may be useful for grant writers who want to refine their ability to write compelling arguments within a structured format. Grant writers can draw from the course's emphasis on crafting effective introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions. The course may also provide insights into how evaluators assess written work.
Editor
An editor reviews and revises written content to ensure clarity, accuracy, and consistency. This course may be useful for editors who want to deepen their understanding of essay structure and argumentation. An editor can benefit from the course's insights into the criteria used to evaluate essays. Furthermore, the course's lessons on crafting introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions can inform an editor's approach to revising written work.
Proofreader
A proofreader reviews written content to identify and correct errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style. This course may be useful for proofreaders who want a deeper understanding of essay structure and argumentation. Although a large part of a proofreader's role is to remove errors, they can benefit from the course's lessons on crafting introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions. They may also gain insight into the components of a persuasive, well structured essay.
Content Writer
A content writer creates written material for websites, marketing materials, and other media. This course may be useful for content writers who want to improve their essay writing skills or understand the principles of effective argumentation. A content writer can benefit from the course's lessons on clear and concise writing. The strategies for maximizing scores can also be applied to other forms of writing that require persuasive and well-structured arguments.
Communications Specialist
A communications specialist develops and implements communication strategies for organizations. This course may be helpful for communications specialists seeking to improve their writing and analytical skills. A communications specialist can benefit from the course's lessons on crafting clear and persuasive arguments. The course’s focus on effective communication techniques and strategies is also relevant to the work of a communications specialist.
Journalist
A journalist researches and writes news articles and features for various media outlets. This course may be useful for journalists who want to improve their writing and analytical skills. A journalist can benefit from the course's lessons on crafting clear and persuasive arguments. The course’s focus on effective communication techniques and strategies is also relevant to the work of a journalist.
Public Relations Specialist
A public relations specialist manages an organization's communication with the public and media. This course may be useful for public relations specialists who need to craft persuasive messages and arguments. A public relations specialist can benefit from the course's lessons on clear and concise writing. The strategies for maximizing scores, even under time constraints, can also be applied to other forms of persuasive communications.
Technical Writer
A technical writer creates documentation, manuals, and other materials to explain complex technical information. While seemingly unrelated, this course may be useful for technical writers who want to improve their ability to present information clearly and concisely. A technical writer can benefit from the course's focus on structuring information logically and crafting effective introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions. The strategies for maximizing clarity and persuasiveness can also be applied to technical writing.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in SAT Essay.
Humorous and informative guide to punctuation. It emphasizes the importance of correct punctuation for clear and effective communication. While not specific to the SAT essay, it provides a strong foundation for effective writing. It is commonly used as a reference tool for writers of all levels.

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