3 Tips: Writing the Perfect SAT® Essay! CRUSH THE TEST!

Summary

In this video, Brook from Super Tutor TV shares tips on how to write a perfect SAT essay. She emphasizes the importance of structuring the essay around three key techniques, analyzing the author's argument, and understanding the effect on the reader. Brook breaks down a four-step process for body paragraphs: identifying the technique, citing it, explaining its impact, and analyzing its effect on the reader. She also suggests resources like 'The Elements of Style' to improve writing prowess. Finally, she encourages viewers to subscribe for more content and updates.

Takeaways

• 😊 Encourage viewers to subscribe to the channel and join the mailing list for updates.
• 📘 Understand the importance of learning SAT essay requirements by watching related videos or reviewing practice essays.
• ✏️ Develop a thesis that includes three key techniques the author uses in their argument, ensuring it's more than just a summary.
• 💡 Balance reading points (understanding the author's message) and analysis points (examining techniques used) to score well.
• 📊 Identify techniques such as statistics, counterarguments, and evidence synthesis to create a deeper analysis.
• 🔄 Analyze essays using a four-step process: identify the technique, cite it, explain its purpose, and analyze its effect on readers.
• 🔍 Use paraphrasing or direct quotes in each body paragraph to ensure thorough analysis.
• 🧠 Explain how each technique contributes to the author’s message, not just what the technique is.
• 🎯 Focus on the overall effect of techniques on the reader to enhance analysis and depth.
• 📚 Improve writing style by referencing key books like 'The Elements of Style', 'Writing Tools', and 'They Say, I Say' for better sentence-level writing.

Q & A

What is the primary goal of the video?

The primary goal of the video is to teach students how to write a top-scoring SAT essay by focusing on key techniques and strategies that SAT essay graders respond to.

What are the two things the speaker encourages viewers to do before starting the SAT essay tips?

The speaker encourages viewers to subscribe to the channel and sign up for their mailing list on the website for updates and new resources.

What mistake do students commonly make when writing their SAT essays?

A common mistake students make is summarizing the entire essay instead of analyzing the techniques the author uses to prove their point.

What should a strong thesis for the SAT essay include according to the speaker?

A strong thesis should include three specific techniques the author uses to convey their argument and analyze the effects of those techniques on the reader.

What are the four steps the speaker suggests for analyzing an essay in body paragraphs?

The four steps are: 1) Identify the technique and its purpose, 2) Cite the technique through paraphrasing or direct quotes, 3) Explain how the technique contributes to the author's overall message, and 4) Analyze the overall effect of the technique on the reader.

Why is it important to explain the overall effect of a technique on the reader?

Explaining the overall effect shows deeper analysis and helps the student gain more points, as it demonstrates a thorough understanding of how the author's techniques influence the audience's perception.

What advice does the speaker give for improving writing style in SAT essays?

The speaker advises improving writing style by sounding like you're writing for respected publications such as 'The Atlantic Monthly' or 'The New York Times,' focusing on conciseness, strong sentence structure, and avoiding unnecessary words.

What are the three books recommended by the speaker to enhance writing skills?

The three recommended books are 'The Elements of Style' by Strunk and White, 'Writing Tools' by Roy Peter Clark, and 'They Say, I Say' by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein.

How can the book 'They Say, I Say' help students with their SAT essay?

The book 'They Say, I Say' teaches students how to engage in academic conversation by referencing other viewpoints, which makes their own arguments more interesting and adds depth to their writing.

What is the importance of citing techniques in SAT essays, according to the speaker?

Citing techniques, either through paraphrasing or direct quotes, is crucial because it helps support the analysis and demonstrates that the student understands how the author uses specific strategies to build their argument.