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Preparing for the SAT I Writing Section

July 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

High school students preparing for college will have to face the nerve racking SAT I writing section. The writing portion of the SAT I test is a 60 minute test that includes an essay writing and a multiple-choice section.

Whether you are looking to obtain an ivy league education or pursue one of the many online education degrees, the scores you get on the writing portion of the SAT I test can determine your future. Here are some tips you can use to help make the writing portion of the SATs a little easier.

Outline Your Writing

Many SAT test takers make the mistake of jumping into the essay portion of the test without outlining their thoughts. This can result in an essay that doesn’t flow or strays off topic.

If you are looking to write a great essay, make sure you take the added time to outline your essay and plan what you are going to write. This will help you create an essay that flows and reads well.

Stay on Topic

While it might be tempting to stray off topic during your essay, it will not help your SAT scores. You will be given one topic to write about. Make sure you stay on topic and only write about the given topic.

Don’t Go For Perfection

The SAT writing section assesses your writing ability but it does not look for perfection. While writing your essay keep this in mind and don’t try to achieve perfection. Instead, focus on writing a clear essay that conveys your thoughts in an organized fashion.

Using these tips will help reduce your stress and help you get a good score on your writing SAT section.

Filed Under: Education, Reading and Writing, Standardized Testing Tagged With: , ,

Preparing for the Essay Portion of the SAT Exam

March 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

When preparing to take the SAT exam you will need to plan for the writing section. Looking up sample essays, essay writing techniques, and doing some practice essays ahead of time can help you be fully prepared to do well in this section of the exam. Practice essays and information can be found on the official websites for each exam type.

Following a format when writing your essays will ensure that you will have the confidence you need to complete your writing assignment in the time frame given, it will ensure that you will cover the topic completely, and it will give you a sense of structure to your essay.

In the SAT writing exam you may be asked to write a one-example essay or a two-example essay. When writing a one-example essay, choose a subject that you have personal experience with. This subject should be real and not invented. It is easier to write about something you have personal experience with. It is best to steer away from controversial subjects, religion, or politics.

In your one-example essay your first paragraph will introduce your “example” and should create interest in the subject. This paragraph can be general but must include a thesis statement and direct the reader to the general idea of your essay. In the second paragraph you will cover about half of your “example” by describing the situation. The third paragraph should include more specifics and complete information pertaining to your “example.” The fourth paragraph of your essay is where you will discuss the conclusions or moral lessons that your “example” shows and tie them into your thesis statement. In your final paragraph you will be concluding your essay. If possible you should relate your final conclusions to information in your introductory paragraph to round out your essay. Use some online colleges to look for effective tips on writing section of SAT Exam

Filed Under: Education, Reading and Writing Tagged With: , ,

Writing a Narrative Essay

March 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

A narrative essay tells a story. Successful narrative essays always have a point. When you are writing a narrative essay you should try to display the author’s values while expressing them in story format. The author may be remembering a significant event or time in his life or may even be observing events in the present. If you do not feel that you have adequate experience to build from, use an experience from someone you know or even write about your favorite sport or hobby. Once you have the general idea, you are ready to begin.

The story should begin with an introduction to the main idea of the story. At the conclusion of the story the author should make a point. Include anecdotes throughout the story. The author should describe the person, scene, or events that are happening in detail. You may add dialogue so long as it is punctuated correctly and not overdone.

The events and people in your story should be described in such a way that readers can identify with them. If your story includes a moral struggle, include the feelings of the internal struggle your character may be facing. What did your character learn from this struggle? Remember to have a point to the story and find a way to get this message across to your readers.

The point of view in a narrative essay is usually first person. You should use “I” which invites your readers to be included in an intimate discussion between the character and the reader.

Filed Under: College Entrance Exams, Writing Techniques Tagged With: ,

Tips for Writing an Essay

January 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

High school students have to learn to write essays to effectively pass the ACT, SAT, or FCAT exams. There are many resources on the internet to give instruction on accomplishing this as well as giving sample essays. It is advisable to take the time and study these helpful sites to learn more about proper grammar, sentence structures, use of words, etc. for writing an essay. However, listed below you will find a basic overview of essay structure.

There are three parts to an essay; the introduction, supporting paragraphs, and the summary paragraph. The introduction is the first paragraph of your essay and will introduce your main idea. In this paragraph you want to capture the attention of your reader and get them interested while explaining your topic. Consider this paragraph carefully, as the remainder of your essay must relate directly to your introduction. You can use background information such as interesting facts, definitions that you will explain later in your essay, or even quotes.

The next section of your essay will include your supporting paragraphs. This will make up the body of your essay and will include all of the information that develops and supports the main idea of your essay. Begin by listing the main ideas of your essay. Each idea should be placed in its own paragraph. Develop each idea with details, facts, and/or examples. Use transition words to link your paragraphs together at the beginning and end of your paragraphs. Some examples of transition words could be “however,” “nevertheless,” “in addition to,” “therefore,” or “consequently.”

The last section of your essay is going to be your summary paragraph or your conclusion. This paragraph is intended to wrap up your thoughts and ideas presented throughout the essay. You reader should feel that your essay is complete. You will want to restate the strongest points that support your main idea. At the conclusion of your essay you need to restate your main idea but word it differently. Conclude with your personal opinion, suggestions, or plan for action.

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Essay Test Taking Tips

December 9, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Any sophomore student’s nightmare is attending a class where an essay needs to be written. Students who do not have past experience in essay writing fear when they hear the word “blue examination book”. Unlike the tests, such as SAT, ACT or PSAT where students need to answer standard multiple-choice questions, essay writing is entirely a different challenge. Proper preparation can eliminate anxiety from a student’s mind.
Not every test that a student comes across in a college or university test need be an essay in particular. Some courses may base on bubble sheet testing.
Essay tests are entirely different. A good essay has questions where students are asked to give detailed explanation of a particular concept, citing proper illustrations or examples.
There is no standard formula that each and every student can adopt. The learning methodology varies from person to person. Students, flash cards prove easier to learn. It is believed that students who have develop the habit of making note of important points tend to remember more details than those who do not.
Students, who usually highlight certain important points with various colors to differentiate the purpose of doing it, often find it difficult to recall when they refer the same points again. Very few students spend time in researching for valuable information online. There are websites where students can participate in quizzes and practice tests.
Preparing for an essay is more difficult than preparing for a multiple choice based test. The students need to master the various facts that are related to a particular concept.
Certain essay questions are divided into more than one section. It is imperative for students to understand what exactly the question is before they attempt to answer it. An essay should have proper explanation with relevant examples, ending with a brief conclusion.

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