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sat essay 2
HOW TO APPROACH THE ESSAY
Simple:
You don’t have time. So, don’t waste a second. Take no more than a minute or two (literally) to think about what you are going to say. Pick the easiest position to defend and think of 2 or 3 supporting ideas. Then write:
AN INTRODUCTION
3 BODY PARAGRAPHS, and:
A CONCLUSION
In the introduction, say your position, e.g.:
I strongly believe that all high schools in the U.S. should require uniforms for the following reasons: camaraderie, discipline, and security.
Then explain your reasons in the 3 body paragraphs, including examples (history, literature, current events, personal experience).
Then conclude by repeating your position:
Thus, because uniforms tend to promote camaraderie, discipline, and security in the typical school environment, all overarching values in that environment, I strongly support the adoption of uniforms in all high schools in the U.S.
Simple, right?
You’ve no doubt done this thing thousands (okay, dozens) of times in school.
A couple of fine points:
To get a higher score, it’s useful to add a 4th body paragraph, one that acknowledges the strengths of the other side of the argument, while showing that they don’t change the balance of the argument, e.g.:
To be sure, there are good arguments against uniforms in high schools: they suppress creativity and self-expression. This is certainly true, and creativity and self-expression are important values. But students are in school only a few hours per day: they have the rest of the day to dress as they wish, and weekends as well. And, in the end, as important as these values are, they simply do not outweigh the values of camaraderie, discipline, and security.
This topic, by the way, was an ACT topic, which will always be about some issue of school policy.
SAT topics, by contrast, will always be more esoteric and creative in nature, more along the lines of your typical English essay, e.g.:
“It is often said that beauty is only skin deep. Agree or disagree, and support your position.”
The ACT topics are more practical and accessible: after all, every student goes to school and knows about school topics first hand.
Also:
Write as much as you can. The biggest predictor of success on the Essay is LENGTH! Try to fill the space they give you. Write big and neatly—this will help.
Bottom line:
Start writing immediately, or almost immediately, and keep it simple, so you don’t waste time. Remember: they’re looking for a solid first draft, not a polished final version. So, it’s better to have a decent essay with a beginning, middle, and end, rather than a brilliant half-written essay!
FOR MORE ON SENTENCE THE ESSAY, CHECK BACK HERE FROM TIME TO TIME FOR NEW MATERIAL.
