The new SAT writing
test will consist of the following:
A 25-minute persuasive
essay, based on your reaction to one or two quotations. This is worth one-third
of the test.
(This will be
read by two readers and will be graded holistically on a 1-6 scale. The
highest essay score will be a 12.)
A 35-minute revision
section worth two-thirds of the test.
(This will be
graded like all objective sections. Each correct answer will earn 1 point,
each incorrect answer will cost you _ point, and any unanswered question
will earn or cost you nothing.)Hints for writing the
25-minute persuasive essay:
Your essay should range
between 300-400 words.
You should write 4
or 5 paragraphs.
You MUST pre-plan in
order to write a well-organized essay.
You will be given only
two lined pages; write small.
You must write neatly;
as unfair as this is, you will be judged by the neatness of your response.
Take a firm stance
on the topic; this must be persuasive.
Use examples from literature,
science and technology, the arts, current events, or your own observation
or experience.
Review
the following grammar and usage skills for the new 35-minute revision section:
Subject- Verb Agreement
(Review all rules.)
Tense Problems or Changes
(Especially a helping verb with past tense)
Idiomatic Expression
(Verb followed by preposition. See attached list.)
Wrong Word Usage (Words
Often Confused)
Pronoun-Antecedent
Agreement or Unclear Pronoun Reference
Correct Pronoun Use
(Objective vs. Subjective)
Adjective vs. Adverb
Use
Double Negatives
Run-On Sentences
Sentence Fragments
Misplaced Modifiers
Parallelism in Sentences
Wordiness
Correct Use of Conjunctions
(Faulty coordination/subordination)