Because of its importance in the college acceptance process, the Scholastic Aptitude Test has been a source of anxiety and concern to countless students. Many students especially dread facing the essay portion of this test. Many times this anxiety stems from issues, such as not knowing what to expect, concerns about how to write a strong essay in the allotted time and worrying that one’s mind will go blank when it’s time to begin. Without a clear understanding of this portion of the SAT, many students are at a loss when it comes finding the best ways to prepare for this section. Every year in testing locations across the country, scores of test takers, sit down, feeling unprepared and panic-stricken. The best way to reduce anxiety about the SAT is to prepare and practice. With a few helpful strategies and tips, students can face the essay portion of the SAT with the confidence and knowledge that can help them finish the paper that demonstrates their writing skills and insights.
How to Write the Essay and Measure it?
In preparing for this exam, it is necessary to understand the expectations. For this portion of the SAT, classmates will be given a topic in the form of a writing prompt, roughly 45 lines on which to write and 25 minutes in which to complete this paper. You should also understand the essay’s purpose and what skills it measures. According to College Board, the makers of the SAT, the purpose of the paper section is to calculate a student’s understanding to “develop a point of view on an issue presented in an excerpt,…support [a] point of view…using reasoning and examples from…reading, studies, experience, or observations, [and] follow the conventions of standard written English.” In other words, it tests how well you can compose an organized essay that uses a thoughtful choice of words and plenty of supporting evidence in an allotted amount of time. On-demand writing can be a challenge for today’s students who are used to working with the assistance of technological tools, such as word processing programs, spell checkers and an on-line thesaurus. For this essay test, you will be expected to write by hand, using a pencil. Although this might seem a bit overwhelming to some, a pencil is quite helpful for editing and revising the essay before submitting it. A good strategy for a productive essay session is to remember the acronym TOWER.
What is the TOWER strategy for a Paper?
The TOWER strategy is useful when preparing for the test, when practicing for the test and while taking the test. This acronym stands for the following:
T-Thesis
O-Organization
W-Word Choice
E-Evidence
R-Revise
Each word is an essential element of a high scoring result. By reviewing these elements, one can better understand the expectations for this paper and how to write it. While practicing and taking the test, remembering the acronym and what it stands for can ensure that one’s essay contains the vital elements.
The Most Crucial Element – Thesis Statement
The thesis statement is the most crucial element of the paper. Not only is it the main idea of the composition, it is also the anchor. The entire task must support the thesis statement, and although each paragraph will have its own set of ideas and evidence, the focus should remain on the thesis statement. For the essay portion of the SAT, students will be given a prompt in the form of a paragraph. Prompts usually ask students for a personal response to an issue. Students should read through this prompt carefully as it has been designed to provide the necessary information to write a thoughtful thesis statement. In considering thesis statements, you should choose an angle with which they are comfortable and about which they have enough ideas to develop into a full paper. A strong thesis statement needs to be specific, and it will need to be supported with evidence. The thesis statement should appear at the end of the introduction paragraph. Because students will be writing in a short period of time, it is possible to alter one’s thesis statement if the essay takes a new direction. The evidence and ideas in the essay need to reflect the thesis statement.
Consider the following thesis statement:
Because a person’s nature is a reflection of his/her life experiences, one’s character can continue to develop and change over time.
For such a thesis statement, an essay will need to discuss the following:
How a person’s nature or character reflects one’s life experiences
How a person’s character continues to develop
How a person’s character can change over time
With a clear idea about what to discuss in the paper, students can find the writing process less harrowing and easier to approach. Once a specific thesis statement has been developed, a student can move on to writing an organized, structured essay.
Organization
The next important area to address when writing an essay for the SAT is organization. For this assignment, as in most other kinds of essays, the typical structure begins with an introduction paragraph, two to three body paragraphs and a conclusion paragraph. An introduction should begin with a lead sentence that hooks the reader. Next, the writer should set the context for the paper by providing some background information about the topic. The writer needs to introduce the ideas that will be discussed in the subsequent paragraphs. The last sentence of the introduction should be the thesis statement.
When beginning to compose the body paragraphs, it is important to remember that each paragraph needs to focus on one idea. Each body paragraph is an exploration of one aspect of the thesis statement. A body paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that provides focus. This sentence should be followed with evidence in the form of examples. As the writer is getting ready to finish one paragraph and move on to the next, it is necessary to refer back to the thesis statement. This is important to add unity and cohesion to the essay. It is also a helpful way for the writer to remain focused on the overall topic of the essay.
The final paragraph in the essay is the conclusion paragraph. This is the place to summarize the essay and bring it to a logical, organized ending. No new ideas or examples belong in this final paragraph. By referring back to the thesis statement, this final paragraph will bring closure to the essay. Generally, a 4-paragraph essay should be organized as follows:
Introduction Paragraph
- Lead
- Background information
- Ideas to be discussed in Body Paragraph One
- Ideas to be discussed in Body Paragraph Two
- Thesis statement
Body Paragraph One
- Topic sentence for focus
- Idea to support the thesis statement
- Evidence
- Refer back to thesis statement
Body Paragraph Two
- Topic sentence for focus
- Idea to support the thesis statement
- Evidence
- Refer back to thesis statement
Conclusion Paragraph
- Summarize overall topic
- Refer back to main ideas of body paragraph one
- Refer back to main ideas of body paragraph two
- Provide closure with reference to the thesis statement
A strong thesis statement and an organized structure are the basic foundation for a strong SAT essay. However, there are additional elements that can contribute to a high scoring essay.
Word Choice
By carefully considering word choice, students can demonstrate a skillful and insightful use of language. Descriptive language not only shows a strong vocabulary, it also allow the writer to be more precise and specific. Avoid using general words, such as “good,” “nice” and “happy.” If substituted for more descriptive words, such as “intriguing,” “generous,” and “blissful,” a writer can ensure that the reader better understands his/her intentions and meaning. By using more descriptive, precise language, a writer will be avoiding clichés and slowing the reader a more meaningful experience.
Evidence
One of the most important elements to this paper, like in many other assignments, is evidence. This is the best way to support a thesis statement in the body paragraphs. It is necessary to back up any points with evidence in the form of examples, anecdotes or facts. Although many SAT essay prompts will ask for personal reflections, also be sure to include information and evidence from school subjects. The evaluators are teachers and professors, so they will be looking for ways in which writers apply ideas from other areas of their schooling. Top scoring essays include the insightful use of ideas and examples from history, literature or current events.
Revise
The final step in the TOWER strategy is revision. Because writing is done in pencil, it is easy to review the essay and make any necessary changes. Begin the process by rereading the entire passage from the beginning. Be sure to correct any issues with spelling, punctuation and grammar. Next, be sure that the body paragraphs have enough evidence to support your thesis statement. If there is time, skim over your adjectives and replace any that are too general with more descriptive words. Finally, read it through one last time to be sure it contains all the necessary elements.
Acing the Essay: Prepare, Practice, Perform!
To tower above the rest, it is important to prepare for the SAT. Some students enroll in special SAT preparation courses, but that is not necessary for everyone. SAT preparation guides can be found at the local library, and might be available in some school libraries. Schools’ guidance offices distribute practice guides from the College Board. These free newsprint magazine can provide some indication of what to expect, as well as offer sample essay prompts. Prepare at home, with a timed practice paper, with one of the suggested prompts from an SAT guide or the College Board SAT site (collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sample-questions/essay writing skills). Practicing within the 25-minute time frame given during the essay is a helpful way to prepare. Students should use the TOWER strategy during practice sessions and solicit the help of a parent or adult with strong writing skills to read through practice essays and offer advice. Students who prepare and practice have the best chances of performing well on their SAT writings.