Need advice re: SAT

[Michele in NC]

What would you do if you had a senior who had had very little writing (he's never written an essay or paper) and you wanted to prepare him for the SAT? I know he'll do fine on the other parts, but I have not taught him very much writing. It always got pushed to the back burner in favor of other subjects (not to mention two younger kids with special needs). No need to cry about it now, it's over and done with (even though I feel terrible about it). At this point, is there a way to prepare him for a test he needs to take in the next few months? If he doesn't pass the writing portion, he'll just take the placement test at community college and take a writing class there. However, I'd really like to see him place out of the math since he does very well in math. Any suggestions?

[Brenda in MA]

check if they will accept the ACT instead of the SAT. You can sign up for the ACT with or without the writing section.

If you want study materials for the SAT Essay, IEW has a product called High School Essay Intensive that is focused on the SAT essay and college entrance essays.

HTH,
Brenda

[Moira in MA]

At a WPI event that dh attended with my younger dd the admissions officer who made a presentation to participants said that colleges are still mostly ignoring the writing section as it is too new.

She claimed WPI was being more innovative by taking your math score plus the higher of the writing and critical reading sections.

Just a data point
HTH
~Moira

[Lori D.]

For a fast, "down and dirty" prep for writing for the SAT, the best thing I can think to suggest is to write, write, write, write -- as much practice as possible. (Re: the 2 standardized tests: be aware that the SAT and the ACT look for slightly different things in the essays, with the ACT favoring strong writers and those with more of a language arts/literature background.)

I'd suggest doing two things (below), and try to add the third in as you can BEST of luck! Warmly, Lori D.


Getting up to speed for SAT essay writing:

1. Spend a week going over either Jensen's Format Writing (see sample pages at: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=6061297&netp_id=280196&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW&view=covers). OR, together go over online material on essay writing (see links below), particularly the Five Paragraph Essay (since that's what the SAT wants to see).

2. Do timed essay writing 3 times a week to practice, using real past SAT writing prompts (see link below).

3. Do a Five Paragraph paper once a week:

Monday (30 minutes)
- student picks/narrows down topic and writes key word outline (see below)
- student turns in outline to parent; the two of you go over it
Tuesday (45 minutes)
- student fleshes out the key word outline into full paragraphs thru writing/research
Wednesday (45 minutes)
- student continues/finishes writing from Tuesday
- student goes over paper for typos, punctuation, spacing, capitalization, etc.
Thursday (45 minutes)
- student hands in first draft paper to parent
- together student and parent revise / edit / add to paper
Friday (30 minutes)
- student entitles paper; adds any citing of sources or bibliography (if needed)
- student types up final paper (if student hasn't been typing the paper already all week)
- student hands in final paper


What goes into the key word outline for a Five Paragraph Essay:

I. = Paragraph 1 (Introduction); it should include:
A. "Hook" = sentence to "pull in" reader's attention
B. Topic Sentence = overview of what the overall paper is about
C. Details (optional: 1-2 sentences with more info about the topic) Mention the specific examples/facts/points you'll use in the paper to support the topic:
1.
2.
3.
D. Concluding Sentence / Transition = sentence to "wrap up" the introduction and/or transition from the overview of the introduction into the first supporting example/fact/point.

II = Paragraph 2 (Body); it should include:
(optional) Transition Sentence (if previous paragraph did not end with one)
A. Topic Sentence = overview of what this paragraph is about -- in this case, stating the supporting example/fact/point #1 from the Introductory Paragraph
B. Details = 3-5 sentences with more info about this specific example/fact/point to support it
C. Concluding Sentence / Transition

III = Paragraph 3 (Body); it should include:
same as above; fleshes out example/fact/point #2 from Introduction

IV = Paragraph 4 (Body); it should include:
same as above; fleshes out example/fact/point #3 from Introduction

V = Paragraph 5 (Conclusion); it should include:
A. Summation of what the paper was about (1-3 sentences)
B. Include a new fact/information and/or include some personal insight or contention (1-2 sentences)
D. (optional) Include a clever way of "tying" the end of the paper back into the title or opening sentence of the paper (1 sentence)



On-Line Instruction for Essay Writing / Five Paragraph Essay Writing:

Guide to Grammar and Writing: The Five Paragraph Essay:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/GRAMMAR/five_par.htm


Chart Showing the Structure of the Five Paragraph Essay:
(This is a very handy chart to learn and then apply to any essay you write -- take 5 minutes to think out you intro, 3 main points and 3 supporting examples/details/specifics to support each of the 3 main points, and then a conclusion; then start writing, and you just refer back to where you are in the chart to know what you're going to say next)


the chart: http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/English/essay/
the essay written from the chart: http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/English/essay/table.html


Sparknotes: how to plan out and write an SAT essay:
http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/b...chapter7.rhtml



Sources for SAT essay writing questions:

SAT writing prompts:
- Online Math Learning = http://www.onlinemathlearning.com/sa...g-prompts.html
- The College Board = http://www.collegeboard.com/student/...y_prompts.html


ACT writing prompt sources:
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forum...77087#poststop



Resources on how SAT/ACT is graded, grading rubrics, "how to" write ACT/SAT essays, etc.:

The ACT website
Samples of prompts, but especially of essays, which, if you and your student look over, you might get a better feel for what to add in to lengthen the ACT essay:
ACT homepage = http://www.actstudent.org/writing/sample/index.html
ACT Scoring Explanation = http://www.actstudent.org/writing/sa...ixexplain.html

Writing the ACT Essay: instructive essay on how to write an ACT essay
http://web.jjay.cuny.edu/~writing/Wr...CT%20Essay.pdf

ACT Writing Test Scoring Guidelines / ACT Writing Test Rubric:
http://www.mrfusco.com/Writing_Rubric.htm

CUNY/ACT Writing Exam: tips for what's looked for and how to write a good essay
http://www.hostos.cuny.edu/oaa/act/ACTundersprompt.htm

The College Board: SAT essay grading explanation and examples of essays:
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/...pracStart.html

[Ria]

At a WPI event that dh attended with my younger dd the admissions officer who made a presentation to participants said that colleges are still mostly ignoring the writing section as it is too new.

She claimed WPI was being more innovative by taking your math score plus the higher of the writing and critical reading sections.

Just a data point
HTH
~Moira

Interesting. The schools we've looked at (private schools in PA) are all considering the writing score. Two years ago when my twins were interviewing we were told that they were ignoring it, but they have changed since then.

Ria

[Laurie4b]

[QUOTE=Lori D.;797901]For a fast, "down and dirty" prep for writing for the SAT, the best thing I can think to suggest is to write, write, write, write -- as much practice as possible. (Re: the 2 standardized tests: be aware that the SAT and the ACT look for slightly different things in the essays, with the ACT favoring strong writers and those with more of a language arts/literature background.)]


Did you mean "with the SAT favoring stronger writers and those with more of a language arts/lit background? " I'm thinking you wrote the opposite of what you meant to write.

Thanks for all the resources.

[Moira in MA]

Maybe WPI isnt quite on the leading edge they claim. All good for my eldest dd who did really well in both critical reading and writing but only well in the math.

~Moira

[readwithem]

My dd is doing practice essays between now and her March test date, from the College Board Blue Book. One thing she's doing is being deliberate about getting all her writing done within that 25 minute limit. She tries for 20 minutes so she has a few minutes to go back over it.

[Chris in VA]

No, I agree with Lori's original statement--the ACT does look for stronger writing and favors kids who have a strong lit backround. The test itself also favors strong critical reading skills.

[Laurie4b]

No, I agree with Lori's original statement--the ACT does look for stronger writing and favors kids who have a strong lit backround. The test itself also favors strong critical reading skills.

I'm curious as to why you think that. What about a lit background would help to answer an ACT prompt? I understand how a lit background would help with an SAT prompt, and lit. references appear regularly in SAT sample essays. There aren't any that I've seen in ACT official essay samples--not even their top ones, nor could I figure out how lit would be useful in answering questions on dress codes, junk food in school cafeterias, etc. What am I missing ?

Also, I'm interested to know why you think the ACT favors stronger writing than the SAT.