General Checklist for SAT Essay Writers

Read the Question Carefully.

• Make sure you understand what is being asked of you by the assignment.
• Make sure you address EVERYTHING the question asks you to address.
• Plan to work within the allotted time frame (approximately 25-30 minutes).

Organize Your Writing.

• Be sure your essay on the whole has an Introduction, Body and Conclusion (a.k.a. A Beginning, a Middle and an End.)
• Be sure your paragraphs have topic sentences.

Use Specific Details and Examples.

• Support the ideas in your topic sentences.
• Use vivid language.
• Avoid slang/Use formal, written English.
• Do not use vocabulary word with which you are not familiar just to “sound impressive.”

Have a Point of View.

• The Test Graders want to see you take a clear position in your answer.
• Do not worry about taking popular positions in your responses. You will NOT be evaluated on your beliefs – you will be evaluated on how well you illuminate, argue and logically reason for your beliefs.

Make Points & Be Purposeful.

• Don’t B.S.
• Each paragraph should make a specific point.
• Each sentence should make a specific point that relates to the overall point of the paragraph.

Proofread Your Work.

• Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar Count!

Be Prepared.

1. A great deal of success on the SAT happens BEFORE you take the test.
2. Be familiar with the SAT Grading Rubric for Writing.
3. Have practiced writing sample essay responses in the allotted amount of time to simulate test conditions.