| 'Need for Speed- While staying on track' |
|
The writing style While the scientists are out there discovering new genes and sending satellite after satellite to the moon, you'd think they'd be able to come out with the formulae to be able to write a good essay. Since they can't or won't there are just a few things that you need to remember while writing it. |
Some 'Words of Wisdom' are not always founded on
facts
|
|
The Writing of the Essay- things you should
know
|
|
The amazing part- all this is expected in the 25minutes,
where being clear, organized and brilliant all together,
sounds like an oxymoron when actually you are struggling to
just write something in that time. But do not hurry so much
that you end up off context. To get things clear: the SAT essay is not designed to test "how well you write." It is intended to check how well-and rapidly-you can orient yourself to a new topic, categorize your thoughts, and write the first draft of a persuasive essay. So what ever the 'guru's' might be saying, the essay is no different than a race against time- like trying to run down 20 stories for a cab that you can see coming to a halt in front of your building. It is pressure all the way. Nonetheless- you can't jump down the window. |
|
The funny part being that despite what people might say about
the benefits of learning to write the SAT essay, there are not many essays, reports,
articles in your life time that you are going to be writing
at this speed. So what you are actually training for is your
mind to think clearly under pressure and to be as organized
as you can. (An actual attempt at an essay would
realistically require reworking, drafting and revisions)
along with becoming familiar with the way the questions are
put. What practice will do is help you understand how much you can write and what you need to write in different essays to achieve the required number of words- like a basic layout. The Checking of the Essay While you are still struggling with the essay it is good to remember that it is being checked holistically. Unlike the days when your English teachers went through your paper from top to bottom and then made notes, praising you for your comparisons or dissuading you from your use of words the essay is not being graded with politely written notes in the margins. |
|
Just as fast as you write, in fact much faster, the essays
are being scored by the evaluators. Your essay is being
scored holistically, which means as a whole. What is going to
count is the "Blink Effect"- does it or does it not sound
well organized, well arranged, clearly written and neat. Yes! Very like your board papers. Nobody will have the time to grade you for all the beautiful English. The score you get is actually dependent on the first impression the evaluators make of your work while they speed read it. Each SAT evaluator has dozens of essays to mark. |
|
|
As a result, your essay's score will be based entirely on the
first impressions formed by your two evaluators. If your
essay seems to be organized and well written, if your
examples seem to be like you know what you are talking about
then you will receive a high mark. The first impression is the last impression. Once the grader has been through the first paragraph of your essay their mind is probably made up on what you need to get as a score and nothing will probably change that unless there are too many glaring gaffe's after that (in which case it can get worse) Like any other exam, examiners are trained to be consistent. They are trying to keep it consistent with what the other grader will mark it also- meaning a holistic approach. Depending on the way your information is presented, they are most probably going for the first impression subconsciously if not consciously. This is what will probably influence them to give you your final score. So what is needed for the 'Blink Effect?' The number of words will make a difference- it shows that you have something to say and the longer you take to say it the better it is. The use of those SAT Words which you learnt up for your vocabulary building exercises- make the essay author appear articulate and intelligent |
|
Organizing your essay in paragraphs What you were taught in class 4 or 5 still holds true-you need to write in paragraphs because they are an evidence of an organized and planned way of writing, each paragraph dealing with a point well made. Examples to support your opinion- literary ones, historical ones or any other scholarly ones- exhibiting general awareness and an intellectual attitude- at least one or two. Avoid slang or short forms- govt. it's cool, I'll be done, don't, I'd, info. - All evidence of informality and poor writing skills. All your SAT training might have been for a Marathon but it is a Sprint that you have to perform at the end, always keeping the goal in sight. |
Post Comments