Ace the SAT Writing-- Even If You Hate to Write : [shortcuts and Strategies to Score Higher Regardless of Your Skill Level]

From the seemingly hopeless to the almost perfect, high school students will learn how to master the timed essay in this guide to the SAT's writing portion. Based on the premise that timed writing is a skill that anyone can learn, this handbook breaks down the essay-writing process into an easily mastered regimen that includes brainstorming, writing an outline, and time-management strategies. Forty mediocre sample essays are analyzed, improved, and scored to help students recognize what graders look for and understand how to improve their own writing while three full practice tests are accompanied by complete explanations of each answer. In a detailed question-and-answer section, top tutors and former SAT graders share their thoughts on what they like to see in an essay and give advice on creating the strongest piece. A basic overview of grammar and vocabulary and handy writing shortcuts are included as well as a new section on how to prepare when students only have a month to study. Copyright......Page 5 Contents at a Glance......Page 6 Table of Contents......Page 7 INTRODUCTION: When Writing Equals a Root Canal (without an Anesthetic!)......Page 12 SECTION 1: The (Relatively Painless) Anatomy of a Writer......Page 16 SECTION 2: An Inside Look at Scoring......Page 22 SECTION 3: I’m Gonna Make a Writer Outta You!......Page 30 Part 1: Boot Camp: Getting Familiar with the SAT’s Format......Page 32 Part 2: Tick, Tick, Tick: Managing Your Time as the Clock Keeps Ticking Away......Page 36 Part 3: Take Cover! It’s Time to Brainstorm......Page 40 Part 4: Just Add Water: Making Instant Outlines......Page 44 Part 5: Ready, Aim, Fire! Finding Your Target......Page 50 Part 6: I Need Some Support: Using the Best Examples and Illustrations......Page 56 Part 7: Gruesome Grammar and Painful Punctuation......Page 64 Part 8: When Words Matter: The Semi-Importance of Vocabulary......Page 72 Part 9: Lookin’ Good: Appearance Counts......Page 76 Part 10: Beyond the Basics: Going beyond Boot Camp......Page 78 Part 11: I’m Wrong; You’re Wrong: The Top Ten SAT Essay DON’Ts......Page 84 Part 12: Makin’ a List, Checkin’ It Twice: Last Minute Checklist......Page 86 SECTION 4: Read It and Weep (Then Improve!)......Page 88 SECTION 5: Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Mo: The Multiple Choice Portion of the SAT......Page 180 SECTION 6: Help! I Have Less than a Week to Study......Page 206 SECTION 7: Help! I Am Taking the SAT in 24 Hours......Page 212 SECTION 8: Practice Tests with Answers......Page 216 SECTION 9: The End: Final Thoughts......Page 275 Useful Websites......Page 279 Special Thanks......Page 280 More Great Books & Resources by SuperCollege......Page 281 About the Author......Page 289 From the seemingly hopeless to the almost perfect, high school students learn how to master the timed essay in this guide to the SAT's writing portion. Based on the premise that timed writing is a skill that anyone can learn, this handbook breaks down the essay-writing process into an easily mastered regimen that includes brainstorming, writing an outline, and time-management strategies. Thirty mediocre sample essays are analyzed, improved, and scored to help students recognize what graders look for and understand how to improve their own writing. In a detailed question-and-answer section, top tutors and former SAT graders share their thoughts on what they like to see in an essay and give advice on creating the strongest piece. A basic overview of grammar and vocabulary and handy writing shortcuts are included. Provides Tips, Tricks, And Examples Of How To Write A Good Essay When Time Is Limited, Discusses The Best Way To Approach The Multiple Choice Section Of The Writing Portion Of The Sat, And Tells How Essays For The Test Are Scored.