Transcript Writing Essays - Prince George's County Public Schools

Writing Essays for the SAT
How to Do It;
What to Expect from It
Choosing a Method of
Development
• You will learn four specific ways to develop
expository paragraphs and practice each
method.
• The topic sentences have been provided for you
by SAT and TCA folks.
• You will choose your own methods of
development. Write your introductory paragraph
then select a rhetorical stance appropriate to the
subject and your knowledge.
• The method you choose to develop a paragraph
depends upon your purpose in writing.
Using Facts
• Facts may be included in any paragraph, but a
paragraph developed mainly by facts answers
the questions who? what? when? where? and
how?
• Consider, for example, the following sentence
about George Washington:
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(who?) George Washington
(what?) was named head of the Continental Army
(when?) in 1775
(where?) in Philadelphia
(how?). by an act of the Second Continental
Congress
Using Examples
• When you generalize about a group or an idea, develop
your paragraph with examples.
• Paragraphs developed mainly with examples answer
who specifically? what specifically? where specifically?
when specifically? or how specifically?
• A topic sentence about fathers (generalization) could be
illustrated with sentenced about
– Jane's father (specific),
– Arnold's father (specific), and
– Tim's father (specific).
• If you were writing about equality (generalization), you
might give examples of
– political equality (more specific) or
– social equality (more specific).
Using Reasons
• Paragraphs developed with reasons answer the
question why?
• Suppose your topic sentence was Teenagers too
young to drive automobiles should have a
moped. Why?
– Mopeds are economical,
– give teenagers practice in observing laws, and
– relieve parents the need to drive their teenagers to so
many places.
• The sentence of illustration gives reasons for the
assertion made in the top sentence.
Using Incidents
• When you want to tell what happened, relate an
incident.
• Suppose your history teacher asks on a test,
what happened at Gettysburg in 1863? Your
paragraph might begin:
– In Gettysburg Pennsylvania, on July 1 to 3, 1863, one
of the most decisive battles of the War Between the
States was fought.
• Then you could illustrate your paragraph with
sentences that tell in chronological order what
happened each day of the battle
Writing an Opening Paragraph
• Writing the lead paragraph clarifies your thinking
and points the way for your reader
• You want to spark the readers interest and set
the tone of the essay
• The opening paragraph should include one of these
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–
–
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–
–
A funny story or dramatic statement
A thought provoking question
A fitting quotation
A small taste of the conclusion
List your main points
Have an unexpected angle your reader hasn’t seen.
Selecting a Rhetorical Stance
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Narrate- Tell me a story, recreate an experience
Describe- Tell how someone or something appeared
Define- Clarify or explain the meaning of a term
Explain- Prove a point by providing examples or reasons
Analyze- Break something down into component parts
Classify– Divide a large complex set of things into
smaller groups and identify each group
• Compare– Measure one thing against another similar
thing or something new to something older and familiar
• Argue– Use logic and evidence to prove something is
true
Concluding your Essay
• Sometimes your writing will come to an
effective stopping point after you have
made your last point.
• Closing paragraphs are important to tie up
loose ends or clarify the meaning of points
you have made in the body of the essay.
• Play with several endings before choosing
which one best serves to bring home your
thesis in the essay.
Clarification of the Obscure
• Each opening paragraph can be part of or the opposite to a
method of development
• Rhetorical stance is dependent upon the method of
development but may be counterpoint to your opening
paragraph
• Whether you write a conclusion or not it should flow from
your essay and append itself naturally. It should come as a
surprise to the reader.
• Your audience is expecting intelligently worded responses.
The use of slang or informal language needs to be
anecdotal and revealing of certain point of view. Your
writing needs to rise to a more formal tone without being
condescending or judgmental. Many of life’s truths are
particular to a worldview embedded in the vernacular.
Outstanding Essay Criteria
Critical Thinking: The essay effectively and insightfully develops
a position on the subject that is supported by clearly relevant
examples, evidence, and logic. The writer uses excellent
critical thinking, and the central idea is clearly defined and
developed.
Organization: The essay is well organized and stays focused on
the topic. Ideas are logically and clearly developed, and
paragraphs are carefully constructed and organized. The
essay is a unified presentation of the thesis and has a clear
introduction, body and conclusion.
Use of Language: The writer has versatility and mastery in use
of language and a comprehensive vocabulary. Words are well
chosen, and transitional devices create a smooth flow from
sentence to sentence.
Sentence Structure: The writer uses variety in sentence
structure to enhance communication.
Usage and Grammar: The essay has very few if any errors in
grammar, usage, and mechanics. Accepted conventions are
followed.
Critical Thinking:
 The
essay effectively and insightfully
develops a position on the subject.
 It is supported by clearly relevant
examples, evidence, and logic.
 The writer uses excellent critical
thinking.
 The central idea is clearly defined and
developed.
Organization
The essay is well organized and stays
focused on the topic.
 Ideas are logically and clearly developed.
 Paragraphs are carefully constructed and
organized.
 The essay is a unified presentation of the
thesis
 It has a clear introduction, body and
conclusion.

Use of Language
 The
writer has versatility and mastery
in use of language and
comprehensive vocabulary.
 Words are well chosen,
 Transitional devices create a smooth
flow from sentence to sentence.
READ
Sentence Structure; Usage
and Grammar
 The
writer uses variety in sentence
structure to enhance communication.
 The essay has very few if any errors
in grammar, usage, and mechanics.
 Accepted conventions are followed.