When test time rolls around, with preparation and practice, you will feel equipped for the SAT essay. It is important to understand the purpose of this essay, which is to measure a student’s ability to develop an insightful composition with thoughtful use of both language and evidence to clearly express an idea. To receive a high score on the SAT essay, you’ll need to practice, understand the assignment and apply the conventions of writing.

When you begin your SAT essay, carefully read and follow the writing prompt which is usually in the form of a short paragraph. The prompt will help focus and organize your essay, so don’t skim through it. Writing prompts usually ask for a personal response to a quotation or an issue. Once you clearly understand the topic, you’ll need to use an organized structure to develop your SAT essay.

Your essay should include an introduction, two to three body paragraphs and a conclusion. To earn a high score on the SAT essay, you should use strong vocabulary, proper grammar and clear ideas. The most important element of your essay is the thesis statement, which is the idea that focuses and guides your writing. The introduction should begin with a strong lead sentence (known as a hook) to interest the reader. Then, you should share some background information about the topic and introduce the ideas that will be discussed further in the body paragraphs. End the introduction with your thesis statement. Be sure your thesis clearly addresses the writing prompt.

Next, the body paragraphs support your main idea, and they must include plenty of evidence. To support your thesis, include insightful examples from your life, literature or events in history. The examples and evidence need to be relevant to your main idea. To add unity, each body paragraph should reference the thesis. Use transition words and phrases for added cohesion. In the conclusion, summarize your ideas, as this final paragraph is where the SAT essay comes full-circle. Don’t stray from what you’ve discussed, rather restate your thesis in a new way.

Before you turn in your SAT essay, be sure to read through to check for any misspellings or awkward sentences and review the overall clarity. Ensure that you have enough evidence and examples to support your thesis statement. Also be sure that you have used strong, expressive vocabulary. A good way to prepare is to practice. You can also use your English textbook to review grammar rules and brush up on writing conventions. With preparation, you can write with confidence and earn a high score on your SAT essay.