SAT  I  Verbal  Review  Alan Reinstein

Wednesdays—Newton South—3:30-5:30 p.m. 1/27—Overall Intro + Writing and Language Test (multiple choice) 2/3—Reading Test (mult. choice) 2/10—Essay section [2/17—No Class—Winter Break] 2/24—All together—more practice questions

Test  Info  

•  MARCH 5 •  deadlines to register: FEB 5 •  late reg. FEB 23 •  Go to: www.collegeboard.com

•  MAY 7

Goals  for  the  Course  1.  Students are introduced to the format and length of the

test

2.  Students practice Writing and Language Test and Reading Test questions

3.  Students practice the essay and receive feedback on a sample essay

4.  Students practice the timing of the test—learning to practice working swiftly—with some strategies for quick and effective test-taking

New  SAT  Format:  4  Sec?ons    

The  New  SAT (Starting in March, 2016) Changes: Reading 1. Vocabulary—Relevant Words in Context

–  Inclusion of science, humanities, and history information

2. Command of Evidence –  Find textual evidence or read a graph to arrive at a particular conclusion

3. Problems Grounded in Real-World Texts –  Literature and literary non-fiction –  Plus “readings and graphics like one you’re likely to encounter in science

and social science courses and in various majors and careers” (17, SAT Study Guide)

4. Use of US Founding Documents and Great Global Conversation –  Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights –  Essay by Edmund Burke (18th Cent. British politician/philosopher); speech

by Mahatma Gandhi

The  New  SAT  

Changes: Essay-Writing 5. Optional (but recommended) 6. Analyzing a Source

–  Old: 25 minutes—Defend a position on an issue—Different prompt each time

–  New: 50 minutes—Read a passage and explain how the author builds an argument (rhetorical analysis)—Always the same prompt

Other Change

7. No Penalty for Wrong Answers (formerly—0.25 pt. deduction)

–  Try your best without the added pressure of deciding on the risk/reward of a given question.

The  New  SAT  Essay

OLD NEW Required Optional (but recommended)

Beginning of the test End of the test

25 min. 50 min. (“enough time without rushing”)

Take a position Analyze an argument (How does the author build his/her argument to persuade an audience?)

Reading: passage + Reading: 650-750-word passage prompt

Scoring: one holistic Scoring: three scores—reading, analysis, score writing

The  New  SAT  

Scoring the Essay Each area of the response receives 2-8 pts. (from two readers giving scores of 1-4 pts.)

Reading: how well you demonstrated your understanding of the passage

Analysis: how well you analyzed the passage to explain how the author builds his/her argument to persuade the audience

Writing: how skillfully you crafted your response

The  New  SAT  Essay Before the passage:

As you read the passage below, consider how the author uses

• evidence, such as facts or examples, to support claims

• reasoning to develop ideas and to connect claims and evidence.

• stylistic or persuasive elements, such as word choice or appeals to emotion,to add power to the ideas expressed.

• 

The  New  SAT  Essay After the passage:

Write an essay in which you explain how the author builds an argument to persuade his/her audience that… [the author’s claim]. In your essay, analyze how the author uses one or more of the features listed in the box above (or features of your own choice) to strengthen the logic and persuasiveness of his argument. Be sure that your analysis focuses on the most relevant features of the passage.

Your essay should not explain whether you agree with the author’s claims, but rather explain how the author builds argument to persuade his/her audience.

The  New  SAT  Essay

Rhetorical Analysis focuses on • the author’s art and craft of writing • not strictly on the information from the passage

• Capture the main idea and specific details of the passage – but do not merely summarize it – and avoid emphasis on whether you

agree or disagree with the author’s claims

The  New  SAT  

As you read the passage below, consider how the author uses

• evidence, such as facts or examples, to support claims –  Effective evidence strengthens argument. –  Lack of evidence weakens it.

• reasoning to develop ideas and to connect claims and evidence. –  Logical thinking used is effective. –  Assumptions are made to guide the audience.

• stylistic or persuasive elements, such as word choice or appeals to emotion, to add power to the ideas expressed.

–  Vivid or descriptive language to create a mood –  Appeals to the audience’s fears or sense of honor

• Be selective. –  Some passages may rely more heavily on one element than another. –  It’s not necessary to emphasize all three areas. –  Choose a few points to focus on and discuss them fully.

The  New  SAT  Essay Scoring Rubric—page 181

Look over expectations for Advanced and Proficient levels for • Reading • Analysis • Writing

• What are notable differences between advanced and proficient?

The  New  SAT  Essay Sample Passage and Essays—

1. Read passage together—page 203

The  New  SAT  Essay Assignment:

Write an essay in which you explain how Adam B. Summers builds an argument to persuade his audience that plastic shopping bags should not be banned. In your essay, analyze how the author uses one or more of the features listed in the box above (or features of your own choice) to strengthen the logic and persuasiveness of his argument. Be sure that your analysis focuses on the most relevant features of the passage.

The  New  SAT  Essay View sample essays

• Sample 1—page 205 –  2 (Reading) / 1 (Analysis) / 1 (Writing)

• Sample 2—206—3/1/2 • Sample 4—210—3/3/3 • Sample 7—217—4/4/4

The  New  SAT  Essay Practice Essay—page 392

Look over expectations for Advanced and Proficient levels for •  Reading •  Analysis •  Writing

•  What are notable differences between advanced and proficient?

1.  Read the article. (5 min.)

2.  Prepare (Pre-writing). (5-10 min.) –  Notes. What are the author’s most effective strategies for making his

case? –  Quick outline

3.  Write your essay. (25-30 min.) –  Intro (introduce the passage, including a quick summary) –  body paragraphs (at least two) –  Conclusion

4.  Edit/Revise. (5 min.) –  Re-read your essay to check for mechanics and logic.

The  New  SAT  Essay Assignment:

Write an essay in which you explain how Jimmy Carter builds an argument to persuade his audience that the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge should not be developed for industry. In your essay, analyze how Carter uses one or more of the features listed in the box above (or features of your own choice) to strengthen the logic and persuasiveness of his argument. Be sure that your analysis focuses on the most relevant features of the passage.

Your essay should not explain whether you agree with Carter’s claims, but rather explain how Carter builds an argument to persuade his audience.

The  New  SAT  Essay

Time to process… •  What did you notice about your experience?

–  What was challenging? –  What seemed easy?

•  What suggestions for improvement can you think of already? –  Organization –  Time management