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SAT ESSAY EVALUATION

The new SAT essay, debuting in March of 2016 as an optional section on the new SAT, looks radically different than the earlier version of the essay. Instead of coming up with your own argument, you will now be required to analyze someone else' s argument. This argument takes the form of a 650-750 word article, and you will be given a total of 50 minutes, instead of 25, to read and respond to it.

In short, the SAT asks you to describe how the article in question persuades the reader of its point. In particular, you are asked to consider its use of evidence, reasoning and/or stylistic and persuasive elements.

Scoring has also changed. Instead of receiving a cumulative score of 2-12, you will now receive three cumulative scores of 2-8 in three separate categories (Reading, Analysis, and writing) (with 2 being the lowest score and 8 the highest). Two separate graders will evaluate your essay and each of the two graders will evaluate your essay from 1 to 4 for each category, and then the two graders' individual scores will be combined to give you category scores between 2 and 8. Your score on essay will be reported separately and will not affect your overall SAT composite score.

Characteristics of a top scoring (8/8/8) essay:

Reading
Excellent: The essay shows an excellent understanding of the source.
The essay shows an understanding of the source’ s main argument and key details and a firm grasp of how they are interconnected, demonstrating clear comprehension of the source.

The essay does not misinterpret or misrepresent the source.

The essay skillfully uses source evidence, such as direct quotations and rephrasing, representing a thorough comprehension of the source.
Analysis
Excellent: The essay gives an excellent analysis of the source and shows a clear understanding of what the assignment requires.

The essay gives a complete, highly thoughtful analysis of the author’ s use of reasoning, evidence, rhetoric and/or other argumentative elements the student has chosen to highlight.

The essay has appropriate, adequate and skillfully chosen support for its analysis. The essay focuses on the most important parts of the source in responding to the prompt.
Writing choice of words
Excellent: The essay is focused and shows an excellent grasp of the English language. The essay has a clear thesis. The essay has a well-executed introduction and conclusion. The essay shows a clear and well-crafted progression of thoughts both within progression and in the essay as a whole. The essay has a wide range of sentence structures. The essay consistently shows a precise choice of words. The essay is formal and objective in its style and tone. The essay demonstrates a firm grasp of the rules of standard English and has very few to no errors.

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