SAT: Writing and Language
Answer questions as you read
Tip #1
Read the first question and asnwer whatever it is that you need
** You roughly have 48 seconds for each question
Read only what is needed to answer the given question
Tip #2
- You will never have to read every word to get ocrrect answer
- Read only a sentence or two
- Main Idea questions
Make sure answer is concise and relevant
- Graviate toward less wordy answers
- if a choice goes off topic, its is INCORRECT
- Answer is always relevant to question
Know your puncutation!
Tip #4
- Commas (,)
- Semicolons (;)
- Colons (:)
- Apostrophes (')
Commas (,)
- Seperate three or more items in a list
- Seperates FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but)
- Set up intro information ( in 2008, the Phillies won the world series)
- Set up non-essentail descriptive information (I ran across the floor, which was blue, then fell.)
Semicolons
- Used ti join two independent clasues without the use of FANBOYS conjunction.
- EX I entered the competition early; however, i deciced to withdraw a week later
Semicolons
Colons
- Used to introduce and/or emphasize a short phrase, qoutation, explanation, or list
- EX The greatest obstacle to completing my homework was imminent: the finale of Grey’s Anatomy
Colons
Apostrophes
- Used to indicate possesion
- Create contractions
- EX Bob’s book, my friends’ phones
- EX there’s the rabbit, it’s important, who’s in charge
Know possible relationships between ideas
Tip #5
1. Reinforcement
2. Contrast
3. Casue and Effect
4. Sequence
Reinforcement
one idea supports or builds off another, so transitions to use include in addition, furthermore, for example, and also, among others.
Contrast
one idea opposes another. Here, the right transitions might be however, on the other hand, despite, and unlike.
Cause and Effect
one idea directly leads to another. To indicate this relationship, use transitions like consequently, therefore, since, and because.
Cause and Effect
Sequence
transitions are used for items part of a series. Words like first, then, afterwards, and finally would establish this relationship.
Sequence