Oct 7, 2008

SAT Prep | Prewriting/Planning the Essay

Before you actually begin to write, there are certain preliminary steps you need to take. A few minutes spent planning pays off—your final essay will be more focused, well-developed, and clear. For a 25-minute essay, you should spend about five minutes on the prewriting process.

Understand the Question
Read the essay question very carefully and ask yourself the following questions:

• What is the meaning of the topic statement?

• Is the question asking me to persuade the reader of the validity of a certain opinion?

• Do I agree or disagree with the statement?...