Test Prep Toolkit

SAT Essay Prompts (10 Sample Questions)

What does it take to get a high SAT Essay score, if not perfect it? Practice, practice and more practice! Know the tricks and techniques of writing the perfect SAT Essay, so that you can score perfect as well. That’s not a far off idea, because there actually is a particular “formula” for perfecting the SAT Essay test. Consider that every prompt has a format, and what test-takers are required to do remain the same- even if the passage varies from test to test.

The SAT Essay test will ask you to read an argument that is intended to persuade a general audience. You’ll need to discuss how proficient the author is in arguing their point. Analyze the argument of the author and create an integrated and structured essay that explains your analysis.

On this page, we will feature 10 real SAT Essay prompts that have been recently released online by the College Board. You can utilize these Essay SAT prompts as 10 sample SAT Essay questions for easy practice. This set of SAT Essay prompts is the most comprehensive that you will find online today.

The predictability of the SAT Essay test necessitates students to perform an organized analytical method of writing instead of thinking up random ideas on their own. Consider that what you will see before and after the passage remains consistent. It is recommended that you initially read and apply the techniques suggested in writing the perfect SAT Essay (🡨link to SAT Essay —- SAT Essay Overview: How to Get a Perfect Score) before proceeding on using the following essay prompts for practice.

Check our SAT Reading Practice Tests

10 Official SAT Essay Prompts For Practice

10 Official SAT Essay Prompts For Practice

Practice Test 1

“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.”

Practice Test 2

“Write an essay in which you explain how Martin Luther King Jr. builds an argument to persuade his audience that American involvement in the Vietnam War is unjust.”

Practice Test 3

“Write an essay in which you explain how Eliana Dockterman builds an argument to persuade her audience that there are benefits to early exposure to technology.”

Practice Test 4

“Write an essay in which you explain how Paul Bogard builds an argument to persuade his audience that natural darkness should be preserved.”

Practice Test 5

“Write an essay in which you explain how Eric Klinenberg builds an argument to persuade his audience that Americans need to greatly reduce their reliance on air-conditioning.”

Practice Test 6

“Write an essay in which you explain how Christopher Hitchens builds an argument to persuade his audience that the original Parthenon sculptures should be returned to Greece.”

Practice Test 7

“Write an essay in which you explain how Zadie Smith builds an argument to persuade her audience that public libraries are important and should remain open”

Practice Test 8

“Write an essay in which you explain how Bobby Braun builds an argument to persuade his audience that the US government must continue to invest in NASA.”

Practice Test 9

“Write an essay in which you explain how Richard Schiffman builds an argument to persuade his audience that Americans need to work fewer hours.”

Practice Test 10

“Write an essay in which you explain how Todd Davidson builds an argument to persuade his audience that the US government must continue to fund national parks.”

Visit our SAT Writing Practice Tests

What Is An Example Of A SAT Essay That Obtained A Perfect Score?

Example Of A SAT Essay

Here is an example of Practice Test 4 above and how a perfect SAT Essay in response to it looks like. This has been published in the College Board website.

Answer Essay with Perfect Score:

In response to our world’s growing reliance on artificial light, writer Paul Bogard argues that natural darkness should be preserved in his article “Let There be dark”. He effectively builds his argument by using a personal anecdote, allusions to art and history, and rhetorical questions.

Bogard starts his article off by recounting a personal story – a summer spent on a Minnesota lake where there was “woods so dark that [his] hands disappeared before [his] eyes.” In telling this brief anecdote, Bogard challenges the audience to remember a time where they could fully amass themselves in natural darkness void of artificial light. By drawing in his readers with a personal encounter about night darkness, the author means to establish the potential for beauty, glamour, and awe-inspiring mystery that genuine darkness can possess. He builds his argument for the preservation of natural darkness by reminiscing for his readers a first-hand encounter that proves the “irreplaceable value of darkness.” This anecdote provides a baseline of sorts for readers to find credence with the author’s claims.

Bogard’s argument is also furthered by his use of allusion to art – Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” – and modern history – Paris’ reputation as “The City of Light”. By first referencing “Starry Night”, a painting generally considered to be undoubtedly beautiful, Bogard establishes that the natural magnificence of stars in a dark sky is definite. A world absent of excess artificial light could potentially hold the key to a grand, glorious night sky like Van Gogh’s according to the writer. This urges the readers to weigh the disadvantages of our world consumed by unnatural, vapid lighting. Furthermore, Bogard’s alludes to Paris as “the famed ‘city of light’”. He then goes on to state how Paris has taken steps to exercise more sustainable lighting practices. By doing this, Bogard creates a dichotomy between Paris’ traditionally alluded-to name and the reality of what Paris is becoming – no longer “the city of light”, but moreso “the city of light…before 2 AM”. This furthers his line of argumentation because it shows how steps can be and are being taken to preserve natural darkness. It shows that even a city that is literally famous for being constantly lit can practically address light pollution in a manner that preserves the beauty of both the city itself and the universe as a whole

Finally, Bogard makes subtle yet efficient use of rhetorical questioning to persuade his audience that natural darkness preservation is essential. He asks the readers to consider “what the vision of the night sky might inspire in each of us, in our children or grandchildren?” in a way that brutally plays to each of our emotions. By asking this question, Bogard draws out heartfelt ponderance from his readers about the affecting power of an untainted night sky. This rhetorical question tugs at the readers’ heartstrings; while the reader may have seen an unobscured night skyline before, the possibility that their child or grandchild will never get the chance sways them to see as Bogard sees. This strategy is definitively an appeal to pathos, forcing the audience to directly face an emotionally-charged inquiry that will surely spur some kind of response. By doing this, Bogard develops his argument, adding gutthral power to the idea that the issue of maintaining natural darkness is relevant and multifaceted.

Writing as a reaction to his disappointment that artificial light has largely permeated the prescence of natural darkness, Paul Bogard argues that we must preserve true, unaffected darkness. He builds this claim by making use of a personal anecdote, allusions, and rhetorical questioning.

Related Topic:  SAT Requirements

This response scored a 4/4/4.

Reading—4: This response demonstrates thorough comprehension of the source text through skillful use of paraphrases and direct quotations. The writer briefly summarizes the central idea of Bogard’s piece ( natural darkness should be preserved ;  we must preserve true, unaffected darkness ), and presents many details from the text, such as referring to the personal anecdote that opens the passage and citing Bogard’s use of  Paris’ reputation as “The City of Light.” There are few long direct quotations from the source text; instead, the response succinctly and accurately captures the entirety of Bogard’s argument in the writer’s own words, and the writer is able to articulate how details in the source text interrelate with Bogard’s central claim. The response is also free of errors of fact or interpretation. Overall, the response demonstrates advanced reading comprehension.

Analysis—4:  This response offers an insightful analysis of the source text and demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the analytical task. In analyzing Bogard’s use of personal anecdote, allusions to art and history, and rhetorical questions , the writer is able to explain carefully and thoroughly how Bogard builds his argument over the course of the passage. For example, the writer offers a possible reason for why Bogard chose to open his argument with a personal anecdote, and is also able to describe the overall effect of that choice on his audience ( In telling this brief anecdote, Bogard challenges the audience to remember a time where they could fully amass themselves in natural darkness void of artificial light. By drawing in his readers with a personal encounter…the author means to establish the potential for beauty, glamour, and awe-inspiring mystery that genuine darkness can possess…. This anecdote provides a baseline of sorts for readers to find credence with the author’s claims ). The cogent chain of reasoning indicates an understanding of the overall effect of Bogard’s personal narrative both in terms of its function in the passage and how it affects his audience. This type of insightful analysis is evident throughout the response and indicates advanced analytical skill.

Writing—4: The response is cohesive and demonstrates highly effective use and command of language. The response contains a precise central claim ( He effectively builds his argument by using personal anecdote, allusions to art and history, and rhetorical questions ), and the body paragraphs are tightly focused on those three elements of Bogard’s text. There is a clear, deliberate progression of ideas within paragraphs and throughout the response. The writer’s brief introduction and conclusion are skillfully written and encapsulate the main ideas of Bogard’s piece as well as the overall structure of the writer’s analysis. There is a consistent use of both precise word choice and well-chosen turns of phrase ( the natural magnificence of stars in a dark sky is definite ,  our world consumed by unnatural, vapid lighting ,  the affecting power of an untainted night sky ). Moreover, the response features a wide variety in sentence structure and many examples of sophisticated sentences ( By doing this, Bogard creates a dichotomy between Paris’ traditionally alluded-to name and the reality of what Paris is becoming – no longer “the city of light”, but moreso “the city of light…before 2AM” ). The response demonstrates a strong command of the conventions of written English. Overall, the response exemplifies advanced writing proficiency.

Related Topics:

  • Practice Tests for SAT Reading
  • SAT Writing And Language Practice Tests
  • SAT Languages Test
  • SAT Essay Test  SAT Writing Practice Tests
  • SAT Science Test, Topics & Subjects Content
  • SAT Registration
  • SAT Test Dates
  • SAT vs ACT, Which One Should You Take?
  • Why Take the SAT?

SAT study guide

What Is the SAT Essay?

College Board

  • February 28, 2024

The SAT Essay section is a lot like a typical writing assignment in which you’re asked to read and analyze a passage and then produce an essay in response to a single prompt about that passage. It gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your reading, analysis, and writing skills—which are critical to readiness for success in college and career—and the scores you’ll get back will give you insight into your strengths in these areas as well as indications of any areas that you may still need to work on.

The Essay section is only available in certain states where it’s required as part of SAT School Day administrations. If you’re going to be taking the SAT during school , ask your counselor if it will include the Essay section. If it’s included, the Essay section will come after the Reading and Writing and Math sections and will add an additional 50 minutes .

What You’ll Do

  • Read a passage between 650 and 750 words in length.
  • Explain how the author builds an argument to persuade an audience.
  • Support your explanation with evidence from the passage.

You won’t be asked to agree or disagree with a position on a topic or to write about your personal experience.

The Essay section shows how well you understand the passage and are able to use it as the basis for a well-written, thought-out discussion. Your score will be based on three categories.

Reading: A successful essay shows that you understood the passage, including the interplay of central ideas and important details. It also shows an effective use of textual evidence.

Analysis: A successful essay shows your understanding of how the author builds an argument by:

  • Examining the author’s use of evidence, reasoning, and other stylistic and persuasive techniques
  • Supporting and developing claims with well-chosen evidence from the passage

Writing: A successful essay is focused, organized, and precise, with an appropriate style and tone that varies sentence structure and follows the conventions of standard written English.

Learn more about how the SAT Essay is scored.

Want to practice? Log in to the Bluebook™ testing application , go to the Practice and Prepare section, and choose full-length practice test . There are 3 practice Essay   tests. Once you submit your response, go to MyPractice.Collegeboard.org , where you’ll see your essay, a scoring guide and rubric so that you can score yourself, and student samples for various scores to compare your self-score with a student at the same level.

After the Test

You’ll get your Essay score the same way you’ll get your scores for the Reading and Writing and Math sections. If you choose to send your SAT scores to colleges, your Essay score will be reported along with your other section scores from that test day. Even though Score Choice™   allows you to choose which day’s scores you send to colleges, you can never send only some scores from a certain test day. For instance, you can’t choose to send Math scores but not SAT Essay scores.

Until 2021, the SAT Essay was also an optional section when taking the SAT on a weekend. That section was discontinued in 2021.

If you don’t have the opportunity to take the SAT Essay section as part of the SAT, don’t worry. There are other ways to show your writing skills as part of the work you’re already doing on your path to college. The SAT can help you stand out on college applications , as it continues to measure the writing and analytical skills that are essential to college and career readiness. And, if you want to demonstrate your writing skills even more, you can also consider taking an AP English course .

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sat essay writing topics

SAT Essay Prompts: Analysis and Practice

sat essay writing topics

Analyzing and practicing SAT essay prompts is crucial for success on the Writing and Language section of the SAT. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you understand SAT essay prompts, analyze them effectively, and practice writing essays that meet the SAT's expectations:

 Understanding SAT Essay Prompts

1. Prompt Structure: SAT essay prompts typically consist of a passage or excerpt followed by a question that asks you to analyze the author's argument, rhetorical strategies, or persuasive techniques.

2. Key Components: Pay attention to the main argument or thesis presented in the passage, as well as the evidence and rhetorical devices used to support it.

3. Purpose of Analysis: The SAT essay prompt is designed to assess your ability to analyze and evaluate an author's argument, rather than to express your own opinion or personal experiences.

 Analyzing SAT Essay Prompts

1. Identify the Main Argument: Read the passage carefully to understand the author's main argument or thesis. Highlight key points and evidence used to support it.

2. Evaluate Rhetorical Strategies: Identify and analyze the rhetorical devices and persuasive techniques used by the author, such as appeals to emotion, logic, or authority.

3. Consider Tone and Style: Pay attention to the author's tone and writing style, as well as any patterns or recurring themes in the passage.

4. Assess Effectiveness: Evaluate how effectively the author presents their argument and persuades the reader to agree with their point of view.

 Practicing SAT Essay Writing

1. Time Yourself: Set a timer for 50 minutes (the allotted time for the SAT essay) and practice writing essays under timed conditions to simulate test-day conditions.

2. Choose Prompts: Select SAT essay prompts from official SAT practice tests, review books, or online resources. Aim to practice with a variety of prompts to improve your versatility.

3. Outline Your Response: Before writing your essay, create a brief outline outlining your main points and the structure of your argument. This will help you stay focused and organized.

4. Write Clear, Concise Responses: Write in clear, concise language, and provide specific examples and evidence from the passage to support your analysis.

5. Edit and Revise: Take time to review and revise your essay after you've finished writing. Check for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors, and make any necessary revisions to strengthen your argument.

6. Seek Feedback: Ask a teacher, tutor, or knowledgeable peer to review your essays and provide constructive feedback. Use their suggestions to improve your writing skills.

 Tips for Success

1. Practice Regularly: Consistent practice is key to improving your SAT essay writing skills. Aim to practice writing essays on a regular basis to build confidence and familiarity with the format.

2. Read Critically: Read a variety of texts, including articles, essays, and editorials, and practice analyzing the author's argument, tone, and rhetorical strategies.

3. Stay Updated: Familiarize yourself with current events and social issues, as SAT essay prompts often draw from contemporary topics and debates.

4. Stay Calm and Focused: On test day, stay calm and focused, and trust in your preparation and practice. Remember to manage your time effectively and pace yourself throughout the essay-writing process.

By understanding SAT essay prompts, analyzing them effectively, and practicing writing essays that meet the SAT's expectations, you can improve your performance on the SAT Writing and Language section and work towards achieving your target score.

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Free Resources

Full-Length Paper Practice Tests

Download an official full-length practice test for free to help you prepare.

While anyone is welcome to use our downloadable paper practice tests, using these practice materials does not mean you have been approved to test with a particular accommodation. The PDF versions of our practice tests are nonadaptive and are recommended only for students who will test with paper-based accommodations on test day.

When you're ready to score your test, download the scoring guide and answer explanations for your practice test and check your answers.

NOTE: The practice test materials for PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10 can be used interchangeably.

Full-Length SAT Paper Practice Tests

You can find everything you need to take and score your official full-length SAT practice tests on paper below.

Full-Length SAT Paper Practice Test 1

This full-length, linear (nonadaptive) official SAT practice test was written by the same people who wrote the SAT. Download it to get started.

SAT Practice Test 1–Digital

This full-length, official SAT practice test was written by the same people who wrote the SAT. Download it to get started.

SAT Practice Test 1 Answer Explanations–Digital

Download the answers — and the explanations that show why they are right — for SAT Practice Test 1.

Scoring Your SAT Practice Test 1—Digital

Download this guide to calculate your section and total scores for SAT Practice Test 1.

Full-Length SAT Paper Practice Test 2

Sat practice test 2–digital, sat practice test 2 answer explanations–digital.

Download the answers — and the explanations that show why they are right — for SAT Practice Test 2.

Scoring Your SAT Practice Test 2—Digital

Download this guide to calculate your section and total scores for SAT Practice Test 2.

Full-Length SAT Paper Practice Test 3

Sat practice test 3–digital, sat practice test 3 answer explanations–digital.

Download the answers — and the explanations that show why they are right — for SAT Practice Test 3.

Scoring Your SAT Practice Test 3—Digital

Download this guide to calculate your section and total scores for SAT Practice Test 3.

Full-Length SAT Paper Practice Test 4

Sat practice test 4–digital, sat practice test 4 answer explanations–digital, scoring your sat practice test 4—digital.

Download this guide to calculate your section and total scores for SAT Practice Test 4.

Full-Length SAT Paper Practice Test 5

Sat practice test 5–digital, sat practice test 5 answer explanations–digital.

Download the answers — and the explanations that show why they are right — for SAT Practice Test 5.

Scoring Your SAT Practice Test 5—Digital

Download this guide to calculate your section and total scores for SAT Practice Test 5.

Full-Length SAT Paper Practice Test 6

Sat practice test 6–digital, sat practice test 6 answer explanations–digital.

Download the answers — and the explanations that show why they are right — for SAT Practice Test 6.

Scoring Your SAT Practice Test 6—Digital

Download this guide to calculate your section and total scores for SAT Practice Test 6.

Full-Length Paper Practice Tests for PSAT-Related Assessments

When you want to practice for the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, or PSAT 8/9, our full-length practice tests can help you prepare.

Full-Length PSAT/NMSQT Paper Practice Test

Psat/nmsqt practice test 1, scoring your psat/nmsqt practice test 1.

Use this guide to score your test.

PSAT/NMSQT Practice Test 1 Answer Explanations

Full-length psat 10 paper practice test, psat 10 practice test 1, scoring your psat 10 practice test 1, psat 10 practice test 1 answer explanations, psat 8/9 practice test 1.

Take an official PSAT 8/9 practice test and score your results.

PSAT 8/9: Practice Test 1

Psat 8/9 practice test 1 answer explanations, scoring your psat 8/9 practice test 1, sat practice essays.

If your state offers SAT Essay as part of its in-school testing, you can find practice essay prompts and scoring explanations below.

SAT Practice Essays and Score Explanations—Digital

NOTE: The Essay is only available in certain states where it's required as part of SAT School Day administrations. If you're going to be taking the SAT on a school day, ask your counselor if it will include the Essay section.

SAT Practice Essay 1—Digital

This full-length, official SAT practice essay was written by the same people who wrote the SAT. Download it to get started.

SAT Practice Essay 1 Score Explanations—Digital

Download student sample essays—and the explanations that show why they received the score they did—for SAT Practice Essay 1.

SAT Practice Essay 2—Digital

Sat practice essay 2 score explanations—digital.

Download student sample essays—and the explanations that show why they received the score they did—for SAT Practice Essay 2.

SAT Practice Essay 3—Digital

Sat practice essay 3 score explanations—digital.

Download student sample essays—and the explanations that show why they received the score they did—for SAT Practice Essay 3.

sat essay writing topics

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Master the SAT Essay: Your Guide to Format, Tips, and Practice

dulingo

  • Updated on  
  • Jun 25, 2024

Ace-Your-SAT-Essay-Essential-Tips-Sample-Questions-and-a-Winning-Format

SAT Essay Example: The SAT essay is often viewed as a daunting hurdle on the path to college admissions. However, this crucial component of the test presents a valuable opportunity to showcase critical thinking and analytical writing skills. Beyond simply summarising a provided passage, the SAT essay demands a deeper engagement with the author’s arguments, requiring students to dissect persuasive techniques, identify underlying assumptions, and potentially even propose counterarguments.

We have compiled some SAT essay examples to help you better come to grips with such questions. That said, read the complete blog to learn more about these questions with the help of some SAT essay examples. 

What Is the SAT Essay?

The SAT Essay section presents an opportunity for test-takers to showcase their preparedness for the analytical and written demands of college coursework and future careers. It closely resembles a typical college writing assignment, tasking students with a close reading and analysis of a provided passage followed by a structured essay response to a prompt directly connected to the passage. 

This section serves a dual purpose: firstly, it grants students a platform to demonstrate their proficiency in reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and written communication; secondly, it offers valuable feedback on these very areas, allowing students to identify strengths and target aspects requiring further development.

The task itself reflects the types of writing assignments students will encounter throughout their academic careers, demanding a critical examination of source material, the formulation of a cogent argument, and the articulation of ideas clearly and concisely. 

SAT Essay Example PDF: Sample Questions and Answers (Download for Free)

SAT Essay Example: Here are some sample questions that you can practice to ace your SAT essay questions. Download the free PDF from the link given below and practice the questions. Doing so will give you a solid understanding of the types of questions that can be asked, ensuring you are better equipped to tackle such questions on the day of the exam. 

Click on the link below to download the PDF for SAT essay sample questions (with answers) for free!

What is the Format of an SAT Essay?

The SAT Essay adheres to a well-defined structure, designed to assess a student’s ability to effectively analyze and respond to a written argument. Within this framework, students are presented with the opportunity to showcase their critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and writing skills.

Introduction

The essay begins with a concise and informative introduction. This opening paragraph should provide a brief overview of the passage’s main argument or thesis. Here, students should demonstrate their comprehension of the author’s central point and purpose. Following this introduction, the essay transitions into the body paragraphs, each one dedicated to a specific aspect of the author’s argumentative strategy.

Body Paragraphs

The core body paragraphs serve as the crux of the essay. Within each paragraph, students are tasked with dissecting a distinct element employed by the author to persuade the audience. This analysis should delve into specific techniques utilized by the author, such as the use of evidence, appeals to logic or emotion, or the incorporation of counterarguments. To bolster their analysis, students must provide concrete textual evidence from the passage to substantiate their claims. Effective use of transitions between paragraphs ensures a smooth flow of ideas and a logical progression of the analysis.

The concluding paragraph serves to bring the essay to a satisfying close. In this final section, students should reiterate the main argument of the passage and summarize the key points discussed in the body paragraphs regarding the author’s persuasive techniques. The conclusion may also offer a final thought or reflection on the author’s overall effectiveness in achieving their persuasive goals.

By adhering to this structured format, students taking the SAT Essay can present a well-organized and persuasive analysis of the provided passage. This structure allows them to effectively showcase their critical thinking and writing skills in a way that directly aligns with the expectations of college-level writing assignments.

How to Write an SAT Essay? 

The SAT Essay presents a valuable opportunity for test-takers to demonstrate their preparedness for the rigours of college-level writing and critical analysis. While seemingly daunting at first glance, crafting a compelling SAT essay becomes a manageable task when approached strategically. Here, we will explore a series of steps designed to guide students through the process of constructing a well-developed and insightful essay response.

  • The foundation for a successful SAT essay lies in a thorough understanding of the passage and the prompt itself. Students should dedicate a significant portion of the allotted time to attentively reading the provided passage.
  •  During this initial reading, it is crucial to grasp the author’s central argument, the evidence used to support it, and the overall tone and purpose of the writing. Taking notes or underlining key points can be helpful in solidifying comprehension.
  • Once comfortable with the passage, students should meticulously analyze the essay prompt. The prompt typically poses a specific question about the author’s argumentative strategies. 
  • Identifying the key elements of the prompt is paramount, as it dictates the direction and focus of the essay response. Underlining keywords within the prompt can help ensure a clear understanding of what the essay graders are looking for.
  • The next step involves crafting a strong thesis statement. This concise sentence should encapsulate the central argument of the essay, outlining the key techniques employed by the author to persuade the audience. 
  • An effective thesis statement serves as a roadmap for the entire essay, guiding the analysis and ensuring a focused response.
  • The concluding paragraph serves to bring the essay to a satisfying close. Students should reiterate the main argument of the passage and summarize the key points discussed regarding the author’s persuasive techniques. 
  • The conclusion may also offer a final thought or reflection on the effectiveness of the author’s strategies, but it should avoid introducing any entirely new ideas.

What are the Most Common Types of SAT Essay Questions? 

There are primarily four types of SAT essay questions that aspirants should keep in mind. These questions typically revolve around analysing the persuasive techniques used in a provided passage. These questions are of the following types:

  • Evidence: How does the author use evidence to support their claims? What types of evidence are employed (e.g., statistics, anecdotes, expert opinions)? How effectively does the evidence bolster the author’s argument?
  • Logical Reasoning: Does the author’s argument follow a sound logical structure? Are there any logical fallacies present? How does the author connect evidence to their central point?
  • Appeals: What persuasive appeals does the author utilize (e.g., appeals to logic, emotion, or ethics)? How effective are these appeals in convincing the audience?
  • Rhetorical Strategies: Does the author employ specific rhetorical strategies to enhance their argument (e.g., use of figurative language, parallelism, tone)? How do these strategies contribute to the overall persuasiveness of the passage?

Keeping abreast of such question types will help you develop a strong foundation for approaching any prompt with ease. Focusing on honing your critical thinking skills and the ability to identify and analyse persuasive techniques will equip you to tackle any passage effectively.

So that was all about SAT essay examples. Hope the blog has answered your queries regarding the topic. 

Ans. As of June 2024, the College Board eliminated the mandatory essay section from the SAT. However, some individual schools may still require or recommend the SAT Essay as part of their application process. It’s crucial to check the specific requirements of each college or university you’re interested in attending.

Ans. The SAT Essay assesses your reading comprehension, analytical writing, and persuasive writing skills. You are presented with a passage that argues a particular point of view. Your task is to analyse the author’s argument and identify the key points and the methods used to support them. 

Ans. You can practice analysing argumentative passages, honing your reading comprehension skills, and strengthening your writing abilities. Many resources are available online and in test prep materials, including sample prompts and scoring guidelines.

Visit the Leverage Live page of Leverage edu or contact our study abroad experts at 1800-57-2000 to strengthen your scores and application to secure your spot in your dream college. 

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Shubham Das

Shubham Das has been working as an educational content writer for the past two years and has a background in filmmaking & screenplay/ teleplay writing. He is fascinated by the human psyche, literature and cinema.

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sat essay writing topics

A Complete List of Real SAT Essay Prompts (March 2005 – June 2015)

A complete compilation of real SAT essay prompts administered historically by the College Board for different test periods.

  • Prompts: October 2014 – June 2015
  • Prompts: October 2013 – June 2014
  • Prompts: October 2012 – June 2013
  • Prompts: October 2011 – June 2012
  • Prompts: October 2010 – June 2011
  • Prompts: October 2009 – June 2010
  • Prompts: October 2008 – June 2009
  • Prompts: October 2007 – June 2008
  • Prompts: October 2006 – June 2007
  • Prompts:_March 2005 – June 2006

SAT essay prompts contain a first part which is a passage or quote, followed by a second part which is the assignment.

For practice, you could write an entire essay on one of the prompts, or you could identify one historical, one literary, and one current event example that could be useful for each prompt.  If you have taken a course at our center, you will remember that you should research and memorize 5 literary, 5 historical, and 5 current event examples on a variety of topics before you walk into the test.  This strategy saves you valuable time and ensures your examples are detailed, accurate, and original.

For SAT Tips on the Writing section, please click:  25-Minute Essay Strategies .

Click HERE  to find out more about SAT Prep!

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sat essay writing topics

How to Write an SAT Essay

sat essay writing topics

A winning SAT essay requires a range of specific skills for the top result. In this article from the cheap essay writing service EssayPro, we will discuss how to write SAT essay and get that SAT essay score for college admission. This includes the definition, preparation steps, time-management, SAT essay outline, tips, and examples.

What Is an SAT Essay?

So what is the SAT essay writing task in general terms? SAT writing is very much similar to your regular college paper. In fact, it’s not what you’re asked to write about. It’s how you’re graded on it that makes it stand out from the rest of the academic writing tasks you are surely familiar with.

Many people question: what schools require this type of assignment? The colleges that require the SAT essay are institutions like Stanford, Stanford, Yale, and many more. Considering most colleges with high reputations require this entrance exam, it is essential to learn how to write a great SAT essay if you want to enter college.

Before You Start Writing an SAT Essay...

While studying for the entrance exam, consider the question: ‘how long it takes to write an SAT essay?’. Time management is an essential part of the test and something to consider while writing the examination. Usually, writing time is made up of four examination stages:

examination elements sat

There are different variations of these stages. Some people are faster with reading than they are creating an outline, and some are very quick writers. But regardless of how long it takes, the general approach to essay writing is the same.

Throughout the first stage, you familiarize yourself with the tasks you're going to deal with. 5 minutes is more than enough. But don’t rush through it. Missing some key details during this first stage can lead to failing the entire task before you even get to writing.

After you’ve got all the info you need - you can start planning. A plan of action will help you stay on track throughout the writing process. You can even draw up a schematic to reference as you go.

Writing will take up the majority of your time. Consult your outline and start filling it out step by step. Do not get bogged down. If you can’t get through some section of your outline - move on to the next one and return later.

Proofreading is one of the most important parts of essay writing. You should always try your best to leave as much time as possible for post-editing. The task is finished; now you have to relax and look through your text a couple more times to weed out any mistakes.

Whichever way your mind thinks, SAT essay practice is always the right way to go, so you’re able to find the most reliable timing combination that works for you within the set duration of the exam.

It is important to consider that the writing segment takes up a large portion of the 50 minutes. The reading and creating outline segments play a vital role in the completion of the SAT essay.

Our argumentative essay writers are ready to help you any time. Order essay or leave us a message ' Do my math homework '.

Things Your SAT Essay Needs

Now, let’s talk about how to write SAT essay tasks in a little more detail. To write a winning SAT essay outline , it is important to know what to include in it. Any paper regarding this examination should include these elements:

SAT EXAMINATION STAGES 2

Introduction:

  • First impressions count;
  • Remember to avoid argumentative language;
  • Discuss, briefly, the analysis methods that the author has used;
  • Address the author’s points;
  • Examiners want to see an understanding of the source, a quote might be in order;

Feeling Overwhelmed Writing an Essay on Your Own?

We only need your paper requirements to create a plagiarism-free paper prompt.

  • Use examples that support your claims;
  • Quote the passage where the writer has used vivid language;
  • A short quote will suffice, no need to cite entire paragraphs;
  • Follow your evidence up with supporting claims;
  • Talk about what makes your arguments strong;
  • Explain why the examples are compelling to the reader;

Conclusion:

  • Restate the thesis;
  • Briefly talk about how your examples support it;
  • Be aware that this is not a place to write more in-depth text or more examples;
  • End with a conclusive sentence;

This outline should give you a pretty good idea of how to SAT when it comes to essay writing tasks.

SAT Essay Outline

In recent years, a new SAT essay format has been created. Take a look at how applicants tackle this assignment in 2022.

Introduction

  • This introduction paragraph is 2-5 sentences;
  • Write about the purpose of the source material;
  • Write a few lines describing the techniques used in the rest of the paper.
  • Usually, the body is made up of 2-3 paragraphs;
  • Each paragraph is around six sentences;
  • Your first sentence is a transition from the previous paragraph.
  • Paraphrase the thesis;
  • Mention the arguments discussed in the assignment;
  • End with a conclusive sentence.

Get more info about: HOW TO WRITE AN INTRODUCTION

Tips on How to Write an SAT Essay

For a high SAT essay score, consider these SAT essay tips below to get a good feel of how to create a great exam paper. They’ll give you a solid understanding of how to SAT in order to get a decent score.

How to Get a Good Score on SAT

  • SAT Essay Prompts Are Essential. Analyze the provided promptly. It can give you hints about the writer’s intent.
  • Introductions Are Essential. Ease your reader into the topic. Focus their attention and remember - it sets the stage for the rest of your essay.
  • Use Your Vocabulary & Effective Language. Only use formal language. Don’t repeat points, and watch your grammar. Avoid using simple words, slang, and writing in the first person.
  • Avoid Going Off-Topic. Keep your essay precise in regards to the source. It is essential to show the examiner that you have read and understood it.
  • Practice Makes Perfect. Looking at SAT essay examples will help you understand how the essay should be written. Practice writing your paper using an SAT essay sample as a reference.

What Is an Average SAT Essay Score?

An average SAT essay score is 5\4\5 (for reading\analysis\writing). But you don’t really want to aim for an average SAT essay score. You need to land above that if you want your application to benefit from it.

You have to consider several factors if you want to get a good SAT essay score. Here they are:

You have to demonstrate your proficiency in all three in order to get a perfect score. First, you have to show that you have a thorough understanding of the subject matter of your essay. There is no place for even the slightest missteps. You want to show that you have knowledge of the facts and can interpret them well.

Analysis has to do with the personal conclusions you draw in your essay. You have to show that your writing is not just a stream of consciousness. Your thesis should be well-thought-out and supported by relevant and strong evidence.

Finally, the writing aspect is about presentation. Here you need to show that you have a strong command of language. It’s not only about grammar. Even the particular choice of words matters. How well you form your thoughts will determine your writing score. You should also watch your writing style. For a serious academic paper like this one, it should always be formal. No matter the subject.

So what is a good SAT essay score? It’s the result of your careful consideration of source material, your argument, and your form.

Is SAT Now Optional?

SAT is indeed optional. Very few colleges still practice this approach to applicant screening. But you can still take this test if you’d like to showcase your formidable writing skills. Will it help you when applying to top universities? For example, does Harvard require SAT essay submissions? Ivy League institutions like Harvard have also opted to take SAT test score submission during the application process optional. If you want to get an edge in a competitive environment like this, you have to research modern methods of applicant assessment. Like writing a personal statement.

Should I Take SAT?

Well, that depends on your goals. For example, if you are going for a major that has to do with analytical writing - an SAT test with an essay is a great way to show your skills and talent. But you shouldn’t obsess over it if you’re not entirely sure you’d be able to get a good score. There are alternative ways to show your writing off.

SAT Essay Examples

Check out these SAT essay examples to get a further grasp of how to write an outstanding paper. Feel free to use them as a reference.

Paul Bogard’s “Let There Be Dark” illustrates a large variety of rhetorical writing methods to create a key message. The message being: before the almost infinite list of benefits of the night’s natural darkness is completely lost, people should make more effort to decrease light pollution.
Dr. John’s “The Classics” argues that the enthusiasm of modern children of English literature in the classroom is at the lowest it could possibly be. He argues that there can be some extreme consequences for the survival of classic texts. The claim, itself, mentions classroom surveys that have taken place in high schools across the country.

Don’t Know How to Start?

Have you read the whole article and found yourself in a situation where you type " write my essay online "? Start from structuring your ideas. Writing an outline and a pinch of professional writing help can put you onto the right path to writing your SAT essay paper.

You can also look for SAT essay prompts if you want to practice a bit before the actual exam.

SAT Topics: Best Ideas

The best ideas for an SAT practice essay come in the form of prompts. You are unlikely to find the same exact prompt you have been practicing with on your SAT exam. But it will give you enough experience to feel confident in your writing abilities.

  • Write an essay in which you explain how Volodymyr Zelensky builds an argument to persuade his audience that the democratic countries must unite to help the Ukrainian cause.
  • How does the availability of information influence our perception of global issues?
  • Analyze and evaluate societal constructs and stereotypes in regard to different age groups
  • Analyze and evaluate the importance of factors of competition and cooperation in relation to humanity’s technological progress.
  • Consider and analyze potential issues of creating a new society in isolation from the rest of humanity. For example, a colony on a faraway planet.

The SAT test is slowly going out of fashion. The pandemic has only reinforced this trend. Despite that, it still remains a pretty comprehensive way to gauge one’s abilities. So, while it’s not mandatory to take the SAT test anymore, you can certainly take it anyway if you think it will help you showcase the skills relevant to your education.

Daniel Parker

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

sat essay writing topics

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

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SAT Writing and...

SAT Writing and Language: SAT Writing Topics, Question Types and Tips

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SAT writing and language test has prolonged importance on how language functions in diverse contexts. Since all the SAT writing question types are based on passages, that means "sentence completions" and "finding errors" questions have been entirely eliminated. You will need to apply grammar and punctuation rules to fix sentences, but all of these will be limited within the context of a paragraph and passage.

If you're preparing and looking for some SAT essay samples or SAT essay topics and other needed data on SAT writing tips. Here, we have entailed below all the information about SAT writing and language test.

How is SAT Writing and Language Test Structured?

SAT Writing is a second section of the SAT exam ; after reading, it consists of 44 multiple-choice questions that you'll have 35 minutes to finish. The questions are planned to test your knowledge of grammatical and SAT essay topics. The 4 passages on the test are separately 400–450 words. The difficulty of the passages will vary; some are more stimulating, and others more straightforward.

The passages are about various SAT writing topics, including science, humanities, careers, history and social studies. Unlike the SAT reading section, the writing section won't comprise any prose. Instead, the passages may take the system of an argument, an informative or explanatory text, or a nonfiction narrative.

Now that you know the structure of the writing and language test SAT let's discuss the SAT writing and language question types.

Section Wise SAT Syllabus Updates

Types of SAT Writing Questions

All questions in the writing and language test appear in chronological order. As you go through the passage, you will come to an indication in the text that links to a specific question. The SAT writing question types drop into two main types:

  • The question where you advance the expression of ideas,
  • The ones where you have to identify and correct errors in sentence grammar, usage, structure and punctuation.

Expression of Ideas

These types of questions involved in SAT writing language will ask you to improve the constituent and quality of the writer’s message. It can be divided into three kinds:

  • Organisation: The SAT questions emphasise logical arrangement and placement of information and ideas, as well as active introductions, conclusions, and transitions.
  • Development: The questions are about the main ideas, focus, supporting details and quantitative information in graphs, tables and charts.
  • Effective Language Use: Questions can be asked to improve accuracy and remove wordiness, consider style and tone, and merge sentences to improve flow and achieve particular verbal effects.

Standard English Resolutions

These SAT questions identify and modify grammar, usage, and procedure problems in passages. These questions may also ask you to identify and correct errors in sentence building, usage and punctuation.

Know Tips & Tricks for SAT Test Day

SAT Writing and Language Test Tips

To excel in the SAT writing section, here are some SAT writing and language tips that you should follow to achieve a higher score in the writing section.

Tip 1: Take Your Time

Before starting with the SAT writing and language section, ensure to take as much time as possible to complete it within the allotted timeline. Making mistakes is easy, but rectifying those errors and understanding the right way can take time. So, go through all the questions first and start executing the answers.

Tip 2: Save Longer Questions for the End

There will be questions like structuring the sentence or paragraph placement appropriately. They can also ask you to regulate whether the passage achieves the author’s planned purpose or not. Since these questions take time to identify and are based on the passage as a whole, keeping it for the end will benefit you after you’ve read through the whole passage.

Tip 3: Know Your Punctuation

Two questions per passage in the writing & language section will test you on punctuation and ask you to correct punctuation and other grammatical errors. So, you should be well known for the types of punctuations to be used in the passages, like where to use semicolons, commas, dashes and others.

Tip 4: Answer Questions as You Read

With an uneven 48 seconds to answer each question, you don’t have time to read with much depth. Answer questions as you read by identifying the main idea and style. When you encounter an emphasised segment, regulate the issue if there is one and hand-picked the best answer choice.

Taking SAT Practice Tests Can Help You Gain About 115 Points

SAT Writing and Language Test Essay Topics & Format

To prepare for the SAT essay topics, analyse both sample prompts and SAT essay sample. The College Board provides different sample essays, ranging from those that receive high scores to those that did not score well.

An effective SAT format for an essay involves an introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Remembering this format can make writing an essay a lot easier for you. Also, the introduction part of the essay must comprise the thesis sentence.

Find Out the Best App for SAT Preparation

Whichever study technique you use, as long as you’re intensive on improving your weak points, you’ll improve your SAT Writing and Language score and see your entire reading score improvement. So, go through all the SAT writing tips, types of SAT writing questions, and other information. And if you want to know more, book your free 15 min counselling call with our Yocket Counselors today.

Frequently Asked Questions about SAT Writing and Language

How much time to spend on SAT writing language daily to see results?

A student preparing for the SAT exam should try to spend around 1.5-2 hours every day on the groundwork for the SAT Writing & Reading section to see results.

What are the common SAT essay topics in the writing & reading section?

Common topics include social studies, history, careers, science, and humanities.

Is SAT writing and language easy?

SAT Writing is a bit easy than SAT Math, for which there are more than a dozen exclusive skills you need to do well.

What percentile is 1400 on the SAT?

A 1400 SAT score places you in the top 95th percentile of all international students taking the SAT exam.

Is SAT English multiple choice?

The SAT format comprises 154 multiple-choice questions.

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8 Best SAT Essay Examples To Prepare For Your Test

Are you looking for the top SAT essay examples ? Take a look at our guide containing the best examples to prepare for your examination.

Are you busy preparing for the SAT essay ? The College Board is responsible for administering the SAT , which is essential for determining college decisions. In addition, writing is important for every field of study, which is why the SAT values the essay . As a result, your SAT essay score can have an impact not only on the entirety of your test performance but also on your college admissions decisions. Therefore, it may be helpful to look at a few sample essay prompts, allowing you to determine how you can maximize your performance on your  essay .

1. The Value of Struggle

2. the topic of greed, 3. politicians and personal character, 4. demonstrating a lack of knowledge, 5. fame and fortune, 6. truth and lies, 7. expectations and public figures, 8. quick reaction times, what should i write in my sat essay, how long should my sat essay be, what should i do before i write my sat essay.

Prompt: Do we only value the things that we struggle for?

Plan your response carefully, and make sure you support your point of view with specific examples . The examples can come from history, a personal anecdote from high school, or knowledge of particular subjects.

This is a very common type of SAT writing prompt. In the prompt, the essay alludes to absolutism. In this case, the absolute is that we only value things we struggle for. Unless we struggle for it, we will never love it. In general, taking an absolute point of view will unnecessarily pigeonhole you into an impossible argument. Therefore, it is essential to change your response slightly. Instead, it would help if you talked about situations where you value things you struggle for and do not value things you struggle for. Just because you do not struggle for it doesn’t mean it is not valuable.

For example, you may not necessarily have valued your relationships with your siblings. If you are lucky, you may get along well with your siblings without stressing about it. This could be an example you can use in your essay . Likewise, you value your relationships with your family members but do not struggle for them. Then, you might want to share an example of something that you value after struggling for it.

SAT essay examples: The topic of greed

Prompt: Is greed always a bad thing?

Greed is a driving force behind a lot of decisions that we make. There are some situations where greed is terrible and others where greed is good. You don’t want to take the standpoint that greed is always wrong. For example, greed is something that can help you maximize your score on the SAT . Because you want to go to an established  college , someone could say you are greedy. It depends on how you use that motivation. Because you are channeling it for a positive force, such as doing well on the SAT , it is not necessarily bad. You can also talk about athletes who are greedy for success and decide to channel that motivation into excelling in their chosen field.

On the other hand, there are situations where greed might be bad. For example, you may want to point out a famous person who has gone to jail for financial misdeeds. You might even want to talk about Bernie Madoff , who ran one of the largest Ponzi schemes in history. He hurt many people out of greed and ended up paying a steep price for it. It would be best if you wrapped up the essay by discussing specific circumstances where greed is bad and others where greed is good. Then, you can talk about how that difference can guide our decisions and make us better people. 

Prompt: Should you consider the personal character of a politician before deciding to vote for that person?

Anyone who has recently paid attention to politics has likely seen many attack ads. They are trying to convince people to vote for politicians based on personal character instead of what they might do (or not) for the country. Even though the personal character is not necessarily the most important thing you should think about, it should play a role in your decision-making process.

As you write this essay , you may want to use an example of a situation where the personal character is important for deciding who to vote for. For example, you may want to talk about Richard Nixon, who was forced to resign after the press unveiled the Watergate scandal. While Richard Nixon did many great things in the office, such as opening up China, the Watergate scandal demonstrated that he could not be trusted. Because he lost the trust of the people, he would not be able to govern effectively, forcing him out of office.

Another example includes Bill Clinton, who is widely known to have cheated on his wife with Monica Lewinsky. Despite this, he was not forced to resign from office, and he is widely respected as a good president, if not a good person. He presided over one of the largest economic expansions in US history, and he was the last person to have a balanced budget. In this case, despite his personal character flaws, he was able to govern effectively.

There are plenty of other examples you can use to write this essay , but it all comes down to whether someone’s personal character has an impact on their ability to govern. If their individual character flaws do not impact their ability to govern effectively, then it might not impact their potential success as a leader. On the other hand, if someone’s personal character flaws completely remove their ability to govern effectively, then you may want to vote for someone else. You can use these general points to craft a strong essay . You might also be wondering, which colleges require SAT essay section for consideration .

Prompt: Are you required to admit your lack of knowledge before you are able to learn something?

This essay  prompt is one that just about everyone can relate to. The premise of the essay is clear: if you feel like you already know everything, you will not be able to learn something new. At the same time, it is possible for you to learn something without admitting that you totally lack knowledge. You simply need to be open to a new point of view. You might be able to pull an example of this from the classroom.

For example, the first day you walked into chemistry class, you probably didn’t know the first thing about chemistry. You did not necessarily need to admit your lack of knowledge before you can start learning something new. This could be an example you can use that goes against the premise of the prompt.

On the other hand, there are situations where admitting a lack of knowledge can help you learn something new. For example, you may want to point out a discussion that you recently had with an expert in a certain area. By admitting that you did not know anything, you might have allowed that person to teach you. If you acted like you knew everything, that expert may not have wanted to teach you anything. By admitting your lack of knowledge, you open yourself up to new sources of information. 

To do well on this essay , you will need to specify when admitting a lack of knowledge can help you learn something and when it is unnecessary. That difference will help you maximize your SAT essay score. You might also be interested in these GRE writing examples .

SAT essay examples: Fame and Fortune

Prompt: Is fame always a good thing? 

Fame and fortune have been popular topics of discussion recently. There are many people who believe that famous people lead lives of comfort and luxury. Many people believe that they lead lives that the rest of us can only dream of. Even though it may look nice to be a famous person, it is not always a good thing. Therefore, you should immediately take the point of view that there are situations where fame can be good, but there are other situations where fame can be bad. 

You might want to start with an example of a situation where fame is good. You can talk about almost any famous athlete, actor, or actress. You can talk about how their fame has landed them a lot of endorsement deals, making them enormous sums of money that they can use to support a luxurious lifestyle, their children, and future generations. Clearly, there are situations where fame can be a good thing.

On the other hand, you will need to use examples where fame might not necessarily be a good thing. For example, you may want to talk about the tremendous mental health issues that Britney Spears has suffered because of her fame and her conservatorship. Or, you may want to talk about the mental health struggles that a lot of famous musicians have, such as Kurt Cobain (who ultimately committed suicide).

You might also want to talk about the tremendous anxiety that Naomi Osaka struggles with when she has to talk to the press. Despite her tennis success and fortune, she doesn’t always appear happy on the tennis court. Based on the examples you choose, you will ultimately have to decide when fame is a good thing and when fame is a bad thing. The answer varies from person to person, and there is not necessarily a right or wrong answer. You simply need to write a strong essay that supports your point of view. 

Prompt: Is it always important to tell 100 percent of the truth?

Growing up, we are always taught to tell the truth. It is easier to tell children that they should tell the truth no matter what. At the same time, life is not black and white. There are some situations where shades of grey matter. When you write this essay , you should not do it as a “yes or no” answer. Instead, you need to talk about when it is important to tell the truth and when telling a lie, even a lie of omission, is important .

For example, you may want to take the point of view that telling a lie is a good thing if it benefits the person listening. You might want to use an example of explaining life and death to a small child. If your child really loves your next-door neighbor, but your next-door neighbor is dying of cancer, you don’t necessarily want to tell the child that the neighbor has cancer. The child might not be able to understand this. Instead, you may want to say that the person is not feeling well.

On the other hand, there are plenty of situations where telling the truth is a good thing. For example, you definitely don’t want to lie to your significant other about major financial issues. You probably don’t want to lie to your family members about major events in your life. If you lie to people important to you, particularly if you hurt them, it can damage your relationship with them, causing irreparable harm. When you close this essay , you will have to define when it is okay to lie to someone and when it is not. You might find it easier to say that lying is okay when it benefits the person you are talking to. You will need to use specific examples to write a strong essay . 

Prompt: Do we expect too much from our public figures?

As a society, we tend to hold our public figures in high esteem. What this means is that we also hold them to a higher standard. Therefore, things that might not necessarily get us fired from our jobs could force a public figure to resign. At the same time, public figures are people, not superheroes. Therefore, do we expect too much from them?

You may want to start by discussing whether it is appropriate to place high expectations on the shoulders of public figures. After all, they have only earned that position by demonstrating that they may have more knowledge, wisdom, or personal capacity than the average person. Therefore, it should only make sense that we would hold them to a higher level. Then, you may want to share some of the high expectations we place on public figures. We expect them to defend the country, help those less fortunate, and foster scientific and economic growth. 

On the other hand, you may want to talk about situations where the expectations we have for public figures are not necessarily reasonable. For example, you may want to discuss the expectation that public figures should immediately end a global pandemic. Or, you may want to talk about situations where public figures fall short because of events outside their control.

For example, our public figures are still accountable to the law. They are not dictators and could fall victim to significant companies or politicians who do not cooperate with them. When you finish this essay , you may want to discuss the difference between reasonable and unreasonable expectations. How do you define reasonable and unreasonable? You may even want to take the point that what is reasonable or unreasonable can vary from person to person.

Prompt: Is it better for us to react instinctively in times of crisis?

They call them reflexes for a reason, you want to respond as quickly as possible when there is a crisis. Evolutionarily, we would expect our reflexes to guide us in the right direction, but that is not always the case. For this essay , you will need to specify when it is better to react instinctively and when it is better to take a slower approach.

For example, you might want to talk about slamming on the brakes when trying to avoid an accident. If a child crosses the street in front of you, you don’t have time to pause, think, and decide whether you want to swerve or stop. Therefore it would be best if you reacted instinctively. If you wait too long, you will hit the child, leading to a catastrophe. In this situation, your reflexes are good.

Then, there are situations where it is better to take a more thought-out approach. For example, you might want to talk about a politician behind a desk trying to deal with energy, climate, or military crises. It may be prudent for politicians to reach out to their advisers, get everyone’s input, and decide what to do next. To write a strong essay , you will have to decide when it is crucial to react instinctively and when it is essential to pause for a moment and take a step back. Then, if you choose strong examples , you can write a solid response.

Looking for more? Check out these SAT writing tips .

FAQs About SAT Essay Examples

It would help if you used specific, varied examples to write a strong essay. The models need to support your point of view. It would help if you tried to choose examples from your personal life, current events, and history to demonstrate an extensive knowledge base. With a bit of test prep, you could get a perfect score. 

There is no set length for your SAT essay. A five-paragraph essay is an excellent rule of thumb, but it is not required. It is more critical to show that you know how to organize your essay using paragraphs. There will be a time limit, so your essay cannot be super long. 

It is always helpful to spend a couple of minutes brainstorming and outlining your essay before you start writing. You only have so many sheets of paper, so you need your essay to be organized before you begin. Think about your central claim, your sentence structure, and word choice. Next, write your thesis statement, topic sentences, and examples you want to use before you start writing your new SAT essay. Then, step by step, you will have a template around which you can build your central idea.

For help with this topic, read our guide explaining what is persuasive writing ? If you’re still stuck, check out our general resource of essay writing topics .

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sat essay writing topics

7 Most Commonly Tested Writing Topics On The SAT

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Table of Contents

  • 1 1. Punctuation
  • 2 2. Subject-Verb Agreement (SVA)
  • 3 3. Pronouns
  • 4 4. Verb Tense
  • 5 5. Parallelism
  • 6 6. Modifiers
  • 7 7. Expression of Ideas
  • 8 Still unclear about the SAT Writing Section?

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the volume of content you need to understand for the SAT writing section. However, you will be tested from a fixed list of grammar concepts , so once you master them, a good score won’t be far out of reach. The most crucial thing to remember is that you should never rely on convention or how you would normally say or write something to gauge its grammatical correctness . Why? Oftentimes, our everyday language habits do not adhere as strictly to official grammar rules as we think they do. Here is a non-exhaustive list of the most common grammar concepts that you need to understand to ace the SAT writing section:

  • Punctuation
  • Subject-Verb Agreement
  • Parallelism
  • Expression of Ideas
  • SAT Writing Trial Class

1. Punctuation

Out of the various types of punctuation tested, students grapple most with commas. Most of us are understandably used to inserting commas into sentences where we would take a breath or pause naturally. However, similar to other types of grammar, there are strict punctuation rules that must be adhered to in the SAT. Besides commas, the SAT syllabus also includes apostrophes, semicolons, colons, and dashes.

2. Subject-Verb Agreement (SVA)

At its core, SVA simply means that a singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb:

  • A girl sings. [singular]
  • Two girls sing. [plural]

To confuse you, the SAT might complicate the subject by using compound subjects, collective nouns, uncountable nouns, and portions. In addition, it might difficult to identify the correct subject if it is separated from the verb with prepositional and modifying phrases. If you are a student of ours, our grammar content class will go over all the tricks the SAT generally uses in some detail.

3. Pronouns

Pronoun case, agreement, and ambiguity are tested in the SAT. Pronouns are also where many students falter when they are used to picking answers that “sound right”.

Case refers to the function of a pronoun in a sentence; for the test, you only need to be familiar with subject, object, and possessive pronouns.

Agreement is considered in terms of number, gender, and point of view. For example, a singular, male pronoun (he), should have a singular, male referent (John). Point of view, meanwhile, mainly focuses on pronoun consistency.

Ambiguity becomes an issue when the pronoun has either an unclear referent (subject noun is not mentioned explicitly) or an ambiguous one (multiple possible subject nouns).

4. Verb Tense

While many find this topic challenging, don’t overthink tense as most questions that look like they are testing you on tense are really testing subject-verb agreement or parallelism. The three categories of tenses included in SAT syllabus are simple , progressive , and perfect tenses . You must understand the various contexts in which you can use each tense in order to answer these questions well.

5. Parallelism

This is the basic idea that there are certain things in the English language that need to match in structure. Parallelism manifests in things like lists, coordinating conjunctions, comparisons, and paired phrases.

6. Modifiers

A modifier is a word or phrase that describes something in the sentence . It typically describes the word(s) it is closest to, and its removal from a sentence does not render the sentence incomplete. The SAT focuses on adverb vs. adjective , comparative vs. superlative , misplaced modifiers , and dangling modifiers . If all these words are Greek to you, attend our Writing class which demystifies clearly all these concepts.

7. Expression of Ideas

This type of question can be split into three categories: development, organization, and effective language use.

Development questions require you to enhance the writer’s message by clarifying the main points: work with supporting details, sharpen the focus, and use data from informational graphics such as tables, graphs, and charts to make the passage more accurate, precise, and effective.

Organization questions will have you placing or sequencing material in a passage to make it more logical: decide how openings or closings of a passage/its paragraphs/the transitions tying information and ideas together can be improved.

Expression of idea questions require you to use language to accomplish particular rhetorical goals: improve precision and economy of expression, make sure that the style and tone of a passage are appropriate and consistent, put sentences together to make ideas flow more smoothly.

While the learning curve is undoubtedly steep, as with most things, practice makes perfect. The benefit of the SAT being a standardized test is that the same traps and tricks are used over again, so the more practice you do, the less likely you are to be duped on the actual test . When approaching each question, be sure to first identify the concept(s) being tested so that you can then narrow down the possible answer choices systematically.

If you have close to no grammar knowledge (a lot of this probably wasn’t taught in school), Prep Zone offers comprehensive grammar classes that will walk you through all the concepts the SAT will test – master them and avoid careless mistakes, and it will be possible to achieve a near-perfect SAT score.

Still unclear about the SAT Writing Section?

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Please note that all trial class slots are subjected to availability. Our friendly staff will get in touch with you to finalise the trial slot within the next 48 hours.

For any additional inquiries regarding our course or the trial class, contact our hotline at  +65 6812 9999 .

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sat essay writing topics

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to write an sat essay, step by step.

SAT Writing , SAT Essay

SAT Essay writing requires a very specific set of skills. It's a little daunting to think that you only have 50 minutes to read a passage, analyze it, and then write an essay. But don't worry— getting a top SAT essay score is within everyone's reach! The most reliable way to score high is to follow our SAT essay template for every essay and to prepare well beforehand.

In this article, we'll show you how to write a great SAT essay . We'll take you through all the steps you need to follow when writing the SAT essay to show you how you can put together a killer essay yourself.

Topics: SAT Writing , SAT Essay

SAT Essay Prompts: The Complete List

On every SAT Essay, you'll have to read an argument meant to persuade a broad audience and discuss how well the author argues his or her point. The passage you'll have to read will change from test to test, but you'll always need to analyze the author's argument and write a coherent and organized essay explaining this analysis.

In this article, we've compiled a list of the 14 real SAT essay prompts that the College Board has released (either in The Official SAT Study Guide or separately online) for the new SAT. This is the most comprehensive set of new SAT essay prompts online today.

At the end of this article, we'll also guide you through how to get the most out of these prompts and link to our expert resources on acing the SAT essay. I'll discuss how the SAT essay prompts are valuable not just because they give you a chance to write a practice essay, but because of what they reveal about the essay task itself.

SAT Essay Tips: 15 Ways to Improve Your Score

Whether you've never written an SAT Essay or didn't get the score you wanted on your last test, you can benefit from knowing more: both about the essay itself, and what really matters when the graders are reading your essay.

To introduce you to what you'll have to do, we've gathered up these 15 tips to master the SAT essay . If you can reliably follow all these points, you'll be able to get at least a 6/6/6 on the SAT essay—guaranteed.

How to Get a Perfect 8|8|8 SAT Essay Score

The SAT Essay is scored separately from the rest of the SAT now, thanks to the changes that went into effect in March 2016 .

While the essay is now optional (you don't automatically have to take it every time you take the SAT), s ome colleges still require students to submit SAT essay scores with their applications . Learning how to consistently write a perfect SAT essay will be a huge boost to your application to these schools.

In this article, we'll discuss what it takes to get a perfect 8/8/8 on the SAT essay and what you need to do to train yourself to get this top score.

The Most Reliable SAT Essay Template and Format

SAT Writing

Aside from the “grid in” math questions, all you have to do for most of the SAT is answer multiple choice questions.

And then, if you've chosen to take it, there's the essay. Or, more accurately, "To finish up, there's the essay." Because the last thing you'll do on the SAT (with Essay) is read a passage and write an essay analyzing its argument, all in 50 minutes.

How can you even begin to read a passage, analyze it, and write an essay about it in 50 minutes? What SAT essay structure should you follow? Is there an SAT essay format that’ll score you a top score for sure? Read on to find out the answers to these questions!

Topics: SAT Writing

SAT Essay Examples for the 6 Types of Essay Prompts

SAT , SAT Writing

There's a persistent myth about the SAT Essay: the idea that you can't prepare content because you don't see the prompt until the day of the test. This is a myth because, in order to be standardized, the test has to require the same complexity of argument in every SAT essay question: yes or no, this or that, what causes what.

And since all these arguments are very simple, almost every SAT essay argument can be boiled down to one of the 6 we list here . In addition to that, though, we also explain how to argue each one, and give you sample support for both sides of every argument. Read on for the inside scoop on this important aspect of the SAT.

Topics: SAT , SAT Writing

Train the SAT Essay with Real Examples

SAT , SAT Writing , SAT Essay

One of the best ways to learn the SAT essay is to look at example submissions by other real students.  By judging these example essays yourself, you'll understand much better what SAT graders are looking for.  You'll also learn from these examples what to do and not to do.

Topics: SAT , SAT Writing , SAT Essay

New SAT Essay Prompts: How Are They Changing?

SAT Writing , New SAT

The CollegeBoard has once again completely revamped the SAT — the changes debuted in March 2016 (tests can have debuts right? Right). We have an overview about all of the changes that have been made, but how do the changes apply to the SAT essay questions in particular? Read on to find out more about the new SAT Writing prompts .

Topics: SAT Writing , New SAT

How Does SAT Essay Length Affect Your Score?

True or False : Since essay length is not mentioned in the SAT essay grading rubric , it doesn’t matter how much you write in your essay.

Answer : True...but also false. Read on for an explanation of why and how the length of your SAT essay can affect your score.

What's the Deal with Improving Sentences and the Essay? SAT Writing Guide and Advice

feature_booksandwriting.jpg

What Is A Good SAT Essay Score?

SAT Essay scoring can be tricky to figure out. Maybe you've already created target goals for your SAT score, following our guide , so you at least have that score goal set.

But where does your essay score fit into all this? What is a good SAT essay score? This article will answer those questions.

Note : The information in this article is for the old (pre-March-2016) SAT essay, which was scored out of 12 and part of the Writing section. Scores for the March 2016 SAT were only released May 10th, 2016, which means that data on percentiles and averages aren't going to be available for a while yet. We'll update this article as soon as the information comes out.

SAT Essay Strategies from Real SAT Essay Graders

If you've spent any time doing SAT prep, you probably are familiar with what it’s like to write an SAT essay. But what’s it like to be an SAT essay grader? Find out what essay graders look for, what the essay grading job involves, and effective SAT essay tips you should use as a result of this information as I bring you... insights from real SAT essay graders.

Note : The information in this article is for the old (pre-March-2016) SAT essay, which was scored out of 12 and part of the Writing section. Because the new SAT essay has been administered (and graded) so few times, there's not much information out there yet about the grading process for the new essay. We'll update this article as soon as the information comes out.

Why You Shouldn't Copy Skeleton Templates for the SAT/ACT Essay

SAT Writing , ACT Writing

Creating your own essay skeleton can go a long way towards helping you prepare for the SAT or ACT essay. Having an essay template ready to go before you take the test can reduce feelings of panic, since it allows you to control at least some of the unknowns of a free-response question. It can even be helpful to look at other people’s essay skeletons to get an idea what your own essay template should look like.

But when does using an essay skeleton go from a great idea to a huge mistake? Keep reading to find out.

Topics: SAT Writing , ACT Writing

SAT Essay Scoring: The Real Story

It's 17-19 days after your SAT test date , so you log into the CollegeBoard website , eager to see how you did. You look at your essay score and see...“9.”

You check for more detail in your score report and see that Grader 1 gave you a 5, Grader 2 gave you a 4...and that's it.

So how are SAT essays graded, and how can you use this information to your advantage? Read on to find out!

Do Longer SAT Essays Really Score Higher?

Rumor has it, the longer your SAT essay, the higher your score. Could this be true? Does essay length affect your score?

Let's unpack this belief and talk about the best strategies for scoring high on the SAT essay.

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COMMENTS

  1. SAT Essay Prompts: The Complete List

    No extra time allowed! #5: Grade the essay, using the official essay rubric to give yourself a score out of 8 in the reading, analysis, and writing sections. #6: Repeat steps 4 and 5. Choose the prompts you think will be the hardest for you so that you can so that you're prepared for the worst when the test day comes.

  2. 6 SAT Essay Examples to Answer Every Prompt

    Here are a couple of examples of statistics from an official SAT essay prompt, "Let There Be Dark" by Paul Bogard: Example: 8 of 10 children born in the United States will never know a sky dark enough for the Milky Way. Example: In the United States and Western Europe, the amount of light in the sky increases an average of about 6% every year.

  3. SAT Essay Prompts (10 Sample Questions)

    You can utilize these Essay SAT prompts as 10 sample SAT Essay questions for easy practice. This set of SAT Essay prompts is the most comprehensive that you will find online today. The predictability of the SAT Essay test necessitates students to perform an organized analytical method of writing instead of thinking up random ideas on their own.

  4. The Most Reliable SAT Essay Template and Format

    To summarize, your SAT essay should stick to the following format: Introduction (with your thesis) - 2-5 sentences. Start with a statement about what the author of the passage is arguing. Thesis with a clear statement about what argumentative techniques you'll be examining in the essay. Example 1 - 6-10 sentences.

  5. SAT School Day with Essay

    The SAT Essay is a lot like a typical college writing assignment that asks you to analyze a text. It shows colleges that you're able to read, analyze, and write at the college level. The SAT Essay asks you to use your reading, analysis, and writing skills. You'll be asked to: Read a passage. Explain how the author builds an argument to persuade ...

  6. What Is the SAT Essay?

    College Board. February 28, 2024. The SAT Essay section is a lot like a typical writing assignment in which you're asked to read and analyze a passage and then produce an essay in response to a single prompt about that passage. It gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your reading, analysis, and writing skills—which are critical to ...

  7. SAT Essay Topics: Practice your essay writing

    SAT Essay Topics. Our essay topics have been closely modeled on those in the SAT. You can also do the essays given in the first section of each of the tests in the Official Study Guide. Each of the topics consists of a prompt and an assignment. Prompt: "That which we obtain too easily, we esteem too lightly.

  8. SAT Essay Examples for the 6 Types of Essay Prompts

    SAT Essay prompts are unlike any other writing assignment. The questions are extremely general, asking things like "is the world changing for the better," but they only ever require a very simplistic thesis statement about a complex idea.

  9. SAT Essay Prompts: Analysis and Practice from AP Guru

    1. Prompt Structure: SAT essay prompts typically consist of a passage or excerpt followed by a question that asks you to analyze the author's argument, rhetorical strategies, or persuasive techniques. 2. Key Components: Pay attention to the main argument or thesis presented in the passage, as well as the evidence and rhetorical devices used to ...

  10. PDF The SAT® Practice Essay #1

    are writing is legible to those readers. You have 50 minutes to read the passage and write an essay in response to the prompt provided inside this booklet. CD . 0 . REMINDERS • Do not write your essay in this booklet. Only what you write on the lined pages of your answer sheet will be evaluated. • An off-topic essay will not be evaluated ...

  11. Full-Length Paper Practice Tests

    If your state offers SAT Essay as part of its in-school testing, you can find practice essay prompts and scoring explanations below. Downloads. SAT Practice Essays and Score Explanations—Digital NOTE: The Essay is only available in certain states where it's required as part of SAT School Day administrations. If you're going to be taking the ...

  12. What Are Common SAT Essay Topics?

    How the SAT Essay Works. The essay is an optional section of the SAT, administered after the reading, writing and math sections of the test. If you choose to participate in this part of the exam ...

  13. Master the SAT Essay: Your Guide to Format, Tips, and Practice

    The SAT Essay assesses your reading comprehension, analytical writing, and persuasive writing skills. You are presented with a passage that argues a particular point of view. Your task is to analyse the author's argument and identify the key points and the methods used to support them. Q3.

  14. A Complete List of Real SAT Essay Prompts (March 2005

    A complete compilation of real SAT essay prompts administered historically by the College Board for different test periods. Prompts: October 2014 - June 2015. Prompts: October 2013 - June 2014. Prompts: October 2012 - June 2013. Prompts: October 2011 - June 2012. Prompts: October 2010 - June 2011.

  15. "SAT Essay Sample Topics: Enhance Your Writing Skills with These

    SAT Essay Sample Topics. December 7, 2021 / jakesullivan. The first thing you should consider while choosing a topic for your paper is the type of essay you are writing. There are four types of essays: persuasive, narrative, argumentative, analytical, and expository. Persuasive essays attempt to convince readers to share your point оf view on ...

  16. The Ultimate SAT Essay Study Guide: Tips and Review

    How to Write an SAT Essay, Step by Step. Learn the ins and outs of writing a perfect-scoring SAT essay by following along as we go through the reading, analyzing and planning, writing, and revising stages of a sample essay. You'll get to see the whole process, from scribbled handwritten planning notes to the polished final product.

  17. Digital SAT Reading and Writing

    Unit 4: Advanced: SAT Reading and Writing. 0/1100 Mastery points. Command of Evidence: Textual Command of Evidence: Quantitative Central Ideas and Details Inferences Words in Context. Text Structure and Purpose Cross-Text Connections Transitions Rhetorical Synthesis Form, Structure, and Sense Boundaries.

  18. How to Write a SAT Essay: Outline, Tips, Examples

    A winning SAT essay requires a range of specific skills for the top result. In this article from the cheap essay writing service EssayPro, we will discuss how to write SAT essay and get that SAT essay score for college admission. This includes the definition, preparation steps, time-management, SAT essay outline, tips, and examples.

  19. SAT Essay Writing Guide With Sample Prompts (Fifth Edition)

    SAT Essay Writing Guide with Sample Prompts (Fifth Edition) - Free download as PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free. Besides the sample essays, the book provides information about the revised SAT test and its scoring process. It also includes detailed guidance on the new SAT essay section: why the essay should be taken, format of the essay tasks, how to develop a top ...

  20. SAT Writing and Language: SAT Writing Topics, Question Types ...

    SAT Writing is a second section of the SAT exam; after reading, it consists of 44 multiple-choice questions that you'll have 35 minutes to finish. The questions are planned to test your knowledge of grammatical and SAT essay topics. The 4 passages on the test are separately 400-450 words.

  21. 8 Best SAT Essay Examples To Prepare For Your Test

    Based on the examples you choose, you will ultimately have to decide when fame is a good thing and when fame is a bad thing. The answer varies from person to person, and there is not necessarily a right or wrong answer. You simply need to write a strong essay that supports your point of view. 6. Truth and Lies.

  22. Moving from Official SAT Practice to Official Digital SAT Prep on Khan

    Digital SAT Reading and Writing: One test for Reading and Writing: While the pencil-and-paper SAT tested reading and writing in separate test sections, the Digital SAT combines these topics. Shorter passages (and more of them): Instead of reading long passages and answering multiple questions on each passage, students taking the Digital SAT ...

  23. 7 Most Commonly Tested Writing Topics On The SAT

    In the past few years, we have sent hundreds of students to the top colleges around the world through our experienced college consultants. We assist with: School Shortlisting. Application Management. Internship Placement. Profile Improvement. Personal Statement Improvement. Essay Correction. Interview Preparation.

  24. How to Write an SAT Essay, Step by Step

    This is the argument you need to deconstruct in your essay. Writing an SAT essay consists of four major stages: Reading: 5-10 minutes. Analyzing & Planning: 7-12 minutes. Writing: 25-35 minutes. Revising: 2-3 minutes. There's a wide time range for a few of these stages, since people work at different rates.

  25. 176 Writing Prompts to Spark Discussion and Reflection

    The 176 questions we asked during the 2023-24 school year are available below and in this PDF. The prompts are organized into three sections: questions that lend themselves well to persuasive ...

  26. Online SAT / ACT Prep Blog by PrepScholar

    SAT Writing , ACT Writing. Creating your own essay skeleton can go a long way towards helping you prepare for the SAT or ACT essay. Having an essay template ready to go before you take the test can reduce feelings of panic, since it allows you to control at least some of the unknowns of a free-response question.