SAT Study Guide/Part 4 - The Writing Section/The Essay

The First WELL of the Excellent Essay: 

WELL-STRUCTURED  



The Importance of Structure </b><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Just starting to write as soon as you read the essay prompt is a BAD STRATEGY! Unfortunately, this is how many students approach the test. Why do they do this? Because most students do not realize that THE TEST GRADERS ARE EVALUATING YOUR EFFORTS BASED IN LARGE PART ON THE ORGANIZATION OF YOUR IDEAS. <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Taking 2 minutes to OUTLINE YOUR ESSAY enables you to CREATE A ROADMAP for your essay. <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Writing your essay without first creating a general outline is like taking a car trip without first having any sense of the directions you&#8217;ll need to follow in order to arrive at your destination. <span lang=EN-US style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Without a map travelers get lost. Without an outline, student essays ramble. <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Take the two minutes to create a map of your essay &#8211; it is time very well spent. (And NOT, contrary to popular misconception, time wasted.) <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:normal'><b><i> <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Success Secret for the Test </i></b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:normal;page-break-after:avoid;mso-outline-level: 2'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>ESSAY GRADERS ARE LOOKING FOR </b><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Garamond","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:normal;page-break-after:avoid;mso-outline-level: 2'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>SOLID STRUCTURE </b><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family: "Garamond","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><b><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>QUESTIONS ESSAY GRADERS WILL ASK THEMSELVES: </i></b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Is there a sensible progression of ideas? <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Does the student logically move from Point A to Point B? <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Does the essay have a Beginning, a Middle and an End? <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><b><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER ABOUT OUTLINING: </i></b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>It creates Focus. <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>It saves time. (Really, it does. When you know where you are going, it&#8217;s a lot easier to get there.) <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>It provides an intelligent Road Map that prevents rambling. <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><b><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </i></b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><b><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Reminder: </i></b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Those who outline tend to succeed in writing focused, well-structured essays. Those who do not, tend to ramble and run out of time. <span lang=EN-US style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:normal;page-break-after:avoid;mso-outline-level: 1'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning:18.0pt;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-font-kerning:18.0pt; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>What to do before you write your essay: </b><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size: 14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Understand what the essay prompt is asking of you. </i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>THINK before you write. (Thinking is good &#8211; just writing is bad. Unfortunately, too many students do NOT think before they begin to write.) </i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>TAKE TWO MINUTES TO OUTLINE YOUR THOUGHTS because outlining provides focus, structure, purposefulness and clarity &#8211; all of which are elements students will be evaluated on by the Test Graders. </i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><b><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </i></b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:normal;page-break-after:avoid;mso-outline-level: 8'><b><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>How to Create an Outline: </i></b><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:normal;page-break-after:avoid;mso-outline-level: 8'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>The Four Paragraph SAT Essay of Excellence </b><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>NOTE: </b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i>Being that this is a timed test, students WILL NOT HAVE TIME to elaborate upon every possible aspect the question touches upon. Test Makers know this. Test Graders know this. Students who score well know this, too. By coherently and intelligently responding to the essay prompt in four well-written paragraphs students will enable themselves to earn an excellent score on the Essay Writing Section of the SAT.</i> <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;page-break-after:avoid;mso-outline-level:8'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>There are Four Main Sections a student wants to outline before they begin to write their essay. </b><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:54.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Paragraph 1 </b><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> &#8211; </b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>The Main Idea (including a Thesis Statement) <span lang=EN-US style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:54.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Paragraph 2 </b><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> &#8211; </b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Supporting Paragraph #1 (Point A) <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:54.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Paragraph 3 </b><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> &#8211; </b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Supporting Paragraph #2 (Point B) <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:54.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Paragraph 4 </b><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> &#8211; </b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>The Concrete Conclusion (re-connecting to the Thesis) <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:normal'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Outline these four Big Points in two minutes BEFORE YOU BEGIN!! </b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><b><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>NOTE: </i></b><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Yes, this is a formula - a formula for success on the SAT. With only 25 minutes to complete a well-written essay, strategy is a HUGE factor for success on this test. </i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Put yourself in the shoes of a Test Grader. </b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>If a Test Grader sees that you can write four well-structured paragraphs that progress from Point to Point, including a Thesis Statement and a Conclusion, you are on you way to an excellent score. Remember, all you need to do is write four paragraphs &#8211; there is no time for a 33 page doctoral thesis on the essay prompt - so do NOT try to write one. </i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>PITFALLS:<i> Watch out!</i> </b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Avoid the temptation to skip the outline process. <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Avoid the temptation to abandon the outline after taking the time to create it. <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;page-break-after:avoid;mso-outline-level:8'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;page-break-after:avoid;mso-outline-level:8'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Samples Outlining Activities: </b><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Sample #1 </i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>DIRECTIONS: Please explain the following quote and whether or not you agree or disagree with the statement. </b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><b><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. (Ralph Waldo Emerson) </i></b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><b> <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Two-Minute General Outline: </b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Paragraph 1 - You must care about something in order to really create greatness. <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Paragraph 2 - I agree, being negative will never result in producing amazing results. <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Paragraph 3 &#8211; Examples exist everywhere proving this point. <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Paragraph 4 &#8211; Without genuine passion, excellence is unattainable. <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Sample #2 </i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>DIRECTIONS: Please explain the following quote and whether or not you agree or disagree with the statement. </b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><b><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>The person who lies for you will lie against you. (Harry Truman) </i></b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><b> <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Two-Minute General Outline: </b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Paragraph 1 &#8211; A liar is a liar. <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Paragraph 2 &#8211; Betrayal will eventually happen. <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Paragraph 3 &#8211; Honesty is a principle without exception. <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Paragraph 4 &#8211; People who lie for you reveal their true character so beware. <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Though these are only rough statements, one can see that these essays now have a clear sense of direction &#8211; and as a result they will be MUCH EASIER to write because a road map is now in place telling us where to go and what to accomplish. </b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:normal'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:normal'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:normal;page-break-after:avoid;mso-outline-level: 2'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>TAKE TWO MINUTES TO CREATE AN OUTLINE!! </b><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Garamond","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'> </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoHeading7 align=center style='text-align:center'><span lang=EN-US style='color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>The Second WELL of the Excellent Essay:

<span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif";color:windowtext; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>WELL-SUPPORTED <span lang=EN-US style='color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoHeading8><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>The Importance of Support <span lang=EN-US style='color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Test Makers and Test Graders are looking for the strong, solid support of ideas in student essays.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> An idea without strong, solid support is like a roof without a strong, solid foundation &#8211; it is going to collapse.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Many students will offer a strong, solid idea but not follow it up -- as a result, they do not earn excellent scores for their efforts.

<p class=MsoHeading8><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoHeading8><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>How to Support: Know (and Use) The Umbrella Theory <span lang=EN-US style='color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Think of the four main points of your outline as if each of them were an umbrella.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Items properly placed under the umbrella are shielded from a storm of point subtraction.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Items not placed properly under the umbrella are at risk of being rained on by a storm of point subtraction.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Supporting ideas that are sensible and properly placed will fit nicely underneath the umbrellas of your outline.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Rambling statements that shoot off in all sorts of nutty directions will not fit under your umbrella.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>What to support: Paragraph 1 - THE MAIN IDEA/THESIS STATEMENT </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Each Well-Written Essay has a Thesis Statement that needs to be supported.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>What is a Thesis Statement? <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> A Thesis statement expresses the MAIN IDEA OF THE ENTIRE ESSAY. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>Why do you need a Thesis Statement? <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> You need a thesis statement because it controls the direction, focus and purpose of the essay. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>How do you create a Thesis Statement? <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> A great way to create a thesis statement that will ensure you address the question you have been asked is to CONVERT THE QUESTION PROMPT INTO A THESIS STATEMENT.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>How do you support a Thesis Statement? </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> The well-written thesis statement will be like an umbrella for your entire essay &#8211; everything will fit underneath its scope.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> The TOPIC SENTENCES of Paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 will be the specific tent poles of support for your thesis by the time you are finished. (More on that in a bit.)

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Remember, support for the thesis statement will be found throughout the entire essay. In one sense, the purpose of the entire essay is to support the thesis.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </i></b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Don&#8217;t forget&#8230; </i></b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>THE THESIS STATEMENT GUIDES YOUR ESSAY </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<span lang=EN-US style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:ZH-CN;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA'><br clear=all style='page-break-before:always'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><b> <span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>HOW TO CONVERT A QUESTION PROMPT INTO A THESIS STATEMENT </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>1. <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>     <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Read the Question Prompt.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>2. <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>     <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Change the Prompt from a question into a firm statement.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Example: </i></b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Question Prompt: Why do you like vanilla ice cream? </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Thesis: Many reasons exist for me to like vanilla ice cream. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Question Prompt: Do you agree that the United States should avoid raising taxes? </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Thesis: I completely disagree with the idea that the United States should avoid raising taxes. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>3. <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>     <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Use this converted statement as the basis for your thesis.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>More examples: </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Question: </i><b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Considering that most teenage driving fatalities occur after dark, do you believe that teenage drivers should be banned from driving at night?

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Converted to Thesis Statement: </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Because most teenage driving fatalities occur after dark, I believe teenagers should not be allowed to drive their cars after the sun sets.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Question: </i><b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>If at the age of eighteen a person can join the military and die for their country, do you feel that they should then also be allowed to go into a bar and be served an alcoholic beverage?

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Converted to Thesis Statement: </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>If a person can join the military and die for their country, they should definitely be able to enter a bar and be served an alcoholic beverage.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Tips to Remember about Thesis Statements: </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> They need to be direct and focused.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> They need to serve as an umbrella which can be used for the entire essay.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> They must address a specific topic and put forth a clear main idea.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p> </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>What to support: Paragraph 2 - THE TOPIC SENTENCE </b><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'> </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Paragraph 2 will begin with a TOPIC SENTENCE.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> This topic sentence will have been generated from your outline.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> This topic sentence will need to be supported by the paragraph that follows.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>What is a Topic Sentence? <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent3> The topic sentence will directly state the focus, direction and purpose of the paragraph.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>Why do you need a Topic Sentence? <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent><i> A Topic Sentence is needed for two distinct reasons: </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>1. </i><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height: 115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>     </i><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>So that the point of the paragraph is clear and precise. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>2. </i><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height: 115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>     </i><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>So that the thesis statement is provide with solid support. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>How do you create a Topic Sentence? <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent2> Since you will know what the focus and purpose of Paragraph 2 needs to be (because you did an outline that sketched out the main idea of this paragraph before you started writing this essay&#8230; remember section 1, Well-Structured?) you will know what you are going to be writing about and why. Take your topic sentence from your outline.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>How do you support a Topic Sentence? <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoHeading8 style='text-indent:36.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>There are 3 Major Types of Support in the Excellent Essay:

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:36.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>1. Logical reasoning.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:36.0pt'><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>EX: If THIS happens, then THAT will be the result. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:36.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>2. Personal Examples.

<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent2 style='margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:36.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>EX: Once, when I was younger, I learned THIS the hard way.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:90.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>3. <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>     <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Specific, vivid details.

<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent2 style='margin-left:108.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>EX: Green slime oozed from the nostril of the dead gazelle.

<p class=MsoHeading8><span lang=EN-US style='color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>Remember, topic sentences are also like an umbrella.

<p class=MsoHeading8 style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:Symbol;color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Use logical reasoning, personal examples and specific, vivid details to support your topic sentences.

<p class=MsoHeading8><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Students will want to include all three types of support for their topic sentences in order to score well on the SAT Essay Writing Section. </b>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p> </b>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>What to support: Paragraph 3 - THE DIFFERENT/OPPOSITE PERSPECTIVE </b><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'> </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Paragraph 3 will begin with a TOPIC SENTENCE.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> This topic sentence will have been generated from your outline.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> This topic sentence will need to be supported by the paragraph that follows.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><i> <span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>NOTE: </i></b><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>For an effective, excellent essay the topic sentence of Paragraph 3 will address A DIFFERENT/OPPOSITE PERSPECTIVE from the one addressed by Paragraph 2.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>ESSAY GRADERS ARE LOOKING FOR A MULTIPLE OF PERSPECTIVES ON THE SAME ISSUE IN THE HIGH-SCORING SAT ESSAY. </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoBodyText3> MAKE SURE THE PERSPECTIVE OF PARAGRAPH 3 IS DIFFERENT/OPPOSITE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PARAGRAPH 2.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Students encounter problems when they do not address a different/opposite perspective in Paragraph 3:

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Students who only look at the question from one perspective do not demonstrate the sophisticated thought process test graders like to see. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Students who only look at the question from one perspective tend to be repetitive in their thoughts and ideas. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Students who only look at the question from only one angle tend to not score as high as those who view the question from a different/opposite perspective. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </i></b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>How to Create a Different/Opposite Perspective for Paragraph 3: </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <b> Think in terms of, &#8220;The Other Side of the Coin.&#8221; </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Take the other side of the argument. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Play &#8220;Devil&#8217;s Advocate.&#8221; </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Change sides for a minute to consider all angles. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>For example&#8230; </i></b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> If paragraph 2 is discussing the need for teenage drivers to stay off the road at night, paragraph 3 can address why teenage drivers might argue that they deserve to be able to drive on the road at night.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> If paragraph 2 is arguing that being able to fight and die as a soldier in the military has nothing to do with being able to responsibly handle being served an alcoholic beverage in a bar, then paragraph 3 can talk about how silly it is that being served alcohol requires more maturity than being asked to handle a weapon in the army.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>ADDRESSING A DIFFERENT/OPPOSITE PERSPECTIVE IN PARAGRAPH 3 ADDS DEPTH, SOPHISTICATION AND COMPLEXITY TO YOUR ESSAY IN AN EASY-TO-IMPLEMENT MANNER. </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Good phrases to incorporate in Paragraph 3: </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>  However&#8230; <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> On the other hand&#8230; </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Another way of looking at this is&#8230; </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Opponents might say&#8230; </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> While most may agree, there are others who feel&#8230; </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p> </i></b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> What to support: THE CONCLUSION </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Each Well-Written SAT Essay has a Concrete Conclusion! </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><b> Paragraph 1 + Paragraph 2 + Paragraph 3 add up to Paragraph 4 (The Conclusion) </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>What is a Conclusion?

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> A conclusion is a definite ending whereby the reader of the essay will feel that the ideas are tied together and that the essay has been completed. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Why do you need a Conclusion?

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Essays need endings. Including a conclusion shows the reader you understand the proper structure for the SAT essay and have implemented it successfully. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>How do you create a conclusion? <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Think of your essay as if it were a circle. You started at one point and now (in the conclusion) you need to bring everything back around again to complete the loop. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Techniques a student can use to craft a strong conclusion. </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Restate and re-affirm your position. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Offer a solution to a problem. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Make a recommendation for a course of action. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Summarize your major points. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> '' Restate your thesis. ''<span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Conclusion examples: </i></b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>1)       In conclusion, teenage drivers are dangerous after dark and should be prohibited from taking the wheel at night. Too many pieces of evidence demonstrate that their general recklessness presents real peril after the sun has set. Stopping them from taking the road doesn&#8217;t just protect them, it protects all of us.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>2)       Of all the crazy laws in our country, the one that says an eighteen year old can die for the American flag but not have a beer in a bar before doing so is the dumbest. Sure, people can argue about how the drinking age being set at twenty-one has some advantages but all in all, if I were thinking about serving my country, I&#8217;d find it ridiculous that Uncle Sam will permit me to shoot a man before sharing a glass of wine with him.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoHeading8><span lang=EN-US style='color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>Keep in mind&#8230;

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> The conclusion is the final say. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> The purpose of the conclusion is to hammer home an idea and make a point. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> This is no time for wishy-washy language nor unclear positions. Take a side and assert your belief. Strength counts. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoHeading8><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>DO&#8217;s for the conclusion&#8230; <span lang=EN-US style='color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Tie up the major points of the essay. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Use strong, forceful language that MAKES A POINT. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Give the reader a sense that the essay is completely finished. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Hammer home an idea and let the reader know precisely the position the author of the essay has taken on the subject matter being discussed. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Draw a direct line to the thesis statement. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoHeading8><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>DON&#8217;T&#8217;s for the conclusion&#8230; <span lang=EN-US style='color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Start talking about new points and side issues that haven&#8217;t been mentioned in the essay prior to this paragraph. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Give the reader a sense that the essay might go on and may not be finished with yet. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Use weak, soft language that doesn&#8217;t really make a point about anything in particular. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Doesn&#8217;t leave an impression that the author of the essay has any particular belief about the subject matter being discussed. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Draws no connection to the thesis statement. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Remember&#8230; </i></b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Conclusions can be short (after all, this is a timed test and it might just come down to the last few nitty-gritty moments) but short conclusions can be effective.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Not writing a conclusion, however, is ineffective and will lower your score.

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>ALWAYS WRITE A CONCLUSION!!! </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Two more Principles of the Well-Supported Essay you MUST use to Earn Higher Scores: </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>1. Use an example from your Personal Experience </b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>. <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Test Graders are looking for you to support your essay with personal experience.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> '' Your own life. ''<span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> A friend&#8217;s life. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> A family member&#8217;s life. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Test Graders want to see the generalities of the ideas you write about exemplified through concrete, real-life examples taken from your own personal experience. </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>If I were writing an essay about the need to keep teenagers off the road at night, I might want to tell the story about the neighborhood teenager who crashed his mother&#8217;s new car and ended up in a wheelchair three days after he first got his license. Why?

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> It&#8217;s got relevance. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> It&#8217;s got juicy details. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> It is unique. (Out of all the people taking the SAT in the entire country, I am probably the only one who can tell such a story because it really happened in my life.) </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>ALWAYS USE A PERSONAL EXAMPLE IN YOUR ESSAY!! </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </i></b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>2. Be Specific, Use Details </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Why be specific and use details?

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:18.0pt'><i> Test graders read lots and lots of papers. Lots of them are dull papers, too. Exciting language will stand out and capture their attention. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Bland language lays flat on the page. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Descriptive language leaps off the page. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> General thoughts put readers to sleep. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Specific details make readers pay attention. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>*In other words, VIVID LANGUAGE BRINGS WRITING TO LIFE. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Students MUST use descriptive language in order to achieve high scores!! </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoHeading8><span lang=EN-US style='color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>Never use the word GOOD!

<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent3> Use fantastic, amazing, incredible, tremendous, spectacular, extraordinary, unbelievable, phenomenal, stupendous, remarkable, astonishing, etc&#8230;

<p class=MsoHeading8><span lang=EN-US style='color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>Never use the word BAD!

<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent3> Use horrible, disgusting, terrible, appalling, dreadful, horrifying, detestable, hideous, abominable, offensive, despicable, etc&#8230;

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Enhance Your Descriptions by Tapping the Five Senses </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Write about how the sunshine&#8217;s sizzle sounded like a Sunday morning omelet.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Write about how the old car smelled like a bad tuna fish sandwich.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Write about how the baby&#8217;s skin felt like the petal of an orchid.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Write about how the fresh rain tasted like an angel kissing your tongue.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Write about how the broken computer looked like a fallen soldier.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>ALWAYS USE SPECIFIC DETAIL AND VIVID LANGUAGE IN YOUR ESSAY!! </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>PITFALLS:<i> Watch out!</i> </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Not following your outline.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Making generalized statements that lack support.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Not including personal experience.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Using dull, non-descriptive language.

<p class=MsoHeading7 align=center style='text-align:center'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif";color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>The Third WELL of the Excellent Essay: <span lang=EN-US style='color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoHeading7 align=center style='text-align:center'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif";color:windowtext; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Well-Reasoned <span lang=EN-US style='color: windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>The Importance of Well-Reasoned: Simple, Strong and Straightforward. </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent2 style='text-indent:36.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>With only 25 minutes to write an excellent SAT essay a student must know what they can and cannot accomplish. Almost all of the topics could lend themselves to 5 page typed papers if a student were given the time to write one.

<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent2> This is NOT what the Test Graders are looking for.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:36.0pt'><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>Test Graders are looking for students to demonstrate solid, strong proficiency in the area of essay writing when they only have a limited amount of time. The secret to successfully accomplishing this is found in the three S&#8217;s: SIMPLE, STRONG AND STRAIGHTFORWARD. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>Make SIMPLE Arguments </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:18.0pt'> Being Simple does not mean being stupid, unsophisticated or unintelligent. Being simple means being; clear, precise and achievable.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:36.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Simple equals Clear. <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> On a timed test, the clarity of an argument adds to a student&#8217;s score. Some students try to tackle too much and get embroiled in convoluted thought processes that tangle them up more than they help them out. BEING CLEAR allows you to score higher. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:36.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Simple equals Precise. <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> On a timed test, the preciseness of an argument adds to a student&#8217;s score. Communicating a specific idea in a clear-cut manner allows a Test Grader to see evidence that the student can fashion a distinct, precise perspective in a limited amount of time, which allows you to score higher. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:36.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Simple equals Achievable. <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> On a timed test, completing one&#8217;s thoughts - and not leaving ideas or essays incomplete - adds to a student&#8217;s score. Many students begin elaborate, complicated patterns of logic that require 26 sentences to explain. This makes it very tough for them to finish the essay and opens the door up for them to make avoidable mistakes like constructing run-on sentences, engaging in convoluted logic or simply not finishing the essay because they have run out of time. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:108.0pt'><i> *You do not want to run out of time. As discussed earlier, you need a strong conclusion to score well. If you try to tackle an overly complicated thought process, you might not finish in the allotted time frame. ACHIEVING COMPLETION OF YOUR ESSAY IN THE TIME ALLOWED IS A BIG PART OF SCORING WELL. Simplicity allows you to do this. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>Make STRONG Arguments </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:18.0pt'><i> Break out the big guns right away! Find your biggest, most solid, most forceful, most dominant, #1 point and ADDRESS IT FIRST!!! </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:18.0pt'><i> Some students have 2 small points and then one really big one and they figure that they will save the biggest one for last and go with the smaller ones first. This is a bad strategy for the SAT essay! </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Remember, on a holistically graded test such as this, strong impressions count and the best way to make a really strong impression is by going with your number 1, biggest, strongest, most influential point first. Besides, there might not even be enough time to get to your #1 argument if you wait. (And wouldn&#8217;t that be a shame if you had saved your best for last but never got a chance to use your best due to time constraints?) </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoHeading8><span lang=EN-US style='color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>Remember&#8230;

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Each paragraph should make a specific, solid point. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Each sentence should make a specific, solid point that relates to the overall, specific, solid point of the paragraph. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> '' Use your best first. ''<span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>Make STRAIGHTFORWARD Arguments </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:18.0pt'><i> Avoid over-complicated, intricate, sophisticated patterns of logic and reasoning. They suck up tons of time, open up the door for too many simple grammatical and punctuation mistakes to happen and they tend to cause students to ramble and go on straying tangents. Remember the Umbrella Theory? Arguments that stray from underneath the umbrella of the main point (either of the topic sentence or of the thesis statement) open up a student&#8217;s test to a rainstorm of point subtraction. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:18.0pt'><i> Remember, a straightforward argument&#8230; </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Creates an achievable goal because time is limited. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Prevents straying from the essential point. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Avoid Over-Extended logic patterns that create opportunities for missteps. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal>

<p class=MsoBodyText2 align=center style='text-align:center'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>Something Else your Essay MUST HAVE to Earn Higher Scores: <span lang=EN-US style='color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoBodyText2 align=center style='text-align:center'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language: EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>A POINT OF VIEW (P.O.V.) </b>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Test Graders want to see you take a clear position in your answer. </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Test questions do not have right or wrong answers &#8211; they are subjective, interpretive, open-ended questions. Therefore, ASSERT YOUR OPINION. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> You will not be penalized for the stance you take on a matter, nor on your beliefs. Your ideas are your ideas, however&#8230; YOU WILL NOT SCORE HIGH IF YOU DO NOT TAKE A STANCE OR PUT FORTH YOUR BELIEFS! </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Remember&#8230; </i></b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>HAVING A CLEAR POINT OF VIEW INCREASES YOUR ESSAY SCORE </b>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><b><i> NOT HAVING AN OBVIOUS P.O.V. DETRACTS POINTS FROM YOUR SCORE. </i></b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Having an obvious P.O.V., countering with an opposing P.O.V. and then re-asserting an additional reason to support your own P.O.V. raises your scores into the upper echelons of the grading rubric. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Also remember&#8230; </i></b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>You will not be marked down by a scorer because they disagree with your argument. You will be marked down by a scorer if you do not take a position and make an argument. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><b><i> <span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>SPECIAL SECTION: </i></b><b> <span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Do NOT B.S. </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Trying to impress scorers by using big vocabulary words you are not sure how to use properly detracts from &#8211; not adds to &#8211; your score. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Trying to impress scorers by sounding artificially sophisticated when you do not know what you are talking about detracts from &#8211; not adds to &#8211;your score. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Writing simply for the sake of writing (i.e. aimless, wandering, &amp; imprecise sentences written just to fill space on the page) detracts from &#8211; not adds to - your overall score. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Remember&#8230; </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Test Graders are masters at detecting B.S. so don&#8217;t even try it. </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> '' Make real points. ''<span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Take a definite P.O.V. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Implement the proper, 4 paragraph structure. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Use specific details and vivid language. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Include a personal example from your own, unique life. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt'><i> *If you do all of this, there is no need to B.S. &#8211; you will be in good shape. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoHeading7 align=center style='text-align:center'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif";color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>The Fourth WELL of the Excellent Essay: <span lang=EN-US style='color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoHeading7 align=center style='text-align:center'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif";color:windowtext; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Well-Executed <span lang=EN-US style='color: windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoHeading8><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>The Importance of Execution <span lang=EN-US style='color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:36.0pt'><i> Time is limited. MAKING A STRONG IMPRESSION in this limited amount of time is a key ingredient to success. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:36.0pt'><i> The best way to make a strong impression is to prove that you can write well. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:36.0pt'><i> The way you prove that you write well is through the use of proper grammar, spelling and punctuation. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:36.0pt'> <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>No matter how brilliant your ideas are, if you do not know how to write a PROPERLY PUNCTUATED essay that USES CORRECT GRAMMAR and is ALMOST ENTIRELY FREE OF SPELLING ERRORS, you will not earn an excellent score. </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><b><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>And the truth is, you do not deserve one, either. These are the basic tools of the writer&#8217;s trade&#8230; KNOW THEM!!! </i></b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'> <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Remember&#8230; </i></b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>A student does NOT have to be perfect to earn an excellent score. </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Small mistakes such as misplaced commas will not ruin you. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Too many simple errors will definitely hurt your score. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </i></b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:windowtext; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>But Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar Count! <span lang=EN-US style='color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'> <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoHeading8><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Simple Tools to Ensure a Higher Score <span lang=EN-US style='color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt'><b> Proofread Your Work. </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> It always amazes me to watch students who finishes their essay with 2 minutes to spare and fold their paper over and stare into space as if they have nothing to do. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> What they NEED to do is PROOFREAD their work! </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> On timed tests when students are working quickly and efficiently, test takers often forget a word in a sentence, omit a period or question mark and misspell easy words they know how to spell. Finding even one of these small mistakes might be the last little thing you need to inch your score up a notch and move you into a higher echelon in the Test Grader&#8217;s eyes. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> PROOFREAD!!! If you have the time and you really care about earning the best score you can, there will not be a wasted moment of time on the SAT Essay writing section. Students who have the time but do not bother to check over their work are not students who traditionally perform excellently well on the test. Proofread! It matters. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt'><b> Avoid Carelessness. </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Pay attention to details. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Make it a point to do away with sloppiness. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> If you practice NOT BEING SLOPPY during your practice essays, you will find that your performance will tend not to be sloppy as well. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt'><b> Be legible. </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Students will NOT be marked down for their handwriting HOWEVER, without being legible, scores might suffer. (If I can&#8217;t read it, I can&#8217;t evaluate it.) </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt'><b> Remember, the Essay is Graded Holistically </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt'><i> Students get one score (on a scale from 1-6). </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:90.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Simple, proper execution can raise scores. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:90.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> A lack of simple execution can lower them. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:90.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'><o:p> </o:p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <b><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Excellently Execute your Essay: </i></b><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Use Proper Grammar </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt'><i> I&#8217;ll say it again, these are the basic tools of the writer&#8217;s trade and this is the foundation for what your score will be based upon. KNOW THIS MATERIAL!!! </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt'><b> Subject/Verb Agreement </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:18.0pt'><i> All subjects and verbs need to agree. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Writing things like, &#8220;They is going to the store&#8221; is the same as begging for a low score. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Basic subject/verb agreement is a fifth grade Language Arts skill strong essay writers need to have mastered. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt'> Commas <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:18.0pt'><i> Make sure you properly use commas where they are needed. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> One or two misplaced commas will not kill you. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> An entire essay riddled with misplaced commas will definitely hurt. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> If you are not sure how to properly use a comma, seek help. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt'> Apostrophes <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:18.0pt'><i> Possessives, contractions, plurals &#8211; hey, they need apostrophes (sometimes). </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:90.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Proper apostrophe use is a fairly simple skill to know. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:90.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Students who forget apostrophes are sending a secret signal to the Test Grader that they are really not a solid, competent writer. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:90.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Forgotten apostrophes are usually due to sloppiness, laziness or a lack of attention to detail. REMEMBER THEM! </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt'><b> Parallel Sentence Structure </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt'><i> Smooth, clear writing has parallel sentence structure. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:90.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Use the same grammatical form to express equal, or parallel ideas. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:108.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Pair a noun with a noun. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:108.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Pair a phrase with a phrase. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:108.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Pair a clause with a clause. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:108.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Pair an infinitive with an infinitive. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:18.0pt'> Pronouns <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:90.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> A Pronoun by itself has no definite meaning. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:90.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> A Pronoun is only clear when the reader knows what the pronoun refers to. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:90.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Be sure that the references you utilize pronouns for are clear. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt'><b> Colons and Semicolons </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:18.0pt'><i> In general, I recommend students AVOID USING COLONS AND SEMICOLONS. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Students do not gain extra points for using colons and semicolons properly. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Students can lose points for using colons and semicolons improperly. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> If there is really nothing to be gained but something to be lost, why bother getting involved in the first place? </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt'> NOTE: <i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Many students love to try and impress the Test Graders by showing off their vast use of sophisticated punctuation when they really do not have an excellent grasp of how to use the punctuation properly. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:36.0pt'><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>This is NOT necessary - avoid doing it yourself. You&#8217;re only creating potential potholes on the road you&#8217;ll be travelling. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:18.0pt'>''' Capitalize! '''<span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> All proper nouns must begin with a capital letter. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> All sentences must begin with a capital letter. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Capitalization is easy &#8211; try not to shoot yourself in the foot. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:18.0pt'><b> Indent your paragraphs </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> You will be writing 4 paragraphs. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Indent all 4 Paragraphs. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Again, this is very simple stuff that low scoring students do not do. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:18.0pt'><b> Use Proper Spelling </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> If you are not sure how to spell a word, use a different word. The English language is very flexible. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Remember, synonyms you do know how to spell are better than enriched vocabulary words you do not know how to spell. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Test score do not rely on any one word so do not feel the need to force things. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:36.0pt'> NOTE: <i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Do NOT use vocabulary words with which you are not familiar to impress test graders. It&#8217;s a BAD IDEA. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Trying to impress Test Graders by using 14 letter vocabulary words that you are not sure about how to use properly is a sure sign of an amateur test taker. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i>Remember, using words incorrectly can do more harm than good.</i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:18.0pt'><b> Use Proper Punctuation </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:18.0pt'><i> All sentences require punctuation. Use it properly. Keep it simple. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> '' The period. ''<span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> It&#8217;s a silly mistake to forget these at the end of sentences. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> '' The question mark. ''<span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> It&#8217;s a silly mistake to forget these at the end of questions. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> The exclamation point. </i>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> A great tool &#8211; but not if used every other sentence. Be judicial! </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> '' Quotation marks. ''<span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> Knowing how to use them correctly impresses Test Graders. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:18.0pt'> <span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:18.0pt'><b> The Rule on Slang </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt'><i> This is a test to see how well you use formal, written English &#8211; so use formal, written English. In general, AVOID SLANG!!! </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:54.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> However, slang can be effectively used to make a point &#8211; particularly inside a line of dialogue a student might be quoting. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> For Example: If you are telling a story to make a certain point about how crime is rampant in your own neighborhood, you might make reference to the time when a guy crept up behind you, put a weapon in your lower back and said in a very menacing tone, &#8220;Dude, gimme your wallet.&#8221; </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:90.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> This would be an acceptable use of slang. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> However, when writing an essay about how rampant crime is in your neighborhood, you should not write a sentence that reads, &#8220;There are a multitude of dudes who only want me to give &#8216;em my wallet which I ain&#8217;t gonna do.&#8221; </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:90.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> <i> This is a poor use of slang. Know the difference! </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><b> <span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>THE BASIC 4 PARAGRAPH FORMULA FOR AN EXCELLENT SAT ESSAY </b>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </i></b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Yes, this is a formula - a formula for success on the SAT. With only 25 minutes to complete a well-written essay, students need a strategy to succeed. This is it. </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Achieve this and you will have done well. </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Paragraph 1 </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>   Main Idea

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:36.0pt'><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>Includes a Thesis Statement </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language: EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Paragraph 2 </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>   Topic Sentence &#8211; Point A

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Supported by Vivid Details and/or a Personal example

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Paragraph 3 </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>   Topic Sentence &#8211; Point B &#8211; Opposite/Different Perspective from Point A

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Supported by Vivid Details and/or a Personal example

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Paragraph 4 </i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>   Strong Conclusion

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Connects back to the Thesis Statement

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> </b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Plus, you have&#8230; </i></b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Addressed what the question has asked you to address.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Used a uniquely personal example from your own life to illustrate an idea.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Used vivid language and specific sensory details.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Made simple, strong and straightforward points.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Shown a clear Point of View in your essay.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Avoided B.S.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Properly punctuated your essay.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Used proper grammar throughout your essay.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Done a solid job of spelling almost all words correctly.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Capitalized and Indented.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Tried to write legibly.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Avoided slang.

<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family: Symbol;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&middot; <span lang=EN-US style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> Proofread your work.