The SAT Essay: A Start to Finish Writing Guide

This is a color-coded system for writing the SAT essay. Includes a prompt and 3 example essays to improve your score.

What you’ll learn

Understand the prompt and what it’s asking
Explain how certain persuasive devices are persuasive
Read a passage and identify persuasive devices
Write a thesis statement
Compose a 5 paragraph essay in response to the SAT prompt

Requirements

Experience with high school level English and writing a 5 paragraph essay

Description

This course will guide you through writing the SAT Essay from start to finish. Preparation will minimize your stress leading up to test day. Believe it or not, much of the work can actually be done before the test, like understanding the prompt, knowing how to read the passage, and knowing how certain persuasive device are persuasive. This course will cover that. It will also provide you with a writing system that can be used with any passage. The system breaks down the essay into elements so that each sentence has a purpose (color). The color-coding system helps with essay organization and ensures that each sentence is purposeful. Together, we will use the system to read a passage, find the persuasive devices, and write a 5-paragraph essay. Also included in this course are helpful downloads:

Quick Tips for the SAT Essay

Persuasive Devices Chart

Marked-Up “Let There Be Dark”

Example Essays (1, 2, and 3)

Marked-Up Example Essays (1, 2, and 3)

Writing Template

Who this course is for:

Individuals who want to know which persuasive devices are important
Individuals who need to know how certain persuasive devices are persuasive
Individuals who benefit from using a system or process when writing – a system that will work with any passage.
Individuals who need the essay broken down in detail – all the way to the specific purpose of each sentence
Individuals who benefit from having a “visual” explanation using a color-coding system
Individuals who want to see the essay composed from start to finish
Individuals who need the structure and guidance of a teacher, but want the flexibility and affordability of an online class
Individuals who need the entire SAT Essay explained, starting with the prompt and ending with writing an essay

STUDENT FEEDBACK AND REVIEWS

Mika: Straight to the point. Fantastic for motivated learners.

Michelle Rotteau: If you are looking for a step by step guide to writing the SAT Essay, look no further. The videos in the series are long enough to give you everything you need but short enough that you won’t be tuning out. Additionally, there are downloadable pdfs to have in front of you while you are watching the lessons. These elements combine to make this course a barrier free learning experience for students who need clarity on how to approach the SAT Essay. First, Mrs. Yoshida introduces you to the elements of the prompt and scoring that you need to know in order to satisfy the scorers. Then, she clearly explains the most common types of persuasive devices found on SAT Essay passages. Next, she visually demonstrates how to mark up the passage, identifying the persuasive elements. But most importantly, she guides students through the writing process to help them create a clear and well-organized analysis essay.

Harrison Publius: With this guide, I don’t have to do any extra research, except looking for more examples to practice. The PDFs that she utilized throughout are very helpful. I’m honestly surprised how she can put together so much information in such a short amount of time, if I have to put it in one word, it’ll be ‘perfection.’

Peter Gaige: This course is well organized. Students will obtain a strong understanding of what is expected in their essays. Well worth the time and money. The perfect refresher and change of pace from that “metropolitan sized phone book” review book you have been using. Whichever school district employs Prof. Yoshida has a talented teacher working with their students. Concise and well done. Thank you.

Gerry Sharp: This is a very informative, insightful study of the SAT essay. The course is very clear and well-organized. As a veteran teacher in Southern California I have taught the “3 Things” multi-paragraph essay at many grade levels. However, Ms. Yoshida has a talent for recognizing Persuasive Devices and presenting them in a palatable manner, making this class worth every penny for the tuition paid. I would recommend her class to any student preparing to take the SAT, even if they are enrolled in one of the most notable test prep programs in their area as it will enrich their preparation greatly.

Maria Eduarda Gumiere Leal: Really helpful! I completely recommend this course! Thank you, Elizabeth!

Caroline Gladstein: This course is the most concise, smart way to learn how to write for this! Awesome!

Bishal Bagale: Yes

Brian Lazaro: This course has some useful resources that help with the sat essay. It walks you through it pretty well. Even if one isn’t the greatest writer, one seems able to mimic what this course teaches.

For reaching more review, you can click to this link.

ABOUT INSTRUCTOR

Elizabeth Yoshida

Private Tutor and Public School Teacher

I’m Elizabeth Yoshida, a private tutor and public school teacher. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area with my husband and two sons. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy reading, cooking, and being active. My passion for education led me to online courses for the potential to reach more students. I’m so excited to have this opportunity to teach with Udemy and share my course.

ABOUT UDEMY

This course is a Udemy course. We created a page that included frequently asked questions we receive about Udemy. For going on the page, please click here.