Comments on: Writing http://cafe2400.org Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:29:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: prestoncoleman http://cafe2400.org/writing/#comment-72 prestoncoleman Sun, 30 Mar 2008 14:55:06 +0000 http://cafe2400.wordpress.com/writing/#comment-72 I can handle this one, Mike. Jared, it's natural to be anxious about anything you have no experience with, especially when the stakes are high. That's why it's so important to practice the essay using prompts from the designers of the test. Go here and do some practice essays: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/prep_one/essay/pracStart.html It's also natural to wonder what others would say or would want you to say on the essay. This is a waste of precious time. Besides, if you think that way, your words won't be sincere, and you won't be using your own logic to support those ideas. Read the prompt, collect your thoughts, and respond with what you sincerely think and why you think that. Finally, if you use the advice I've given above, especially the advice to practice the essay at least three times, you'll go into the essay with a plan and with the confidence that you can make that plan work. Practice may not make your essay perfect, but it will surely make it better. Also, if you fail to plan, then plan to fail! Give it a try and get back to us--we always want to hear from you so we can better help you and others do well on the SAT. I can handle this one, Mike.

Jared, it’s natural to be anxious about anything you have no experience with, especially when the stakes are high. That’s why it’s so important to practice the essay using prompts from the designers of the test. Go here and do some practice essays: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/prep_one/essay/pracStart.html

It’s also natural to wonder what others would say or would want you to say on the essay. This is a waste of precious time. Besides, if you think that way, your words won’t be sincere, and you won’t be using your own logic to support those ideas. Read the prompt, collect your thoughts, and respond with what you sincerely think and why you think that.

Finally, if you use the advice I’ve given above, especially the advice to practice the essay at least three times, you’ll go into the essay with a plan and with the confidence that you can make that plan work. Practice may not make your essay perfect, but it will surely make it better. Also, if you fail to plan, then plan to fail!

Give it a try and get back to us–we always want to hear from you so we can better help you and others do well on the SAT.

]]> By: jared mallory http://cafe2400.org/writing/#comment-39 jared mallory Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:51:25 +0000 http://cafe2400.wordpress.com/writing/#comment-39 I'm worried about the essay too. We always have more than 25 minutes to write essays except on essay questions on tests, but the teacher doesn't grade those test essay questions the same way she grades an assigned essay. I don't see how I can do all that in 25 minutes, I mean, it takes me more than 25 minutes just to decide what I want to say sometimes. Thanks, Jared I’m worried about the essay too. We always have more than 25 minutes to write essays except on essay questions on tests, but the teacher doesn’t grade those test essay questions the same way she grades an assigned essay. I don’t see how I can do all that in 25 minutes, I mean, it takes me more than 25 minutes just to decide what I want to say sometimes.

Thanks, Jared

]]> By: Michael D. Davis http://cafe2400.org/writing/#comment-13 Michael D. Davis Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:56:28 +0000 http://cafe2400.wordpress.com/writing/#comment-13 Hello again Beesknees. Looks like you've been doing some digging at my site! That's awesome! If you are taking the test under normal conditions (no extended time, etc), you will get 25 minutes to write the essay. You cannot not get extended time on any one particular section. You either register for the standard testing, in which case you get the normal amount of time for each section, or for the non-standard testing, in which case you get time-and-a-half. In the latter case, therefore, you would get 38 minutes rather than 25 minutes. You have to jump through a number of hoops to get approved for extended time. (See <a href="http://collegeboard.com" rel="nofollow">Collegeboard.com </a>for details about that process, if you're contemplating that.) My main advice to you, though, is not to worry about getting extra time, but, rather, to do a lot of practice essays so that you're used to doing quick responses. 25 minutes is not a lot of time, but it's plenty of time to write out a brief outline of what you want to say, and then to actually say it. I'm not sure if you read Dr. Coleman's article on the essay, but you'll find some very helpful advice there. Check it out! I think freaking out is almost always the result of making a big deal out of something. Don't make a big deal out of this. Hello again Beesknees. Looks like you’ve been doing some digging at my site! That’s awesome! If you are taking the test under normal conditions (no extended time, etc), you will get 25 minutes to write the essay. You cannot not get extended time on any one particular section. You either register for the standard testing, in which case you get the normal amount of time for each section, or for the non-standard testing, in which case you get time-and-a-half. In the latter case, therefore, you would get 38 minutes rather than 25 minutes. You have to jump through a number of hoops to get approved for extended time. (See Collegeboard.com for details about that process, if you’re contemplating that.) My main advice to you, though, is not to worry about getting extra time, but, rather, to do a lot of practice essays so that you’re used to doing quick responses. 25 minutes is not a lot of time, but it’s plenty of time to write out a brief outline of what you want to say, and then to actually say it. I’m not sure if you read Dr. Coleman’s article on the essay, but you’ll find some very helpful advice there. Check it out! I think freaking out is almost always the result of making a big deal out of something. Don’t make a big deal out of this.

]]> By: beesknees http://cafe2400.org/writing/#comment-11 beesknees Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:37:23 +0000 http://cafe2400.wordpress.com/writing/#comment-11 how long do i have to do the essay? i can write a good paper if i have plenty of time, but if i have to answer an essay question i freak out and don't do as well as i know i can. is there any way i can get more time on the essay? how long do i have to do the essay? i can write a good paper if i have plenty of time, but if i have to answer an essay question i freak out and don’t do as well as i know i can. is there any way i can get more time on the essay?

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