{"id":17598,"date":"2018-01-12T17:16:00","date_gmt":"2018-01-12T22:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/blog\/prep\/?p=17598"},"modified":"2020-09-11T20:42:13","modified_gmt":"2020-09-11T20:42:13","slug":"ssat-essay-what-to-expect","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/isee\/ssat-essay-what-to-expect\/","title":{"rendered":"The SSAT Essay: What to Expect"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The SSAT requires an essay, but it&#8217;s not\u00a0graded. So why do you need to write it? Well, the essay is a great way for schools to see how well you express yourself. The rest of the test tells them how well you perform on a series of standard tasks, but the essay is the one part of the exam where you get to shine as an individual. Schools look closely at your essay, so think of it as part of your application and take it seriously.<br \/>\nSo, what do you need to know to write an essay that will stand out? Really, only a few key things. First and most important, stick to the topic. Second, write clearly and logically. And finally, proofread your essay before you finish. Even if you think you have been very careful, you&#8217;ll undoubtedly find things that you&#8217;ll want to fix or change.<br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_icon_box  avia-builder-el-first  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Introduction to the SSAT Essay<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\nThere are five important things to know about the essay:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>You\u2019ll need to organize your thoughts quickly (you\u2019ll have 25 minutes to write a complete essay).<\/li>\n<li>Your essay is limited to two pages.<\/li>\n<li>Essay topics will be easy to grasp.<\/li>\n<li>What you say is more important than using perfect grammar.<\/li>\n<li>Your essay will not be graded.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><article  class=\"iconbox iconbox_left_content    avia-builder-el-1  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_heading  \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class=\"iconbox_icon heading-color\" aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue82b' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'  style='border:1px solid #240f6e; color:#240f6e; ' ><\/div><div class=\"iconbox_content\"><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><\/header><div class='iconbox_content_container  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>The Golden Rule of essay writing is to <strong>stick to the topic<\/strong>. All you need to do is stay on course and write clearly, giving examples to support your points. Whether a question is academic or creative, there should always be a beginning or introduction, a middle (body paragraphs), and a conclusion.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article> <\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How can you avoid making these types of mistakes? How can you make sure you don\u2019t get sidetracked while you write or repeat yourself? Kaplan has an easy method that you should follow when you write your essay. By following each and every step, you\u2019ll be guaranteed to create an organized, clear essay.<\/span><br \/>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_icon_box  el_before_av_iconlist  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >The Kaplan 4-Step Method for Writing<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\nThis method of essay-writing\u00a0might sound pretty general, a lot like the essays you\u2019ve written for school. In fact, the essay is the part of the test that most closely resembles the work you do in school. However, the essay follows a much more specific format than most essays assigned in school, and you don\u2019t have a lot of time to do it, so it\u2019s very important that you follow all four steps. Let\u2019s break them down.<br \/>\n<div  class='avia-icon-list-container   avia-builder-el-3  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_heading '><ul class='avia-icon-list avia-icon-list-left av-iconlist-big avia_animate_when_almost_visible avia-iconlist-animate'>\n<li><div  style='color:#005de8; ' class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue812' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title  av_inherit_color '  itemprop=\"headline\"   style='color:#240f6e; '>Step 1: Brainstorm<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When you start to brainstorm for ideas, first think about the topic. With the sample topic, your thinking might go like this: I believe that people are rewarded for good deeds, not punished. Okay, what examples can I use to support this point of view? <\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It\u2019s important that you\u2019re clear in your head about what your stance is before you start to organize your essay. Once you start to put your examples together, you don\u2019t want to have to go back and figure out what you\u2019re trying to show.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  style='color:#005de8; ' class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue812' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title  av_inherit_color '  itemprop=\"headline\"   style='color:#240f6e; '>Step 2: Make an outline<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once you\u2019ve decided on your topic or opinion, the next step is to write an outline. Come up with three examples to support your points or opinion. <\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Next, decide the best order in which to present your examples. Is there a logical order to lay out your ideas? How do you want to start your essay? How do you want to end it? Make some notes on your scratch paper so when you start to write, you can glance at them to keep you on track and writing quickly.<\/span><br \/>\nEven if you\u2019re feeling rushed, don\u2019t skip the Outlining step. Planning your essay will make the entire writing process easier and faster, and it will ensure that your writing is well organized. Remember, wear a watch on Test Day so you can keep a handle on your pacing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  style='color:#005de8; ' class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue812' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title  av_inherit_color '  itemprop=\"headline\"   style='color:#240f6e; '>Step 3: Write your essay<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>Now you have to write the essay. Follow your outline carefully, but be flexible. Maybe you\u2019ll think of another great idea midway through your writing. Should you ignore it, or should you substitute it for the third example you had planned to include? If you think it\u2019s better than what you originally came up with, go ahead and write about it instead. Just make sure that any deviation you make from your outline is in fact an improvement over the original idea.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  style='color:#005de8; ' class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue812' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title  av_inherit_color '  itemprop=\"headline\"   style='color:#240f6e; '>Step 4: Proofread<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>Wrap up your writing five minutes before the end of your allotted time. Give your essay a good read-through, making sure you haven\u2019t made any spelling mistakes, written any run-on sentences, or forgotten to capitalize a proper name. You won\u2019t be able to make any huge changes at this point\u2014after all, you only have a few minutes left\u2014but you do want to make sure that you haven\u2019t made any egregious errors.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><br \/>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-4  el_after_av_iconlist  el_before_av_table  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Pacing<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\nHow much time should you spend on each step? Use your watch and this guideline as you write. You want to give yourself sufficient time for each step, because planning and proofreading will make your essay much stronger. Use the following guidelines for timing:<br \/>\n<div class='avia-data-table-wrap avia_responsive_table'><table  class='avia-table avia-data-table avia-table-1  avia-builder-el-5  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_heading  avia_pricing_default '  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Table\" ><tbody><tr class=''><td class=''><strong>Activity<\/strong><\/td><td class=''><strong>Time<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr class=''><td class=''>Outlining\/Planning<\/td><td class=''>5 minutes<\/td><\/tr><tr class=''><td class=''>Writing<\/td><td class=''>15 minutes<\/td><\/tr><tr class=''><td class=''>Proofreading<\/td><td class=''>5 minutes<\/td><\/tr><tr class=''><td class=''><strong>Total Time:<\/strong> <\/td><td class=''>25 minutes<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><style type='text\/css'><\/style><br \/>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-6  el_after_av_table  avia-builder-el-last  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Show, Not Tell<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\nYou\u2019ve probably heard the saying that good writing shows rather than tells. What does that mean, and what do examples have to do with it?<br \/>\nTake the statement \u201cYou can\u2019t teach an old dog new tricks.\u201d Say you wanted to disagree with it. You could explain why you believe the statement isn\u2019t true, what you think about teaching and age, and so forth. Or you could use examples that illustrate the same point. You could discuss the fact that retired people now use the Internet on a regular basis. The fact that people generally considered old by society are adapting to a new technology in large numbers serves to show that you can, in fact, teach an old dog new tricks.<br \/>\nWhat makes a good example? A good example illustrates the point you want to make. In addition, it comes from the world at large rather than from your personal life. While it may be true that your grandmother emails you, it\u2019s more powerful to say that many retirees use the Internet every day.<br \/>\nIf you\u2019re not doing so already, try reading the newspaper on a regular basis. Not only will you know more about what\u2019s going on in the world and be ready with great examples for your essays, you\u2019ll also improve your vocabulary, which will improve your performance on the Verbal section of your test.<br \/>\nCheck out an <a title=\"sample essay\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/study\/ssat\/ssat-essay-samples\/\">SSAT\u00a0practice essay here<\/a>!<br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The SSAT requires an essay, but it&#8217;s not\u00a0graded. So why do you need to write it? Well, the essay is a great way for schools to see how well you express yourself. The rest of the test tells them how well you perform on a series of standard tasks, but the essay is the one [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":31069,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[410],"tags":[385],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17598"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17598"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17598\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35816,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17598\/revisions\/35816"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31069"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17598"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17598"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17598"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}