Sat Essay Template printable pdf download

SAT Essay Template

Intro (taken from:

Rhetorical Precís

Format)

1. Basic information:

 "In [title of work], [author of work]…"

 a rhetorically accurate verb ("asserts," "argues," "denies," "refutes," "explains," etc.)

 "that" [the major claim (thesis statement) of the work].

2. Explain how the author develops and supports the major claim (thesis statement).

3. Give a statement of the author's purpose, followed by an "in order" phrase.

4. Give a description of the intended audience and/or the relationship the author

establishes with the audience.

Starting an Evidence Paragraph

1. Topic Sentence

In paragraph X, [Author] uses evidence to…

 convey the importance or severity of a situation, or its basic facts.

 show that a certain solution or approach has/hasn't worked.

 dispel a myth, or to prove a surprising point.

 establish credibility.

2. The author knows/understands that the reader/any given reader...

 might know very little/be unaware/have a mistaken understanding of the situation.

 might need some background information to understand his argument.

 will be more accepting of his argument if he establishes his expertise/credibility.

 might be skeptical of his claims/proposals.

3. Therefore, he utilizes evidence to…

 inform the reader so that the reader will comprehend his upcoming argument.

 correct the reader's misconceptions so that the reader will be able to properly

understand the argument the author is making.

 establish his credibility by demonstrating a command of the issue so that the reader

will be more likely to believe his upcoming argument.

Starting a Logical Reasoning Paragraph

1. Topic Sentence

In paragraph X, [Author] uses logical reasoning to…

 convince the reader that certain events are connected.

 convince the reader that one course of action would be proper/improper.

 bring the reader to a point of view that that might otherwise be unpleasant.

2. The author understands that any given reader…

 might not understand why something is/isn't a big deal.

 might not understand why something would work.

 might not immediately see the connection between two things/events.

 might not want to agree with him.

Sat Essay Template