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SAT Critical Reading and Writing

In order to better prepare the student for the Critical Reading and Writing portion of the SAT test, Tutor Zone has compiled a variety of topics, which reflect questions on the test.  Throughout the eight sessions of the course, students will be exposed to each of these topics and practices specific problems pulled straight from past tests.  Simultaneously, students will learn practical test taking strategies and important SAT information that will give them a competitive edge when taking the course.  The outline below illustrates what topics will be covered during which session.

Session 1: Introduction to the SAT/Writing Section

Objectives:

1. Understand the Perimeters of the SAT
2. Comprehend the purpose and function of the Writing Section
3. Introduce and Practice the “25 Minute Strategy”
4. Assess Thesis-Statement and Essay Formation
5. Comprehend the Limits of “Timed-Writing”

In-Session Exercise:

1. Take notes and participate in discussion
2. Complete 25-Minute Practice Writing Exam (1)
3. Edit/Proofread/Revise Written Exam and Examples

Take-Home Assignments:

1. Complete the given prompt in 25 minutes (2)
2. Complete given Writing Section 3
3. Write down 3-5 questions and concerns about the process thus far

Session 2: Identifying Sentence Errors and Improving Sentences

Objectives:

1. Return and Review Essays from Session 1
2. Discuss the 4-Steps for Writing/Editing/Understanding Sentences
3. Comprehend the Passive and Active Voice
4. Understand Dangling Participles and Sentence Structure
5. Utilize 4-Step Method for Sentence/Paragraph Formation

In-Session Exercise:

1. Take Notes on “Revising Prose” Multi-Media Exercise
2. Workshop selected problems from Section 3
3. Edit/Proofread/Revise Sentences

Take-Home Assignments:

1. Complete the given prompt in 25 minutes (3)
2. Complete given Writing Section 3
3. Write down 3-5 questions and concerns about process thus far

Session 3: The Purpose and Function of a Paragraph and Contextual Thinking

Objectives:

1. Return and Review Essays from Session 2
2. Answer questions thus far
3. Comprehend Precise and Concise Sentence Structures
4. Understand Topic Sentences and Transitional Phrases
5. Comprehend Independent and Dependent Clauses

In-Session Exercise:

1. Take notes and participate in discussion
2. Workshop selected problems from Section 6
3. Complete the Cross-Course Context Exercise

Take-Home Assignments:

1. Complete given Writing Section 3
2. Complete given Writing Section 6
3. Review Essay Comments; Make a List of 3 Writing Goals

Session 4: The Critical Reader, Editor and Writer

Objectives:

1. Review Writing Goals and their Applicability
2. Understand Logic as an Epistemological Method
3. Assess Introductory and Transitional Words (But, Although, Yet, etc.)
4. Understand Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes (1)
5. Introduce Extensively Used SAT Vocabulary

In-Session Exercise:

1. Take notes and participate in discussion
2. Workshop selected problems from Section 4
3. Complete the Consortium of Chaos and Logic Exercise

Take-Home Assignments:

1. Complete given Writing Section 4
2. Complete given Writing Section 6
3. Complete 25 minute essay (4)

Session 5: The Rhetorical Process and Theme/Thesis Based Reading

Objectives:

1. Review and Answer Questions
2. Define the Rhetorical Process (Author, Reader, Medium, Text)
3. Comprehend “Read for Thesis” Strategy
4. Understand and Practice “Read for Themes” Strategy
5. Introduce New Set of Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes (2)

In-Session Exercise:

1. “Arguing by way of Thesis Writing” Exercise
2. Workshop selected problems from Section 9
3. Workshop selected problems from Section 10

Take-Home Assignments:

1. Complete given Writing Section 9
2. Complete given Writing Section 10
3. Study Roots, Prefixes and Suffixes

Session 6: Critical Reader, Writer, Editor, and Communicator

Objectives:

1. Return and Discuss Fourth Essay
2. Comprehend Grammar and Style
3. In-detail Process of Elimination Discussion
4. Utilize and Practice Strategies
5. Introduce New Set of Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes (3)

In-Session Exercise:

1. Workshop selected problems from Section 3
2. Workshop selected problems from Section 4
3. Workshop selected problems from Section 6

Take-Home Assignments:

1. Complete given Writing Section 3
2. Complete given Writing Section 4
3. Study Roots, Prefixes and Suffixes

Session 7 : Prompt Analysis: Thesis, Antithesis, and Synthesis

Objectives:

1. Review Roots, Prefixes and Suffixes
2. Define the Rhetorical Process (Author, Reader, Medium, Text)
3. Comprehend “Read for Thesis” Strategy
4. Understand and Practice “Read for Themes” Strategy
5. Introduce New Set of Roots, Prefixes, and Suffices

In-Session Exercise:

1. Round-Table Roots, Prefixes and Suffixes Quiz
2. Continue
3. Workshop selected problems from Section 10

Take-Home Assignments:

1. Complete given Writing Section 9
2. Complete given Writing Section 10
3. Study Roots, Prefixes and Suffices