Course Description

This seven-week mini-course is a comprehensive preparation for the New 2016 SAT format in the areas of Evidence-Based Reading, Writing, and the optional Essay. We will seek to demystify the English sections of the SAT and have fun learning the ins and outs of each category.

We will:

Prepare for the New SAT Essay, which is a rhetorical analysis essay.
Examine the identity and purpose of elements such as diction, syntax, detail, imagery, appeals to logic, emotion, and authority, figurative language, and more; as well as explore basic essay structure and organization, and practice the difference between merely reporting content and truly analyzing how the author achieves his or her purpose.
Practice the ability to create a coherent organization, use varied sentence structures, and employ good word choice and tone. Complete a selection of essay responses to SAT practice prompts. I will provide detailed feedback on every student essay.
Prepare for the reading section of the SAT. This will include practicing evidence-based passages, inferring meaning based on tone, diction, and context clues, and more.
Prepare for the writing section of the SAT. This will include practicing strong grammar, diction, and punctuation skills in preparation for the SAT Writing questions which require a student to spot errors and choose the most concise, correct phrasing of a sentence or paragraph structure.
Prepare for SAT-level vocabulary. In addition to providing vocabulary resources and virtual flashcard sets, I will provide a good set of strategies for improving vocabulary in general – for the SAT and beyond.

Course Structure

I will post homework on Monday morning; all weekly assignments are due Friday night. Students will receive and submit all homework materials through our class website; I also send weekly emails to check in.

Students will complete all or most of the following on a weekly basis: one Rhetorical Analysis SAT Essay, one set of SAT English MCQs, attending OR listening to the recording for an audiovisual lecture, reading 1-2 chapters from our SAT Study guide, and exploring handouts and resources. Students may spend 5-6 hours a week on this class.

Who should enroll?

9th-11th graders who plan to take the SAT exam within the next year.

Technology Requirements

High speed, broadband Internet

Sound card and microphone (for live sessions)

Streaming video capabilities to watch recorded lectures

Evaluation and Feedback

I provide detailed critiques on all written essay assignments and on MCQ work as desired. These assignments are critiqued within a few days. I critique all essays based on the three rubric categories of the SAT essay: Writing, Reading, and Analysis. Weekly check-in emails will be sent to both parents and students.

Communication

An application is not necessary to join this course; you may register at your convenience. I will contact parents within 1-2 days of their registration being processed. Weekly check-in emails will be sent to both parents and students.