One of the most stressful parts of the SAT is the SAT essay. Unlike other sections of the SAT, the essay is effectively a single work, and it has a very significant impact on the score of the writing section. In this post, we will focus will be on one of the most essential parts of the SAT essay, choosing a position and a thesis.
A strong thesis statement is in many respects the most important part of the SAT essay, as it determines the position you will take on the topic, and it determines which arguments you are able to use to argue your position. There are a number of different viewpoints on how to choose a position for the essay prompt, such as favouring the positive position when making a choice, or taking the less popular position to impress the markers. However, in my opinion, the decision should be based on which point of view you feel more comfortable advocating, and the depth of your personal knowledge regarding the topic that can be utilized to advance your position.
It is certainly worthwhile to spend the first two to three minutes creating a rough essay sketch of each position to determine the quality of arguments at your disposal for each position. This extra certainty in your choice of position will be a great advantage, as brainstorming main arguments is essential, and considering the opposite side of a question can also generate ideas for your arguing your own position. It is also worth spending a small amount of extra time to ensure that the right choice is being made, as it is a final decision.
Once a position has been chosen, it is essential to clearly and succinctly state your position in the thesis statement. If you choose a weak thesis, the marker will likely misinterpret how the following supporting arguments relate to the topic, and deduct marks. It could also be seen as a sign that you are unsure about how to approach the topic, and are trying avoid committing to an argument. By creating a strong, clear thesis statement, it will be much easier to show the necessary line of reasoning that flows from your argument to the evidence and examples.
You can also find examples of strong and weak Thesis statements through any search engine
This article has been written for you by Tobias, one of the tutors with Test Prep Academy.