SAT Tip of the Week Know When the Author is Speaking

SAT Tip of the Week Know When the Author is Speaking Welcome to AJ Tutorings SAT Tip of the Week blog series!   Well be doling out behind-the-scenes tips and tricks from veteran test-takers to get you the best SAT score possible.Todays tip focuses on the critical reading section of the SAT.   Critical reading is typically seen as the most difficult score to improve on the SAT.   Your critical reading score, based on vocab and reading comprehension, is for the most part resistant to quick fixes.  In order to maximize your score on reading comprehension, you must do one thing well: understand the passage authors main argument.The corollary to understanding the authors main argument is understanding what is NOT the authors argument.  Difficult reading comprehension passages often present multiple viewpoints, all delivered in the authors voice.  Its your job as the reader to distinguish between when the author is stating his argument and when hes just describing the other sides position.Heres an excerpt from a passage in the College Boa rds Official SAT Study Guide:As a scientist, I find that only one vision of the city really gets my hackles upthe notion that a city is somehow unnatural, a blemish on the face of nature. The argument goes like this: Cities remove human beings from their natural place in the world. They are a manifestation of the urge to conquer nature rather than live in harmony with it. Therefore, we should abandon both our cities and our technologies and return to an earlier, happier state of existence, one that presumably would include many fewer human beings than now inhabit our planet.Now, its clear from the first paragraph that the author believes that cities are a part of nature (a viewpoint hell expand upon later in the passage).  But if you, the reader, are reading too quickly, you might skim the second paragraph and think that the author believes we should abandon  our cities, because they are unnatural.  After all, the author affirmatively states: Cities remove human beings from their natural place in the world.  Many students who arent reading attentively come away from this passage feeling very confused they think the author somehow believes cities are both part of nature and at odds with nature.The careful reader, on the other hand, will note that in the second paragraph, the author is presenting the opposing sides view, the vision of the city that gets his hackles up.  The careful reader reads slowly and methodically, and distinguishes between the authors argument and the opposing sides viewpoint.You can bet that the folks who develop SAT reading comp passages are aware that students will misunderstand the second paragraph.  In fact, one of the questions in this passage directly refers to that paragraph, and its a question that students often get wrong.  Read carefully, and you can be one of a small number of students who get this one right!SAT Tip #1: On tough reading comprehension passages, make sure you know when the author is speaking and when hes p resenting the other sides argument.

Importance of Writing Skills in College

Importance of Writing Skills in College You and your teen already know how important writing skills are in high school. It probably comes as no surprise that they are just as critical in college. In just about every subject, professors assign essays along with many other writing assignments. But beyond the fact that students are expected to do a lot of it in college, why else is the ability to write so important? Here are six reasons: Communication is vital in todays world. Its a digital world where communication skills matterand writing is at the core of strong communication. No matter what students go on to major in at college (and what they intend to do after they graduate), they will be expected to express their work clearly, concisely and coherently in writing. Writing helps students refine ideas. In college, students are often asked to do research and formulate arguments and present that information in written format. This prepares them for the real world, where professionals in many industries must do this on a daily basiswhen emailing colleagues and creating and sharing reports, for example. Good writing leaves a strong impression. Like it or not, these days, many people are judged by their writing because so many introductions in the real world are made via email or similar. Quality writing will make students stand out (and bad writing will also make them stand out, but not in a good way). Writing skills prove workplace readiness. The goal of college, of course, is to prepare students for their future careersand communication is consistently ranked as one of the most valued traits by all types of employers. Having an aptitude for writing earns people credibility, no matter what field theyre in. Having writing ability shows professionalism. Great leaders are often great writers, capable of inspiring others and instigating change with their words and ideas. Even on a more practical basis, professionals must be able to write emails, reports, memos and letters that are clear and effective. Students who hone their writing abilities in college will be better equipped as professionals. Poor writing gets ignored. Rambling essaysconfusing emailswordy titlesdisorganized papers: these will get ignored by a professor, just as poor writing in the workplace will get disregarded as unimportant and irrelevant. Whether a student plans to become a journalist, business professional, teacher or engineer, its essential to learn that writing well means getting heard and noticed. Its crucial that your teen has good writing skills and techniques before she sets foot on a college campus. If your teen needs support throughout high school, call Huntington. Well help your teen hone those imperative writing abilities and become a more confident writer before she heads off to college.