How Long Should The SAT Essay Be? (Part 2)

Robin says:
“Thank you, Lee. That does help. Still, 25 minutes to write a well organized, well articulated essay that is also rather long… It just goes against everything I know to be needed for good writing. You know, things like brainstorming, outlining, revisions, and editing. I’m a bit irked that I have to “teach to the test” in this situation, because without practice at writing a lot quickly a kid simply won’t do well on it.”

Hi Robin,
I know that it’s frustrating to “teach to the test” and I know that writing is very important.  Let’s try to look at it from a different perspective though.  I’d like to suggest that there are two completely different kinds of writing.

First, there is the writing we do that is edited, proofread, and “perfect.”  For adults, that means the newsletters, Christmas letters, letters to the editor, and that sort of thing.  For kids, that’s the reports and essays they write, both for fun and for schoolwork.

The second kind of writing is impromptu writing, which has to be GOOD but it doesn’t have to be PERFECT.  That would include a lot of casual business writing, job applications, interview questions, etc.  For kids, the second kind of writing will include essay tests and, AP exams, and the SAT written essay.

The two kinds of writing are completely different skills.  My sons are glad that they have BOTH skills, but I’ve only been formally THANKED for a writing skill once.  When Alex took his first college essay test, he greeted us that day by saying, “Thank you SO much for teaching us to write a 25 minute quick essay!  I aced my test today, and the other kids had trouble writing for a timed test!”

So yes, you want to teach good quality writing with revisions.  I also think it’s a good skill to be able to write a quick essay that includes brainstorming, outlining, and writing.  I think it’s a skill that you will find the kids actually DO use in life and in college.

I hope that helps explain the benefits of the 25 minute essay.  I think the drawbacks of the essay probably speak for themselves

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