Additional Elements of Assessment on the Writing and Language
Section of the SAT
To prepare for the Writing and Language section of the SAT,
research the following phrases on the Internet. Read, take notes, write down
examples, study, and periodically review.
·
Commas with a list; serial comma usage
·
Non-essential and essential clause
·
Idioms—know examples and types of idioms
·
Adding, deleting, or changing a sentence; making
writing more precise,
concise, and specific
·
Word pair—parallel structure
·
Diction—be precise
·
Misreading graphs; know how to read graphs, visuals,
or infographics
(Reading section of PSAT and SAT)
·
Transitional words and phrases
·
Faulty comparisons; know how to avoid
·
Pronoun agreement with antecedent
·
Apostrophes; know correct usage
·
Misplaced modifiers
·
Redundancy; shorter is better; know difference
between repetition and
redundant
·
Parallel structure
·
Commas vs. colons; know examples
·
Register of language; know types of register;
know examples
·
Paragraph order; how to organize through
strategic order of paragraphs;
know functions and types of paragraphs; know
relations among paragraphs
·
Subject-verb agreement
·
Idiomatic adjective and preposition combinations
(Google for examples:
“adjective and
preposition pairs”)
·
Idiomatic verb and preposition combinations (Google for examples: “verb and preposition pairs")
·
Idiomatic noun preposition pairs
·
Tense consistency
·
Combining and separating sentences; know how to
create more fluid
prose/writing
·
Comma splices; know how to avoid
·
Run-on sentences
·
Sentences vs. fragments
·
Who vs. whom
·
Correct pronouns; know types of pronouns; know
pronoun cases and usage
·
Sentence order; know types of sentences
·
Use of dashes
·
Dangling modifier
·
Commas with names
·
Appositive phrases
·
Colon and commas in list; commas or semicolons
after a colon; know
differences among comma, colon, and semicolon usage
·
Relative pronouns
·
Types of clauses; know examples
·
Types of phrases; know examples
·
Know how to determine the subject of a verb
·
Know how to determine the predicate and simple
predicate
·
Know types of objects
·
Know list of frequently used prepositions; know
function of prepositions; know how to identify types of prepositional phrases
·
Know conjunction types
·
Know parts of speech; know examples; know
questions to ask in order to
determine part of speech