2.1 SAT Writing - Improving Paragraphs

Improving Paragraphs: This section is the smallest section on the SAT exam, consisting of 6 questions.  To do well on this section, there are some areas of composition and grammar that you want to keep in mind: correct subordination of ideas, correct coordination of ideas, correct use of transition, unity of paragraphs, coherence of paragraphs.  For the last two elements, review the terms "unity" and "coherence" in the essay section.  Consider the following bullet points to score accurately:

• Generally, there will be one to two questions that ask you to combine ideas effectively.  This skill entails that you either know how to subordinate an idea or coordinate an idea.  Be especially mindful of cause and effect ideas.  Students make mistakes here all the time.  Look for key subordinating conjunctions such as "since" and "because" as effective means for communicating cause and effect.  Furthermore, students overuse the coordinating conjunction "and," using it to paste together any two clauses, even when the clauses contrast each other.  Look for this!  Be super cautious of the conjunction "and." 
• There is a strong possibility that the test maker will ask you to contemplate how a new idea might fit into a paragraph.   Be mindful of the sentence before.  Read it carefully!  It may be strategically set up for a sentence to contrast it.  If so, look for a contrasting sentence in the answer choices.  Just make sure the sentence is unified with the other ideas and that it is coherent or placed in the correct sequence. 
• With transitions, look for transitions that accentuate the development of the idea.  Be aware of contrasts; the SAT test maker really likes to see if you are paying attention to the momentum of the paragraph.  Paragraphs follow a direction- incorrect answer choices ruin this direction; they go against the grain!