What are some good books to add to my arsenal for the SAT essay portion?

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In summary, Warren recommends reading Rand, Sartre, and Camus for individualism, existentialism, and pragmatism, respectively.
  • #1
Sak
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Hello. I am a n00b who stumbled across this forum looking for physics help.

Now I have a question for the philosophy buffs:

As you may know, the new SAT I and the SAT II Writing both have an essay portion. There is a general statement with which you agree or disagree. Most of the statements are things like "Ignorance is Bliss" or "To learn is to teach". The best strategy, when combating these essays, is to use a personal example, a historical example, and an example in literature/philosophy.

What are some good books to add to my arsenal?


I already have read Protagoras, Symposium, Gorgias, Phaedro, Discourse on the Origins of Inequality, Tao te Ching, Candide, and Beyond Good and Evil. I have also read some books which are not philosophical works but help in variety of ways, such as Lord of the Flies (helps with group vs. individual, fundament of human character), Brave New World (technology vs. humanity, enjoying the simpiler things), Moby Dick (I don't know how this will help, but my SAT tutor thinks it will), and many others. On my to read list is the Social Contract, Civilization and its Discontents, Nausea, and the Gay Science.

Thanks for any help.
 
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  • #2
I don't believe the reviewers are supposed to rate the content: what you actually say, or how eloquently you say it. They are mostly looking for spelling and grammar errors.

- Warren
 
  • #3
chroot said:
I don't believe the reviewers are supposed to rate the content: what you actually say, or how eloquently you say it. They are mostly looking for spelling and grammar errors.

- Warren

I don't mean to be arguementative, but that's absolutely not true, at least for the SAT I. They are looking at your argument and how well you argue it on a scale of 1 to 6. Then the scores are combined with another person who grades on the exact same scale looking for the exact same stuff. Trust me, we've looked into it, and seen actually essays and their actual scores. I saw an essay, that would get a C grade in spelling, grammar, and concision, yet had a coherent argument and still scored a six.

You just have to trust me on this one :smile:
 
  • #4
Okay, you're right, Sak. It's been a long time since I took the SAT, and it didn't involve any writing assignments back then.

- Warren
 
  • #5
Try Rand for Individualism, Sartre or Camus for Existentialism, and William James for Pragmatism.
 
  • #6
Gokul43201 said:
Try Rand for Individualism, Sartre or Camus for Existentialism, and William James for Pragmatism.

Thanks for reminding me! I'm actually reading Nausea by Sartre right now! I'm sorry I forgot to say it.
 

FAQ: What are some good books to add to my arsenal for the SAT essay portion?

What is "Philosophical SAT Arsenal"?

"Philosophical SAT Arsenal" is a comprehensive study guide and resource for students preparing for the SAT exam. It includes a collection of philosophical concepts and principles that are commonly tested on the SAT, as well as strategies for approaching and answering SAT questions.

How is "Philosophical SAT Arsenal" different from other SAT study materials?

Unlike traditional SAT study materials that focus solely on math and language skills, "Philosophical SAT Arsenal" incorporates philosophical concepts and critical thinking skills into test preparation. This approach can help students improve their overall SAT performance and develop a deeper understanding of the subjects being tested.

Who can benefit from using "Philosophical SAT Arsenal"?

Students at all levels, from high school to college, can benefit from using "Philosophical SAT Arsenal" as a supplement to traditional SAT study materials. It can also be helpful for those interested in philosophy or critical thinking, as it provides a unique perspective on the SAT exam.

Is "Philosophical SAT Arsenal" suitable for all SAT subjects?

While "Philosophical SAT Arsenal" is primarily focused on critical reading and writing sections of the SAT, many of the concepts and strategies can also be applied to the math section. However, it may not be as useful for students preparing specifically for the math section of the exam.

How can I access "Philosophical SAT Arsenal"?

"Philosophical SAT Arsenal" is available for purchase as an e-book or in print form on various online platforms. It can also be found in some libraries or educational institutions. Additionally, free resources and sample chapters can be found on the author's website.

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