Active vs. Passive Voice

Passive language is awkward and wordy. The SAT grammar section does not like sentences written in the passive voice. Make sure the subject is actively "doing" whatever is meant. For example "Steve loves Amy" is a much better sentence than "Amy is loved by Steve" Steve is the subject and he is doing the loving. Amy is the "object" of Steve's affection. Please listen to a short 4 minute lesson from Grammar Girl by clicking on the following link: http://bit.ly/dcUyMP

Jerry Rice--SAT Philosopher?

NFL Hall of Fame Wide Receiver Jerry Rice once said: "Today I will do what others won't, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can't."

During his playing days, Rice's off season conditioning regimen was legendary. He worked out incessantly in preparation for the grueling NFL season.

I have said many times that the "game" is often won in practice.

How does this quote apply to your studying?

The Voice and the Tone of a Passage

Voice and Tone are two similar but subtly different concepts in critical reading. Learning to "feel" the writer through his or her voice is an important SAT Critical Reading skill. Many times a student will answer questions about a passage incorrectly because he or she will incorporate his or her world view into the passage. Hint--Your opinion does not count! The questions will start off with language such as "According to the author......" Not "According to Jim Smith.....

Once again Grammar Girl has an excellent discussion of voice and tone, please read or listen to the audio version by clicking here: http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com

Grammar Tip-What is a Comma Splice Error?

The SAT Writing Section tests many of the classic rules of grammar. One main theme is punctuation. When do we use a comma, a semi-colon, or a period? Grammar Girl is an excellent multi media website which addresses this issue and many more. Click on the following link and get the rule on comma splice. There is a written transcript and an audio presentation: http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/comma-splice.aspx

An Inspiration to All of Us

A student of mine just improved her SAT score 200 points and scored a 10 on her essay. Impressive, but this is not the whole story. Six years ago she was not even living in the United States and did not speak English. Moral of the story--you can achieve any goal which you deem important enough to put in the appropriate time and effort.
Her mother called to thank me. I told her mother, "Don't thank me, its your daughter that put in the work and took the test." Moral of the story--Everyone should own their effort. A tutor is only a conduit of knowledge and test taking advice. How the student uses this knowledge will ultimately determine success or failure.

Critical Thinking: What Is It Anyway?

From Elizabeth Online--one of the best introductory pieces on thinking critically. The next time you read one of the articles I post from the NY Times remember to ask the important questions that this blog poses: Critical Thinking: What Is It Anyway?

2010-2011 SAT Dates

SAT 2010 Fall Dates:

October 9, 2010
November 6, 2010
December 4, 2010

Winter/Spring 2011 Dates:

January 22, 2011
March 12, 2011
May 7, 2011
June 4, 2011