Organization and Focus (SAT Writing)

What is Organization?

Good writing has a logical flow where:

• Ideas connect smoothly
• Paragraphs have clear purposes
• Information is in the most effective order
• The focus stays on the main topic

Types of SAT Questions

1. Transition Words

What they test: Choosing the right word to connect ideas

Common transitions:

To add information:

• Furthermore, Moreover, Additionally, Also

To contrast:

• However, Nevertheless, On the other hand, Conversely

To show cause/effect:

• Therefore, Consequently, Thus, As a result

To give examples:

• For instance, For example, Specifically, In particular

To conclude:

• In conclusion, Ultimately, Finally

Strategy: Read the sentences before and after. Are they:

• Agreeing? → Use addition/continuation
• Disagreeing? → Use contrast
• Cause and effect? → Use therefore/thus

2. Sentence Placement

What they test: Where a sentence best fits in a paragraph

Example question: "To make this paragraph most logical, sentence 4 should be placed..."

Strategy:

1. Read the sentence that needs to be moved
2. Look for connecting words (this, that, these, those, such)
3. Find what those words refer to
4. Place the sentence AFTER what it references

Example:

[1] The pyramids were built over 4,000 years ago. [2] Modern engineers marvel at their precision. [3] This achievement required thousands of workers. [4] The blocks weigh up to 80 tons each.

→ Sentence 3 should come AFTER sentence 1 (not 2) because "this achievement" refers to the building mentioned in sentence 1.

3. Adding or Deleting Information

What they test: Whether information should be included

Question types:

• "Should the writer add this sentence?"
• "Which sentence should be deleted?"

Decision process:

Add the sentence if it: ✓ Supports the paragraph's main idea
✓ Provides relevant detail or example
✓ Clarifies a confusing point
✓ Creates logical flow

DON'T add if it: ❌ Introduces a new topic
❌ Is irrelevant to the point
❌ Repeats information already stated
❌ Contradicts the paragraph's focus

4. Opening or Closing Sentences

What they test: Best introduction or conclusion for a paragraph

Effective opening sentences:

• Introduce the main idea
• Connect to previous paragraph
• Are broad enough to encompass what follows

Effective closing sentences:

• Wrap up the paragraph's main point
• Don't introduce new information
• May transition to the next paragraph

5. Logical Sequence

What they test: The best order for sentences or paragraphs

Organizational patterns:

Chronological: Time order (first, then, finally)
Spatial: Location/position (above, below, nearby)
Order of importance: Most to least important (or reverse)
General to specific: Broad statement → specific details
Problem to solution: Issue → how to fix it

Focus and Precision

Staying On Topic

Every sentence should:

• Relate to the paragraph's main idea
• Support the essay's thesis
• Avoid tangents or unrelated information

Red flags for off-topic sentences:

• Introduces completely new subject
• Provides interesting but irrelevant information
• Belongs in a different paragraph

Maintaining Consistent Focus

Watch for shifts in:

• Point of view: Don't switch from "one" to "you" to "we"
• Tense: Stay in past or present throughout
• Tone: Keep formal or informal consistent

SAT Strategy Guide

For Transition Questions:

Step 1: Read the sentence before the blank
Step 2: Read the sentence after the blank
Step 3: Determine the relationship
Step 4: Choose the transition that matches

For Sentence Placement:

Step 1: Identify connecting words in the sentence
Step 2: Find what they refer to
Step 3: Place the sentence after its reference
Step 4: Check that the flow makes sense

For Add/Delete Questions:

Step 1: Identify the paragraph's main idea
Step 2: Ask: Does this sentence support it?
Step 3: Check if information is new or redundant
Step 4: Choose accordingly (and pick correct reason!)

Common SAT Mistakes

❌ Choosing transitions based on sound rather than meaning
❌ Not reading enough context (need sentences before AND after)
❌ Adding sentences just because they're interesting
❌ Forgetting that referential words (this, that, these) need clear antecedents
❌ Ignoring the "reason" part of add/delete questions

Quick Tips

✓ Transition words are NOT interchangeable — meaning matters
✓ Pronouns and demonstratives (this, these, such) are clues for sentence placement
✓ Relevance trumps interest — stay on topic even if info is fascinating
✓ Chronology matters — don't put effects before causes
✓ Read the whole paragraph before deciding on organization

Practice Approach

When you see an organization question:

1. Pause — don't rush
2. Read context — usually need full paragraph
3. Identify purpose — what is this paragraph trying to do?
4. Eliminate clearly wrong — narrow it down
5. Check your answer — reread with your choice to verify flow