Start to Finish: The Complete Guide to Writing the NEW SAT Essay. Table of Contents

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1 Start to Finish: The Complete Guide to Writing the NEW SAT Essay Table of Contents Lesson 1-7 Persuasive Devices Chart for the New SAT 8-12 Paul Bogard Let There Be Dark Marked Up Paul Bogard Let There Be Dark Example Essay # Example Essay # Example Essay # Marked Up Example Essay # Marked Up Example Essay # Marked Up Example Essay# Marked Up (No Color) Example Essay # Marked Up (No Color) Example Essay # Marked Up (No Color) Example Essay # Essay Template Thank you for downloading The Complete Guide to Writing the NEW SAT Essay. Please visit me atthe Test Prep Spot ( ) I would love to hear from you. Connect with me: Elizabeth Yoshida testprepspot@gmail.com Disclaimer: This product is meant for educational purposes only. Permission granted to reproduce for individual and classroom use only. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in whole or in part with the intent to sell without prior written consent from the author.

2 Writing the New SAT Essay Lesson Objective Use Paul Bogard s passage, Let There Be Dark, to write an essay that demonstrates (a) understanding of the passage, (b) persuasive devices used in the passage, and (c) effective writing skills. Resources 1. Persuasive Devices Chart for the New SAT Essay 2. Paul Bogard Let There Be Dark 3. Marked Up Paul Bogard Let There Be Dark 4. Example Essay #1 5. Example Essay #2 6. Example Essay #3 7. Marked Up Example Essay #1 8. Marked Up Example Essay #2 9. Marked Up Example Essay#3 10.Marked Up (No Color) Example Essay #1 11. Marked Up (No Color) Example Essay #2 12.Marked Up (No Color) Example Essay #3 13.Essay Template Introduction Let s start with the prompt. Here s the great thing the prompt is the same every time. Once you understand it, you have one less thing to worry about on the day of the SAT. Here s the prompt, taken directly from the College Board s website: The prompt (question) shown below, or a nearly identical one, is used every time the new SAT is given. As you read the passage below, consider how [the author] uses evidence, such as facts or examples, to support claims. evidence, such as facts or examples, to support claims. reasoning to develop ideas and to connect claims and evidence. stylistic or persuasive elements, such as word choice or appeals to emotion, to add power to the ideas expressed. Write an essay in which you explain how [the author] builds an argument to persuade [his/her] audience that [author s claim]. In your essay, analyze how [the author] uses one or more of the features listed above (or features of your own choice) to strengthen the logic and persuasiveness of [his/her] argument. Be sure that your analysis focuses on the most relevant features of the passage. Your essay should not explain whether you agree with [the author s] claims, but rather explain how the author builds an argument to persuade [his/her] audience. ( the test/essay ) 1

3 Basically, you are being asked to (1) read and understand a passage, (2) write an essay discussing how the author makes his/her argument, and (3) use your best English language writing skills in this essay. Scoring Your essay will be read by two readers who score it based on (1) your reading comprehension of the passage, (2) your analysis of the persuasive devices that the author used, and (3) your writing skills. Each reader will score 1-4 points in each of the three categories (Reading, Analysis, and Writing), then the individual scores for each category are added. So, the highest score an essay can receive is or 24 points. Let s talk about the three categories. Reading - (score range 2-8) Use your essay to show that you understand the passage, especially the author s central idea and details that relate to the central idea. Don t write a summary. Instead, use your analysis to convey your comprehension. Analysis - (score range 2-8) Use your essay to explain how the author of the passage builds his/her argument. Writing - (score range 2-8) Think about the components of a strong essay. Keep the essay focused to answering the prompt and organize ideas so that they flow logically. Use long and short sentences. Also, remember to keep your style and tone appropriate for readers of academic essays. Finally, use your best spelling, grammar, and punctuation skills. What does an essay look like? Seeing examples of strong essays can be very helpful for knowing what is expected. Fortunately, the College Board provided actual student essays, their scores, and a discussion about the scoring. ( ) Here are some thoughts based on the higher scoring essays: if you ve been paying attention during English class and writing the essays that your teacher has been assigning, then you have a great foundation and will do well. A successful SAT essay can take the form of your basic 5 paragraph essay. 2

4 Persuasive Devices Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the Persuasive Devices Chart for the New SAT Essay. T he chart breaks down evidence, reasoning, and stylistic and persuasive elements (the prompt). Books have been written about the seemingly endless number of persuasive devices. You do not need to know every single persuasive device to be successful on the SAT Essay. However, you do need to have a deep understanding of the most common devices. This chart was developed by analyzing published SAT Practice Essays (from the College Board) and identifying the most commonly used persuasive devices. Time to Practice Let s write an essay using Paul Bogard s Let There Be Dark, reprinted in this lesson with permission from Paul Bogard. Take out Paul Bogard Let There Be Dark, Marked Up Paul Bogard Let There Be Dark, and Persuasive Devices Chart for the New SAT Essay. Read Plan 1. First, look at Paul Bogard Let There Be Dark and find the claim, which is located after the passage in the second half of the prompt. It starts with Write an essay in which you explain how There s the author s claim you don t need to figure it out yourself! Underline it! Knowing the author s claim will give you a better understanding of the passage. 2. Now, read Paul Bogard Let There Be Dark with your pencil in your hand. Make notes and mark it up as you go. Remember, you re looking for examples of evidence, reasoning, and stylistic or persuasive elements. Keep the Persuasive Devices Chart for the New SAT Essay close by for reference. Also, refer to Marked Up Paul Bogard Let There Be Dark for guidance. 1. Now that you have identified examples of evidence, reasoning, and stylistic or persuasive elements, you need to choose 3 devices to use. Using 3 devices is recommended because it creates a nice 5 paragraph essay. Also, when reviewing the high scoring student examples from the College Board, those essays used 3 devices. Chose your devices by (a) those that best support the claim and (b) those that you feel the most comfortable and capable of writing about. For example, you may choose statistics because 3

5 the author uses powerful statistics to support the argument and you can explain how statistics support an argument. On the other hand, don t choose imagery if imagery was not directly related to the claim and you re not sure how imagery is used to support an argument. 2. Find the links to the device that you are going to weave into your essay. For example, if the device you chose was statistics, then go back to the article and make note (underline, brackets, asterisk *, etc.) of the statistics you re going to refer to or quote. This will make it easy to find while you re writing. 3. Establish the order in which you re going to write about the 3 devices. This will help you to write your thesis sentence and it also determines to order of your body paragraphs. Write 1. Remember, you re constructing a 5 paragraph essay. Here s the format. Paragraph 1 - Introduction (state the author s claim, along with the devices that you plan to analyze) Body Paragraph 2 - Analysis of persuasive device #1 Body Paragraph 3 - Analysis of persuasive device #2 Body Paragraph 4 - Analysis of persuasive device #3 Paragraph 5 - Conclusion (restate the author s claim, along with the persuasive devices that you analyzed) 2. To demonstrate your comprehension of the passage and analysis of the devices, each Body Paragraph needs to have four specific elements.: - Identify the device - Link the device to the passage - Explain why the author used the link - Explain how the device is used 4

6 Here s an example of how to construct a body paragraph using Let There Be Dark and the device of personal anecdote. - Identify the device. Personal anecdotes can be powerful persuasive devices and Bogard uses a story from his childhood to explain his experience with darkness. - Link the device to the passage. This can be a quote from the passage or a reference to the device from the passage. He remembers spending time at his family s cabin where he knew woods so dark that his hands disappeared before his eyes and looking up into the night sky to see meteors that left smoky trails across sugary spreads of stars. - Explain why the author used the link. According to Bogard, this important childhood memory only happened because it was so incredibly dark at his family s cabin. This memory is meaningful to Bogard and lets the reader know what he has gained because of darkness. - Explain how the device is used. This is a generic sentence or two about the device. Here is a short description of personal anecdote. This sentence, with a couple of changes, could be used in any essay describing personal anecdote. Using a personal anecdote is powerful because it makes the author more relatable and shows his or her personal interest in the claim. By being relatable, Bogard creates an emotional connection with the reader, which makes the reader more likely to agree with the claim. - If you put the four elements together, the Body Paragraph looks like this: Personal anecdotes can be powerful persuasive devices and Bogard uses a story from his childhood to explain his experience with darkness. He remembers spending time at his family s cabin where he knew woods so dark that his hands disappeared before his eyes and looking up into the night sky to see meteors that left smoky trails across sugary spreads of stars. According to Bogard, this important childhood memory only happened because it was so incredibly dark at his family s cabin. This memory is meaningful to Bogard and lets the reader know what he has gained because of darkness. Using a personal anecdote is powerful because it makes the author more relatable and shows his or her personal interest in the claim. By being relatable, Bogard creates an emotional connection with the reader, which makes the reader more likely to agree with the claim. 5

7 3. Look at Example Essay #1, Example Essay #2, and Example Essay #3. Each essay is a 5 paragraph essay written using the process mentioned above. Read each essay paying close attention to the structure. Use colored highlighters to identify the four different elements: Orange - author s claim Yellow - your thesis (device(s) used) Pink - link (quote or reference) the device to the passage Green - why the author used the link Blue - how the device is used Refer to Marked Up Example Essay #1,, Marked Up Example Essay #2, and Marked Up Example Essay#3 for support with identifying the different elements. If you are unable to print in color, you can also use Marked Up (No Color) Example Essay #1,, Marked Up (No Color) Example Essay #2, and Marked Up (No Color) Example Essay#3. Practice 1. Use the Essay Template to practice writing your own essay. 2. If you are just getting started, use Paul Bogard s Let There Be Dark since you have already identified the devices and you have seen examples of essays. Refer to the resources in this lesson for help. You may feel like this is copying, but it s not. You are learning and practicing the process. 3. When you re done with your essay, use the 5 colored highlighters to highlight your own essay. This will ensure that you have included all four elements. *A common mistake is including too much linking information (the pink). Remember, most of your body paragraph should be the why and the how (green and blue). 4. If you found that you missed an element, go back and revise. Use the Marked Up Example Essays for support. 5. Finally, fix mistakes in spelling, punctuation, and grammar. 6. For more practice, visit the College Board s website. It provides 2 sample prompts, along with scored sample student essays Additionally, the College Board published 4 New SAT Practice Tests with essay prompts (no scored sample student essays). 6

8 Tips - Remember The author s claim (or argument) is given to you at the end of the passage. Read this first and you will have a better understanding of the passage and what to expect. You don t need to rack your brain trying to figure out the argument - it s part of the prompt. - The essay portion of the SAT is at the end of testing. This means your brain will have been working for 3 hours before you start the essay and you might be tired. It doesn t mean you won t do well, but preparation is key. Start practicing essay writing well before the test so that at least part of the process will be automatic. - You have 50 minutes (total) to read the passage, analyze the passage, and write your essay. Most likely, you will not have enough time to write a rough draft and final draft. If you use the planning strategies mentioned in this lesson, your final draft (only draft) should not need much revising. However, you should save time at the end of testing to proofread for spelling, punctuation, and grammar mistakes. - Pay attention in your high school English classes. Believe it or not, your teachers are preparing you for this essay. Your ears should perk up when you hear ethos, logos, and pathos! - The College Board is not going to trick you. The passage you will read was picked because it has identifiable persuasive devices. - You may get a passage from someone well-known. If so, what do you already know about this person s background? This may help you understand the passage and determine the persuasive devices. - Don t forget to write clearly so that your essay is easy to read. 7

9 Persuasive Devices Chart for the New SAT Essay The new SAT has an optional essay. The following information is from the College Board s website: The prompt (question) shown below, or a nearly identical one, is used every time the new SAT is given. As you read the passage below, consider how [the author] uses evidence, such as facts or examples, to support claims. - evidence, such as facts or examples, to support claims. - reasoning to develop ideas and to connect claims and evidence. - stylistic or persuasive elements, such as word choice or appeals to emotion, to add power to the ideas expressed. Write an essay in which you explain how [the author] builds an argument to persuade [his/her] audience that [author s claim]. In your essay, analyze how [the author] uses one or more of the features listed above (or features of your own choice) to strengthen the logic and persuasiveness of [his/her] argument. Be sure that your analysis focuses on the most relevant features of the passage. Your essay should not explain whether you agree with [the author s] claims, but rather explain how the author builds an argument to persuade [his/her] audience. ( ) The following chart addresses the three bullet points from the prompt. Specifically, the chart breaks down evidence, reasoning, and stylistic and persuasive elements for your understanding and use on the essay. Books have been written about the seemingly endless number of persuasive devices. You do not need to know every single persuasive device to be successful on the SAT Essay. However, you do need to have a deep understanding of the most common devices. This chart was developed by analyzing published SAT Practice Essays (from the College Board) and identifying the most commonly used persuasive devices. 8

10 First, a bit of background on persuasion. Persuasive devices (and the bullet points from the new SAT essay prompt) fall into these 3 categories. 1. Appeal to Authority - This persuasive device creates trust in the writer because evidence comes from authoritative sources. If the reader trusts the writer, the reader is more likely to agree with the claim. Writers appeal to authority by using information from experts (this could even be the author of the passage), survey results, research results, statistics, fact, or examples. Appeal to authority is also known as ethos. 2. Appeal to Logic - This persuasive device relies on using logic or reason to convince the reader. If an argument or claim seems logical or can be arrived at using reason, then a reader is more likely to agree with that claim. Writers appeal to logic by using information from experts (this could even be the author of the passage), survey results, research results, statistics, fact, or examples. Writers also appeal to logic by using deductive/inductive reasoning, comparative reasoning, cause and effect reasoning, and pros vs. cons reasoning. Appeal to logic is also known as logos. 3. Appeal to Emotion - This persuasive devices targets the reader s feelings. Writers know that readers have emotions, and using techniques to make them feel a certain way (angry, supportive, pity, etc.) can persuade the reader to agree with the writer s claim. Some persuasive techniques that appeal to emotion are examples, diction, exaggeration, personal anecdote, repetition, irony, rhetorical questions, and imagery. Appeal to emotion is also known as pathos. 9

11 Device How it is used to persuade or convince EVIDENCE survey results research results statistics facts quotes or information from people who are experts examples Survey results, research results, statistics, and facts are evidence that support the author s claim. These devices back up the argument and provide objective information, which is difficult to oppose. They give the writer credibility, so the reader is more likely to agree with the claim. (appeal to authority and appeal to logic) Using quotes or information from experts supports the author s claim. We assume that experts are credible and have done research or learning to arrive at their conclusion. Therefore, we defer decision making to them. Using information from experts gives the writer credibility, so the reader is more likely to agree with the claim. (appeal to authority and logic) Examples provide context and support for the claim. Examples help the reader understand the claim and show how the argument or claim plays out in the real world. If a reader understands the claim and sees it in action in real life, the reader will connect and be more likely to agree with the claim. (appeal to authority, logic, and/or emotion, depending on how it is used in the passage) REASONING reasoning: cause and effect reasoning: deductive reasoning: inductive Cause and effect reasoning is used to show the connection between the evidence and the claim. Authors use this reasoning to explain what is happening, what can happen, or what has happened. (appeal to logic) Deductive reasoning takes a belief/rule and applies it to a specific case. The reader is likely to be persuaded by this reasoning and believe the author s claim since it is connected to a belief/rule that is generally accepted as true. (appeal to logic) Inductive reasoning takes specific cases (or a specific case) and uses them (or it) to draw a conclusion that supports the author s claim. A writer may use research results or information from experts to draw a conclusion that supports the claim. (appeal to logic) 10

12 reasoning: comparative reasoning: pros vs. cons Comparative reasoning provides a connection between (A) examples/evidence/facts and (B) the author s claim. This persuades the reader because he/she already has an understanding/belief about/feeling about A, and the author applies those to B using comparative reasoning. (appeal to logic and/or appeal to emotion, depending on how it is used in the passage) Discussing pros versus cons is persuasive because it makes the author seem reasonable, since both sides of the issue are considered. To be persuasive, the author may use (more or better) examples/evidence/facts to disprove or disagree with the other side of the argument. As a result, the author makes a stronger argument for his/her side. (appeal to logic) STYLISTIC OR PERSUASIVE ELEMENTS diction exaggeration personal anecdote Word choice is persuasive because it conveys a certain tone. If the author uses formal language and sounds intelligent, the reader may think that the author is an authority and should be believed. If the author uses words that evoke an emotional response, the reader may feel a personal connection to the writer and be more likely to agree with the claim. Similarly, an author may use simple or colloquial language to seem more relatable and more like a friend. (appeal to emotion) An author may exaggerate or use an extreme example in order to emphasize his/her point. This is effective because exaggerations are interesting and highlight extreme ends of a spectrum. Exaggerations show the best/worst case scenarios, which evoke an emotional response from the reader. (appeal to emotion) A personal anecdote is a short, personal story related to the claim. It makes the author seem like a real person (more relatable) and also conveys their personal interest in the claim. If the anecdote is filled with strong emotions, such as anger, sadness, or elation, the reader may also start to feel this way and be persuaded. (appeal to emotion) 11

13 repetition irony rhetorical questions imagery personification metaphor simile Words or phases may be repeated within a sentence, paragraph, or passage. This emphasis on particular words or phrases creates an emotional response in the reader. Also, repetition builds anticipation in the reader, so they have a sense of what is coming. This increases their participation and also their buy in or commitment to the claim. (appeal to emotion) Irony occurs when there is a difference between what actually happens and what was expected to happen OR what is actually said and what was expected to be said. Irony can be an effective persuasive device because it can discredit or shame the opposing view. Irony is also useful because it helps the writer to make his/her point in an interesting, engaging, and potentially humorous way. (appeal to emotion) Rhetorical questions are questions that the reader isn t expected to answer, but make the reader think. This is a useful technique because it engages the reader and encourages their participation. Also, since the answer is usually obvious, the reader is almost forced to agree. A rhetorical question can be written so that disagreement with the question would seem ridiculous. (appeal to emotion) Imagery uses language to create word pictures in a reader s mind. Personification gives something human qualities. Metaphor and simile (using like or as ) compare two things that are not alike. Personification, metaphor, and simile create a visual image for the reader, which draws the reader into the experience. Imagery can also make the experience more dramatic (positively or negatively, depending on the image created). (appeal to emotion) 12

14 Paul Bogard Let There Be Dark Adapted from Paul Bogard, Let There Be Dark by Los Angeles Times. Originally published December 21, At my family s cabin on a Minnesota lake, I knew woods so dark that my hands disappeared before my eyes. I knew night skies in which meteors left smoky trails across sugary spreads of stars. But now, when 8 of 10 children born in the United States will never know a sky dark enough for the Milky Way, I worry we are rapidly losing night s natural darkness before realizing its worth. This winter solstice, as we cheer the days gradual movement back toward light, let us also remember the irreplaceable value of darkness. All life evolved to the steady rhythm of bright days and dark nights. Today, though, when we feel the closeness of nightfall, we reach quickly for a light switch. And too little darkness, meaning too much artificial light at night, spells trouble for all. Already the World Health Organization classifies working the night shift as a probable human carcinogen, and the American Medical Association has voiced its unanimous support for light pollution reduction efforts and glare reduction efforts at both the national and state levels. Our bodies need darkness to produce the hormone melatonin, which keeps certain cancers from developing, and our bodies need darkness for sleep. Sleep disorders have been linked to diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and depression, and recent research suggests one main cause of short sleep is long light. Whether we work at night or simply take our tablets, notebooks and smartphones to bed, there isn t a place for this much artificial light in our lives. The rest of the world depends on darkness as well, including nocturnal and crepuscular species of birds, insects, mammals, fish and reptiles. Some examples are well known the 400 species of birds that migrate at night in North America, the sea turtles that come ashore to lay their eggs and some are not, such as the bats that save American farmers billions in pest control and the moths that pollinate 80% of the world s flora. Ecological light pollution is like the bulldozer of the night, wrecking habitat and disrupting ecosystems several billion years in the making. Simply put, without darkness, Earth s ecology would collapse... 13

15 In today s crowded, louder, more fast-paced world, night s darkness can provide solitude, quiet and stillness, qualities increasingly in short supply. Every religious tradition has considered darkness invaluable for a soulful life, and the chance to witness the universe has inspired artists, philosophers and everyday stargazers since time began. In a world awash with electric light...how would Van Gogh have given the world his Starry Night? Who knows what this vision of the night sky might inspire in each of us, in our children or grandchildren? Yet all over the world, our nights are growing brighter. In the United States and Western Europe, the amount of light in the sky increases an average of about 6% every year. Computer images of the United States at night, based on NASA photographs, show that what was a very dark country as recently as the 1950s is now nearly covered with a blanket of light. Much of this light is wasted energy, which means wasted dollars. Those of us over 35 are perhaps among the last generation to have known truly dark nights. Even the northern lake where I was lucky to spend my summers has seen its darkness diminish. It doesn t have to be this way. Light pollution is readily within our ability to solve, using new lighting technologies and shielding existing lights. Already, many cities and towns across North America and Europe are changing to LED streetlights, which offer dramatic possibilities for controlling wasted light. Other communities are finding success with simply turning off portions of their public lighting after midnight. Even Paris, the famed city of light, which already turns off its monument lighting after 1 a.m., will this summer start to require its shops, offices and public buildings to turn off lights after 2 a.m. Though primarily designed to save energy, such reductions in light will also go far in addressing light pollution. But we will never truly address the problem of light pollution until we become aware of the irreplaceable value and beauty of the darkness we are losing. Write an essay in which you explain how Paul Bogard builds an argument to persuade his audience that natural darkness should be preserved. In your essay, analyze how Bogard uses one or more of the features in the directions that precede the passage (or features of your own choice) to strengthen the logic and persuasiveness of his argument. Be sure that your analysis focuses on the most relevant features of the passage. Your essay should not explain whether you agree with Bogard s claims, but rather explain how Bogard builds an argument to persuade his audience. 14

16 Marked Up Paul Bogard Let There Be Dark Adapted from Paul Bogard, Let There Be Dark by Los Angeles Times. Originally published December 21, At my family s cabin on a Minnesota lake, I knew woods so dark that my hands disappeared before my eyes. I knew night skies in which meteors left smoky trails across sugary spreads of stars. But now, when 8 of 10 children born in the United States will never know a sky dark enough for the Milky personal anecdote imagery statistics Way, I worry we are rapidly losing night s natural darkness before realizing its worth. This winter solstice, as we cheer the days gradual movement back toward light, let us also remember the irreplaceable value of darkness. All life evolved to the steady rhythm of bright days and dark nights. Today, though, when we feel the closeness of nightfall, we reach quickly for a light switch. And too little darkness, meaning too much artificial light at night, spells trouble for all. Already the World Health Organization classifies working the night shift as a probable human carcinogen, and the American Medical Association has info from experts voiced its unanimous support for light pollution reduction efforts and glare reduction efforts at both the national and state levels. Our bodies need darkness to produce the hormone melatonin, which keeps certain cancers from developing, and our bodies need darkness for sleep. Sleep disorders have been linked to diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and depression, and recent research suggests one main cause of short sleep facts reasoning: cause and effect example is long light. Whether we work at night or simply take our tablets, notebooks and smartphones to bed, there isn t a place for this much artificial light in our lives. The rest of the world depends on darkness as well, including nocturnal and crepuscular species of birds, insects, mammals, fish and reptiles. Some examples are well known the 400 species of birds that migrate at night in reasoning: cause and effect 15

17 North America, the sea turtles that come ashore to lay their eggs and some are not, such as the bats that save American farmers billions in pest control and the moths that pollinate 80% of the world s flora. Ecological light pollution is like the bulldozer of the night, wrecking habitat and disrupting ecosystems several billion years in the making. Simply put, without darkness, Earth s ecology would collapse... imagery In today s crowded, louder, more fast-paced world, night s darkness can provide solitude, quiet and stillness, qualities increasingly in short supply. Every religious tradition has considered darkness invaluable for a soulful life, and the chance to witness the universe has inspired artists, philosophers and everyday stargazers since time began. In a world awash with electric light...how would Van Gogh have given the world his Starry Night? Who knows what this vision of the night sky might inspire in each of us, in our children or grandchildren? Yet all over the world, our nights are growing brighter. In the United States and Western Europe, the amount of light in the sky increases an average of about 6% every year. Computer images of the United States at night, based on NASA photographs, show that what was a very dark country as recently as the 1950s is now nearly covered with a blanket of light. Much of this light is wasted energy, which means wasted dollars. Those of us over 35 are perhaps among the last generation to have known truly dark nights. Even the northern lake where I was lucky to spend my summers has seen its darkness diminish. rhetorical question exaggeration statistics info from experts exaggeration It doesn t have to be this way. Light pollution is readily within our ability to solve, using new lighting technologies and shielding existing lights. Already, many cities and towns across North America and Europe are changing to LED streetlights, which offer dramatic possibilities for controlling wasted light. Other communities are finding success with simply turning off portions of their public lighting after midnight. Even Paris, the famed city of light, example 16

18 which already turns off its monument lighting after 1 a.m., will this summer start to require its shops, offices and public buildings to turn off lights after 2 a.m. Though primarily designed to save energy, such reductions in light will also go far in addressing light pollution. But we will never truly address the problem of light pollution until we become aware of the irreplaceable value and beauty of the darkness we are losing. Write an essay in which you explain how Paul Bogard builds an argument to persuade his audience that natural darkness should be preserved. In your essay, analyze how Bogard uses one or more of the features in the directions that precede the passage (or features of your own choice) to strengthen the logic and persuasiveness of his argument. Be sure that your analysis focuses on the most relevant features of the passage. the claim Your essay should not explain whether you agree with Bogard s claims, but rather explain how Bogard builds an argument to persuade his audience. 17

19 Example Essay #1 Paul Bogard, author of Let There Be Dark persuades his audience that we are losing natural darkness and it needs to be protected. To convince his audience, Bogard uses a personal anecdote, statistics, and cause and effect reasoning. Personal anecdotes can be powerful persuasive devices and Bogard uses a story from his childhood to explain his experience with darkness. He remembers spending time at his family s cabin where he knew woods so dark that his hands disappeared before his eyes and looking up into the night sky to see meteors that left smoky trails across sugary spreads of stars. According to Bogard, this important childhood memory only happened because it was so incredibly dark at his family s cabin. This memory is meaningful to Bogard and lets the reader know what he has gained because of darkness. Using a personal anecdote is powerful because it makes the author more relatable and shows his or her personal interest in the claim. By being relatable, Bogard creates an emotional connection with the reader, which makes the reader more likely to agree with the claim. Bogard also uses statistics to support his claim that natural darkness should be preserved. He claims that in the United States and Western Europe, the amount of light in the sky increases an average of about 6% every year and 8 out of 10 children born in the United States will never know a sky dark enough for the Milky Way. The first statistic provides evidence that natural darkness is diminishing by giving the percentage of light increase each year. The second statistic provides a direct consequence of the loss of darkness, which is the alarming idea that most American children will never see 18

20 the Milky Way. These statistics support Bogard s argument with objective information, which is difficult to oppose. Using statistics gives Bogard credibility and makes him seem more like an authority, so the reader is more likely to agree with his argument. Cause and effect reasoning is also used by Bogard to persuade his reader of the importance of natural darkness and what happens when it is absent. Bogard mentions that humans need darkness to produce melatonin, an important sleep hormone. He then goes on to mention the connection between sleep disorders and certain medical condition, such as diabetes and obesity. This connection demonstrates that the lack of darkness (cause) can have negative health consequences (effect) for humans. Furthermore, some animals also need darkness because they are either nocturnal or crepuscular, such as some 400 migratory bird species, sea turtles that lay their eggs at night, and moths responsible for crop pollination. Lack of darkness would disrupt these processes and according to Bogard, Earth s ecology would collapse. Bogard gives his audience real life examples of the results of the lack of darkness, some of which people are already experiencing, such as ill health effects. Using animals examples also explains the potential consequences that go beyond affecting humans. Cause and effect reasoning is powerful because it shows the connection between the evidence and the claim. It also explains what is happening now and what could happen in the future, which appeals to the reader s logic. Bogard s claim that natural darkness needs to be protected is supported throughout Let There Be Dark. Specifically, Bogard presents his argument to the reader by using stories from his past, statistics, and cause and effect reasoning. 19

21 Example Essay #2 In his article, Let There Be Dark, Paul Bogard builds an argument to convince readers that natural darkness is becoming scarce and needs to be preserved. He makes his point by using information from experts, imagery, and exaggeration. Using information from experts can be an effective persuasive device and Bogard uses it to convince readers that the lack of natural darkness is real and has real consequences. Bogard mentions photographs taken by NASA that show that the United States is brighter at night than ever before. This expert information from NASA, a well-known scientific organization, provides evidence that natural darkness is disappearing. He also mentions the World Health Organization and the American Medical Association when explaining the negative health effects of lack of sleep, which is caused by a lack of darkness. Bogard used information from these two highly respected health organizations to provide evidence that supports his argument. Information from experts is effective because the reader assumes that the experts are credible, so decision making can be deferred to them. Also, since experts are assumed to be credible, the reader is more likely to agree with Bogard s claim. Bogard uses powerful imagery to convince his reader that natural darkness should be preserved. When describing his family s lake cabin, it was so dark that my hands disappeared before my eyes and meteors left smoky trails across sugary spreads of stars. Both of these images create a visual experience for the reader that make it seem like the reader could have experienced it, too. A reader can imagine a night so dark that he or she 20

22 couldn t see inches in front of his or her face or the beauty of sugar crystals spread across the night sky. This dramatic imagery creates a picture in the reader s mind and draws them into the experience. If a reader can share this experience with Bogard, then the reader will be more likely to agree with his claim. Bogard s argument is strengthened by the use of exaggeration. He uses one of the most famous paintings in history, Van Gogh s Starry Night as an example of what a dark night can produce and what could have been lost without darkness. There have been countless paintings of the night sky, but contemplating the possibility that Starry Night might never have been produced creates an emotional response in the reader. The idea of losing this most valuable piece of artwork is frightening and that is just the feeling that Bogard wants the reader to feel about losing natural darkness. Bogard uses exaggeration to emphasize his point because it highlights an extreme consequence. This worst-case scenario evokes an emotional response in the reader that makes Bogard s argument more convincing. In Let There Be Dark Paul Bogard makes the claim that natural darkness is disappearing and it needs to be protected. He uses information from experts in the science and health fields, descriptive imagery, and exaggeration to support his argument and convince readers of his claim. 21

23 Example Essay #3 Paul Bogard, author of Let There Be Dark, makes the claim that natural darkness is vanishing and it needs to be preserved. He uses several persuasive devices to make his argument, such as facts, rhetorical questions, and examples. To convince his audience that natural darkness is necessary, Bogard uses facts. He states that the human body needs darkness to produce the hormone melatonin. He also mentions melatonin as being protective against certain types of cancer. These facts highlight the importance of darkness to the human body and potential serious health effects that can result from not having that darkness. Using facts is a powerful way to support a claim because it appeals to authority. Facts support the argument by providing objective information, which is difficult to oppose. Another way that Bogard convinces his reader that natural darkness is important is by using rhetorical questions. Bogard asks the reader, In a world awash with electric light...how would Van Gogh have given the world his Starry Night? He also asks, Who knows what this vision of the night sky might inspire in each of us, in our children or grandchildren? The first question asks the reader to contemplate how Van Gogh would have created his famous work of art without a dark sky. Bogard then compares Van Gogh s art to the potential inspiration of future generations, specifically our children and grandchildren. Most readers would think about these questions and determine that the dark sky has incredible value and losing it would be devastating in terms of past and future creativity. These rhetorical questions engage the reader and encourage 22

24 participation. They make the reader think. Bogard has written his questions in a way that leads the reader to answer in a particular way, which is in agreement with his claim. Finally, Bogard uses concrete examples to further his argument that natural darkness needs to be protected and to show how simple changes can be helpful. To illustrate the importance of darkness and how a lack of it can affect our sleep and health, Bogard uses the examples of diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and depression. Most people have heard of these serious conditions, but may not have connected them to a lack of darkness. Similarly, Bogard uses Paris, a world-famous city, as an example of changes that can be made to preserve natural darkness. To limit light pollution, Paris has started turning off monument lighting after 1 a.m. and will require other buildings in the city to turn off lights after 2 a.m. This example lets the reader know that Bogard not only recognizes the problem, but he also provides ways to solve it. Using examples helps the reader understand how the issue plays out in the real world. If the reader has a better understanding of Bogard s argument, then he or she is more likely to connect with him and be persuaded by his claim. Paul Bogard communicates his concern about the loss of natural darkness and the need to preserve it in Let There Be Dark. He uses facts, rhetorical questions, and real-world examples to help his readers understand the issue and persuade them to agree with his claim. 23

25 Marked Up Example Essay #1 Paul Bogard, author of Let There Be Dark persuades his audience that we are losing natural darkness and it needs to be protected. To convince his audience, Bogard uses a personal anecdote, statistics, and cause and effect reasoning. Personal anecdotes can be powerful persuasive devices and Bogard uses a story from his childhood to explain his experience with darkness. He remembers spending time at his family s cabin where he knew woods so dark that his hands disappeared before his eyes and looking up into the night sky to see meteors that left smoky trails across sugary spreads of stars. According to Bogard, this important childhood memory only happened because it was so incredibly dark at his family s cabin. This memory is meaningful to Bogard and lets the reader know what he has gained because of darkness. Using a personal anecdote is powerful because it makes the author more relatable and shows his or her personal interest in the claim. By being relatable, Bogard creates an emotional connection with the reader, which makes the reader more likely to agree with the claim. Bogard also uses statistics to support his claim that natural darkness should be preserved. He claims that in the United States and Western Europe, the amount of light in the sky increases an average of about 6% every year and 8 out of 10 children born in the United States will never know a sky dark enough for the Milky Way. The first statistic provides evidence that natural darkness is diminishing by giving the percentage of light increase each year. The second statistic provides a direct consequence of the loss of darkness, which is the alarming idea that most American children will never see 24

26 the Milky Way. These statistics support Bogard s argument with objective information, which is difficult to oppose. Using statistics gives Bogard credibility and makes him seem more like an authority, so the reader is more likely to agree with his argument. Cause and effect reasoning is also used by Bogard to persuade his reader of the importance of natural darkness and what happens when it is absent. Bogard mentions that humans need darkness to produce melatonin, an important sleep hormone. He then goes on to mention the connection between sleep disorders and certain medical condition, such as diabetes and obesity. This connection demonstrates that the lack of darkness (cause) can have negative health consequences (effect) for humans. Furthermore, some animals also need darkness because they are either nocturnal or crepuscular, such as some 400 migratory bird species, sea turtles that lay their eggs at night, and moths responsible for crop pollination. Lack of darkness would disrupt these processes and according to Bogard, Earth s ecology would collapse. Bogard gives his audience real life examples of the results of the lack of darkness, some of which people are already experiencing, such as ill health effects. Using animals examples also explains the potential consequences that go beyond affecting humans. Cause and effect reasoning is powerful because it shows the connection between the evidence and the claim. It also explains what is happening now and what could happen in the future, which appeals to the reader s logic. Bogard s claim that natural darkness needs to be protected is supported throughout Let There Be Dark. Specifically, Bogard presents his argument to the reader by using stories from his past, statistics, and cause and effect reasoning. 25

27 Marked Up Example Essay #2 In his article, Let There Be Dark, Paul Bogard builds an argument to convince readers that natural darkness is becoming scarce and needs to be preserved. He makes his point by using information from experts, imagery, and exaggeration. Using information from experts can be an effective persuasive device and Bogard uses it to convince readers that the lack of natural darkness is real and has real consequences. Bogard mentions photographs taken by NASA that show that the United States is brighter at night than ever before. This expert information from NASA, a well-known scientific organization, provides evidence that natural darkness is disappearing. He also mentions the World Health Organization and the American Medical Association when explaining the negative health effects of lack of sleep, which is caused by a lack of darkness. Bogard used information from these two highly respected health organizations to provide evidence that supports his argument. Information from experts is effective because the reader assumes that the experts are credible, so decision making can be deferred to them. Also, since experts are assumed to be credible, the reader is more likely to agree with Bogard s claim. Bogard uses powerful imagery to convince his reader that natural darkness should be preserved. When describing his family s lake cabin, it was so dark that my hands disappeared before my eyes and meteors left smoky trails across sugary spreads of stars. Both of these images create a visual experience for the reader that make it seem like the reader could have experienced it, too. A reader can imagine a night so dark that he or she 26

28 couldn t see inches in front of his or her face or the beauty of sugar crystals spread across the night sky. This dramatic imagery creates a picture in the reader s mind and draws them into the experience. If a reader can share this experience with Bogard, then the reader will be more likely to agree with his claim. Bogard s argument is strengthened by the use of exaggeration. He uses one of the most famous paintings in history, Van Gogh s Starry Night as an example of what a dark night can produce and what could have been lost without darkness. There have been countless paintings of the night sky, but contemplating the possibility that Starry Night might never have been produced creates an emotional response in the reader. The idea of losing this most valuable piece of artwork is frightening and that is just the feeling that Bogard wants the reader to feel about losing natural darkness. Bogard uses exaggeration to emphasize his point because it highlights an extreme consequence. This worst-case scenario evokes an emotional response in the reader that makes Bogard s argument more convincing. In Let There Be Dark Paul Bogard makes the claim that natural darkness is disappearing and it needs to be protected. He uses information from experts in the science and health fields, descriptive imagery, and exaggeration to support his argument and convince readers of his claim. 27