Don't Apply Rules Blindly!
The SAT Writing & Language section tests rules and conventions of English grammar and structure. One concept frequently tested is that of nonessential clauses, which are pieces of sentences that are not necessary for the structural integrity of their sentences, but that provide extra information. Here's an example.
Viking ships, traditionally slender and built with overlapping planks, were easy to steer and glided smoothly through the water.
Notice the double comma structure cutting off the blue piece from the rest of the sentence? This is the typical nonessential clause structure. This type of clause appears all over the SAT, so it's very important that all students know how to use it properly. Many students, however, only partially understand nonessential clauses, leading to mistakes and lost points. Watch the video below for some great techniques that will show you how to avoid these errors in efforts to maximize your SAT scores!
