ISEE Essay Practice & Information

• About the ISEE Essay
• How To Write An ISEE Essay
• ISEE Essay Prompts
• ISEE Sample Essay
• ISEE Essay Practice Tips

The ISEE essay gives admissions officers a sample of the applicant's writing, helping them assess their writing skills, personality, and potential for success in the school's academic setting. While it is a crucial part of the overall ISEE evaluation, the essay itself is not scored by the ERB.

Writing Prompt: Your child will receive a writing prompt, which is a short passage or quote related to a specific topic. Prompts cover topics of interest to students at their grade level.

Test Instructions: During the 30-minute Essay Section, your child will be given a sheet of paper to take notes on. They must write the essay in ink on two pre-lined pages, rewriting the prompt at the top of the first page. The essay must be written in print or cursive with black or blue ink. Erasable ink is allowed.

Preparation: Encourage your child to practice writing essays on a variety of topics. Help them develop skills in analyzing prompts, organizing their thoughts, and presenting a well-rounded perspective supported by relevant examples or evidence.

This is a sample prompt: Write an essay about your favorite season. Describe what makes this season special to you, including any specific memories, activities, or traditions that you associate with it. Explain why this season stands out above the others and how it influences your mood and daily life. Use vivid details and examples to support your points.

Begin with a clear, focused topic sentence that answers the essay prompt directly. 

Introduce your main idea or thesis statement in the first paragraph. Clearly state your position: The introduction should clearly state your position or stance on the topic. For example, if the prompt asks about your favorite season, your introduction should state which season is your favorite. 

Keep it concise: While the introduction should be engaging, it should also be relatively brief, taking up only 2-3 sentences. The goal is to hook the reader and set up the rest of the essay, not to provide extensive details. 

💡Avoid clichés: Avoid overused introductory phrases such as: "In my opinion..." or "I believe that..."💡.

For example: 

Clichés of Origin: 

• Time-based openers: "Since the beginning of time..." or "Throughout history..." These are vague and lack a specific focus. 

• Quoting a dictionary: "Webster's defines..." Essays should showcase your own analysis, not dictionary definitions. 

• Famous person quotes: Unless the quote is incredibly relevant and insightful, it can feel unoriginal. 

Clichés of Content: 

• Personal anecdotes (when not specific): "The first time I realized..." can be effective, but only if the anecdote directly connects to the essay's theme. 

• Hypothetical questions: "Have you ever wondered...?" This is a weak way to engage the reader. 

• Exaggerated claims: "This is the most important issue of our time..." Such statements are subjective and hard to support. 

Clichés of Wording: 

• Overused phrases: "A cloud has a silver lining," "Every rose has its thorn," etc. These are trite and predictable. 

• Vague adjectives: "Amazing," "Wonderful," etc. Use more specific and descriptive language. 

💡Begin your essay with a unique attention grabbing statement💡

• Aim for 2-4 body paragraphs that support your main idea with specific examples and details.
• Use each body paragraph to explore one of the main reasons or supporting evidence for your thesis. In each body paragraph, include specific examples, anecdotes, and details to support your key points. This helps bring your essay to life and makes it more engaging for the reader.
• Organize your body paragraphs in a logical way, with each one building upon the previous one. Use transition words and phrases strategically to seamlessly guide the reader through the progression of your essay.
• Don't just list facts or examples - take the time to analyze and explain how they support your main argument or thesis. This demonstrates your critical thinking skills.
• Use a variety of sentence structures (simple, compound, complex) to make your writing more engaging and sophisticated. Avoid repetitive or overly simple sentences.

💡Here's a breakdown of some powerful transitions categorized by their function💡

Here's how to craft a powerful conclusion in just 2-4 sentences:  

• Restate Your Thesis with a Twist: Don't simply repeat your thesis word-for-word. Rephrase it using different words or emphasizing a key aspect.  

• Connect to the Bigger Picture: Briefly show how your essay's argument relates to a broader concept or implication.  

• End on a Strong Note: Leave a thought-provoking question, a powerful image, or a memorable statement that lingers with the reader. 

By following this structured approach and incorporating these strategies, you can create a strong, well-organized ISEE essay that effectively communicates your ideas and showcases your writing skills. Proper preparation and practice with suggested writing prompts can help your child approach this section with confidence and do their best.

Your child will respond to a grade-appropriate writing prompt that may relate to their personal experiences, their community, or global issues. The prompts are designed to encourage your child to express their ideas and perspectives in a written format.

1. Is it important for students to participate in extracurricular activities? Why or why not? Provide examples to support your argument.
2. Describe a person who has had a significant influence on your life. What specific qualities do they possess that you admire, and how have they influenced you?
3. Do you think it's better to have a few close friends or many acquaintances? Explain your preference and provide reasons.
4. Imagine you could change one thing about your school. What would it be, and how would it improve the learning environment?

Use one of these prompts to write an essay when you take one of our ISEE Middle Level Practice Tests to get a complete simulation of the test experience.

1. Discuss the impact of technology on society. Do you think technology has more positive or negative effects? Support your stance with examples.
2. A Book That Changed My View: Write about a book that significantly changed your perspective on a particular subject. What was the subject, how did the book change your view, and why was it impactful?
3. The Future of Education: How do you envision the future of education? What changes do you predict or hope will occur in the next 20 years?
4. Historical Event: Choose a historical event that interests you. Explain why it is significant, how it has impacted the world, and what lessons can be learned from it.

For a complete test simulation experience, use one of these prompts to write an essay when you take one of our ISEE Upper Level Practice Tests.

Remember that the ISEE essay is an opportunity for your child to demonstrate his or her writing skills and intellectual curiosity, both of which are highly valued by independent schools. Proper preparation and practice can help your child approach this section with confidence and do his or her best.

ISEE Essay Prompt: What is your favorite season? Why is it important to you?

Follow the guidelines set out above and work to a tight schedule.

State your position-My favorite season is Fall.

Then ask yourself why do you like Fall. Here are some brief notes:

• It's a beautiful time of the year- we start a new school year
• I like the traditions-Harvest, Halloween (pumpkins, Thanksgiving) Classic American
• The falling leaves inspire reflection, and we think of change as the trees change

Many of these traditions involve spending time outdoors, gathering with family and friends, enjoying seasonal foods, and celebrating the fall harvest and Thanksgiving.

Here is an example of a well-crafted ISEE essay written using the guidelines provided by our in house educational consultant.

• Read the essay prompt carefully. During the test, you may be tempted to answer a question as quickly as possible. While keeping an eye on the clock is a good tactic, rushing through questions is not. Make sure you fully understand the essay prompt before attempting to answer it. An essay whose content is off topic is an immediate zero, no matter how well-written or insightful it may be.
• Practice with sample prompts regularly. While you might not encounter the exact same prompt on the test, you'll likely face a similar one. This practice will help you understand the typical format, familiarize yourself with the appropriate writing style, and give you practical insight into the writing process required.
• Set a timer. In order to replicate the test conditions as closely as possible, it is highly recommended that you set a timer. This will help you get used to the time constraints and thereby feel less pressured during the actual test.
  • Spend 2-5 minutes outlining your essay before you begin writing.
  • Allow 15-20 minutes for actual writing.
  • Allow 2-5 minutes at the end to review and edit your work.

Now that you've enjoyed and benefited from our expert teacher guidelines on how to write an essay, why not take your skills to the next level? Check out our TestPrep online ISEE practice tests and start preparing for your test today!