<p>So I took the May SAT and received an essay score of 8. I used 2 examples. I am taking the June SAT this Saturday. What I am wondering is this: how many examples should I have on my essay?</p>
<p>On my May SAT essay, I had predetermined examples and I fabricated the details to fit my thesis. I believe the issue was that the way I used my examples was redundant. Basically for both examples I conveyed the same idea—just with different subjects. I think I need to vary the use of my examples. So, this time, I am going to still use predetermined examples however I am going to use each one in a different way. Do you think I should use 2 or 3?</p>
<p>What I have found is that when I use 3 I have more trouble finishing in time and I am rarely able to fit the essay on 2 pages. However when I use 2 examples I am able to do nice in depth analysis of the examples and I am still able to fill 2 pages and finish in time. I guess my question is this: it is vital to use 3 examples if I want a high score? Do people get 12s and 11s with 2 examples?</p>
<p>If you do think I can use 2 examples, do you have any additional tips for getting a higher score?</p>
<p>I’m actually debating on what I should do also because I’m in somewhat the same predicament as you. I’ve seen a lot of people say it’s better to have three examples, but I’m taking the SAT online course, and it the essays that get 5s and 6s usually have one or two well developed points. Btw, the examples are actual essays that students wrote and the scores that they received.</p>
<p>Cbatarseh, thanks a lot for the reply! It is good to know that there is someone else trying to overcome this quandary. :)</p>
<p>I agree, it seems that I ton of people say that using 3 examples is better. However, when it comes down to it, I am a lot more comfortable writing my essay with 2 examples—I think my essays with 2 examples are stronger and better developed. That said, I don’t want to lower—even slightly—my chances at an 11 or 12 simply on the basis of the number of examples that I use. Are you taking the June test like me? What are you thinking of doing? 2 or 3?</p>
<p>I’m much more comfortable with two examples as well. It allows me to develop my ideas better and not run the risk or running out of time or paper. But, like you, I don’t want to put myself in a position where my paper is graded harsher simply because I don’t have enough examples. Yep, I’m taking it this Saturday! I’m leaning more towards doing 2, but I can be somewhat fickle when it comes to my test taking strategies, so I’m not quite sure how many I’ll end up doing. </p>
<p>What are some examples that you’re thinking of using?</p>
<p>I got a 12 using 3 examples. I’m sure if you explain 2 examples really well though, you could get a high score. I’ve even seen people use 1 example and get a 12.</p>
<p>I think using 2 or 3 examples depends on how you prepare for the essay. If you watch news and read magazines often, you have a great amount of information, though it’s only superficial. That’s why using 3 examples is good. For example, if you encounter ‘Is the world changing for the better?’, you can think of the recent Boston bombing. Even though you do not know the exact number of casualty, through mass media you should be able to introduce a brief description. And that’s enough, given that you have 2 more to write.</p>
<p>The answer to your question depends on what you mean by “examples.” If you’re referring to points of evidence, then no, two are generally not enough. (However, as stated above by others, there are always exceptions.)</p>
<p>@Cbatarseh Yeah, I think I will do 2 examples as well so that I can finish in time and fill both sheets of paper. I am thinking of using 1 predetermined History example and 1 predetermined Literary example. I am choosing my examples based on how unheard-of they are so that grader will not be aware of my fabrication and also how malleable they are—so that I can easily fit them to my thesis. What kind of examples do you think you will go with? Are you predetermining your examples?</p>
<p>@satman1111 Thanks, I will try to analyze my 2 examples as much as possible.</p>
<p>@ursawarrior So how many examples have you prepared in all? How many do you think I need to be safe? Are you going to fabricate at all?</p>
<p>@jkjeremy I am indeed referring to “evidence” when I say “example.” Why do you believe that 2 examples is usually not enough?</p>
<p>@pyflask Thanks for the insight, that is reassuring that one can get an 11 or 12 with just 2 examples. What do you think my examples should be? What I mean is, what characteristics should they have? I was thinking of having one that directly supports the thesis and and another that shows why the opposite of the thesis does not work. Do you think this is a good idea?</p>
<p>As for me, I have very little social knowledge, so my list currently comprises 27 examples. Sometimes I wish I knew some that were more… versalite so that my list can be shorter, but now time is running out so I instead focus on learning them all. And yes, fabrication is an essential part of SAT essay. I don’t mind lying a bit, if it’s for the better (this one is a response to an SAT essay question :D)
From your question, am I correct in assuming that you are preaparing your own list. If so, you had better hurry. If you’re interested, perhaps we can discuss some examples? I am still stuck with the Creative Art category.</p>
<p>Ursawarrior, I would really like to discuss some examples. I don’t have even close to as many examples prepared as you do. I have about 5 in mind… I was not creating one for every single category. Instead, I am trying to use more versatile examples that I can bend to whatever. Do you think this could work?</p>
<p>As long as your examples work for all the questions, that’s fine. However the number of questions is rather large, and the range they cover is therefore wide. From education to leadership, reality shows to advertisements, humor to loyalty, … I doubt if 5 can be enough.</p>
<p>ursawarrios, can you send me a list of your examples? I’m not from USA and it’s pretty hard for an international to find some good examples. Thank you :)</p>
<p>You guys are too focused on examples. Quality writing is what leads to upper-half scores. </p>
<p>I wish you’d spend your time developing and honing your OWN writing style instead of memorizing “examples.”</p>
<p>Take it from someone who reads hundreds and hundreds of these every year—too many of these essays are almost indistinct from the others, largely because of kids’ preoccupation with “examples.”</p>
<p>At least half the time, the “examples” sound forced (as though they came from some sort of master list, which they probably did) and they have little to do with the prompt and/or the assignment.</p>
<p>Quality writing is what leads to upper-half scores</p>
<p>Source?</p>
<p>I’m curious because abundant evidence seems to suggest the opposite–that superficial qualities such as length and structure play a predominant role. See the following articles, for example:</p>
<p>Students are spending time memorizing examples because–the occasional contrarian notwithstanding–that seems to be the approach that leads to higher scores.</p>
<p>My source is years sitting in the reading rooms scoring the SAT essay.</p>
<p>The Times article is years old. Everyone in those rooms is aware of the misconceptions/misperceptions about the essay (many of which are perpetuated here on this site).</p>
<p>I’m not saying that length doesn’t matter. Of course it does…to a point. What I’m telling you is that a longer essay is only a better essay if it’s well-written.</p>
<p>Against my better instincts, I clicked on the link to the tutoring website blog. That guy is a strong writer. He (like many kids who read this site) will always get a double-digit score because he knows how to write—NOT because of the number or quality of his “examples.”</p>
<p>I always tell kids (both here and in my “real” life) that this is a writing test, not a history test.</p>
<p>You’re inferring a causal relationship where one simply doesn’t exist.</p>
