<p>Hey. So if you don't me already, well I suck at writing essays (well at least good ones).</p>
<p>Like I see you guys always writing these essays on CC that are pretty FANTASTIC. And you guys always have really strong points.</p>
<p>I know there is a formula (beginning-3paragraphs-end) and the whole repeat the thesis thing. But I still cannot write a strong essay.</p>
<p>So Do you guys have any tips?</p>
<p>actually never mind. I think I know how to write one now.</p>
<p>Dorkyelmo,</p>
<p>There is no set “formula” to do well on the SAT essay. I’ve seen people pull a one paragraph 12 (a fused intro, body, conclusion). Those are quite possibly the best writers who are writing those essays :P. For most people, they approach the SAT essay with intro, 2 bodies, conclusion. That route is good if you have solid control over their writing. I mean their 2 body paragraphs flow beautifully, are enriched with SAT vocabulary, and are very coherent and well developed. Those are more common for 12s.</p>
<p>Now, if your like me, you’re a below average writer. All you read is forums and dorky online things. Books you’ve read consist of manga and you’re not an avid writer/reader. For people like me, the three body paragraph structure is the way to go. This was always my format:</p>
<p>I. Intro
----> State my side, thesis, and examples. 2-3 solid sentences right there. It can clearly be seen that leadership is key to everything. A corrupt government can lead to problems and conflicts, which can be seen in Orwells Animal Farm, the American Revolution, and a personal example of mine.</p>
<p>II. Body 1 - Book
----> Sent. 1: state book title, author, and that it relates to the topic; very broad and general. “Animal Farm, by George Orwell, clearly depicts the dangers associated with a corrupt government.”
----> Sent. 2-5: background information on characters, plot, theme, etc. Basically background info on what I’m going to use to support my thesis. "Napoleon and Snowball are two pigs competing to become the leaders for the animals. Snowball seeks to represent each animal equally and distribute the work fairly, among leaders and workers. Meanwhile, Napoleon is plotting how to overthrow the government and create a totalitarian state. Napoleon soon runs Snowball out of office and inputs his diabolical plan and takes over the farm.
----> Sent. 5-8: RELATE, LINK, TIE ideas from the book to my thesis. This should be the bulk of the paragraph. "The farm under Napoleon starts to suffer. Even the hardest worker who would proclaim ‘I will work harder’ soon loses faith, becomes injured, and is disposed of. The farm gets into fights with nearby farms. It can clearly be seen with a weak and selfish leader, only chaos occurs. Loyal animals are harmed during these wars. It can be seen that a corrupt government can lead to international conflicts in which innocent civilians get harmed. This is all due to the weak infrastructure of a government created by Napoleon. A strong leader is needed to lead the people, instead people are silenced who oppose the government and there is no change.
----> Sent. 9: A nice strong ending, once again, relating book to thesis. “It can be seen that a corrupt government truly ruined the farm in Animal Farm.” </p>
<p>III. Body II - Historical Reference
----> Sent. 1: state historical reference and how it relates to the topic; very broad and general. Again, general is the key. “The American Revolution is a historical example of a corrupt government leading to dilemmas.”
----> Sent. 2-5: background information on characters, plot, theme, etc. Basically background info on what I’m going to use to support my thesis. George Washington and the American forefathers soon combated an in just government. King George implemented his own authority as one form of government and Parliament as the second form of government. However, the colonies who adhered to these governments had no say in them.
----> Sent. 5-8: RELATE, LINK, TIE ideas from the historical reference to my thesis. This should be the bulk of the paragraph. The Colonies soon engaged in a revolution to combat this unfair corrupt government. Soon, bloodshed and battles erupted everywhere. Years of toil and hardship soon followed. Causalities escalate on both sides and the battles became vicious Soldiers lost their lives left and right. Families were notified about dead soldiers. All this fighting was due to a corrupt government. All this bloodshed and rigor was all due to a corrupt government. Had parliament stated they will allow colonists to join and then have a say in their government, this struggle could have been avoided.
----> Sent. 9: A nice strong ending, once again, relating the historical reference to thesis. The struggles of the American Revolution were clearly founded upon a corrupt government.</p>
<p>IV. Body III - Personal Example
*At this point, time is running out. You have roughly 6 minutes left to write this body paragraph, a conclusion, re-read your essay, correct any spelling/grammar errors, and make sure its perfect. No pressure :P.
----> Sent. 1: State a general personal example. I too witnessed the atrocities of a corrupt government.
----> Sent. 2-6: Combine elaborating on your situation and linking back to your thesis to save time. *Usually your least developed paragraph. In my high school, there was a student government election. The party that won had made lots of promises but failed to uphold them. This eventually led to a student protest in the cafeteria. Due a to weak government, students walked out of their class room to fight for what they were promised. After the protest, students walked out of school, cutting an entire days worth of valuable education due to a weak government.</p>
<p>V. Conclusion:
----> Re-state my side, thesis, and examples.2- 3 solid sentences again. Ergo, it can be seen that corrupt leaders often lead to major problems. A corrupt government often lead to problems and conflicts, which can be seen in Orwells Animal Farm, the American Revolution, and a personal example of mine.</p>
<p>Now, I typed this on the spot so this is a pretty lousy essay, but I wanted to provide you with an example of what I meant. That’s the basic set up I always use, and it led me to get constant 12s. Hope it helps, good luck :)!</p>
<p>~Aceventura74</p>
<p>Thank you so much (you gave me so many great advice (: )!
Would you mind reading my essay if you aren’t busy and just give me some tips?
here is a link: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/1190435-grade-d.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/1190435-grade-d.html</a></p>
<p>Dorkyelmo,</p>
<p>Thanks :D! I always try to give good advice, and I just scored your essay. </p>
<p>~Aceventura74</p>