<p>I usually write 4 paragraph essays, with just 2 body paragraphs inside. Does this mean I'll never break the 11 mark in an essay score?</p>
<p>If you don’t fill up both pages you won’t.</p>
<p>I think the 2 body paragraph essays tend to be stronger because 1) the analysis is more in-depth, 2) it’s refreshing to the grader’s eyes. The 3-body format is safe, but way overused. </p>
<p>…that is if you fill up the space.</p>
<p>yeah i would just fill up the entire 2 pages and make sure you have an intro and conclusion…that’s what i did and got an 11</p>
<p>I tired to write three paragraphs the other night. When I tried this I only could fit three sentences in, and then I had to write a conclusion. There was simply not enough room for three examples.</p>
<p>I think what Velleity said is good. It really depends on the length. Also, if I was a grader I would prefer to see two detailed examples rather than three less detailed examples. </p>
<p>I wrote 2 body paragraphs, but I only filled up about 1 page and 1/4 of the second page. I got an 8. So, if I filled up the entire page I assume I would have got a 10+.</p>
<p>I think you can use only 2 examples and still get a 10. However, length is very important…</p>
<p>Absolutely not.</p>
<p>Paragraph amount is essentially meaningless by itself. What they are looking for is your depth of thought, and the quality and thoroughness of your thought will be reflected in the length of your essay. It is not how you divide the length that matters, it is whether or not it’s there. Generally speaking, 500-600 words is a quality essay. I’m speaking from an AP Language point of view, but the rubric is equivalent.</p>
<p>Personally, I never- or at least, very rarely- write an essay longer than 4 paragraphs. Of the dozens upon dozens of timed essays I wrote in AP Language- at least 2 a week, generally- I could count the number of 5-er’s on one hand. Yet I consistently got a score of 8-9 on each, which, on a scale of 1-9, would probably be about equivalent to the SAT’s 11-12. (Especially since AP Lang’s essays are a bit more demanding than the SAT’s. Also, two English teachers always graded my essays, and both were former AP readers, so it’s not inflation.)</p>
<p>The point is this: write in the format in which you will write a more thorough and thoughtful essay. Personally, I can’t stand ending a paragraph until I feel I’ve convincingly laid out the logic and evidence behind my assertion; and, for this reason, my paragraphs are very discursive, verbose, and thick with examples and illustrations. Subsequently, they’re rather lengthy, and I only have time- and space- to write two. Yet, their thoroughness ensures the prompt is fully answered and expounded upon, and I get a good score.</p>
<p>If that is how you work- two fully focused, thorough body paragraphs- continue what you’re doing, and improve your writing rather than your partitioning. If you write a better essay in 5 than 4, go for that. The readers don’t care about paragraph numbers, they care that you demonstrate a very thorough understanding and reaction to the prompt. </p>
<p>(Also, I was just trying to use my own experience to illustrate a point. Not trying to brag. If it means anything, I really, really, suck at math. Seriously. )</p>
<p>I hate the writing sections because it teaches systematic writing.</p>
<p>I’ve seen an essay that got a 12 and it had two paragraphs TOTAL.</p>
<p>^but it probalby took up the entire 2 pages.</p>
<p>No, I only had 2 body paragraphs and got an 11.</p>
<p>unless one paragraph is very rich in detail and really connects to the prompt that it engages the readers and thoroughly impresses them, i’d say it’s safe to write 2-3 paragraphs, especially 3.</p>
<p>i had 3 body paragraphs and got a solid 12 on the march sat :)</p>
<p>On the first time I had one introduction, three good examples, and a conclusion. I got 9/12.</p>
<p>On the second time, I had one introduction, two strong examples, and had one sentence for conclusion. I got 10/12.</p>
<p>I don’t recall the length difference, but really, whoever tells you that three examples are better… is lying.</p>
<p>Directly from the collegeboard website
[SAT</a> Sample Essay](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools)
[SAT</a> Sample Essay](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools)</p>
<p>The two examples they gave of essays that got 12’s, neither of which had more than 4 paragraphs.</p>
<p>If you can write (with time allowing) 3 great body paragraphs and a great intro and conclusion than sure, go for it. However, it’s better to show mastery with what you have written instead of overexerting yourself to take up space</p>
<p>I wrote one really long paragraph and got a 12</p>