<p>Before visiting this website,I was always told/taught to write the sat essay in the following 5 paragraph form.</p>
<p>P1:intro
P2:example1
p3:example2
p4:example3
p5:conclusion</p>
<p>However, after I have seen all of the essays posted in this forum, it is quite obvious that all of you are using two examples in 4 paragraph essays, rather than 3 examples in 5 paragraphs.</p>
<p>My question follows that is there any inherent disadvantage to writing a 4 paragraph essay, or is everything that I have been told about a "mandatory 5 paragraph essay" to be defenestrated?</p>
<p>Well, no, I wouldn't throw the five paragraph form out the window (LOL - where'd you get the idea to use that word? I thought I was among the few who knew what it meant) so hastily. Most high school courses teach that format, so you may find it easier to use.</p>
<p>However, a four paragraph essay with only two solid examples is better than a five paragraph essay with three lackluster ones (or even one subpar one). Also, with only twenty-five minutes to work with, one must budget one's time. What is more important - three examples, or good writing? I sincerely hope the SAT scorers give priority to the latter; otherwise, the fault is theirs. It is difficult to develop even merely two examples in the time allotted, so it comes down to how much you can write, how quickly, and at the expense of how much in terms of quality.</p>
<p>BTW, the CollegeBoard sample contains only one example, though discussed in detail across five paragraphs (with one being a very brief conclusion). So, take that as you will. For me, that amounts to writing your best semi-formal to formal essay in the style that you are comfortable in, since that will usually result in the best example of your writing (as can be obtained from a timed test, anyhow).</p>
<p>All of what you just said ^^^^ Is exactly what I was beginning to think about a 2 example essay as opposed to a 3 example essay. Thanks for the info, It has always seemed to me when writing a three example essay that my third and final example is always a stretch, and that It would of been much more productive and score-boosting had I just worked on my two solid examples.</p>
<p>***My latin teacher is a big fan of defenestration, and it seemed like as good a time as ever to use the word where someone might understand. hehe</p>