<p>Take the reality entertainment or photography prompt for example--can you get a very good score just writing on the side you picked? Or are high scores kept for those who analyze the pros of both sides, and explain why the position the writer chose is better regardless?</p>
<p>lol one side is a **** load better. they expect you to stick to one side. actually, doing 2 sides makes it harder to get the 12.</p>
<p>@annoyingaakash … counter-argument? is it not needed on the SAT? it definitely is needed on the ACT. I addressed the counter-argument in mine but I am not sure as it was my first SAT</p>
<p>NOT needed at all. I got an 11 and a 12 on my essays on my previous SATs. All of the essay advice I have heard for the SAT essay has led me to come to the conclusion that including the other side is actually harmful. Research shows that the frequent 12 essays follow traditional 4-5 paragraph form, focus on one side the entire time, fill up the entire space, have few grammatical errors, use sophisticated vocabulary, and are organized. Now you can put in the opposing argument, write in a minimalist fashion, and write an essay that does not follow traditional structure. However, all of those things make it all the more difficult to attain consistently perfect essay scores.</p>
<p>how odd, so a consistently one sided, almost narrow minded answer to the prompt is the best choice here, with in mind that counterarguments are written as to not undermine the thesis but to solidify the ‘critical thinking’ aspect of the essay?</p>
<p>yup. The SAT is a weird test. The essay is very formulaic. It is easier to present just one view and defend it. All the grader’s want to see is a competent persuasive essay that defends a certain view point. A polarized and almost radical view point is far easier to defend than a more centrist view point. The entire SAT essay is actually a logical fallacy because you use specific examples to try and lead your readers to a very general conclusion. It doesn’t test writing ability at all. I actually think the ACT essay is a somewhat better test of one’s writing skills. However, I am not convinced that any short timed essay can truly test one’s writing ability because it definitely cannot test one’s thinking ability.</p>
<p>thank you for your detailed response! very helpful.</p>
<p>quick question about examples: are concrete the best (literature, history, famous people, current events, movies, etc)? are hypothetical/general examples not recommended? are personal examples also weak?</p>
<p>i’ve always been under the impression that concrete is the best, but the recent photography one, and to lesser extents the reality entertainment and environment (dec 09) ones make it tough to come up with concrete examples.</p>
<p>I’m not sure but my english teacher who is also a consultant for CB teaches us to do ATO’s address to the opposition. I don’t think you have to write a whole paragraph on another side but just have one sentence saying something along the lines of: Although you could say (other side of the argument), (you explain why it isn’t true or why your side is better, ect)</p>
<p>An argument isn’t about just one side.</p>
<p>Yeah take into account what Brolex just stated. I personally use historical/literary examples or on like the March test, where the prompt had to do with reality forms of entertainment, reality television. I think its harder to get that 12 with a personal anecdote. Generalized/hypothetical examples might be possible; however, all of the advice I have ever heard supports the conclusion that one should reference to a “higher” authority of some kind, whether that be some form of media or history. Don’t get me wrong, its very possible to get the 12 with the personal/generalized example; its just harder.</p>
<p>When it is difficult to think concrete ones, what I sometimes do is make up my own “concrete” ones. I write about a legit sounding story or historical event. I also might write about a recent scientific publication, seeing as how the grader’s are generally English oriented people and generally wouldn’t have a penchant for scientific learning. Ive never tried making up sources like scientific publications on real tests because I always was able to apply some book/television show. I would recommend making a list of books that work for a lot of different essay prompts. A lot of classics, such as Fahrenheit 451, Anthem, Grapes of Wrath, and my all time favorite The Great Gatsby, generally work very well for me. However, it varies from person to person.</p>
<p>No. The ACT requires it, the SAT does not. Since it isn’t required, it would actually be more confusing than anything else, and would make it harder to get a 12.</p>
<p>Stick to 1 side.</p>