<p>I need to improve my essay score and the only problem I have is lack of examples. Are there any usable examples for all prompts and where can I find them? How many examples should I learn and from where? </p>
<p>I have no idea where to start searching for decent ones.</p>
<p>Think about them yourself. Usually people cite books that they’ve read, or stories/myths/past events that they’ve experienced. So think about the books that <em>you</em> have read.</p>
<p>They’re everywhere. You just have to know enough about a few examples to be able to mention chunks of them and tweak them into your essays. </p>
<p>Famous historical leaders usually work. As you can always say they’re inspired to help their people, they didn’t give up, they were wise, anything you need to answer the prompt. Know the significant events in your examples and you should be good to go. </p>
<p>When writing your essay, always remember that you’re simply showing how this example answers the prompt and not giving a coverage on their stories.</p>
<p>I would imagine that personal examples would work quite well as long as they are relevant and supported well. The latest edition of the Blue Book has an essay written for the real test which scored a 6 where the student used 1 personal example and just supported it really really well.</p>
<p>I always use three [short] paragraphs of support: one historical, one literary, and one psychological piece of support. Can’t remember exactly what I used the first time around, but on my second test, I used the Civil War, the Old Testament (though I avoided saying anything religiously biased!), and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.</p>
<p>Referencing the Civil Rights Movement is usually a winner.</p>
<p>Universal prompts are as follows:
Dr. King
Elie Wiesel
Railroad building in early stages
Steve Jobs
Pyschology (for me at least)
Hitler/Nazi Regime (refrain from Holocaust)
Night by Elie Wiesel
Gandhi
Sound and the Fury
Things They Carried
Steve Jobs
Macbeth
Hamlet
Among others. ALWAYS refrain from politics (at least your opinion, you could talk about, for example, the corrupt bargain of the 1820s), among religion, etc.</p>
<p>oh and @bilnythesciguy, don’t forget to add Steve Jobs to your list. ;D</p>
<p>It was added =P</p>
<p>Forget Hitler unless you’ve found something nobody else has. Read the Wikipedia article about Harry Truman. That guy’s life could provide info to illustrate about two dozen different themes.</p>
<p>Thank you very much everyone.</p>