Grade my SAT essay (with made up examples)

<p>Here is my SAT essay with made up examples (the first example was partially made up, while the second example was totally made up). In addition to giving me my score, can someone give me general tips regarding fake examples on the SAT essay, and also the risks of making facts up? Thanks to all!</p>

<p>Topic:Do artistic endeavors such as music, painting, literature, and drama enhance our understanding of reality or provide escape from reality?</p>

<p>Essay:</p>

<p>Artistic endeavors such as music and painting provide escape from reality. Throughout history, many great artists used their artworks as a way to hide themselves from the problems that plague them in the real world.</p>

<p>One of the most famous painters, Vincent Van Gogh, proved how art can be used as an escape from reality. During Van Gogh’s life, he was plagued by many troubles. Van Gogh made few friends during his life and had strained relations with many of his acquaintances. He also suffered from financial difficulties and at times, must be supported by his relatives and what friends he has. Worst of all though, was his mental disorders which prompted him to inflict physical harm on himself. Throughout his life, Van Gogh alleviated his troubled life and his pains solely through his artworks. Although suffering through turbulent troubles, in his painting, he depicted serene landscapes and scenes. His paintings, such as the Starry Night, showed the desire he had to achieve inner peace somewhere, if not in the real world, in his paintings. Many of his other paintings, such as “Meadows of Marseilles”, depicted happy family scenes. In that painting, he included children playing and couples happily going about their daily lives, circumstances in which Van Gogh can only dream of. Van Gogh numerous paintings portray how powerful of a tool art can be as an escape from reality. Through his paintings, Van Gogh brought to himself the joys of a life he could never achieve.</p>

<p>Another famous example of artistic endeavors as an escape from reality can be seen in the works of ancient Chinese poet Li Fu. Li lived during the era of the Three Kingdoms, when China was torn apart by perpetual warfare between rival kingdoms. Li suffered personally, with his father and 2 brothers killed in combat and his old village getting plundered by invading troops. During his time of hopelessness and despair, Li turned to poetry to express his desire for a return to the peaceful childhood he had loved and longed for so much. Many of his poems, such as “A Thousand Geese over Lake Tianshan”, portrayed quiet scenes of nature, absent of human activity and destruction caused by the wars he loathed so much. These poems reflected his longing to be at peace, to live a life in which he can achieve total harmony. As with Van Gogh, Li realized that if he can’t achieve his dreams in real life, he can do so through his artwork.</p>

<p>Therefore, individuals like Van Gogh and Li Fu have proven how powerful artwork can be in providing an escape from the horrors and displeasures of reality to an ideal world of happiness, peace, and comfort.</p>

<p>Some of the wording seemed a bit awkward, especially when articles came into play, but I thought it was a good, substantial essay overall. I would give it a 10.</p>