so i was wondering how can i get some examples that fit the essay prompt.I know that making up random fictional
examples is not really a good idea.So what should i do to prepare my self for the essay.Even when im writing practice essays …where can i get examples from.Should i read some specific books or something.
I took a look at the link above and wasn’t very impressed. Much better advice is available right here in this forum.
The essay graders aren’t allowed to fact check your essay, so you can make things up. You can say, for example, that there was a study in 2008 on (blah blah blah). It doesn’t matter if that study exists- the graders don’t know. However, don’t say things like George Washington researched physics and (blah blah blah).
Basically, avoid trying to fudge something that is common knowledge or making incorrect statements.
@nafayazhar
“I know that making up random fictional examples is not really a good idea.”
According to whom? I got an 11 on the essay, and an 800 on the writing section without using a single factual example.
Your readers are assigned (at most) two minutes to read your essay and assign a score to it. They would never have the time to even begin to fact-check your essay, and CB explicitly tells them not to. They are merely grading your essay on how well you ‘develop’ (the term is used loosely) your argument.
I would suggest that you invent five book titles (preferably with all referring to different ideas) and create five plausible authors (don’t use famous authors), and when you actually get to the essay, make your first example using one of these book titles, with the plot and purpose merely serving as an expanded version of your thesis. If you can be somewhat creative, you can make a storyline that effectively demonstrates your thesis in little time. It’s a much better option than trying to remember what you learned about Hamlet and how it could help you in this essay (little note: it won’t).
As well, you can add in a ‘historical’ example about an event that demonstrates your thesis (I love military history, so when I got a prompt that talked about boldness, I created a battle where a tenacious commander overpowered his enemy), and use it in a similar method to your ‘literary’ example.
Create another example with either or these two options, or make up a personal example. It’s suggested that you have three examples (statistically, essays with three examples get higher scores), so make any three examples and try to effectively incorporate them in your essay.
Technically, while the CB prevents your readers from actually fact-checking your essay, it is only human for your reader to subconsciously ding your essay if it appears to insult his/her intelligence. Ergo, avoid making up the details within famous books (your readers are English teachers, after all, so they’ll probably subconsciously realize that your version of “Nineteen Eighty-Four” isn’t accurate) as this might bring down your score. Also, don’t make up blatantly false life stories for well-known people (the above example of George Washington is a good idea of what to avoid).
Ultimately, your essay isn’t being graded on facts, so don’t pretend that it is. The key to getting a good score is practically formulaic, so don’t make the process more complicated than it has to be.
@Tiberium
thanks…that really boosted my confidence…gonna try out your tips!
Glad I could help. I hope it works out for you.