I Promise!! The Last Essay I'll Ask You to grade

Test Preparation
1

<p>...the last one for now at least...Please grade on the 1-6 scale for an SAT II Writing essay written in 20 minutes:</p>

<p>Prompt: Wisdom comes with age. Write an essay with examples personal experience, literature, history, blah blah blah</p>

<p>I wrote:
-->Every single day of a person's life brings with it a plethora of new experiences, lessons, and fresh ideas. The human ability to grow, adapt, learn, and progress is truly profound. Already in my lifetime, I have been exposed to countless examples of the adage, "with age comes wisdom." In fact, this principle permeates almost every aspect of education and personal development, and it can also be found throughout history.
-->In my years of academic studies, I have often been astonished at the sheer amount of knowledge that can be accumulated by a student over a short period of time. Looking back from the end of each school year, I feel satisfied in knowing that I truly have gained wisdom that will benefit me throughout my entire life. It is amazing to be able to begin a year of calculus as a neophyte, with only a cursory knowledge of what calculus even means, and to emerge two semesters later with the ability to take derivatives and intervals with ease. Certainly, wisdom comes with age in that each day brings a clearer understanding of concepts, and many days bring a clearer understanding of life as a whole.
-->From a historical perspective, age has brough wisdom in regards to our developing nation. In reading about early America, I have been amazed at how experimental our country was in it's beginnings. Yet centuries have brought wisdom in the form of better systems of government, more equal rights for all citizens, and a better understanding of the functions of democracy. While mistakes are still made, our rich history provides the experience and wisdom with which we try to make our best decisions for the future. As our country continues to withstand time and age, we will gain an even better understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Whether it be on an individual, personal level, or the more expansive level of a nation, there can be no doubt that wisdom does indeed come with age.</p>

<p>I know there are a few grammar errors, but I have left them in to simulate a real college board grading. Thanks for all your help in rating my essay and helping me prep for the SAT II!!</p>

2

<p>Personally, I would give it a 6. However, the SAT II writing graders are kind of odd. I wrote what I thought was a terribly trite essay on "choices." I used Ellison's Invisible Man and some historical examples (Henry David Thoreau and 1 other - i dont remember) and my score was an 11. The next time I took the test, it was about the arts and sciences, and I wrote about a personal music experience. This time, my essay was longer, and my writing was much better. I ended up with a 9. </p>

<p>Anyway, I'd say that the graders would give you a 5, possibly a 6 if they're feeling nice. Pretty good writing as usual, man.</p>

3

<p>it sounds good. you used a lot of good vocab. i liked how you used two concret examples. however i didnt notice a conclusion.....4.5-5</p>

4

<p>yeah I ran out of space on the sheet, I have a concluding sentence but not a concluding paragraph, will they be looking for a new indentation and a few sentences to conclude? Thanks for all the input!</p>

5

<p>Vocab +
Thesis - not strong enough (how to make it better: take a really strong side on one end of the spectrum and argue vehemently. That's the way to make yourself forceful. Example: Wisdom of humanity augments with the passage of time.)
Conclusion is... not there
Errors -- miniscule given the 20 minute time frame</p>

<p>I'd give it a 4, but I'm a rough grader. Graders will give you a 5.5.</p>

6

<p>You don't need a conclusion - just a concluding sentence (although it does help).</p>

<p>My 11 essay didn't have a conclusion. My 9 did...</p>

7

<p>This would be a 5.</p>

8

<p>3........plethora is the most overused vocab word of newbs everywhere</p>