On the 3 example essay misconception..

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
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<p>The May SAT is coming up, so I thought I would address this issue. There's a general consensus on the CC SAT forums that three examples is the best method for scoring high on the SAT essay. </p>

<p>However, this is not entirely true. Weaker writers, who struggle to develop flow and material, may find it difficult to write an one example essay. As Mifune said, one must "sustain a relevant dialogue for two pages" when using one example.</p>

<p>However, for strong writers, one example is probably the best way to score a 11/12. Both essay examples in the BB that scored 12's use one example. The Collegeboard comments on their "development of thought and flow."</p>

<p>From personal experience, using one example can be very effective. I used one example in October and scored a 12 (2250 composite). I also used one example in March and scored a 11 (2330 composite).</p>

<p>I know Mifune also used one example in his SAT essays (he scored 2300+, and eventually a 2400 on his last attempt).</p>

<p>One example is very effective if you're a strong writer. Three example essays often lack depth and development of thought.</p>

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<p>“an one example essay”? :stuck_out_tongue: :stuck_out_tongue: hehe, just kidding. </p>

<p>I agree with what you wrote, btw. Makes sense.</p>

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<p>Luminouzz, but what about the other people who are strong writers (naturally) use 2 examples and end up with no higher than a 10?</p>

<p>Are you telling me that one example from a personal experience, history, or literature is enough?</p>

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<p>^Did you fill up both pages with a solid intro and conclusion? Was it a five paragraph essay?</p>

<p>I don’t know about examples from personal experience. I believe one example from history or literature is enough. I used Jane Austen’s Emma the first time. The second time, I used Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence.</p>

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<p>What the Collegeboard wants is a progression of ideas building up throughout your essay. So naturally using 1 example would best fit that criteria, since you can focus on that topic without having to stop midway of your train of thought to write about something completely different (albeit related to your thesis).</p>

<p>I used 2 examples and I got a 10. Right now I’m working on using 1 really good example which provides for a natural progression of ideas exactly the way Collegeboard wants.</p>

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<p>^Yes, I think thrill articulated the “progression of ideas” criteria better than I did. Either way, I wish you May SAT’ers luck :)</p>

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<p>^ 2 examples is a total of 4 paragraphs. Why is it 5?
Yes, I had solid intro and conclusion and I couldn’t get anything above 10.</p>

<p>So should I focus on one?</p>

<p>Thrill3rnit3: Would one example from a personal experience grant an 11 or 12? If not, does it have to be History or Literature?</p>

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<p>To address the number of example’s one should use, I’d say 2. Just because unless you’re a really quick thinker, thinking of three great supports can often be difficult. </p>

<p>Doing one example is kind of risky, just because more often than not, you won’t fill the whole two pages, and/or you might start getting redundant. </p>

<p>So I personally did two examples, both literature, and didn’t score too badly (11). The reason being one was an extremely contrived crappy example, and the other one was actually relevant. I’m guessing one reader recognized that the first one was horrible, and the second one didn’t. But they were still elaborated on well, and used nice, complex sentence structure/vocabulary.</p>

<p>

And I wouldn’t necessarily say this, My younger sister who is a decent writer, was able to actually develop her thoughts and get her point across very well. Sometimes it’s about concision. I think in 7th grade she got a 10, and 8th grade an 11. Pop culture examples too.</p>

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<p>@SeaChai: some people frown upon on using personal examples, for they are not “authoritative” enough as evidence, yet in many of CollegeBoard’s sample essays the ones that got 11s and 12s are from personal experience. I would say that it ultimately depends on the prompt and how you tie everything in in order to support your argument.</p>

<p>Remember, rules are there to be broken.</p>

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<p>I can’t seem to get anything above a 10 for some reason.</p>

<p>I’ve always managed to somehow tie my examples together with the idea from the prompt.</p>

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<p>Personal examples can be too risky , imo. And since you’ve tried it before, just go with literature or history. (Literature is probably the best though, since the people grading are likely to be English professors). It virtually guarantees you at least a 11/12 if you’re a decent writer.</p>

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<p>^Yeah, I agree that using an example from literature is probably the best way to go. You should probably have read the book, though.</p>

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<p>Has anybody ever got away with implementing fake literatures into the essays for 11s and 12s?</p>

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<p>I’ve heard people using fake litertures, never know how that works~
I used fake personal experience. I guess many people do that? :)</p>

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<p>I hastily wrote 3 examples and got an 11. I would consider myself a competent writer, as that’s what is keeping me alive in AP Lang.</p>

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<p>There is honestly no correct approach when it comes to the number of examples used. In fact, I feel that it is an overemphasized issue. I prefer to elaborate and develop a rationalization by way of one example, but it is truly a matter of adhering to one’s individual preferences and rhetorical strengths.</p>

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<p>^Yes, I do believe that you should play to your strengths. However, if you feel equally comfortable with one example vs. three examples, I would probably advise you to use one example. This forces you to have depth and flow.</p>

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<p>I used 0 examples out of spite and got a 9. I would not recommend this haha</p>

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<p>^^ Yes, those are exactly my thoughts.</p>

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<p>^ Two personal examples can’t get you anything above a 10. While one personal example and another from literature may do the job for an 11.</p>