<p>I've been trying to perfect that SAT essay... for now I want to work on getting the intro paragraph down. Can you guys read it and tell me if it makes a good first impression, or any ways I could improve it?</p>
<p>Prompt: Do we need adversity to help us figure out who we are?</p>
<p>"No pain, no gain," declares the old adage. While this may seem cold and unfeeling, it is true. We may feel most comfortable during stagnant stages of our lives when we're faced with little or no adversity, but in order to make personal gains, we must be forced to deal with difficulty. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, two characters certainly realize this: we need adversity to help us discover who we are.</p>
<p>If this is going to be a full blown essay it needs a stronger contrast between introduction and example paragraph. I would take the first idea, build on it generically. Then in a new paragraph, give the example of TKAM.</p>
<p>You mean I shouldn't mention TKAM at all in the intro paragraph?</p>
<p>I feel like I can give good advice on this subject because I got an 800 on the writing section with a 12 on the essay. (I'm not bragging, I'm just saying this is the format I used and it apparently worked).</p>
<p>My prompt: When is it necessary to change our own opinions</p>
<p>Intro: Generically discuss meaning of prompt. Developed thesis statement. Mentioned examples</p>
<p>Body Paragraph 1: Analyzed first example
Body Paragraph 2: second example</p>
<p>Conclusion: nuf said</p>
<p>The key to writing a good essay for the SAT is to get into your topic with a breif introduction of three or four sentences. Then write two strong examples and finish with an existential over the top conclusion. Vocab words really help.</p>