<p>I have a question. If you write about something very personal and significant is it possible that the examiner wouldn't see the creativity/intellect in the essay?</p>
<p>For example, there have been times when I felt that I could write about something truly profound such as my experience in Lebanon during the last war but I decided not to because I was afraid its too risky. Of course, the essay wouldn't be anything like "I hate Bush, I hate blah blah blah" with lots of politically charged viewpoints. </p>
<p>Hmmm.. this is difficult to put in words so I'll write how I'd start off my "potential essay". Imagine the prompt is something along the lines of "is struggle neccessary for mankind to progress/advance?"</p>
<p>"War may be the root of all evil, but man is the root of all war. For millennia the human race has debilitated itself with the monstrous desire for glory and domination. Calling struggles,such as war, the basis of "human progression" is an almost sinful manipulation of the Darwin's theory of evolution. Such statements are insults to the countless innocent lives lost in the egoistic strive for power. </p>
<p>You may be wondering how a sixteen year-old can profess such emotion to experiences he has yet to witness. The truth is, last year in my so-called "summer vacation" in Lebanon, I witnessed first-hand the true horrors of a war fueled by hatred. The sorrow, the pain I had to endure was nothing compared to the shattered lifes of the tearful,now-motherless children begging for food and water in the streets. Bodies where dragged out of bombed buildings by the hour as if they had become meaningless sacks of meat. This was war, this was struggle and yet the only "progression" I saw before me was the return of a dark age in the once-beautiful shores of Beyrouth..." (I'll continue reflecting on this example and put a conclusion)</p>
<p>The problem is, I don't know if what I've written above is OK for this type of exam. I usually read the prompt, come up with an idea, but then discard the idea because I want to make something more generic to "fit" the types of exams Collegeboard is looking for...and then I end up with a lousy score of 8.</p>
<p>Anybody have any suggestions? Everything is welcome.
BTW its my first ever post! YEY!</p>