Post your 12 essays here!

Test Preparation
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<p>I personally think my March essay was MUCH better, but I only got a 10 on it. Here's my 12 June essay:</p>

<p>Prompt: Do memories hinder or help people in their effort to learn from the past and succeed in the present? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations</p>

<p>One’s memories are both valuable and harmful. A person may be able to learn from the past, but they could also be restrained by it. Despite this possibility of restraint, memories play a vital role in one’s success because of the valuable lessons learned from them.</p>

<p>My cousin Dawn would quickly attest to the importance of learning from the past. For 5 years, she was involved in the use of heroine, cocaine, and other hardcore drugs. It wasn’t until she was close to death that she realized her mistakes. She has described to me memories of her time as a drug addict, explaining that she went “fix to fix”. She also describes her experiences to various audiences, as she has become a public speaker involved in the fight against drugs. For her, memories of the past are saving her life and keeping her from retreating to a life of drug addiction. She made mistakes, and now, she lives her life avoiding a repeat of them. Her vivid memories of that life have allowed her to move past it and begin a path to success. </p>

<p>Like a person, a country can also learn from its mistakes. In the past, the United States has reacted negatively to non-white ethnic groups. It has passed immigration laws against them, forced hard labor on them, and has failed to protect them as it does it own citizens. Take, for examples, African Americans, who weren’t liberated from slavery until the issue caused a war that separated the country. In reaction to this suppression, history shows a consistent reaction- protest and violence. To ignore the past, to repress it, would be the most foolish thing we could do. Examining our past allows us to see the error of our ways and avoid such action in the present and future. In recognizing our horrible treatment of these people, along with their violent reactions, the country has developed a system of equality and justice, creating a flourishing society.</p>

<p>Finally, in A Doll’s House, Nora’s memories of how Torvald treated her in the past liberates her. In their marriage, she was repressed by her husband, who insisted that she was meant to stay in the house, to take care of the kids, and to be a trophy wife. She could not do what she wanted, think what she wanted, or express herself as an individual. If she were to relinquish the memories of this repression, to forget the past, Torvald’s treatment of her would continue forever. Instead, her memories allow her to stand up for herself and leave Torvald. In leaving him, she removes the oppressive forces enforced by society and finally has the opportunity to thrive and succeed in life.</p>

<p>Clearly, our memories play a vital role in our actions, both present and future. Our ability to learn from them, and change our lives because of them, makes them a vital element in achieving success in life. As a wise man once said, “Those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it.”</p>

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<p>DieselBoy your essay question is different from those given in the US. Did you take the test in Canada? When did you take the SAT?</p>

23

<p>Really impressed with your June essay. Examples were well chosen and well developed. Transition from first to second example was a model for how to do it. Have added it to the "Official Essay" thread. Wonder if you would share your 10 essay. It would be interesting to compare it with your 12, especially since you thought it was better.</p>

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<p>Yeah, I took the May test in Canada</p>

25

<p>where is the official essay thread?</p>

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<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=74573%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=74573&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>awesome thread!!!!! really useful for thos who are not good in writing!!</p>

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<p>so would you say that it is better to use one example and explain it really well and point out different parts of it, or to use 2 or 3 different examples that all support your opinion?</p>

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<p>Should I use one, two, or three examples? In truth all will work. Use one example if it fully illustrates the topic and you have in-depth knowledge of the topic. For example, you just wrote a term paper on the topic. Use two examples if they fit your analytical framework. For example, memories tell us what to do and what not to do. Two examples would fit this framework. A third example would be unnecessary. And finally, three examples will work if your knowledge doesn't extend beyond a paragraph. For example, Brave New World, 1984, and Fahrenheit 451 were all dystopia's where the ruling party tried to eradicate and manipulate memories. Given the intense time pressure it is often easier to provide three examples.</p>

30

<p>Please post 12 essays on the June SAT test. The essay question was, I believe, "Do we put too much emphasis on learning practical skills?" I didnt get that question! I just wrtoe about learning math and stuff. Because of that my essay grade went down from a 11 in March to a 9 in June.</p>