<p>I don't know if it's because the topic is just way too broad for me,</p>
<p>but I just can't think of anything to write about..</p>
<p>For example, "Do people need to compare themselves with others in order to appreciate what they have" (an example from another thread).</p>
<p>All I can think of is just a personal experience example and it's not even a good one...</p>
<p>Any suggestions? </p>
<p>How do you guys come up with really good examples from literature and history?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I always think about European history. tons of unique characters.</p>
<p>It’s good to have two or three books down before you go in to take the test. That means know the authors, the correct full title, the characters, the general plot. Also, review some history that you enjoy–because then you’ll write better when you use it as an example.</p>
<p>When you see the prompt, just run the books and events in your head–chances are, one from each will work. </p>
<p>I remember I got that prompt during the SAT. I thought it was the dumbest prompt and I used Ender’s Game and Native Americans before the British came. I got a 12.</p>
<p>When you feel like you have weak examples, the key is to show good and structured organization–5 paragraphs, smooth transitions, etc.</p>
<p>Good luck : )</p>
<p>Two novels that work very well for many prompts are Jane Eyre and Invisible Man. A friend also pointed out that the Civil Rights Movement works for “nearly everything”, but that could be a little stale. Looking through US history will probably give you something.</p>
<p>~ Your Personal Experience
~ Make up a book if you are stuck: “Jim at Large” by Stephen Wilson - Jim, an escaped convict, believes he has lived a miserable life, until a middle-class family decides to take him into their house as he roams the streets looking for food. This grateful family does lots of charity work, and Stephen goes with them to run a can-drive, with the food given to slums in Congo. - Beautiful right? They only take a minute per essay, I highly doubt they google for the book name to see if you are lying. If you want a real book, talk about how Huck can’t help but feel bad for the con-artists as they are ridden on a rail throughout the town in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (while he appreciates his well-being while he stays at Tom’s aunt and uncle’s house).
~ History - I don’t know - just talk about how families were extremely grateful they were together after the tragic events of 9/11. (though you will want to go back further to get the 6…I’m too tired to think of something now).</p>
<p>Has anyone tried fabricating a book before? How did it turn out?</p>
<p>You gather some themes that resurface among works of famous literature. For example: use The Great Gatsby to discuss the significance of material wealth, or Lord of the Flies when offering a certain perspective on human nature, or *Catch-22<a href=“one%20of%20my%20most%20favorite%20books%20of%20all%20time!”>/i</a> when discussing instances in which people are basically forced into only one choice, although it may appear that they have several options. You get the idea. </p>
<p>I think one of the major reasons why my essay only scored an 8 from the first time I took the SAT was because I didn’t include examples from literature or history - granted, I was a sophomore and hadn’t had much experience in either of those areas yet, plus the fact that I was sick on the day of the test, but I learned afterwards that I need to keep some examples which I can refer to in my essays. </p>
<p>@ silverturtle: I’m not sure if this fully answers your question, but one of my close friends was freaking out after the SAT, claiming that she had incorrectly identified a pretty well-known book/historical event (I forgot which one it was). She ended up with a 2340 overall, with a 770 on Writing, so it obviously didn’t hurt her too much. :)</p>
<p>Go with stuff you really know. Before the SAT, I always “cram” examples by scanning my bookshelves, or my sister’s or parent’s, and saying what themes or characters I can pull out of each book. Look over books you’ve read.</p>
<p>The SAT guide did not tell you that you cannot fabricate a book. At least that’s what I did. I got an 8 because of not enough time.</p>