<p>Actually my conclusion was a flimsy one sentence restatement. I still managed a 12. Good conclusions help but just having one is enough.</p>
<p>I have trouble coming up with a 'gem' to end essays with.</p>
<p>Don't focus on that. I still managed to fill up 2-pages with two line conclusion. What does that mean? It means that my body and intro were very long and thorough. Think the SAT essay as more of an inverted traingle structure (like a news article). The readers do not pay much attention to the conclusion.</p>
<p>Best History: Civil Rights movement</p>
<p>yeah but the question is can you get a 12 with a shorter essay and no conclusion?</p>
<p>Everything is possible. Hell, if you are good enough, you can even write a rap. </p>
<p>But customarily, you'd better have one of the two. But I think having two pages is much more important than having a conclusion.</p>
<p>So basically, unless you are an insanely gifted writer, I would pull out my neck and say "no." My prediction (from almost no information) is a 10.</p>
<p>if you guys make suggestions for history things, add a description of how you use it, too!</p>
<p>thanks!</p>
<p>Got a 12 way back in november. Essay was just under 1.5 pages. Catcher in the Rye and Huck Finn work for every single question. And yes, I agree that a strong conclusion is imperative. Oh, and throwing in a ton of vocab can't hurt :)</p>
<p>I've gotten 11, 12, and 12. I've used economic principles and for books: Lord of the Flies, The Great Gatsby, The Grapes of Wrath, and The Merchant of Venice.</p>
<p>Do we have to use works of literature? I tend to make up..ehh use.. personal examples.</p>
<p>writing an SAT essay is a peice of cake.</p>
<p>What 90% of test-takers fail to realize is that the CB is not looking for a masterpeice. Not in 25 minutes. Rather, they are looking for an essay that makes for an exceptional argument. Racking one's brain for a favorite vocab word will not help one's score. It will hurt it - in the time you waste decorating your essay with ornate language. Remember, it is the form, argument, support, and details that gain you points.</p>
<p>The avid writer will indeed need to fill 1.5 - 2 pgs in order to receive a 12. Contrary to what some say, LENGTH HELPS. If only in the probability that you might stumble into a well-illustrated point or 2. Obviously, avoid generalities. No one really cares whether you think courage is best displayed in times of danger. But if you can quote Churchill as saying it..now that's a different story. And if you can't quote him..Make a quote up..the reader won't be able to tell. Churchill created several thousand quotes in his lifetime - the reader is an english teacher - not a historian.</p>
<p>As for intros and conclusions, summarize. This is the only part of your essay that must grab attention. No, intros and conclusions don't have to be long, it's the body of your essay that counts for the most points. if you can tie the thesis of our essay to an adequate conclusion, you'll do fine.</p>
<p>If you teach yourself to unconsciously employ these tactics to perfection, you're well on your way to an 800.</p>
<p>I got a 12 last time and a 9 this time with virtually the same essay. Both times I thought that it answered the question, guess not.</p>
<p>can you explain the lord of the flies example?</p>
<p>richkid, i disagree with you on one part.</p>
<p>Generalization in introduction and conclusion do help essay grade. It shows that your point of view is not confined to the two examples.</p>
<p>What percentage of essays receive a 12? receive an 11? receive a 10?</p>
<p>Got a 9 the first time and I thought my essay was pretty good. This time I got a 12 and didn't even really finish my conclusion -- ran out of time! So it I just wrote a rushed sentence to end the essay.</p>
<p>more examples guys</p>
<p>10 char bump</p>
<p>My tutor said the highest Essay score he saw, his son also tutors with him, about 100 kids, highest essay from the May exam was 9! He found it very odd, as that and the math section the kids tanked. Other tests he has gotten 12's but not the May exam.</p>
<p>Is it necessary to have varying examples, like a paragraph on literature and a paragraph on history, or can you just focus in on one topic, maybe World War II, and provide separate instances within it that support your thesis?</p>
<p>bump - I'd appreciate it if someone responds :)</p>