<p>I recently took the SAT for the first time. The nerves got to me on the essay! I am generally a good writer, and I have gotten A's on all of my APLAC papers. But, I choked on the SAT.</p>
<p>I couldn't come up with any literary examples, and I was running out of time. I had a prompt stating that the attention to detail can be detrimental to people. </p>
<p>I wrote two full pages. I had an intro paragraph, 2 body paragraphs, and a conclusion paragraph. I defended the prompt.</p>
<p>My first body paragraph was something like this:
-Harm done by paying attention to detail can be seen in sports.
- If a dancer only focused on part of their routine, they would mess up the rest.
- Basketball player only focusing on his shooting may sacrifice his blocking.</p>
<p>Second body paragraph was similar to this:
-Paying attention to detail can can also be seen when looking at academics.
- If you focus on only one paragraph of your essay, the rest of the paper may be subpar.
- I had another point here, but can't remember it at the moment. </p>
<p>My paragraph structure, vocabulary, and sentence fluency were good. Would anyone care to give an idea of what type of score I might receive? I am so worried that I completely botched it. Please be honest. </p>
<p>Thanks for your input!</p>
<p>. If you want to score above average, you will have to have something worthwhile to say about the topic. That means having a thesis that is supported and explained in depth. Don’t just present a single idea and then repeat that same idea three times with three examples. Each example should illustrate a new and different idea about your thesis. You actually take a minute or two to THINK about the prompt before you start to write. Which of the following looks better to you?</p>
<p>Here is my one idea about the prompt.</p>
<p>Here is the first example of my one idea about the prompt.</p>
<p>Here is the second example of my one idea about the prompt.</p>
<p>Here is the third example of my one idea about the prompt.</p>
<p>In summary, this, this and this are each an example of my one idea about the prompt.</p>
<p>Or this:</p>
<p>Here is my basic idea about the prompt.</p>
<p>In my first example, you can see two different reasons why I believe that basic idea is true.</p>
<p>In my second example, you can see three reasons why someone else might disagree with me.</p>
<p>In my final example, you can see two reasons why I believe that that person’s ideas should not affect your belief in my position.</p>
<p>In summary, I think I have proven my point and would go further to suggest that, if you believe as I do, you will achieve the following advantages. (List advantages in a single sentence.)</p>
<p>Note: The second outline is in NO WAY intended to be some kind of “template” about how to write an essay. It is simply an example of what the content of a more effective essay might look like. The point is that a 10-12 essay must develop and elaborate the basic idea presented in the prompt, not just agree or disagree and then wedge the prompt into some pre-planned ‘canned’ examples.</p>