<p>Ok, so I've recently started to prep for the SAT again. I was reviewing for the essay part with a Kaplan book, and I noticed it mentioned something about using only one well-developed example for the essay. I looked at the essays in the Collegeboard book, too. All the 6 essays really had only one example that was split into multiple paragraphs. </p>
<p>I'd always been told to do the five-paragraph format with three supporting examples for the prompt. I believe Sparknotes and Barron's recommend this format. I understand there are advantages to each one, but I was just curious as to what y'all got on the essay and what format you used for the essay.</p>
<p>I got a 9 on my first essay... hopefully it improves when scores come back tomorow</p>
<p>I didn't use the 5 paragraph essay, and I don't think the people grading it really care</p>
<p>as long as you use great grammar and have well developed points, you should do fine</p>
<p>just make sure you have an introductory paragraph... I've been told that they don't expect you to finish the essay, but I'm not sure if that is true or not</p>
<p>I did 2 examples and a 4-paragraph essay, and I got an 11.</p>
<p>What were you examples from? Did you state a quote?</p>
<p>I got a 10 on my May one but expecting a 11 on the June one.</p>
<p>Basically, do what dchow08 said. Intro/2 Well-developed Body Paragraphs/Conclusion.</p>
<p>Try to use examples from history, current events, and literature as these are the most scholarly. Personal examples are not suggested although both of my two examples were personal on the May one; however, it depends on how well you write and tie in those examples.</p>
<p>Get in the habit of making a generic structure and some premade "fit-all" sentences when you practice such as transitions.</p>
<p>I got a 9 on the May essay and I did an intro with three points in it, a three paragraphy body--each explaining the points, and wrapped it up with a conclusion. I thought my essay was pretty good although the topic was not exactly something I was excited about writing about...</p>
<p>Is an 8 the score that wouldn't affect your overall writing MC?</p>
<p>The prompt I answered asked whether it was better to have low expectations or high expectations. I said high expectations and used Winston Churchill and Frederick Douglass as examples. And I don't know the answer to the second question.</p>
<p>Thanks! I'll think I'll go with the 2 supporting examples format. I think three examples are too much to be really well developed, and if you do only one example, you really have to know a lot about it for it to fully support the thesis by itself.</p>
<p>Yeah go with 2 examples and 4 paragraphs total. I did that and got a 10 on my essay for the June SAT</p>