Share your 11's & 12's Essays [January 2014 SAT]

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>Please share your responses to the December Essay prompts so we can learn what it takes to get 11's and 12's</p>

<p>Copy the pictures of the essay from the college board site and paste it here.</p>

<p>Prompt 1
Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.</p>

<p>Frederick Douglass once said, "If there is no struggle, there is no progress. This struggle may be a moral one, or it may be a physical one, and it may be both moral and physical, but it must be a struggle." He was right. Progress is something that must be fought for; without conflict, progress simply does not occur.</p>

<p>Assignment: Does progress result only from struggle and conflict? 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>Prompt 2
Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.</p>

<p>There are two false assumptions about experts. One is that they see more clearly and think more intelligently than ordinary citizens. Sometimes they do, sometimes not. The other false assumption is that these experts have the same interests as ordinary citizens and hold the same values. In fact, the important decisions of society are within the capability of ordinary citizens. Not only can ordinary people make their own decisions without the help of experts, but they ought to.</p>

<p>Adapted from Howard Zinn, Declarations of Independence</p>

<p>Assignment: Should people make more decisions on their own and rely less on the advice of experts? 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>Prompt 3
Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.</p>

<p>For many people, the traditional path to success involves graduating from high school and college before working their way up in a particular profession. However, many of society’s most successful individuals taught themselves the skills they needed to start their own businesses, invent new technologies, or create works of art. For these individuals, the nontraditional path turned out to be the path to success.</p>

<p>Assignment: Are people who do not follow society’s traditional paths to advancement more likely to be successful than those who do? 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>Prompt 4
Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.</p>

<p>Some see printed books as dusty remnants from the preelectronic age. They point out that electronic books, or e-books, cost less to produce than printed books and that producing them has a much smaller impact on natural resources such as trees. Yet why should printed books be considered obsolete or outdated just because there is something cheaper and more modern? With books, as with many other things, just because a new version has its merits doesn’t mean that the older version should be eliminated.</p>

<p>Assignment: Should we hold on to the old when innovations are available, or should we simply move forward? 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>

2

<p>Are we allowed to share them? I got an 12, and I’m fine sharing mine, but I want to know if it’s allowed by the Collegeboard.</p>

3

<p>@BioBoy97 well it is NOT specifically prohibited by the College board so …
go ahead</p>

4

<p>it shouldn’t be only the essays of the jan. exam , if any one had get an 11 or 12 in his/her essay on any of the past exams i think it will be very helpful for us , so any one have any good essays ( get 11 or 12 ) , introductions or conclusions please pm me with it :slight_smile: thanks . </p>

5

<p>Prompt 4</p>

<p>Assignment: Should we hold on to the old when innovations are available, or should we simply move forward? 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>Words alone cannot express the dizzying extent to which the intensified onset of innovative technologies has catapulted mankind to an unprecedented level of convenience. One should not, however, fall prey to the gross misconception that all such innovations have only yielded benefits and brought a flood of blessings to mankind. All types of innovations, not only technological developments, come with a heavy cost to pay and sometimes, adhering to traditional values and the old way of doing things is not only more sensible but absolutely indispensable.</p>

<p>If the Tower of Babel in biblical times brought upon the divine anger of God, imagine how furious God would be were He to come to Earth himself and witness firsthand the technological monstrosities of modernity, characterized by drab steel skyscrapers, chunks of metal heaps called automobiles and mechanized little machines called mobile phones. While these so-called “innovations” have brought great convenience in travel and communications, it seems mankind has forgotten the toxic levels of pollutions emitted from cars and the desensitization and dehumanization of people who have become thoughtless robots plunked in front of a television. While the world hails innovations in science and transportation, why is that we have forgotten the terror of 9/11, a situation in which terrorists used airplanes (modern innovations) to wreak havoc on many sacrilegious Americans?</p>

<p>Let us also consider innovations in computer technology and telecommunications as a prime example of why people need to adhere to “the old.” It is undeniable that advances in communications have allowed people to connect with one another all across the globe with one touch of a dial button or with one click of the mouse. Nevertheless, it seems people have forgotten good old fashioned face-to-face communication and learning to express one’s emotions in an honest and forthright manner. What about traditional meetings at church on Fridays or family get-togethers at the park instead of technologically-wired rave clubs or chat rooms on Facebook or Kakao Talk? Whatever happened to getting an actual book and reading it and instead of looking up summaries on Sparknotes or trying to cheat on the SAT by looking up past answers on College Confidential?</p>

<p>As the world continues to develop at an unprecedented speed, we need to consider not only the benefits that can be derived from modern innovations but also the repercussions that can destroy us if we’re not careful. Indeed, we may well need more than just Noah’s ark when the flood of innovations decides to mercilessly drown us in our own inflated sense of grandiosity, and one would do well to remember that innovation does not always precede imitation. </p>

6

<p>@donnykim what was the score of this essay ?? </p>

7

<p>@donnykim Is this your actual essay?</p>

<p>“Whatever happened to getting an actual book and reading it and instead of looking up summaries on Sparknotes or trying to cheat on the SAT by looking up past answers on College Confidential?”</p>

8

<p>Does having too much information about public figures distract us from the important issues? 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>Words alone cannot express the egregious extent to which public figures are often lampooned and harshly condemned in the media for their personal idiosyncrasies, blatant hypocrisy and lack of moral integrity. Even though some may argue that detailed personal information about the lives of public figures does not merit careful scrutiny or criticism, one should not fall prey to such a gross misconception. Access to personal information about public figures is integral to keep these individuals in check and to ensure that they are doing their jobs properly.</p>

<p>We need look no further than the infamous sex scandal of former U.S. president Bill Clinton to substantiate the aforementioned statement. A beloved public figure and charismatic leader, Clinton did a great job in leading the nation out of the pits of a devastating economic recession Nevertheless, this seemingly morally spotless man engaged in lewd acts of sexual promiscuity with his secretary Monica Lewinsky, even admitting to having received multiple acts of oral copulation from the young lady. As soon as the scandal became public, there are many who sympathized with Clinton, claiming that while his actions may have been immoral, they had no impact on his capacity as president to run the nation. What ludicrous nonsense! Not only did America lose a great deal of moral credibility because its president was seen as a rapacious sexual deviant, but Clinton himself may not have “performed” so effectively thereafter.</p>

<p>11 and 12</p>

9

<p>Can anyone read my essay and tell me why I got an 8? </p>

10

<p>Prompt 3
Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.</p>

<p>For many people, the traditional path to success involves graduating from high school and college before working their way up in a particular profession. However, many of society’s most successful individuals taught themselves the skills they needed to start their own businesses, invent new technologies, or create works of art. For these individuals, the nontraditional path turned out to be the path to success.</p>

<p>Assignment: Are people who do not follow society’s traditional paths to advancement more likely to be successful than those who do? 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>ESSAY:
The assertion that one should make one’s own decisions instead of relying on the advice of experts is a categorical truth. Making one’s own choices guarantees freedom of expression and freedom of individuality, unrestrained by the thoughts of others, and I substantiate my claim with evidence from history, literature, and personal life.
One example that substantiates my claim can be drawn from the late reverend and social rights activist, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. King Jr. lived most of his life from the 1940’s to 1960’s, a time when racial segregation ran rampant and government laws had been enacted to prevent African Americans from socializing with superior white society. At this time, many African Americans, scared of any violent repercussions, placed their own decisions subservient to the rulings and decisions of the activists at the NAACP headquarters, who encouraged African Americans to trudge along without any dissent if they wanted to keep out of trouble. However, King Jr. made his own decisions, disregarding the advice of the NAACP. Instead of keeping mum and quiet about societal troubles, King Jr. pioneered social rights and economic improvement for African Americans through his numerous speeches all across the country. His actions and inspiring speeches helped to free the subjugated black race from the grasp of social segregation. Clearly is it good to make one’s own decision, as if King had never made his own, segregation may have persisted, against African American society, for a longer period of time.
Another fine paradigm that can substantiate my claim comes from the literary great, Huckleberry Finn, written by Samuel Clemens, or Mark Twain, in 1884. Huck, a young and obstreperous Southern child, has always seen those around him, the adults who he extols as experts, heralding that slavery is a correct practice and that slaves do not have any feelings nor the capability to act for themselves, an argument that carps at Huck’s deformed conscience. However, as Huck comes to the aid of his friend and runaway slave, Jim, who tells of the old African tales of “love for one’s brother” and “mercy to the subjugated”, as well as shows emotion and care towards Huck as his role model, care taker, and brotherly/fatherly figure, Huck begins to realize that the “experts” in his hometown were wrong; through his adventures with Jim and the protection and care that Jim gives for Huck, Huck makes his own decision to view slaves as people that feel emotion and give care, and not meandering souls. Clearly, making one’s own decisions is better than taking the advice of authority, as, in this case, it helped one determine one’s own view of the morality of a topic.
An example from my personal life can also substantiate my claim, in the form of my close friend Billy Bob Jones, the CEO of Mobile App X. Expert engineers and market analysts from Google told Billy that his app was entering a saturated market, and that he should rescind his app request and work on better ideas. However, Billy made his own bold decision to release the app, and within days had already experienced a download number of over 100,000 and had offers from Google to buy his Mobile App X out. Clearly, making one’s own decisions is better than listening to experts, as, in this case, it can help one persevere and attain success.
From King Jr., to Huck Finn, and finally to Billy Bob Jones, making one’s own decisions allows one to express their individuality, liberating themselves and others, helping all to persevere to success.</p>

<p>Obviously, some stuff like my friend’s name and the name of his company was changed, but other than that, the essay was untouched.</p>

<p>SCORE:

  • GRADER 1: 6
  • GRADER 2: 6</p>

<ul>
<li>TOTAL: 12</li>
</ul>

<p>Other info:

  • MC: 77 (everything right, only omitted 1)</p>

<p>Writing Scaled Score: 800</p>

11

<p>@BioBoy97</p>

<p>I can smell Shaan Patel here :)</p>

12

<p>guys any one got 12 on this essay topic , or can writte a great one for it , please post it :slight_smile:
assignment : Is it possible for a society to be fair to everyone?
my brother had taken this exam and got and 7 :confused: .</p>

13

<p>“I can smell Shaan Patel here” - I too recognize that essay from a poster with a different name</p>

14

<p>is shaan’s book even good?</p>

<p>No one seems to talk about it here</p>

15

<p>I’ve never seen it. I think I’ve read comments that imply you can do much better by using free resources described on this forum as well as a few other books.</p>

16

<p>Well, the categorical truth/denial is really the only thing I picked up from Shaan. Everything else is my own (?) writing style. I also have the PDF of the book for my Kindle, but you know piracy blah blah can’t share it with anyone.</p>

17

<p>Please share more essays! This really helps!</p>

<p>Anyone else???</p>

18

<p>SAT TEST: November 03, 2012
ESSAY SCORE: 11</p>

<p>ASSIGNMENT: Are people too serious? (Typed Verbatim)</p>

<p>Words alone cannot express the egregious extent to which many people live their lives complacently and frivolously with a lack of seriousness that often deprives them of myriads of invaluable opportunities. One should not, however, fall prey to the misconception that it is acceptable to live one’s life nonchalantly without exerting one’s utmost efforts and willpower to maximize one’s full potential and to attain unparalleled heights of success. By making serious efforts to accomplish one’s goals rather than sitting back passively, the sky’s the limit!</p>

<p>We need look no further than the life of the once prominent NBA superstar Michael Jordan to recognize the validity of the aforementioned statement. A winner of 6 NBA championship titles, numerous MVPs and various other accolades, Jordan undoubtedly accomplished much during his dominant and illustrious career in the NBA. Yet, what many fail to recognize is that Jordan experienced a devastating setback during his sophomore year in high school. Deemed too short and unathletic, Jordan failed to make the cut for the varsity basketball team. Undeterred, Jordan did not just accept this failure in resignation but decided instead of take a much more serious and rigorous approach to overcome his failures. He woke up at 5 am every morning to enhance his athleticism and increase his skills. His relentless efforts and serious mindset of determination ultimately allowed Jordan to overcome his limitations and surpass his own expectations, which led to unparalleled heights of success not only in his high years but throughout his career in the NBA.</p>

<p>The life of Martin Luther King Jr., a prominent civil rights’ activist in the 1960s, further reinforces the notion that only when one takes a serious approach to resolve a problem can one truly succeed. In a time when black people were harshly segregated and persecuted from the mainstream society, King rose to prominence as a brave and fearless leader of the Civil Rights Movement. King understood the gravity and seriousness of the situation and carefully mapped out a plan to address such grave injustices. He initiated a myriad of boycotts, non-violent resistance movements, peaceful demonstrations and sit-ins. Who can also forget King’s compelling and eloquent “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered with a serious and impassioned tone that millions of Americans were aroused to the brutal realities of racial segregation and joined his righteous cause? As one can also see in the life of MLK, people must always take a serious approach in order to attain success both on a personal and societal level.</p>

<p>An indisputable reality of life is that people who are too serious are sometimes seen as anal-retentive rigid rogots who lack humor and good will. In the final analysis, however, as vividly portrayed through the lives of Michael Jordan and Martin Luther King Jr., a serious approach to life is often the only means by which one can truly succeed.</p>