<p>Okay so what I'm talking about is those prompts where you really don't know how to answer to. Like when they ask you a question:</p>
<p>Are people more likely to achieve their goals by being flexible or by refusing to compromise?</p>
<p>And you can't even think of two examples that was found in literature, history, etc.</p>
<p>So then what do you do?</p>
<p>i suggest you use a personal example or two</p>
<p>I don’t think two personal examples is very strong. Usually for double digit essay score, you need at least one that relates to something found in history or literature… Or at least so I’ve heard… xD</p>
<p>IMO, personal opinions are not strong. Literature and historical examples are better. I would use Orwell’s Animal Farm and talk about how Napoleon wouldn’t compromise with any of the animals for food and how nothing ever got done. he should have been more flexible. I would also talk about Great Gatsby and how Gatsby was hell-bent on getting Daisy but she didn’t care in the end and Gatsby died. Lord of the Flies also works because Ralph and jack couldn’t compromise so the whole island got set on fire.</p>
<p>In my essay I used 2 examples that were me and my mother and got 10. Just thought I can share this fact.</p>
<p>risbu, HAHAHAH. I used animal farm too. But instead I said that Napoleon uncompromising attitude allowed him to achieve his goals. But…</p>
<p>What would be a historical example?</p>
<p>Umm, I never used historical examples ever in my essays lol. I just liked sticking to the “critical lens” formula. But if I had to use a historical example, I would choose…uhh…sorry I can’t think of one! History was never my best subject :rolleyes:</p>
<p>LOL. Same here. Thanks for all the input guys. Any other advice would be splendid :)</p>
<p>you’re kidding, right? as someone who was an SAT essay reader for a year, you’re kidding right? you have a personal life don’t you? We give double digit scores to many essays that use ONLY personal examples. You must be able to support your decision in a well organized, well written essay. The directions give you the option to use examples from your personal life or observations. USE THEM.</p>
<p>kimmylouie, this is what I did, I printed out all the essay questions for my daughter to glance at before she took the tests. At least she had read some of the prompts ahead of time. After about 10 prompts, you will be prepared for any prompt.</p>
<p>When I think of a historical figure who wouldn’t compromise I immediately think of Woodrow Wilson. He wouldn’t compromise after WW1 and therefore, the League of Nations could not be created. </p>
<p>AP history has done strange things to me… I spit out random history facts like its my job</p>
<p>Have a bank of solid examples from all areas. Literature, history, current events, film, personal, music – if you can pull out a relevant example and analyze and defend it well, then you should get a high score on the essay. The first three are probably the easiest to pull a relevant topic on, because so many events encompass a lot of different things.</p>
<p>For example, flexibility: you could talk about how the European Union hinges on flexibility to function, and even when some nations stood adamantly against a position (like Greece accepting austerity measures to receive a bailout), they caved into pressure and eventually compromised. You could talk about the compromises that helped the United States’ Constitution to be drafted, such as the Connecticut Compromise that led to a bicameral legislature. You also talk about a personal example, like how you have to compromise with your parents to be allowed to hang out with your friends later; being stubborn only makes you more likely to get punished or grounded.</p>
<p>I like using current events because I follow news, and they fit general themes very easily. The most important thing, in my opinion, is having strong analysis. Also, I’m no SAT grader so take what I say with a grain of salt, but I think it would help to be somewhat original.veryone uses the standard examples like Fahrenheit 451 or 1984. Your analysis should be either be much less obvious, be more in depth, or focus on a different example entirely to stand out I think.</p>
<p>When all else fails, make stuff up. You can even prepare a few titles, author names, and protagonist names beforehand. And once you’re stuck, just make up a plot that fits your opinion and keep tying in your “example” with your thesis. Factual accuracy (or even existence) isn’t a factor affecting SAT essay scores. Use that fact to your advantage.</p>
<p>Frankly, you should try to work on the normal prompts first. The weird prompts usually appear once a year as a curveball to keep things fresh. The thing is, if you think the prompt is difficult the chances are that everyone thinks that it is difficult. Plus it is hard to have a bank of questions for really weird prompts ( I got a prompt that asked if photography is an art).</p>
<p>Sent from my HTC<em>Amaze</em>4G using CC</p>
<p>That was me for the June SAT. Lol.
You can use two personal examples; the blue book gives an example with two personal examples which recieved a 6/6. As long as your essay shows great skills of critical thinking and your examples sound legitimate, you are fine (and good grammar, vocab, ect).</p>