<p>Going into a lot of depth with one example (if you know enough about it) or using two shallower ones?</p>
<p>Personally, I think it’s in the middle. The SAT graders are looking for (what they call) “depth,” or making connections between examples. On the March SAT and on a few practice tests (though I don’t know how valid the practice tests were) I tried cramming in three examples, and in order to have time to write five paragraphs I had to skirt over the examples, and I <em>always</em> got a 9. On the June one I did two examples, went into more depth and connected the two, and I got a 12. </p>
<p>If (for some reason) you’re choosing between one big example and three smaller ones, I would go for the three small ones because then you can connect the three and give the graders the “depth” they want. Also, with one larger example, even if you go really in-depth with a ton of analysis, you run the risk of looking like you were padding your essay because you couldn’t think of others. </p>
<p>Just my .02. :)</p>
<p>Going into depth with three examples.</p>
<p>agreed with the asiaman</p>
<p>I use two examples. It’s gotten me two 12s.</p>
<p>Ultimately, the format and examples you use will in themselves neither help you nor hurt you very much. What matters is not what you use, but how you use it. Some people are great at drawing a ton of meaning out of one lengthy example. Others are great at saying a lot with a few words, so they use three examples. Some people are great at describing personal experiences. Others are great at talking about literature. Figure out what you’re good at and do it well.</p>
<p>That said, though, I would be wary of using just one example unless you’re very confident that’s what will work best for you. People generally get better results with two or three.</p>