Hi everyone. I haven’t taken the SAT or ACT yet so I was wondering if it’s okay to use young adult and fantasy novels as examples. Would using these types of genres give a negative effect on my essay? Thank you!
Something obscure probably isn’t going to prove your point very well, as we just have to take your word for it that you’re interpreting the book correctly. So King’s Magician’s Apprentice’s Horse and His Boy Mage Volume 1: Knight probably isn’t the best choice. You could, in my opinion, make a case for LotR.
Surely you’ve read other things though. The goal is to sound impressive!
I don’t think the interpretation of the book is extremely relevant. Strong, well-written arguments supporting your thesis, regardless of the examples, will result in high scores.
If I have read To Kill a Mockingbird, and I know what it’s like, and you argue that the point of To Kill a Mockingbird is that African Americans are cowardly criminals, and you base your argument on the fact that Tom Robinson tries to run from the prison yard…that’s a bad interpretation and it means your argument is neither strong nor well-written.
Sorry @bodangles, that’s a really silly argument - you’ve picked a straw man which has nothing to do with the OP’s question. I expect better; your posts are generally very thoughtful.
Of course making racist arguments will not be viewed kindly. Of course racist arguments won’t be considered “strong.”
However, if you pick an unusual argument from TKAM, one that differs from consensus but is well reasoned, I would expect the choice of example would not be very relevant. The same applies to the choice of YA/fantasy novels or MOST other examples.
Sorry if this is overkill, but by most I don’t mean arguing Hitler was a great humanitarian or that women shouldn’t have the right to vote or any other example that is so bad it doesn’t need to be explained or categorized - just don’t make an obviously offensive argument.
MODERATOR’S NOTE
@bodangles @CHD2013 I will assume that any further discussion not related to the OP’s question will be handled offline.
OP, I’d avoid it if you can come up with examples that are more from classic or adult literature if possible. Assuming you have read some in HS English classes.
@intparent - would you modify your suggestion if you were told that the OP has a strong familiarity with YA/fantasy novels, perhaps reading some of them 5-10 times, and only a casual familiarity with more classic/adult literature (perhaps a single read in an english class)?
I’m asking because I think the strength of the argument is the driving factor to a god essay and its easiest to write about what one knows best.
I think the essay readers are English teachers. They hope a student they give a high score to has familiarity with some classic literature.
I hear you, but FWIW I would still suggest choosing whatever example will allow you to make the strongest argument
Your feedback helped me a lot. Thank you all.