Literature/Historical Examples for SAT Essay - Page 3

tnb19 · 01-16-2008, 09:55 PM

dagnyt, i thought so.

she like stopped being lazy and supported herself at the end of the book...

patel · 01-25-2008, 06:11 PM

Thought I'd bump this thread since tomorrow is the January SAT's.

skatj · 01-25-2008, 11:03 PM

Any last minute examples guys? Especially if you have something that might fit a more obscure prompt.

Les Miserables - potential of man, goodness of man, flaws of the criminal justice system

Ibanez · 01-26-2008, 12:09 AM

I honestly don't use any literary examples. I used Stephen Hawkings and his claim that information could be lost at the accretion disk of a Black Hole for the December SAT. And before that I just used personal examples + my friends for the October SAT. Both essays I got 12's in. I wrote until I had no space left (literally, like not an inch).

skatj · 01-26-2008, 08:23 PM

Now that the Jan SAT is over, what examples did you guys use, and for what prompts?

I got the "is effort put into failing valuable" or something like that and I couldn't think of any specific historical or literature examples, so I ended up using scientific research and athletes =(

I think the writing was okay though so hopefully I'll get at least a 10.

Nick017 · 04-14-2008, 06:27 PM

Personal examples can be as effective as historical examples, as long as you do it right. So preplanning examples is good and all, but... learning how to make up good stories to defend a side can be as good.

For historical, I use the example of attilla the hun - he turned a ragtag group of warring tribes into the most terrifying force in Asia that sacked Rome. Working together, united we stand, divided we fall, that type of stuff. Also shows that every crisis is an opportunity in disguise, because Mongolia was a podunk, nomadic land.

For 'no pain no gain' type prompts, instead of talking about exercise like many will, talk about research on animals, maybe stem-cells.

And of course, Gandhi and MLK are decent choices.

But it really doesn't have to be an example a huge, earthshaking event, it can be about overcoming a small obstacle in your life, and if the argument is strong, you can get a high score.