<p>I was curious about whether some books were off limits to use on the SAT essay. Of course the classics can and should be used, and Captain Underpants should not be used, but are there academic novels that are not considered sophisticated enough to be used in the essay? For example, The Kite Runner. It was a NY Times Bestseller, but it isn’t normally taught in classrooms. Or a Clockwork Orange. Would those be acceptable books to use?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>The essays are graded based on how you support your argument, not on what you support your argument with.</p>
<p>The Kite Runner is definitely acceptable. Exactly as Nerdlings said, how well you write is more important than the books/events you use.</p>
<p>In fact, I think a less common book is a better choice than one that is standard HS reading fare.</p>
<p>I was thinking the same thing, but just wanted to check. Thanks guys!</p>
<p>An acceptable books or historical fact is anything you can make up that sounds convincing.</p>
<p>I heard you can also make it up ahha</p>
<p>Yeah you can definitely make up a life experience if it works!</p>
<p>Not just that; try making up a historical person or a scientific study.</p>
<p>Yeah…that sounds like a fantastic idea. Lol</p>
<p>Every time I can’t think of a book to support my argument, here’s what I do:</p>
<p>“According to a study conducted at Johns Hopkins University…”</p>
<p>^ Exactly. :)</p>
<p>Seriously, all books are acceptable when citing it to your essay. However, be sure that your references are indeed correct. Personal preference is always an on objective like, “I have read in the book of Blah Blah that the earth was the center of the sun…” then suggest an opinion, but not push hard on it. </p>
<p>Weigh your essay between “objectivity” and “subjectivity.”</p>
<p>Hope I made myself clear. If not, send me a PM =)</p>
<p>I cited the Colbert Report and got a 12.</p>
<p>I have a friend who MADE UP books and even stated historical facts wrong (something like… John Adams, leader of the abolitionist movement in Poland XP) and got a 12.</p>
<p>Bad:</p>
<p>In my experience, people tend to be more gullible when they hear long, scientific-sounding words.</p>
<p>Good:</p>
<p>Guy Malikov, Rosenville University’s top neuroscientist, conducted a study in 2008 in which the brain activities of 1,000 subjects were examined via electroencephalographs. Malikov focused specifically on an area of the brain called Seinhauffer’s Aspect, which motivates the rest of the cognitive computational handlers to accept incoming registered verbal statements as truth. By extrapolating electromagnetic coordinates from the neurolateral cortex within Seinhauffer’s Aspect, Malikov calculated that the credibility assigned by the brain to incoming assertions rises by as much as 41% when the average amount of letters per word increases.</p>
<p>I usually go the history route. I’ve made up my own versions of Classical history, a lot of modern Euro, and lots and lots of USH. It’s pretty entertaining to read my essay online after the fact because some of my evidence is so ridiculous. I stay away from personal experience though, because I find it very unsophisticated, at least it turns out that way whenever I attempt using it. I got 12s both times I took the SAT.</p>