For the essay portions of the SAT (old version) and ACT, should points of view on prompts be strictly binary? I.e., should we either completely agree or completely disagree? Or, for example, if the prompt was: “Does imitation demonstrate a sluggish imagination,” would the following be a viable viewpoint: Imitation, as long as there is some improvement or alteration incorporated by the imitator, does not demonstrate a sluggish imagination. Thanks!
SAT: Yes. You must pick a side.
It’s easiest when you pick a side. However, addressing the opposition or qualifying your position in the thesis is a great way to elevate your essay. Just make sure that you’re distinctly on one of the two sides, not in between. Even if you aren’t completely and totally for one side, it should be readily discernible to the reader which position you’ve picked.
You should always pick a side. That way, you can have a clear thesis that is for or against with several points. Even if you don’t really believe what you wrote and you personally think both sides are valid, you really should pick the side you can think of the most/best examples for.
However, I think it’s very good to include counterpoints in your essay, and that essay thesis would be fine.