<p>This slew of prompts in the March 2011 SAT Exam suggests that they are throwing some curveballs to make the essay harder, especially for those like here at CC who prepare with the knowledge that they recycle certain themes.</p>
<p>Is there an essay formula that can still work?</p>
<p>IMO, the best way to prepare for the essay is to write lots of essays. Cultivate your ability to respond to any prompt, and you’ll do great. Coming up with ideas of things to write about beforehand is a bad idea imo… you will rarely predict the exact prompt, and it will tempt you to twist the prompt to use the information or examples you’ve prepared, which may not be entirely relevant or appropriate. After this exam, there were a ton of “IS THIS ESSAY GETTING A 0?” posts, which should tell you that you’re preparing the wrong way.</p>
<p>You can bet a grader knows exactly what is happening when an essay dodges the prompt or changes it to something different, then launches into a specific discussion of a particular novel. It probably won’t get a top score.</p>
<p>I agree, though the photography and reality show prompt can’t really be prepared for at all regardless of practice, can it?</p>