SAT Essay Example
Sample prompt
Think carefully about the issue presented in the following quotation and the assignment below. Although we seek the advice of others, we seldom follow it—unless, of course, it coincides with what we wanted to do in the first place. Perhaps we are just looking for reinforcement of our own choices. At any rate, I believe this is a good thing. Advice-givers may be well-intentioned, but they are always wrong. Christine Roberts Hale, adapted from Seeking Our Own Way
Assignment: Are people who offer advice usually wrong? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.
Sample SAT® Essay using the template:
Paragraph 1 – Introduction 3 Sentences: 1. Rephrase the prompt. “Many people think that the suggestions others make about their lives are not generally helpful.” 2. Agree or disagree. “However, guidance counselors, coaches, and parents who offer advice are usually right because they have experience and training.” 3. Tell the reader what category the three examples you are going to use are in (current events, literature, history, personal experiences, popular culture, and/or sports). “Personal experiences, professional sports, and popular culture provide excellent examples of helpful advice.”
Paragraph 2 -1st example 5 Sentences: 1. Use a transition word or phrase like “To begin,” and then introduce your example. “To begin, my guidance counselor, Mr. Barton, at Coral Reef Academy, has helped me in my college application process.” 2 – 4. Explain the details of your example using specific dates and people “When I was just a freshman, Mr. Barton told me to start looking at colleges so that by the time I was in my junior year, I would already know where I would want to apply. In between my freshman and sophomore year, my family and I traveled to college campuses across America so I could see what I liked. I had so much time to decide that by junior year when I needed to narrow down my choices, I was able to make an educated decision based on firsthand experience, like the way campuses look, how friendly the undergraduate communities are, and the strength of the college curriculum.” 5. Tell the reader how your example proves that your ONE side of the argument is true. “Mr. Barton went to the University of Arizona for his Master of Arts degree in Education, so he knew exactly how to help me so don’t have to stress out like most people my age.”
Paragraph 3 – 2nd example 5 Sentences: 1. Use a transition phrase like “Also,” and then introduce your example. Also, other types of people with helpful expertise like sports coaches can offer advice to help their players. 2 – 4. Explain the details of your example using specific dates and people. “Serena Williams is a famous tennis player who was once known for her inconsistency on the court. Her fans couldn’t count on her to win because she was too unpredictable. All of that changed when professional sports coach and trainer Mackie Shilstone was hired to work with Serena in 2008. Mackie taught Serena discipline on and off the court, which helped Serena to control her weight, her nutrition, and her now-famous winning record.” 5. Tell the reader how your example proves that your ONE side of the argument is true. “Mackie Shilstone has helped over 3,000 athletes to improve their game, so instead of floundering around on the court, Mackie’s training conditioned Serena into a controlled, impressive, and most importantly, winning force.”
Paragraph 4 – 3rd example 5 Sentences: 1. Use a transition phrase like “Also,” and then introduce your example. “In addition to professional athletes, celebrities like Britney Spears need to listen to people who can offer support and encouragement.” 2 – 4. Explain the details of your example using specific dates and people. “Since Britney Spears is a celebrity who is always in the tabloids, she has had to rely on her family for advice to keep her focused on her dream of becoming a famous singer. When Britney released her first single ‘…One more time’ in 1998 she became an instant hit. However, many parents of her young fans criticized her for wearing a skimpy Catholic school girl outfit in the accompanying music video. Britney’s family, especially her mom, urged her to continue her career despite the complaints.” 5. Tell the reader how your example proves that your ONE side of the argument is true. “Since Britney’s mom had more life experience regarding perseverance and tenacity, Mrs. Spears influenced Britney to become one of the most successful music artists of all time.”
Paragraph 5 - Conclusion 1. Use a transition word or phrase like “In conclusion,” and then restate your side of the argument. “It is clear that the advice that guidance counselors, coaches, and relatives offer is usually very helpful.” 2. Say how your three examples prove your argument. “Serena Williams, Britney Spears, and I were all given suggestions that helped us to make good decisions.” 3. Conclude with a general statement about the topic. “In all, if advice comes from a reliable source you trust, like people who are in positions of authority, it is wise to listen to it.”