In our SAT essay example Sample SAT Essay for the Reality Show Prompt , we discussed the benefits that the reality television programs bring to the society, despite the fact that most of their parts are scripted. The essay prompt, which had appeared in the March 12 SAT Reasoning Test, had left students befuddled over the response or the argument that they should represent, despite the picture being startlingly clear.

In the current SAT essay sample, the flip side to the argument presented in the previous SAT reality TV essay is presented, wherein the author of the essay puts forth points for the argument that reality television shows are harmful and influence the society in a negative way.

Before going ahead with the essay, go through the SAT essay prompt once more, as it appeared in the March 12 SAT exam:

“Reality television programs, which feature real people engaged in real activities rather than professional actors performing scripted scenes, are increasingly popular.

These shows depict ordinary people competing in everything from singing and dancing to losing weight, or just living their everyday lives. Most people believe that the reality these shows portray is authentic, but they are being misled.

How authentic can these shows be when producers design challenges for the participants and then editors alter filmed scenes?

Do people benefit from forms of entertainment that show so-called reality, or are such forms of entertainment harmful?” Read more…

March 12 SAT Curve made news and controversies are still raging on. Students, parents and mentors blame the SAT paper setters of being insensitive towards the future of more than hundred thousand high school seniors who had prepared hard for their SAT exam, only to stare dumbly at the SAT essay prompt, requiring them to analyze the benefits of the reality shows to the society or the harms they cause.

However, we do not believe it was all that tough to write a comprehensible essay on one of the arguments given in the question. To prove our claim, we publish here a sample essay on the same March 12 SAT* essay prompt, which went like this:

“Reality television programs, which feature real people engaged in real activities rather than professional actors performing scripted scenes, are increasingly popular. Read more…

March 12 SAT Curve was not all that difficult but one of the SAT essay prompts not only proved to be unpredictable, but also took the candidates by surprise, leaving them in not a very graceful condition. The essay prompt that required the students to argue the viability of the reality shows on the television left the students nonplussed as the majority of them (who got that particular prompt) said that their high school curriculum and SAT preparation testing left them with hardly any time to watch television, much less the reality shows.

These students have been ever since expressing their dismay and dissatisfaction over the SAT essay prompts on the college confidential website, the infamous comment thread increasing beyond four pages. The students are in unison about the irrationality (or so they call it) of these kinds of SAT essay prompts. Throughout the year they read historical and literary information so as to be able to write a knowledgeable essay, that will fetch them the perfect score. None of them were prepared for a sting with the Biggest Loser or Celebrity Rehab. Read more…

Some of the SAT testing students who gave the March 12 test did not know what to say or what to think. The cause of their confusion and apparent disappointment was the SAT essay prompt that required them to analyze the social viability of the reality shows and explain whether they are harmful for the society or not.

Now, now, reality shows, did they say? The likes of Biggest Losers, Jersey Shore, American Idol, and Celebrity Rehab? Well, apparently they did have these very reality shows in mind and the most of the students who got this essay prompt did not know what to write, for the simple reason that in their high school years, their television watching hours had been severely restricted by their parents. Read more…

For some students, the essay writing part of the SAT exam is an ever-continuing nightmare, until the time they see the phantoms of their dreams right before their eyes in the form of the SAT essay prompt. Well, this was in no way meant to scare you. It actually summarizes the attitude of the majority of the test takers towards the essay writing aspect. Essay writing is pretty much interesting and you will find it hard to believe that the essay graders only want to test whether you are able to understand the prompt well, take a relevant stand, layout the reasons behind your yes/no and do all of this in a very lucid way.

Given below are few important points, which we refer to as the touchstones of a perfect SAT Essay:

• Understand the essay prompt properly and decide your stand on the topic. Interestingly, the tone of the prompt will help you determine the stand you are expected to take. Consider this- the invasion of iPads into the kindergarten has bereaved the impressionable minds from an opportunity to form the intended natural impressions. What is your take on the issue? Read more…