Writing Sample

[Mark83]

I know the writing sample isn't supposed to be super important but I have a few questions nonetheless. I've been looking around online for example templates and formats and found a few, but is there any resource or archive for completed example writing samples?

Also I practiced writing a few based on old prompts and found I ran out of pages before finishing. How small do we have to write to get this all in? I tend to write pretty big since its more legible.

My final question is, should we begin the sample with a preamble or intro laying out the scenario (which is already discussed in the prompt), or just get right into things as though it's just a response to the prompt (e.g., "X would be best served choosing Y because..."). A few of the examples I've seen online go either way. One, for example, began "The scenario presented involves..." while others just went straight into their choice of options and the reasons.

Deciding on which way to go will also be important with regards to saving space. An intro laying out the scenario could take anything from 2-3 sentences. It also seems redundant in that it would basically repeat some of the things in the writing prompt.

Thanks

[Stephanie Oswalt]

Hi Mark!

Thanks for the question! I'm going to refer you to our blog post "The Ultimate Guide to the LSAT Writing Sample," written by PowerScore VP Jon Denning:

https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/the-ul ... ing-sample

This should give you a solid overview of the writing sample, but if you have any additional questions, feel free to post them below, or comment on the above blog post.

Thanks!

[Mark83]

Hi Mark!

Thanks for the question! I'm going to refer you to our blog post "The Ultimate Guide to the LSAT Writing Sample," written by PowerScore VP Jon Denning:

https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/the-ul ... ing-sample

This should give you a solid overview of the writing sample, but if you have any additional questions, feel free to post them below, or comment on the above blog post.

Thanks!

I have a question about the two criteria in the prompts. Are they the decision maker's criteria or the LSAT scenarios. I know it's z weird distinction but important I think. For instance if a guy is deciding between going to the beach or the park, do I attribute the criteria for the choice to him? (i.e., "Given John's criteria of wanting to meet people he would be best served..."

[Jon Denning]

Hi Mark - it's always contextual of course, but the criteria are generally attributed to the subject of the essay (so "John" in your example). For instance, consider the first portion of the Writing Sample from June 2007:

BLZ Stores, an established men’s clothing retailer with a chain of stores in a major metropolitan area, is selecting a plan for expansion. Using the facts below, write an essay in which you argue for one of the following plans over the other based on the following two criteria:

• The company wants to increase its profits.

• The company wants to ensure its long-term financial stability.

Note that the bullet's are stated as "the company wants..." meaning they've expressed their own objectives, and we're simply being told what those objectives are.

So it's fine to say things like "Given the company's goal of increasing profits..." or, in your example, "Given John's desire to meet people..."

I hope that helps!

[Mark83]

Hi Mark - it's always contextual of course, but the criteria are generally attributed to the subject of the essay (so "John" in your example). For instance, consider the first portion of the Writing Sample from June 2007:

BLZ Stores, an established men’s clothing retailer with a chain of stores in a major metropolitan area, is selecting a plan for expansion. Using the facts below, write an essay in which you argue for one of the following plans over the other based on the following two criteria:

• The company wants to increase its profits.

• The company wants to ensure its long-term financial stability.

Note that the bullet's are stated as "the company wants..." meaning they've expressed their own objectives, and we're simply being told what those objectives are.

So it's fine to say things like "Given the company's goal of increasing profits..." or, in your example, "Given John's desire to meet people..."

I hope that helps!

Thank, Jon. That helps a lot. Just one more question: should we open our writing samples with a brief intro laying out the scenario/dilemma, before exlaining our decision, or go directly into it saying "I chose X and this is why" since the scenario is already presented in the writing prompt?

[Dave Killoran]

Go straight into your decision! You don't have enough time to start with a formal review of what is stated in the writing prompt

[concrottrox11@gmail.com]

Hi,

I already read the blog post, but am trying to find an actual written/typed example essay to refer to instead of just a writing sample prompt? Where can I find one?

Also, I’m confused if we need to write a thesis statement as our first sentence and if so do we utilize the evidence given to us or are we coming up with a broad overarching thesis idea for our first sentence?

[concrottrox11@gmail.com]

Also, are we allowed to use outside knowledge/ info to help prove our points or can we only use the evidence given and just have to further explain this?

[Robert Carroll]

concrottrox11,

I don't think we have fully written-out writing sample examples, but the blog does provide all of the info that would be in that response. Also, the blog does mention how to start the response: "Begin with a clear statement expressing which of the two options you’ve chosen." Outside information is fine as long as it relates to the issue at hand.

Robert Carroll