Should I be concerned that my lexicon isn’t as robust as the two sample essays? “stultifying miasma” and “automatons” will not be seen on my writing sample.
Ya, I honestly found those bits of vocab to be in poor taste. It's hard to imagine a Law School admissions officer reading 'stultifying miasma' and doing anything other than rolling their eyes. Same with the waxing poetic on latin etymology. I'd focus instead on precise, efficient words, not necessarily ten dollar ones.
The other thing is, even you think there might be a better way to phrase a certain idea, under time pressure, I think it's probably best to just write what comes to mind instead of wasting a lot of time with exact phrasing. So maybe there's another, more accurate phrase you could've used instead of "stultifying miasma;" that doesn't mean that you should get stuck in the weeds trying to rephrase it. If that's what came to mind, and if it suits your meaning well enough, it's probably better to just leave it and focus on crafting the rest of the essay.
I just don't see it that way. I mean, obviously we agree that the main thing is to write a clear and effective passage, but that first passage uses several phrases that I think hinder rather than help that aim. Thanks for your perspective though.
Well... those words ARE the most "precise and efficient," because they most fully and accurately capture the author's meaning. It doesn't make sense to avoid certain words that seem in "poor taste" if those are the words that are most accurate. Same goes for analogies and other argumentative devices that are helpful for illustrating your point. These devices serve an argumentative purpose; they're not just superfluous purple prose-y flourishes. I would think that fully conveying your argument in the most accurate way possible ("big words," analogies, and all) takes precedence over appealing to the whims of a hypothetical exasperated reader who might possibly prefer you to use a simpler, more general/less precise word for purely stylistic reasons.
What I wish I had known (writing sample complete).
You absolutely cannot view the piece after you submit it. Not after it's approved, literally never. I was a little sad about this because I was proud of it. But not that it matters much anyway.
You can't copy and paste, meaning that: if you want to move evidence/example from 1 paragraph to the introduction (for example), you can't do that.
Make sure to do everything possible to disable grammarly (even though I turned it off, it still came on). Thankfully I didn't get flagged for this but it was a close call.
Reading more random question prompts the day before (asked the internet/AI to make random prompts) was really helpful for me. I didn't write a whole essay sample each time, I just was practicing the habit of reading something and then immediately making a strong opinion on some topic that was boring for me.
Yes, there is more to life than work; however, in a changing society where your quality of life is severely impacted by your ability to get a job, career preparation is a vital skill.
As a recent undergraduate with a Biology degree, I have had the opportunity to work in the field and in the lab to gain experience; however, that is not enough. To become a biologist, you need additional certifications and specific experience that school just never provided. To find a job in this field, many places of employment already expect you to have years of experience.
My friend, who obtained a master's in biology with a minor in ecology, has minimal field experience in school, however, he is struggling to find a job after a year of graduating. He is drowning in student loans and works three part-time jobs to keep him afloat, just because field technician jobs require years of experience, which he can't get without first getting a job. The irony.
If school had prepared him for his career, he would have had a better chance in the job market today. A lot of us are lucky to live with our parents or have financial support as we prepare for the real world. But what about the people who don't? The people who have to work 8-12 hour shifts to keep a roof over their heads, whilst studying full time and trying to navigate what their future looks like? The purpose of an undergraduate degree should be to help prepare students to transition into adulthood.
Just because the school puts an emphasis on career preparation does not mean a student can not cultivate their own values and learning. There are many extracurricular activities, friendships and skills to be built in any type of setting. However, the skills we have fostered through social relations and self navigation are useless if we are never given the opportunity to use them in the real world. Without career preparation, the skills we cultivate will remain on the shelves. Unemployment rates for young adults have skyrocketed, and housing has become incredibly expensive; to live, you need to eat and to eat, you need money. How many people do you know who went into the career their undergraduate degree was focused in? Even though I have a degree in Biology, I am currently working as an accountant for the city and am preparing to take the LSAT. All are vastly different career paths. Sure, I am building skills I never knew I would through self navigation, but I got to where I am today by being lucky. I had connections and time to build a name for myself by entering the workforce at an early age. With career preparation, schools would be able to introduce students to potential employers, allowing them to foster connections more easily and allowing them to build skills/experience without worrying about getting a job after school. Having a job in today's society is not a want but a need to live. What's the point in having the "university experience" if you never get prepared to get out of it.
Oh, my bad. I went on a tangent, I was not tryna write out a whole ass essay but anyways if I was writing this prompt my answer would be kinda similar to this I think, with obvious grammar mistakes, more examples and concise organization.
Kinda sucks that there wasn't an essay with this perspective.
Is there any downside to writing this after the test (just a day or two afterwards)? I understand that LSAC won’t release my score until I've written it, but is there anything besides that which I should consider?
Even though in-text citations to the perspectives were not included in the example essays, I wanted to confirm if including them can add support, or if it seems too redundant.
For example, if I were to write sentences like this, with the in-text citation:
As some homeowners suggest, domestication of porcupines does bring comfort and emotional support (perspective 2).
Hi everyone, I'm a little bit confused with the tone we are supposed to adopt while writing the essay. I naturally write in a formal academic tone and given what I read, it appeared to be that it was a lot more casual than formal. This is what I had written below. Is this an appropriate tone or should I write it as though I'm writing something a lot less formal (just the intro piece)?
The question of an interdisciplinary education is one that has been critically debated for centuries. One could very easily argue that the pursuit of knowledge that is specialized, and thereby, highly specific to a student’s desired career trajectory is an effective means to prepare a student for the future given that it values professional competence and focalized expertise.
However, I believe given that the evolving world seeks from it students not with a specialized understanding of a subject but instead those who are willing to interweave cross-disciplinary applications that could challenge the academic status quo, go beyond a dogmatic approach to literacy in redefining norms and values in a world ever so technologically pliable and most imperatively, orchestrate a society where knowledge domains converge, collide, and ultimately coalesce into novel forms of innovation and societal progress. Therefore, I argue that a college would serve the students’ best interests if they were to demand a more liberal education as opposed to one that is solely career-centred.
Here's a question. If you took the LSAT this past June and complete the old version of the LSAT writing, it looks like you don't need to do this new argumentative writing section if you retake the test later this year. But would it be advantageous for you to do so? It sounds like they are taking the new version more seriously. I guess it might depend on your writing skills, but do you think it might be better to do the new version of the writing section even if you have an old version on file with LSAC?
Curious about this too. Is it in our best interest to have an argumentative sample even if we have an old writing sample on file, or is our time better spent improving the other areas of our apps instead? #help
How are we meant to include citations if no research is allowed during the 15min prep? How will we be sure that the information and quotes are correct? I'm amazed that this student felt they could confidently quote someone without looking up the quote before including it.
@JessicaBeitler the info is provided to you during the note taking time, you don't need to research on your own. I am also sure the LSAT won't give false information.
How important is the length of the essay? I'm reading a lot of "filler" words and sentences in the examples. I feel like I could have stated my thesis, support and conclusion in 3 short, efficient paragraphs. Is there a thing of being too concise??
I think it's funny that it comes across that someone had "stultifying miasma" just sitting at the top of their dome like no big deal.
Watch the video commentary in Lesson 2 at 1.2x speed to see his process. It's a great insight into a method that works for him!
I seriously considered quoting the Barbie Girl song lyrics, but after reading that some admissions actually check to make sure you didn't draw a rocket ship, I think writing about being wrapped in plastic might work against me.
But seriously: Watch the commentary videos to get inspired for a workflow before you lock yourself down with the proctored writing sample.
I wasn't as prepared as I had wanted to be (the scratch notes are in a SMALL window while you're trying to write!)
@MalvikaGeorge a bit late but for anyone reading for future reference: physical paper is not allowed on argumentative writing, only on the multiple choice actual LSAT.
I understand that it is not necessary to take the writing portion more than once, but if I'm not feeling confident in my performance, do I have the opportunity to take that portion again?
Do you think it would be wise to ever argue for an integrated approach to one of these prompts, a middle ground so to speak. An argument that pulls from both sides and refutes a two sided approach to the arguement, or would that not be appropriate?
I'm seconding this. I could write an essay on the problems of higher education right now, but none of my perspectives are in the prompts.
If I went off on the Department of Education and say rampart plagiarism amongst faculty members would that be OK provided I respond to some of the other points and cite sources that I know to be true?
Just wanted to say that I agree with both writers' perspectives here. Colleges and universities should not just be job training centers. There's more to life than work, ffs.
Second one was much better, but I slightly disagree. Unless as a society we want to have less people going to university (which is something around 80-90% currently I think), it is too idealistic to believe that the students are looking to "discover their values and expand their mind". Many people go to have fun, meet friends, create a social circle and just appear marketable as the third perspective explained. However, there are students who are going to college for career specific study, and there are some that are there to expand their "breadth" and are there for knowledge's sake. Therefore I think a university's job is to provide an environment for at least these three archetypes of students to get what they are looking for.
I should clarify; by the writers' "perspectives," I meant their thesis statements. I was agreeing with the overall conclusions that they arrive at. Emphasizing job preparation above all else - when, as you've said, people who go to college today do so for a multitude of different reasons - is just insane.
Can you use a portion of the 15 minutes allotted for reading and drafting for the actual writing? I took a practice writing section yesterday and felt pretty confident in my comprehension of the perspectives and outline after 10 minutes. Are we able to skip ahead early and have those extra minutes roll over? Or will it be only 35 minutes for writing regardless?
Feeling pretty good about the writing section, but just a few questions for anyone who knows the answers: Should I aim for a specific length or tone in my response? Or is it just good old whatever works best for you/your argument?
I'm a little confused about these instructions: "Whatever the case, your position should be supported with logical arguments and detailed, persuasive examples."
While essay 1 is persuasive, it doesn't seem to use specific, detailed examples. Is that an issue?
Is the goal to pick a perspective an agree with it or just create your own perspective and use some perspectives to support and the others as to why that perspective is weaker?
2
[deleted]
Friday, May 23, 2025
I tried the prompt and this is what I got:
I did the 15 min prewrite & the 35 min Writing Session*
FEEDBACK NEEDED:
The Purpose of College is to create a fully functioning active member of society. Whether it is soft-skills for a cooperate jobs or on the other sider of the spectrum, the technical skills for engineers. College is to help facilitate a young adult emerge into their adulthood smoothly by allowing themselves to challenge their own perspectives through a liberal arts education while supplying them the practical skills needed.
As undergraduate that focused on a liberal arts education, the skills that focused on the technical side allowed me to question my perspectives on why I've chosen the career that I decided to pursue. The skills to communicate my ideas and concepts. These are not merit-based which in looking for a job can allow candidates to stand out in the interview process. The competitive nature that society today can only do much and to only include one side of a career path damages the human side and the quality that comes from it.
Networking and individuality are important things to look for when looking for a career. By focusing on both sides rather than choosing one side over the other. Not every person that graduates ends up in the field that they originally went in for stick with the same degree. Finding that individuality through what would be considered soft-skills, like teamwork and communication can help bridge gaps between people that would otherwise not interact in the same field which the style of career prep and liberal arts education college provides. And with the insights that people gain from networking with people in different fields allows them to have the skills to relate or create or discover something new. Finding yourself and helping decide what career you would want to pursue. To be more than just someone with skills. Instead to be an person.
There is thought into thinking that a college degree should signify that you have the skills that are need it for the task in your future degree, but we are not just cogs at the end of the day. Including the societal impact that a degree puts you in society with being another cog spitting out propaganda that you have been fed. I disagree, by skill along and with the interpersonal insights you gain through engaging with the liberal arts allows you to become better by including a unique insight into a problems in your career. For example, being inside a meeting and each member is trying to figure out why sales might be down this quarter. If everyone was just trained on the skills, then they could see why it failed, but not understand what can be done to improve. Including the more creative aspects of the institution can help with collaborating between colleagues. Each member providing their insight with the individual skills that they learn from their own interests budding into the liberal arts.
The preparation that comes from entering and getting a degree is an indicator that you have a well rounded idea of who you are and expertise in what you are doing. Allowing a flexibility in skills allows for a future employee to use these skill in their career and other avenues that they might pursue. Looking to only skill-based college experiences does not allow for a person's full potential to come out, stifling them from fully accessing their ability to adapt to the fast paced competitive environment in life. you would have to ask yourself then: What was the point? If your skills in career are unsuccessful, then what is left?
Since I don't want to use up all of my practice tests - I asked Chat GPT to help me with a prompt and some perspectives that may mimic the post-August version. I used this prompt to Can you generate an argumentative writing prompt that mocks what may appear on an LSAT writing portion, modified to the current post-2024 format and provide 3-4 sample perspectives?
Here's what it came up with, and feel free to use it as a practice-run for yourself. I thought this was not only helpful, but amusing to read and useful as practice material.
Writing Sample Prompt:
Recent studies conducted in the fictional city of Indecisia have revealed a sharp rise in what researchers are calling Choice Paralysis in Low-Stakes Contexts (CPLC). Citizens report significant stress when faced with decisions perceived as meaningless but socially loaded — such as choosing between identical brands of bottled water or whether to say “you too” when someone tells them to “enjoy the movie.”
In response, the city council is debating whether public institutions should play a more active role in helping citizens build confidence in making minor decisions. Some argue that such support would foster a stronger, more self-assured population. Others contend that this would represent an overreach of government authority and an unnecessary use of resources.
Assignment:
Write an argumentative essay in which you take a position on whether public institutions should actively intervene to help citizens improve their confidence in making trivial decisions. Support your position with logical reasoning and, if applicable, examples. Your essay should demonstrate clarity, organization, and critical thinking. You are not expected to have specialized knowledge of psychology, civic planning, or snack aisle dilemmas.
Perspective 1: Supportive of Intervention — Confidence Is Foundational
Public institutions have a responsibility to foster the psychological well-being of their citizens. Seemingly minor choices can accumulate and impact an individual’s sense of agency. By helping citizens build decision-making confidence, even in low-stakes contexts, society encourages personal growth and civic engagement.
Perspective 2: Opposed to Intervention — Government Has Bigger Problems
Allocating resources to help people choose between sparkling and still water is not a prudent use of taxpayer money. Public institutions should focus on serious issues like education, infrastructure, and healthcare. Encouraging resilience means expecting individuals to handle life’s minor dilemmas on their own.
Perspective 3: Cautiously Supportive — Help, But Only If It's Funny
Assistance with trivial decisions could be helpful if it’s delivered in a light, humorous way. Imagine public signs that read “If you’re still deciding, pick left” or vending machines with buttons labeled “Don’t overthink it.” This approach could reduce stress without creating a bloated bureaucracy or infantilizing the public.
Perspective 4: Strongly Opposed — Choice Paralysis Builds Character
Struggling with low-stakes decisions is a rite of passage in modern life. The agony of choosing between two equally mediocre salad dressings builds mental toughness. Institutional hand-holding in such matters may rob people of the minor frustrations that prepare them for adulthood — and worse, it may normalize the idea that discomfort must always be solved externally.
70 comments
Should I be concerned that my lexicon isn’t as robust as the two sample essays? “stultifying miasma” and “automatons” will not be seen on my writing sample.
Ya, I honestly found those bits of vocab to be in poor taste. It's hard to imagine a Law School admissions officer reading 'stultifying miasma' and doing anything other than rolling their eyes. Same with the waxing poetic on latin etymology. I'd focus instead on precise, efficient words, not necessarily ten dollar ones.
I would hope that clear and concise writing takes precedence over flexing a large vocabulary
The other thing is, even you think there might be a better way to phrase a certain idea, under time pressure, I think it's probably best to just write what comes to mind instead of wasting a lot of time with exact phrasing. So maybe there's another, more accurate phrase you could've used instead of "stultifying miasma;" that doesn't mean that you should get stuck in the weeds trying to rephrase it. If that's what came to mind, and if it suits your meaning well enough, it's probably better to just leave it and focus on crafting the rest of the essay.
I just don't see it that way. I mean, obviously we agree that the main thing is to write a clear and effective passage, but that first passage uses several phrases that I think hinder rather than help that aim. Thanks for your perspective though.
Well... those words ARE the most "precise and efficient," because they most fully and accurately capture the author's meaning. It doesn't make sense to avoid certain words that seem in "poor taste" if those are the words that are most accurate. Same goes for analogies and other argumentative devices that are helpful for illustrating your point. These devices serve an argumentative purpose; they're not just superfluous purple prose-y flourishes. I would think that fully conveying your argument in the most accurate way possible ("big words," analogies, and all) takes precedence over appealing to the whims of a hypothetical exasperated reader who might possibly prefer you to use a simpler, more general/less precise word for purely stylistic reasons.
@therealslimshady totally agree
I just came here to say bravo to whoever wrote that first essay. It was fantastic and genuinely moving.
What I wish I had known (writing sample complete).
You absolutely cannot view the piece after you submit it. Not after it's approved, literally never. I was a little sad about this because I was proud of it. But not that it matters much anyway.
You can't copy and paste, meaning that: if you want to move evidence/example from 1 paragraph to the introduction (for example), you can't do that.
Make sure to do everything possible to disable grammarly (even though I turned it off, it still came on). Thankfully I didn't get flagged for this but it was a close call.
Reading more random question prompts the day before (asked the internet/AI to make random prompts) was really helpful for me. I didn't write a whole essay sample each time, I just was practicing the habit of reading something and then immediately making a strong opinion on some topic that was boring for me.
You've got this everyone!!
Personally, I agree with the first perspective.
Yes, there is more to life than work; however, in a changing society where your quality of life is severely impacted by your ability to get a job, career preparation is a vital skill.
As a recent undergraduate with a Biology degree, I have had the opportunity to work in the field and in the lab to gain experience; however, that is not enough. To become a biologist, you need additional certifications and specific experience that school just never provided. To find a job in this field, many places of employment already expect you to have years of experience.
My friend, who obtained a master's in biology with a minor in ecology, has minimal field experience in school, however, he is struggling to find a job after a year of graduating. He is drowning in student loans and works three part-time jobs to keep him afloat, just because field technician jobs require years of experience, which he can't get without first getting a job. The irony.
If school had prepared him for his career, he would have had a better chance in the job market today. A lot of us are lucky to live with our parents or have financial support as we prepare for the real world. But what about the people who don't? The people who have to work 8-12 hour shifts to keep a roof over their heads, whilst studying full time and trying to navigate what their future looks like? The purpose of an undergraduate degree should be to help prepare students to transition into adulthood.
Just because the school puts an emphasis on career preparation does not mean a student can not cultivate their own values and learning. There are many extracurricular activities, friendships and skills to be built in any type of setting. However, the skills we have fostered through social relations and self navigation are useless if we are never given the opportunity to use them in the real world. Without career preparation, the skills we cultivate will remain on the shelves. Unemployment rates for young adults have skyrocketed, and housing has become incredibly expensive; to live, you need to eat and to eat, you need money. How many people do you know who went into the career their undergraduate degree was focused in? Even though I have a degree in Biology, I am currently working as an accountant for the city and am preparing to take the LSAT. All are vastly different career paths. Sure, I am building skills I never knew I would through self navigation, but I got to where I am today by being lucky. I had connections and time to build a name for myself by entering the workforce at an early age. With career preparation, schools would be able to introduce students to potential employers, allowing them to foster connections more easily and allowing them to build skills/experience without worrying about getting a job after school. Having a job in today's society is not a want but a need to live. What's the point in having the "university experience" if you never get prepared to get out of it.
Oh, my bad. I went on a tangent, I was not tryna write out a whole ass essay but anyways if I was writing this prompt my answer would be kinda similar to this I think, with obvious grammar mistakes, more examples and concise organization.
Kinda sucks that there wasn't an essay with this perspective.
bro this is some heat
@Bazooka66 Death. To. Capitalism. Eat. The. Rich.
@Bazooka66 all of this, yes.
@RMagryta30 lmfao, no. Go live in a socialist country if you hate capitalism.
@Bazooka66 I agree with your perspective and think your comment would actually make for a good essay on the real thing! Lol!
Is there any downside to writing this after the test (just a day or two afterwards)? I understand that LSAC won’t release my score until I've written it, but is there anything besides that which I should consider?
nope, you are all good to wait
what is the tone recommended for this? i tend to write more academically
Even though in-text citations to the perspectives were not included in the example essays, I wanted to confirm if including them can add support, or if it seems too redundant.
For example, if I were to write sentences like this, with the in-text citation:
Thank you in advance for your insight!
Hi everyone, I'm a little bit confused with the tone we are supposed to adopt while writing the essay. I naturally write in a formal academic tone and given what I read, it appeared to be that it was a lot more casual than formal. This is what I had written below. Is this an appropriate tone or should I write it as though I'm writing something a lot less formal (just the intro piece)?
The question of an interdisciplinary education is one that has been critically debated for centuries. One could very easily argue that the pursuit of knowledge that is specialized, and thereby, highly specific to a student’s desired career trajectory is an effective means to prepare a student for the future given that it values professional competence and focalized expertise.
However, I believe given that the evolving world seeks from it students not with a specialized understanding of a subject but instead those who are willing to interweave cross-disciplinary applications that could challenge the academic status quo, go beyond a dogmatic approach to literacy in redefining norms and values in a world ever so technologically pliable and most imperatively, orchestrate a society where knowledge domains converge, collide, and ultimately coalesce into novel forms of innovation and societal progress. Therefore, I argue that a college would serve the students’ best interests if they were to demand a more liberal education as opposed to one that is solely career-centred.
Here's a question. If you took the LSAT this past June and complete the old version of the LSAT writing, it looks like you don't need to do this new argumentative writing section if you retake the test later this year. But would it be advantageous for you to do so? It sounds like they are taking the new version more seriously. I guess it might depend on your writing skills, but do you think it might be better to do the new version of the writing section even if you have an old version on file with LSAC?
Curious about this too. Is it in our best interest to have an argumentative sample even if we have an old writing sample on file, or is our time better spent improving the other areas of our apps instead? #help
How are we meant to include citations if no research is allowed during the 15min prep? How will we be sure that the information and quotes are correct? I'm amazed that this student felt they could confidently quote someone without looking up the quote before including it.
@JessicaBeitler the info is provided to you during the note taking time, you don't need to research on your own. I am also sure the LSAT won't give false information.
@ctrue22 Pretty sure she's talking about the citations of Miss Jean Brodie
How important is the length of the essay? I'm reading a lot of "filler" words and sentences in the examples. I feel like I could have stated my thesis, support and conclusion in 3 short, efficient paragraphs. Is there a thing of being too concise??
I think it's funny that it comes across that someone had "stultifying miasma" just sitting at the top of their dome like no big deal.
Watch the video commentary in Lesson 2 at 1.2x speed to see his process. It's a great insight into a method that works for him!
I seriously considered quoting the Barbie Girl song lyrics, but after reading that some admissions actually check to make sure you didn't draw a rocket ship, I think writing about being wrapped in plastic might work against me.
But seriously: Watch the commentary videos to get inspired for a workflow before you lock yourself down with the proctored writing sample.
I wasn't as prepared as I had wanted to be (the scratch notes are in a SMALL window while you're trying to write!)
is the prewriting able to be done on physical paper? or does it have to be on the computer?
@MalvikaGeorge a bit late but for anyone reading for future reference: physical paper is not allowed on argumentative writing, only on the multiple choice actual LSAT.
I understand that it is not necessary to take the writing portion more than once, but if I'm not feeling confident in my performance, do I have the opportunity to take that portion again?
Yes you can!
I'm cooked.
Do you think it would be wise to ever argue for an integrated approach to one of these prompts, a middle ground so to speak. An argument that pulls from both sides and refutes a two sided approach to the arguement, or would that not be appropriate?
I'm seconding this. I could write an essay on the problems of higher education right now, but none of my perspectives are in the prompts.
If I went off on the Department of Education and say rampart plagiarism amongst faculty members would that be OK provided I respond to some of the other points and cite sources that I know to be true?
Just wanted to say that I agree with both writers' perspectives here. Colleges and universities should not just be job training centers. There's more to life than work, ffs.
Second one was much better, but I slightly disagree. Unless as a society we want to have less people going to university (which is something around 80-90% currently I think), it is too idealistic to believe that the students are looking to "discover their values and expand their mind". Many people go to have fun, meet friends, create a social circle and just appear marketable as the third perspective explained. However, there are students who are going to college for career specific study, and there are some that are there to expand their "breadth" and are there for knowledge's sake. Therefore I think a university's job is to provide an environment for at least these three archetypes of students to get what they are looking for.
I should clarify; by the writers' "perspectives," I meant their thesis statements. I was agreeing with the overall conclusions that they arrive at. Emphasizing job preparation above all else - when, as you've said, people who go to college today do so for a multitude of different reasons - is just insane.
Can you use a portion of the 15 minutes allotted for reading and drafting for the actual writing? I took a practice writing section yesterday and felt pretty confident in my comprehension of the perspectives and outline after 10 minutes. Are we able to skip ahead early and have those extra minutes roll over? Or will it be only 35 minutes for writing regardless?
Feeling pretty good about the writing section, but just a few questions for anyone who knows the answers: Should I aim for a specific length or tone in my response? Or is it just good old whatever works best for you/your argument?
I loveee the first essay. I like that you can be creative with it. There is so much personality there!!!
I'm a little confused about these instructions: "Whatever the case, your position should be supported with logical arguments and detailed, persuasive examples."
While essay 1 is persuasive, it doesn't seem to use specific, detailed examples. Is that an issue?
@Rena12345 Paragraph 4 is supported with examples both from the passages and from real life.
Is the goal to pick a perspective an agree with it or just create your own perspective and use some perspectives to support and the others as to why that perspective is weaker?
I tried the prompt and this is what I got:
I did the 15 min prewrite & the 35 min Writing Session*
FEEDBACK NEEDED:
The Purpose of College is to create a fully functioning active member of society. Whether it is soft-skills for a cooperate jobs or on the other sider of the spectrum, the technical skills for engineers. College is to help facilitate a young adult emerge into their adulthood smoothly by allowing themselves to challenge their own perspectives through a liberal arts education while supplying them the practical skills needed.
As undergraduate that focused on a liberal arts education, the skills that focused on the technical side allowed me to question my perspectives on why I've chosen the career that I decided to pursue. The skills to communicate my ideas and concepts. These are not merit-based which in looking for a job can allow candidates to stand out in the interview process. The competitive nature that society today can only do much and to only include one side of a career path damages the human side and the quality that comes from it.
Networking and individuality are important things to look for when looking for a career. By focusing on both sides rather than choosing one side over the other. Not every person that graduates ends up in the field that they originally went in for stick with the same degree. Finding that individuality through what would be considered soft-skills, like teamwork and communication can help bridge gaps between people that would otherwise not interact in the same field which the style of career prep and liberal arts education college provides. And with the insights that people gain from networking with people in different fields allows them to have the skills to relate or create or discover something new. Finding yourself and helping decide what career you would want to pursue. To be more than just someone with skills. Instead to be an person.
There is thought into thinking that a college degree should signify that you have the skills that are need it for the task in your future degree, but we are not just cogs at the end of the day. Including the societal impact that a degree puts you in society with being another cog spitting out propaganda that you have been fed. I disagree, by skill along and with the interpersonal insights you gain through engaging with the liberal arts allows you to become better by including a unique insight into a problems in your career. For example, being inside a meeting and each member is trying to figure out why sales might be down this quarter. If everyone was just trained on the skills, then they could see why it failed, but not understand what can be done to improve. Including the more creative aspects of the institution can help with collaborating between colleagues. Each member providing their insight with the individual skills that they learn from their own interests budding into the liberal arts.
The preparation that comes from entering and getting a degree is an indicator that you have a well rounded idea of who you are and expertise in what you are doing. Allowing a flexibility in skills allows for a future employee to use these skill in their career and other avenues that they might pursue. Looking to only skill-based college experiences does not allow for a person's full potential to come out, stifling them from fully accessing their ability to adapt to the fast paced competitive environment in life. you would have to ask yourself then: What was the point? If your skills in career are unsuccessful, then what is left?
Since I don't want to use up all of my practice tests - I asked Chat GPT to help me with a prompt and some perspectives that may mimic the post-August version. I used this prompt to Can you generate an argumentative writing prompt that mocks what may appear on an LSAT writing portion, modified to the current post-2024 format and provide 3-4 sample perspectives?
Here's what it came up with, and feel free to use it as a practice-run for yourself. I thought this was not only helpful, but amusing to read and useful as practice material.
Writing Sample Prompt:
Recent studies conducted in the fictional city of Indecisia have revealed a sharp rise in what researchers are calling Choice Paralysis in Low-Stakes Contexts (CPLC). Citizens report significant stress when faced with decisions perceived as meaningless but socially loaded — such as choosing between identical brands of bottled water or whether to say “you too” when someone tells them to “enjoy the movie.”
In response, the city council is debating whether public institutions should play a more active role in helping citizens build confidence in making minor decisions. Some argue that such support would foster a stronger, more self-assured population. Others contend that this would represent an overreach of government authority and an unnecessary use of resources.
Assignment:
Write an argumentative essay in which you take a position on whether public institutions should actively intervene to help citizens improve their confidence in making trivial decisions. Support your position with logical reasoning and, if applicable, examples. Your essay should demonstrate clarity, organization, and critical thinking. You are not expected to have specialized knowledge of psychology, civic planning, or snack aisle dilemmas.
Perspective 1: Supportive of Intervention — Confidence Is Foundational
Public institutions have a responsibility to foster the psychological well-being of their citizens. Seemingly minor choices can accumulate and impact an individual’s sense of agency. By helping citizens build decision-making confidence, even in low-stakes contexts, society encourages personal growth and civic engagement.
Perspective 2: Opposed to Intervention — Government Has Bigger Problems
Allocating resources to help people choose between sparkling and still water is not a prudent use of taxpayer money. Public institutions should focus on serious issues like education, infrastructure, and healthcare. Encouraging resilience means expecting individuals to handle life’s minor dilemmas on their own.
Perspective 3: Cautiously Supportive — Help, But Only If It's Funny
Assistance with trivial decisions could be helpful if it’s delivered in a light, humorous way. Imagine public signs that read “If you’re still deciding, pick left” or vending machines with buttons labeled “Don’t overthink it.” This approach could reduce stress without creating a bloated bureaucracy or infantilizing the public.
Perspective 4: Strongly Opposed — Choice Paralysis Builds Character
Struggling with low-stakes decisions is a rite of passage in modern life. The agony of choosing between two equally mediocre salad dressings builds mental toughness. Institutional hand-holding in such matters may rob people of the minor frustrations that prepare them for adulthood — and worse, it may normalize the idea that discomfort must always be solved externally.
Just finished LSAT. Does it make any difference re when I get my result if I do the writing today (Saturday) or next week?