GAMSAT essays!

[jennybean]

Dear all,

How are you finding the essay section (section 2) during your GAMSAT preparation? I have attempted numerous under timed conditions but really don't think I'm getting anywhere. While I'm getting quicker at writing, I'm finding that the thinking part is still taking just as long because the statements are all so different! Also, I'm not sure I'm expressing both views of the statement clearly enough.

If you could, please have a skim through this essay that I wrote & give a few pointers/thoughts? (& let me know if I'm going off the plot completely!)

Thanks so much & good luck! 3 weeks to go.. eek!

"People are always talking about originality but what does this mean? As soon as we are born, the world begins to work on us, and this goes on to the end" - Goethe

Goethe's statement is an interesting one as it questions whether it is truly possible to be "original" as an individual when society has such an influence on our daily lives.
To some extent, I agree with the opinion implied from Goethe's opening question "..originality..what does this mean?"
The writer is asking whether or not "originality" can actually exist in an environment that has such an impact on a person's development.

Babies and toddlers are almost free spirits at this stage in their lives because they are not yet able to grasp the influential concepts surrounding them. It is when children are old enough to attend school that society begins to play a large role on their views and personalities. Often, children conform to a behaviour that is favoured by the majority, in order to be accepted by their peers.

Possibly the most susceptible and vulnerable to environmental and social influences are those in the teenage group of society. As agreed by many pyschological experts, it is at this age that teens are the least sure or confident about themselves and thus look for example and guidance from society.

However, as we continue through life, we learn more about ourselves and are more likely to use social ideology to shape rather than govern our lives. We develop our personalities which individually may be quite different but conform to become a society of similar thinking and behaviour.

Thus, in conclusion, Goethe's statement ponders upon the question of whether a person, living in a society with so many influences can really be classed as having originality. My response is that they can - people simply use society's thinking and moral, social and ethical views as a guidance in their own lives. No one person is ever likely to agree entirely with another because we are built to possess an innate originality that makes us all individual.

[Imhotep]

OK - this is probably of no use to you if you're looking for pointers, but I can't really think of anything to criticise. In my opinion the essay flows very well, from the introduction which clearly frames what you're going to talk about through the three life stages and their relative 'originality' to the well-balanced conclusion.

If I have one comment (and it really is clutching at straws) is that when you quote ""..originality..what does this mean?" I think putting the word 'but' in place wouldn't have taken much extra time but would have helped a bit with the flow. However, that really is picking the nit (so to speak) and if you produced that in 30 minutes then I am very impressed!

Stephen

[hodiurnal]

I think its very good, a nice flow is the major influence toward a good mark in my opinion as you can imagine the sheer number of essays the markers see. Your style is nice and demonstrates reasoning so I dont think you'll have a prob! I always made a question out of the statements and used the intro, on one hand, on the other hand, my opinion, conclusion type of essay format in the exam. Worked for me!

you'll kick ass!

[jennybean]

Hey guys, thanks very much for your comments! I am pleasantly surprised! Also, fantastic to see u both did well enough to get into SGUL so I can take what you say with a bit of faith hehe!

If it really is alright, then I guess I will just continue practising and hope the essays flow in the real thing! Thanks again!!! & good luck for September!