TPR Writing Strategy

[Little Etoile]

I took TPR course a couple years ago but now I can't find my booklet for the writing section. I got an R on the MCAT last time using their strategy so I want to employ it again. What was it? I think it was something like:

-Reiterate the prompt and what it means
-Explain when this is true and use an example
-Explain when this is *not* true and again, use an example
-Wrap up by saying that thus, in this situation, the prompt is correct, but in this other situation it is not.

Is that right? The conclusion part is what is throwing me off. I remember there being a specific phrase or really easy way to bring it all together and resolve it.

Thanks for the help!

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[RySerr21]

I took TPR course a couple years ago but now I can't find my booklet for the writing section. I got an R on the MCAT last time using their strategy so I want to employ it again. What was it? I think it was something like:

-Reiterate the prompt and what it means
-Explain when this is true and use an example
-Explain when this is *not* true and again, use an example
-Wrap up by saying that thus, in this situation, the prompt is correct, but in this other situation it is not.

Is that right? The conclusion part is what is throwing me off. I remember there being a specific phrase or really easy way to bring it all together and resolve it.

Thanks for the help!

HA. their strategy can be summed up like this. "follow the directions given to you on test day." what a joke.

That being said, I recall the sum up sentence you are talking about in the 3rd paragraph as I used it as well. From the TPR MCAT work out book....

The conclusion sentence should acknoweldge that the prompt is neither right nor wrong but rather that the prompt is sometimes right and sometimes rwong. Demonstrate to the grader that you recognize the dichotomy. Consider the following closing sentence for the prompt "A deocracy consisting of different subpopulations lacks unified policy:

"In conclusion, it is clear that diverse democracies often lack unified policies but that some policies can inspire agreement among the citizens."

And then you start with the rest of your lcosing paragraph.

 

[bonoz]

Did there have to be two counter examples?

 

[RySerr21]

Did there have to be two counter examples?

you dont hav eto have two counter examples. you can go with one supporting exapmle and one counter example and explain them both thoroughly. if you do that you will be fine. I did and got an R.

 

[student1799]

Hi, I just took the MCAT yesterday and saw this thread. I didn't do the Princeton Review course (took Kaplan online instead). I'd say neither strategy is totally perfect, but TPR's method sounds a LOT more sensible than Kaplan's. (Kaplan tells you to "pre-write" most of your essay on scratch paper, which would be a DISASTROUS strategy in terms of time.)

On the first full-length practice MCAT I took, I kind of froze during the writing samples and didn't finish either one. That was scary, so I realized I had to do something different. On the next 4 practice MCATs and the real test, I finished both essays with a minute or so to spare (which I used for editing). This is what worked for me:

1. SPEED IS CRUCIAL. IF YOU DON'T FINISH ALL 3 PARTS OF THE ESSAY, THE MOST YOU CAN SCORE IS A 3. This is why both Kaplan's and TPR's methods are a little dangerous, because if you waste too much time early on you won't complete all the tasks, even if you have the world's best vision for your essay. ONCE YOU SEE THE PROMPT, YOU HAVE ABOUT 30 SECONDS TO THINK AND THAT'S IT--START TYPING.

2. Don't put an example in task #1 (define the statement) unless a great one comes to mind immediately. (If it does, of course you should use it.) An example isn't required in the first task, but it IS in the second (counterexample), and if you don't have one there you'll lose points. So use most of your energy coming up with an example for #2.

3. Start each paragraph with a statement that seems a bit opinionated, then back it up in the rest of the paragraph. (Example: "The whole essence of capitalist society rests on the notion that competition benefits consumers ... .") Taking a definite stand on the prompt makes it a lot easier to think of things to say both for and against it, while being mealy-mouthed and vague will leave you grasping for things to say. Remember, you have to express an opinion, but it doesn't necessarily have to be YOUR opinion. In fact, if you express an opinion you don't necessarily agree with in paragraph 1, it will be easier for you to come up with a counterargument in paragraph 2 (the hardest of the three tasks).

4. Introducing your counterargument: Start with a phrase such as, "However, this is not always the case ... [referring to par. 1]," or "It is clear that there are exceptions to this rule ...," or "But we cannot be too categorical ..." and then go on to state the nature of your counterargument and the example that goes with it.

5. Conclusion: Start with a summing-up phrase such as, "As a general rule ...," "The general principle, then, is ...," or (if you're desperate), "In conclusion, ... ." Then briefly summarize the IDEA behind pars. 1 and 2, without giving any examples or details.

6. Tone: try to sound like a newspaper op-ed writer. Don't be afraid to find your inner BS artist!

7. Editing: only try this if you have at least 45 seconds left, otherwise you could end up in the middle of an incomplete sentence or phrase when time expires (could cost you points). First fix spelling mistakes, then style if you have time. If less than 30 sec. left, forget it.

Good luck everyone, and TYPE FAST.

 

[halekulani]

dichotomy is money

i took it in 2006, no prep, got an N
used TPR's dichotomy setup, got a Q

 

[ates]

Thanks for breaking it down like that! The EK strategy doesn't mention having an example in paragraph 1 either. I like the strategy of spending time on coming up with a good counter example.

 

[supafield]

You're generally required to show you understand the prompt in the first paragraph... the example does this well....

The example also contrasts your counter example to make your final conditions crystal clear.... I'd watch out skipping an example supporting the prompt

 

[STXGregor]

Yeah, I would at least be careful in skipping an example in your first task. I always thought it was basically required, so I did it. Anyway, I didn't spend more than 5 minutes all semester practicing for the writing sample. I just looked at TPR's method, the TAS I think it's called (Thesis-Antithesis-Synthesis), followed that, and got a Q.

 

[Quantum Chem]

I have a question about the writing sample as well: When you are writing the counter point an you are putting examples, do you use "he/she" and "his/her" for people where no name is used? I've been doing it on practice exams and it gets really annoying, but I'm trying to be a little politically correct.

For example: "Politicians are elected by his/her constituents who expect him/her to vote according to the majority."

Also, I know that it isn't about the quantity of the writing sample, but how long are your paragraphs on average?

 

[auroraboy]

I have a question about the writing sample as well: When you are writing the counter point an you are putting examples, do you use "he/she" and "his/her" for people where no name is used? I've been doing it on practice exams and it gets really annoying, but I'm trying to be a little politically correct.

For example: "Politicians are elected by his/her constituents who expect him/her to vote according to the majority."

Also, I know that it isn't about the quantity of the writing sample, but how long are your paragraphs on average?

Yeah, its recommended to avoid sexist language..you could use "their" instead of "his/her"..although using "his/her" isn't bad either...avoid it if you can..reader might perceive that as more language proficient.

 

[student1799]

Quantum, in the sentence you gave ("Politicians are elected by his/her constituents ..."), it's actually incorrect to say "his/her." Your subject (politicians) is plural, so "their" is the only correct pronoun to use. (In other words, you can say "A politician is elected by his or her constituents" or "Politicians are elected by their constituents.")

In fact, making the subject plural is a great way to get out of the "his or her" construction, which is awkward if you have to use it more than once in a given sentence.

 

[Quantum Chem]

Quantum, in the sentence you gave ("Politicians are elected by his/her constituents ..."), it's actually incorrect to say "his/her." Your subject (politicians) is plural, so "their" is the only correct pronoun to use. (In other words, you can say "A politician is elected by his or her constituents" or "Politicians are elected by their constituents.")

In fact, making the subject plural is a great way to get out of the "his or her" construction, which is awkward if you have to use it more than once in a given sentence.

This is why I'm a Chem major and not an English major. I hate writing and I'm generally not good at grammar.

 

[EveeSTi]

Wait there's a writing section on the MCAT?



I thought there was just an hour and 20 minute break...

 

[unsung]

Hi, I just took the MCAT yesterday and saw this thread. I didn't do the Princeton Review course (took Kaplan online instead). I'd say neither strategy is totally perfect, but TPR's method sounds a LOT more sensible than Kaplan's. (Kaplan tells you to "pre-write" most of your essay on scratch paper, which would be a DISASTROUS strategy in terms of time.)

On the first full-length practice MCAT I took, I kind of froze during the writing samples and didn't finish either one. That was scary, so I realized I had to do something different. On the next 4 practice MCATs and the real test, I finished both essays with a minute or so to spare (which I used for editing). This is what worked for me:

1. SPEED IS CRUCIAL. IF YOU DON'T FINISH ALL 3 PARTS OF THE ESSAY, THE MOST YOU CAN SCORE IS A 3. This is why both Kaplan's and TPR's methods are a little dangerous, because if you waste too much time early on you won't complete all the tasks, even if you have the world's best vision for your essay. ONCE YOU SEE THE PROMPT, YOU HAVE ABOUT 30 SECONDS TO THINK AND THAT'S IT--START TYPING.

2. Don't put an example in task #1 (define the statement) unless a great one comes to mind immediately. (If it does, of course you should use it.) An example isn't required in the first task, but it IS in the second (counterexample), and if you don't have one there you'll lose points. So use most of your energy coming up with an example for #2.

3. Start each paragraph with a statement that seems a bit opinionated, then back it up in the rest of the paragraph. (Example: "The whole essence of capitalist society rests on the notion that competition benefits consumers ... .") Taking a definite stand on the prompt makes it a lot easier to think of things to say both for and against it, while being mealy-mouthed and vague will leave you grasping for things to say. Remember, you have to express an opinion, but it doesn't necessarily have to be YOUR opinion. In fact, if you express an opinion you don't necessarily agree with in paragraph 1, it will be easier for you to come up with a counterargument in paragraph 2 (the hardest of the three tasks).

4. Introducing your counterargument: Start with a phrase such as, "However, this is not always the case ... [referring to par. 1]," or "It is clear that there are exceptions to this rule ...," or "But we cannot be too categorical ..." and then go on to state the nature of your counterargument and the example that goes with it.

5. Conclusion: Start with a summing-up phrase such as, "As a general rule ...," "The general principle, then, is ...," or (if you're desperate), "In conclusion, ... ." Then briefly summarize the IDEA behind pars. 1 and 2, without giving any examples or details.

6. Tone: try to sound like a newspaper op-ed writer. Don't be afraid to find your inner BS artist!

7. Editing: only try this if you have at least 45 seconds left, otherwise you could end up in the middle of an incomplete sentence or phrase when time expires (could cost you points). First fix spelling mistakes, then style if you have time. If less than 30 sec. left, forget it.

Good luck everyone, and TYPE FAST.

I'm pretty sure we're supposed to give an example for the thesis too. IIRC, TPR teaches 3 parts to the essay: Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis.

Also, I would recommend spending 5 min making an outline on paper first, then start writing. Time IS tight, but only spending a few seconds before just writing out a stream of consciousness is not a good idea, imo.

 

[Tybalt1]

I ran into this problem when I took the test: how do you indent a paragraph or do you even need to? Last time i just spaced over several times and I think this might have hurt me.

 

[IvyLeagueThug]

I find that the hardest part is the 1st task--explaining what the author is saying.

The standard MCAT prompts basically need to explanation or interpretation. They are not artful, laden with metaphor, etc. The prompt is clear and straight forward. I have a hard time going past a sentence or two explaining a clear, lucid statement.