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The Writing Sample Prompt

So here’s the thing: the LSAT writing sample isn’t graded, but it is sent to every law school you apply for, so you do want to give it your all. Even though I’d consider writing (and especially writing under pressure/deadlines) a major strength, my stupid prep guide scared me shitless.

So there are two types of essay prompts: “decision” and “argument,” as my Kaplan prep guide so helpfully calls them. “Argument” is simple — you get a short paragraph or two where somebody lays out an argument, and you have to judge whether or not the argument is sufficient. “Decision,” I feared, would be downright impossible. Here’s one of Kaplan’s samples, supposedly culled from a past LSAT:

The Daily Tribune, a metropolitan newspaper, is considering two candidates for promotion to business editor. Write an argument for one candidate over the other with the following considerations in mind:

1. The editor must train new writers and assign stories.
2. The editor must be able to edit and rewrite stories under daily deadline pressure.

Laura received a B.A. in English from a large university. She was managing editor of her college newspaper and served as a summer intern at her hometown daily paper. Laura started working at the Tribune right out of college and spent three years at the city desk covering the city economy. Eight years ago, the paper formed its business section, and Laura became part of the new department. After several years of covering state business, Laura began writing on the national economy. Three years ago, Laura was named senior business and finance editor on the national business staff; she is also responsible for supervising seven writers.

Palmer attended an elite private college where he received both a B.S. in business administration and an M.A. in journalism. After receiving his journalism degree, Palmer worked for three years on a monthly business magazine. He won a prestigious national award for a series of articles on the impact of monetary policy on multinational corporations. Palmer came to the Tribune three years ago to fill the newly created position of international business writer. He was the only member of the international staff for two years and wrote on almost a daily basis. He now supervises a staff of four writers. Last year, Palmer developed a bimonthly business supplement for the Tribune that has proved highly popular and has helped increase the paper’s circulation.

Now, maybe it’s because I don’t know as much about business or writing for newspapers as I pretend to when applying for jobs, but this question is tough. Both candidates have strengths and weaknesses, but they’re pretty evenly matched. You can basically flip a coin to choose, but mainly what you’re going to be doing is cutting down the other person, downplaying his or her accomplishments while illustrating why the others’ qualities make him or her perfect for the job.

I can do that well enough, but answering a question like this filled me with fear. And that’s the “easy” sample they give while teaching you about these different questions. The practice questions in the book and on the CD-ROM are even more difficult. I do think the practice tests, including the multiple-choice sections, were much more difficult than the test itself, which is a plus.

But nothing could have prepared me for the ridiculous, laugh-out-loud easiness of the essay prompt I received.

Right now, I am going to make up a question using different adjectives that is otherwise identical to what I received. I only do that because, honestly, I crammed so much information into my head that I can’t remember if the little agreement I signed said that I wouldn’t talk in detail about the test while the test was taking place, or if I can never, ever talk in detail about the test, like it’s Fight Club or something. So here it goes:

Kara needs to hire a director for a new movie her studio wants to put into production. Write an argument for one candidate over the other with the following considerations in mind:

1. At least one-third of the audience must consist of the coveted 18-to-34-year-old demographic.
2. Kara would like to continue her record of films she developed making back three times its pre-marketing budget.

Cliff Stern is a cutting-edge independent filmmaker who is gradually gaining a reputation as one of the most fearless, innovative directors working today, which has made him exceptionally popular among 18- to 34-year-olds. His last film handily earned three times its pre-marketing budget, but the film cost half as much as Kara’s production will. His next film, a remake with a built-in audience, will see release two months before Kara’s production is slated for release. If successful, the remake may make Stern a household name.

Judah Rosenthal has directed popular films for 20 years. He has a consistent track record of great opening weekends and his films frequently make back triple their pre-marketing budgets, including several films budgeted higher than Kara’s production. His most recent film saw a resurgence in popularity among 18- to 34-year-olds; market research indicates that this demographic made up 20% of the overall audience.

Seriously? Seriously?! This might be the most loaded “decision” question I’ve ever seen. In fact, it was so loaded that I read and reread the question 10 times to make sure there wasn’t some kind of trick hidden in there. Really, to me, the key to the decision lies in the last sentence of the first sentence. “If” and “may”? Come on, you have somebody who’s barely proven — he’s on the verge, but he could just as easily flop as have a hit — versus not just a veteran, but an extremely popular veteran who recently had a popular hit among the important demographic? There’s no contest.

I was tempted to challenge myself by defending the first one. I really did, too; I made an outline showing the strengths and weaknesses of each director, but I didn’t think I could make a compelling enough case for Cliff Stern.

It’s amazing, though. I really went into this thinking they’d be so evenly matched, I’d have an impossible time cutting one down in favor of the other; instead, the prompt answers itself.

Posted by Stan on June 16, 2008 10:49 PM  | Permalink | School Rants | Digg It