Let's face it - all creative writing follows some sort of scaffold; ie:
Intro - Link the stimulus to some sort of horrible event in history (ie the Holocaust, Vietnam, some other war/tradgedy)
Then proceed to establish a vague, metaphysical setting in which the narrator introduces a central theme (regret, loss). Be sure to chuck in a lot of imagery and 'big words'.
Middle paragraphs - Flashback to some event in the protagonist's past. Include some reference to Greek/Roman/other mythology (ie Atlas, Neptune) and continue the excessive vagueness. Maybe chuck in a haiku.
Conclusion - Flashforward and continue the excessive usage of imagery techniques.
Works every time - practically guarantees 90% + on every test (esp. the SC)