<p>Note: This essay was written straight from my head, so please hold back any forms of criticism that you might have. I scored a 790 on the SAT Writing Section, missing one question (getting one question wrong, as opposed to skipping one question) and receiving a score of 10 on the essay. </p>
<p>I don't know whether showing this will help, but this is the essay that I wrote for the April 2006 SAT: </p>
<p>(Prompt and Assignment)
Inconsistency is commonly thought to be an undesirable personality trait, and inconsistent people are viewed as indecisive and weak willed. On the other hand, firm commitment to an idea or plan of action is associated with personal and intellectual strength, stability, and honesty. Thus, once we have made a choice or taken a stand, it is best not to change.</p>
<p>Adapted from Robert B. Cialdini, Influence: How and Why People Agree to Things
Assignment: Is it best not to change our ideas, opinions, or behaviors? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.</p>
<p>(Essay)
In a world where tradition prevails, many find it difficult to separate themselves from societal norms; this is particularly evident in the media, in novels, and in the real world. Even so, adhering to tradition can instill a sense of hostility towards those seemingly "unconventional" and fails to help people grow morally and characteristically. The closemindedness of society is prevalent in Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn (underlined), where a young man's desire to conform strips him of his sense of morality. This desire for tradition also makes people spiteful of homosexuals, of whom they often have no understanding. In essence, the maintenance of tradition closes the world off from the appreciation of diversity: the greatest part of humanity. </p>
<pre><code> Huckleberry Finn experiences a need to conform to society, as he feels pressured by a traditional upbringing. This traditional upbringing, both morally and socially, teaches Huck to obey his caretaker Widow Douglass and to do whatever is necessary to adhere to his pro-slavery society; however, Huck's upbringing fails to truly "civilize" him, as Huck describes that his upbringing has failed to provide him with a sense of humanity and compassion towards slaves. As Huck ventures into the world with an escaped slave, Huck faces the dilemma of whether to turn in Jim, the slave, to his Widow Douglass, who mourns the loss of Jim's servile obedience. Ultimately, Huck decides to follow his own path of morality as he tears up a letter revealing Jim's whereabouts, for he feels that Jim is still human, slave or not. This refusal to conform to morality shows a growth in Huck, for he has developed a sense of independence and rationale in his approach to behavior. Furthermore, this decision shows that tradition can hinder an individual from his or her own sense of compassion and kindness that makes all humans human.
Huck's sense of equality resonates in the minds of open-minded people who choose to accept homosexuals as unique individuals rather than as immoral sinners. I only learned to understand this sense of equality as I attended a summer camp. Being raised in a traditional Catholic household, I often held disdain for homosexuals, deeming them unnatural. When I met my friend John, however, my views quickly became unfounded (can't read the actual word from the score report, so this is a best guess) as I found no reasons behind my beliefs. When he asked me a series of questions regarding why I despised homosexuals, I went still, realizing that I truly loved all people but felt a fear of exclusion from my society; in turn, my behavior of despisal turned into one of tolerance and embrace. My change in behavior shows that a fear of exclusion inhibits a true understanding of self.
In the real world, the prevalence of tradition prevents a trueness to self. Huck's desire for conformity blocked him from his sense of compassion and my fear or rejection show that society compensates the majority for individuality, and thus, does not make for healthy development.
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<p>Notes: *I never actually studied very much for the SAT Writing Section. I acquired most of my skills from my English classes, including AP Language and Composition.
*If you have any questions regarding the Writing and Math portions of the SAT, feel free to contact me on here. :)</p>