<p>Directions: Consider carefully the following statement and the assignment below it. Then plan and write an essay that explains your ideas as persuasively as possible. Keep in mind that the support you provide?both reasons and examples?will help make your view convincing to the reader.</p>
<p>In his poem, ?To a Mouse,? the Scottish poet Robert Burns (1759-1796) wrote these immortal lines: ?The best laid schemes o? mice an? men / Gang aft a-gley.? To paraphrase Burns?s archaic dialect in modern English: No matter how carefully we plan our projects, something can still go wrong with them.</p>
<p>Assignment: What is your view of the idea that even our best plans are always at the mercy of unexpected, chance events? In an essay, support your position by discussing an example (or examples) from history, literature, the arts, science and technology, current events, or your own experience or observation.</p>
<p>Essay:
Often times, even when prepared to what seems to be the epitome of brilliance, plans go awry. Hours spent in diligent preparation can be countered by an unexpected illness, a flat tire, or an intrusive fall. The only way to prepare, then, is to expect the unexpected.</p>
<p>During World War II, Allied Commanders under the leadership of Dwight Eisenhower organized the most elaborate military assault the world had ever witnessed. For nearly six months, from the winter of 1943-44 until early May, the allied commanders toiled over plans. Decoy invasions were prepared, landing and crossing points chosen, underground organizations alerted. However, when the time came to launch the epic attack, the weather disagreed. Without clear skies, the men on the beaches of Normandy would be alone without air support. The invasion was postponed. A week later, it was postponed again due to choppy waters in the channel. The invasion was delayed a third time before the Allies finally were able to cross on June 6th, 1944. Obviously, even though the Allied forces were prepared perfectly, their plans precisely organized to the minute, an unforeseen event interfered. No matter how prepared the Allies were, nothing could have prepared them for such uncontrollable variables such as weather.</p>
<p>A friend of mine told me a story not long ago. He was preparing to take the SAT last spring; he had spent months readying himself for the test, hours spent each day reviewing and taking practice exams. When the day came, he spent the majority of the night before awake with the flu. Not wanting to blow the preparations he had made, he reported to the test center as ready as he could be. Alas, his calculator ran out of batteries almost as soon as he began the math section. In the end he said that he "just wasn't meant to take it." </p>
<p>A final example of the unexpected can be found in the battle of Gettysburg. The two armies of Grant and Lee were camped near the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The armies, knowing of each others presence, were both planning on engaging in battle somewhere in the vicinity of Harrisburg, PA. However, one morning, a small group of Union men ventured into the town of Gettysburg to purchase new boots. Upon nearing the town, they encountered a patrol of Confederate troops and engaged. The following battle that ensued turned out to be the decisive turning point of the war. While the generals were prepared to engage several days later, they never expected a small skirmish to begin during a run to the shoe store.</p>
<p>Apparently, the only good plans are the ones that are not only extremely well devised, but also are exceptionally lucky. In the end, even when we believe that we are so well readied that nothing could interfere, expect the unexpected.</p>