<p>Prompt: WE MOST RESENT IN OTHERS THE VERY FLAWS THAT WE OURSELVES POSSESS</p>
<p>Assignment: Discuss for or against the prompt.</p>
<p>Essay: The assertion that we resent in others the very imperfections and inadequacies that we ourselves possess is, in all actuality, a fact. Humans by nature have an admirable self-image and on that ground find in effortful to pinpoint and detest their inherent flaws and instead instinctively resort to materializing their detestation by resenting in others their very own shortcomings. This fact has been demonstrated in popular literature as well as in my own personal experiences.</p>
<p>An example which bears witness to this assertion is the relationship between mother and child in the initial pages of world-renowned neurosurgeon Benjamin Carson’s autobiography Gifted-Hands. Benjamin’s mother, Sonya Carson, who had only a third grade education needed to learn how to work hard to endure a life that was encircled by poverty, despair, and single-motherhood. Her once attentive husband had become secretive and neglectful when she bore children. Now estranged from her husband she is so terrified that her children too would have to go through the fury and harsh imperfections of the life she has endured that she struggles, coping with depression and anxiety, to make both ends meet and give her children the education she never received. Having put all her burdens on God, she persevered in her children’s education which ultimate paid off when her son went on to become a world-class neurosurgeon. This example tells us that Sonya Carson was so resentful of the ramifications of her own flawed life being projected on her children that she did everything she possible could do to make them obviate it.</p>
<p>This fact has manifested itself even in my own personal life. Back in the day when I used to stammer not only was I, now that I think about it, willfully indifferent to my blatant stuttering, which I then believed was incurable but also demonstrated an implicit aversion to those who possessed a similar speech impediment. This stammering was something I never wanted. When I saw another person stammer I would see myself uncharacteristically falter and hem and haw. But fortunately, thanks to stammering therapy, I do not stammer anymore. Now with my own impediment removed, when I hear another person stammer it is no longer revulsion that if feel but instead sympathy and pity take over. This experience of mine clearly demonstrates that it was the flaw in me which led to my resentment in others who possessed a similar flaw.</p>
<p>I would like to conclude this essay with the simple reiteration of the factual assertion which is an inevitable consequence and side-effect of life.: we most recent in others the very flaws that we ourselves possess. </p>
<p>I request the readers to point out the grammatical errors if any and be strict in the evaluation of this essay. Thank you
:) </p>
<p>Disclaimer: I am not a fan of Mr. Carson and did NOT read his book*</p>
<p>I debated on posting a reply because I really did NOT like this essay. I am sure that someone else will work with you on the tense/grammatical errors, but in terms of the big picture, I wanted to suggest that you consider reworking this entire essay for one basic reason: </p>
<p>Fact = 1 +1</p>
<p>Giving 2 examples of anecdotal ‘evidence’ does not equal a fact. </p>
<p>Not having read the book, I don’t presume to know what his mother said/did but your statement (below) did not bring me to the same conclusion that you suggested. </p>
<p>"…This example tells us that Sonya Carson was so resentful of the ramifications of her own flawed life being projected on her children that she did everything she possible could do to make them obviate it."</p>
<p>Not sure what schools you have in mind but until you narrow it down, I would also remove “back in the day…” and replace with ‘a few years ago’ or ‘when I was in middle school’ or something else that is marginally more formal and slightly less colloquial.</p>
<p>*Mr. Carson is (or can be) a very polarizing figure. If your evaluator is a very liberal person this might not work well for you.</p>
<p>I’m extremely grateful to you for your critique on my essay. There was so much to learn from it. I’ll definitely make it a point to remember that a few anecdotal evidences supporting an assertion does not necessarily make the assertion factual. Now i also know to avoid vague and informal phrases like ‘back in the day’ in the SAT essay (which i was earlier oblivious to) and rather stick to some specifics and more formal phrases and words. Again thanks a lot :)</p>
<p>I am pleased that you were not offended, I did want to ‘test the water’ prior to replying again. </p>
<p>Please remember that these opinions are just that. I am not an authority on anything. Also remember that I have a large bias. </p>
<p>The prompt states " WE MOST RESENT IN OTHERS THE VERY FLAWS THAT WE OURSELVES POSSESS", </p>
<p>and then you state “…An example which bears witness to this assertion is the relationship between mother and child…” </p>
<p>However, your supporting paragraphs didn’t suggest any resentment Ms. Carson had with her son(s). I suppose the ‘other’ (from the prompt) could loosely mean society, but if it does, then your line above suggesting a conflict in the relationship between ‘mother and child’ should be removed.</p>
<p>From your statements regarding Ms. Carson, I concluded that she said, ‘My life sucks. I live in a horrible neighborhood with two kids, a no good husband and a third grade education. The stress is having a profound effect on my life. Why me, God?’ </p>
<p>Again, no conflict between parent and child. </p>
<p>Keeping my bias in your mind, I felt as if your essay said, ‘I just read this book and really enjoyed his story. Let me find a way to tie this into the prompt’. From my perspective, Mr. Carson’s story really doesn’t fit and is NOT a same/same comparison with your own (or at least it is not in the statements that you provided). </p>
<p>Have you considered taking the opposing view so that you can talk more about YOUR struggle with speech and stating (if true) how it shaped your character and made you a better person because you now possess empathy and compassion for others with ‘flaws’? If you write from that side, you can leave all of the ‘facts’ out of it and state that ‘your personal experiences lead you to conclude that the aforementioned (prompt) doesn’t apply to my life.’ You could go on to expound about how resentment (in your OPINION) is such a wasted emotion and that you would prefer to spend your time enhancing your own gifts versus making light of the weaknesses of others. </p>
<p>It is only now that i’m realizing how flawed my essay is. But hey! we best learn from our own mistakes. Thanks a lot for pointing out the mistakes 
To have the patience to type all that out just to help me out. . .you’re great man. GBU!</p>
<p>Please do not be so hard on yourself. Every great essay starts with a rough draft. THIS IS YOURS! Your eagerness to entertain other ideas is evident in each of your replies. This is a trait that will serve you well in college. I have no doubt that your final product will be a masterpiece.
If you make revisions and you want us to review them, please don’t hesitate to post again. </p>