<p>Hi, CC'ers. My daughter is starting to study for the SAT, and did this practice essay. Would you help us out by scoring it and commenting? I have typed it exactly as she wrote it in the allotted 25 minutes. Thanks so much!</p>
<p>The prompt: What do you think of the idea that the ends justify the means?</p>
<p>These days, way too many people focus on the end results. This type of person does not care who is hurt in the process of achieving their goal. Someone once said, "it seems as though more and more people are interested only in results, not in how the results are achieved." This quote proves to be truthful as exemplified through the Salem Witch Trials as well as through the horrific acts of Adolf Hitler in World War II. In my opinion, the end does not justify the means.</p>
<p>As mentioned previously, the Salem Witch Trials is a prime example of where the end does not justify the means. Tituba, a black servant was hanged for murder after a few young girls accused her of being a witch. The girls began accusing innocent people in their town of witchcraft in order to save themselves from getting in trouble. From the hysteria, resulted in the hanging of many innocent lives. This exemplifies the idea of where the end does not justify the means. Even though the girls were simply trying to save themselves from getting in trouble, they hurt many a people in the process. This shows that the terrible murders of so-called "witches" were not worth the sadness and pain people had to go through in the process.</p>
<p>Another example of where the end does not justify the means can be seen through the Holocaust during World War II. Adolf Hitler, the current ruler of Germany at the time, wanted to create a "perfect" race. Therefore, he began eliminating Jews, Gypsies, and other types of people who did not match his definition of "perfect." With the extermination of all those innocent people came the Holocaust: where thousands of people died. In order to create this "race," many people's lives had to be sacrificed. Was it worth it? maybe for Hitler, but for the rest, no. Hitler's idea of making Germany a better place was no justification for the mass murder of innocent people.</p>
<p>In conclusion, the end does not justify the means. This idea can be exemplified through the murders in both the Salem Witch Trials as well as the Holocaust. Whether we want to get away with trouble we caused or whether we want to create a "perfect" race, hurting others in the process is not morally correct. These days, too many people focus on the end results. When their goal is finally achieved, they look around only to notice the many who have suffered because of their selfish desire.</p>