<p>Hey all,</p>
<p>So I just wrote my first practice SAT essay since I took the official test (and received a 4 on the essay) so I was hoping some of you would help me assign a grade to it so that I know where I stand/how much more prep I need to do. I know my examples don't relate back to the prompt very well but I couldn't think of better ones and decided that it would be better to fill two pages with somewhat relevant examples than to write nothing at all...also I know it lacks a conclusion, I ran out of space when I finished my third body paragraph. I plan on working on keeping my body paragraphs shorter. Here's the essay:</p>
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<p>Prompt: Should heroes be defined as people who say what they think when we ourselves lack the courage to say it?</p>
<p>The presupposition that heroes are people who say what they think under dangerous circumstances is a categorical truth. Although some naive critics would argue that this sort of feckless behavior should not be associated with heroism, they are too dogmatic in their provincial ideology. Three classic archetypes that exemplify how heroes can be defined by their readiness to voice their beliefs are Shakespeare's "Hamlet", the Greek philosopher Hesiod, and Rosa Parks' contribution to the Civil Rights Movement.</p>
<p>Set in 14th century Denmark, Shakespeare's "Hamlet" illustrates the benefits of being vocal about one's opinions. At the start of the play, Hamlet receives a visit from the ghost of his deceased father who implores him to seek revenge on his murderer. The rest of the play documents Hamlet's journey of self-discovery as he contemplates whether or not to carry out his father's wishes. In "Hamlet"'s famous soliloquies, Hamlet's words reveal to him important truths about morality, and these scenes carry the most weight in the play due to their ethical implications. As you can see, Hamlet's introspective behavior in the play and his vocal nature corroborates the notion that voicing your opinions on weighty issues such as homicide and self-worth can be rewarding.</p>
<p>Another paradigm that displays the benefits of having and voicing strong opinions is Greek philosopher Hesiod. Around 350 A.D, the ideas of philosophers such as Hesiod shaped the strong "Hero culture" of the time. Hesiod was a proponent of the idea that one cannot truly understand oneself before understanding the beliefs of others; Hesiod encouraged people to voice their opinions regardless of their implications, and his teachings irrefutably substantiate the claim that heroes always vocalize their beliefs.</p>
<p>Yet another example supporting the belief that heroes should always voice their opinions is the courageous behavior of Rosa Parks. Widely regarded as a hero of the Civil Rights Movement, Parks was able to say what no other African American had ever had the courage to say to a white man: "No." By refusing to give up her seat on a bus and ultimately starting the Montgomery bus boycott, Rosa Parks' valiant act clearly demonstrates that a true hero needs to be outspoken.</p>
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<p>So I'm not super proud of this essay as it isn't super coherent and strays from the prompt a lot, but the good news is that I was able to fill the full two pages with 3 minutes to spare. Let me know what you think. If you want an essay graded, either post it in here or send it to me in a message!</p>