<p>The prompt was: Can the daily actions of average people have a significant impact on the course of history? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken form your reading, studies, experience , or observations.</p>
<p>The Essay:
The assumption that the daily actions of average people have little impact on the course of history is a safe conjecture. Performing the menial tasks society assigns to the average person rarely yields a history event. However, when one of those average people stray away from the constraints society has places on them, the probability that such rebellious behavior will lead to a history- altering event increases dramatically. Average people can not change the course of history, but people that escape the uniformity of the typical person always have the opportunity to change history.
The British colonies, the home of our fore-fathers, won their independence largely because of the actions of men behaved in daring, unorthodox, and unaverage ways. For example, Samuel Adams, a typical tavern keeper was doing his job one night and overheard colonists discussing the curel injustices of their king. Mere conversation evolved into a forum for colonists to discuss their opinions and future plans regarding Britain's tyranny. Samuel Adams capitalized on this occurence, and established the Committees of Correspondence. Establishing such an organization made Samuel Adams into a dangerous foe of Britain, no longer an average bartender. His actions largely fueled the American's aim for independence.
Modern examples of men and women who achieve more than average can be easily identified. The girl who raises money for cancer research may one day contribute to a cure for the malicious disease. The man who pulls an elderly woman away from oncoming traffic may have just saved a literary who creates a work that changes the thoughts of a generation. Anyone who acts out of the ordinary has the chance to alter history.
Average people do not progress history. These people do as they are told and nothing more. On the other hand, the people that achieve for more than the average change history. Their deeds may be small and seemingly useless, but they may have an everlasting effect on the world. The only way to change history is to avoid average actions, to go against the norm and do something the person next to you wouldn't do. Only then can the course of history be changed.</p>