<p>hi guys, this is the first SAT essay I written so far. Any critiques, comments or kudos would be appreciated! :) also, please grade it according to the SAT essay rubric</p>
<p>Prompt: Is it important to question the ideas and decisions of people in positions of authority?</p>
<pre><code>It is important to always question authority when one genuinely feels that there has been a mistake. Galileo questioned the authority of the church in order for us to realize that the sun doesnt revolve around the earth. Rosa Parks, a black woman from a time of segregation, challenged authority when she refused to give up her bus seat to a white man, thereby creating an epochal example for African Americans and their rights. I challenged the authority of my parents as a child when I refused to play the piano and learned how to play the guitar instead, an instrument in which I had a passion for.
Firstly, Galileo, a brilliant astronomer from a time of oppressive religion and faith, challenged authority when he impugned the churchs belief that the earth was the center of the universe. He discovered through real evidence, rather than blind assumptions, that that earth actually revolved around the sun, not vice versa as was the common belief. The church did not like this blasphemy and subsequently executed Galileo on accounts of heresy and sacrilege. Although Galileo consequently perished because of his challenging of authority, his proclamation caused others to research more about the earths true place and the theory was eventually proved. Without Galileos important questioning of authority, the human race might still be ignorant of the earth and suns relationship.
Another notable example of the importance of questioning authority is that of Rosa Parks. She was an African American woman living in times of severe racism and segregation. One day while on a bus ride, when she was told to give up her own seat for a white man, she challenged authority by refusing to get up. This act of defiance helped encourage other African Americans to fight for their own rights and equality; it was essential for the eventual transition into equality in the United States. Without Rosa Parks challenging authority, it would have been a lot harder of a fight for African Americans.
Historical events aside, challenging authority is also important on a smaller scale. When I was eight years old, my parents coerced me into playing the piano; they thought that the piano was the most sophisticated instrument and therefore, I should play it. Once I realized that I had no talent for the godforsaken instrument, I challenged the authority of my parents and stopped playing the piano. Because of this challenging of authority, I gained the opportunity to pick up a new instrument, one that I actually wanted to play. I started to play the guitar and because of my genuine passion and talent for it, I was able to become a very prolific guitarist, playing because I wanted to and not because I had to. Without my own personal challenging of authority, I would never have had the chance to play an instrument that I truly loved.
Questioning authority is important; whether its questioning the nature of ones solar system or questioning the instrument that one should play, authority must be questioned when it is genuinely felt to be erroneous. It has been shown throughout history and even in my own personal experiences that without the questioning of authority, there can be no progress or development in a society or situation.
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