<p>Similar to the other thread, let's see how accurate we are at grading people's SAT essays. Here's the prompt:</p>
<p>*Inconsistency is commonly thought to be an undesirable personality trait, and inconsistent people are viewed as indecisive and weak willed. On the other hand, firm commitment to an idea or plan of action is associated with personal and intellectual strength, stability, and honesty. Thus, once we have made a choice or taken a stand, it is best not to change.</p>
<p>Adapted from Robert B. Cialdini, Influence: How and Why People Agree to Things</p>
<p>Assignment: Is it best not to change our ideas, opinions, or behaviors? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.*</p>
<p>And here is the essay:</p>
<p>Although we must sometimes be strong-willed in order to reach a goal, often, we much change ourselves to achieve success. Stubbornness and inflexibility can hinder development of one's character and identity. It is apparent that change is often necessary for achievement.</p>
<p>In Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, protagonist Jay Gatsby is still infatuated with his Daisy, his girlfriend of many years ago. In an attempt to woo her from her husband, Gatsby becomes a bootlegger in hopes of enticing her with his money. However, narrator Nick Carraway warns that he should abandon his goal of winning her back, saying that is is impossible to repeat the past. Gatbsy ignores these warnings and stubbornly continues his quest for Daisy's love. In the end, Nick's words prove true, and Gatsby fails to steal her away from her husband. Even so, he stays outside of her house in order to become her protector, thinking he still has a chance. But eventually, he falls into a state of depression. His life ends when he is shot due to a series of events triggered by a date with Daisy. Had he abandoned his unreasonable goal of ultimately marrying Daisy, Gatsby would have had a happier life. Unfortunately, his inexorability results in a premature death.</p>
<p>On the other hand, Holden Caulfield of Salinger's Catcher in the Rye does change. In the beginning, he is a self-centered egotist, believing that everyone in the world is phony. He runs away from school in disgust and further feeds his ego by observing the people of New York City. Believing that he neds to protect children from becoming corrupt, Holden prevents their grown by preserving their innocence. Eventually, when he sees his sister, he realizes that it is not others who are phony; he himself is phony. As a result, he is able to interact with society again, and the novel ends with him preparing for school. If not for his change of heart, Holden would have stopped not only his growth but many others' as well.</p>
<p>Even science is based on the fact that no idea is concrete; every theory, if proven wrong, can be changed. When Galileo was conducting his experiments with gravity, his contemporaries frowned upon his work, as it contradicted what they had always believed. Yet he is seen as one of the most influential scientists today because of his willingness to accept new ideas.</p>
<p>Obviously, if people resisted change, our world coiuld not develop. It is because of flexibility, that any advancement, whether in character, technology, or society, is possible.</p>
<p>Here ends my essay. Post comments and what you think I got from the graders and I'll PM you what I really got.</p>