<p>Hey, these are the first two essays i've written to practice for the SATs. they weren't exactly written under timed conditions, but i still need advice on how i can improve my writing! any comments and feedback would be really appreciated.</p>
<p>Prompt:
In order to be the most productive and successful people that we are capable of being, we must be willing to ignore the opinions of others. It is only when we are completely indifferent to others' opinions of uswhen we are not concerned about how others think of usthat we can achieve our most important goals.
Assignment:
Are people more likely to be productive and successful when they ignore the opinions of others? 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>
<pre><code>In the highly competitive environment we live in today, only those individuals with a strong personal point of view and persistence in following the path they have chosen for themselves manage to rise to the top. However, I believe that even these strong-minded individuals would not hesitate to attribute some of their success to the advice and opinions of others, for without learning from others experiences and insights, we risk becoming narrow-minded and isolated.
A perfect example of a man who ignored the opinions of others and thus contributed to his own downfall can be found in Shakespeares play, Julius Caesar. After having successfully carried out their plan to assassinate Caesar and end tyranny, Cassius urges Brutus to kill off Antony, Caesars loyal friend, as well. He advises Brutus against allowing Antony to speak at Caesars funeral, and in the battle against Antony, counsels Brutus to keep his armies at Camp Sardis rather than advance to Philippi. Brutus ignores Cassius advice on all three occasions, and his obduracy, though based on his lofty principles and self-proclaimed moral integrity, is to his detriment: Antony survives, riles up the Romans against Brutus and Cassius using emotionally manipulative rhetoric, and eventually defeats Brutus army at Philippi.
Jo, heroine of Louisa May Alcotts Little Women manages to avoid making Brutus mistake. Her prowess as a writer evident from an early age, she decides to turn her literary skills towards churning out short stories, each more sensational than the previous; she smothers any guilt she may feel about writing on such lurid subject matters by reminding herself that each paycheck for each story goes towards paying her familys debts. However, her father and Professor Bhaer, the two men she esteems the most, both tell her that she can do better, and heeding their advice, Jo finally pens a story which, though it brings her no pecuniary income, satisfies her family, her friends and her own soul to the brim.
Learning to swallow ones pride and listen to the opinions of others is one of the most important factors of success in any field, whether in Brutus case of political and military strategy, or in Jos case of moral instruction. Of course, one must learn not to be beaten down by the hurtful criticisms everyone will encounter in life, but when someone has deep, meaningful advice to give and has your best interests at heart, to listen is to show humility by gratefully accepting the assistance, and to show that despite having strong personal views, you are open-minded enough to understand that there are always others out there who are more experienced and knowledgeable than you are. As Isaac Newton so aptly put it, If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.
</code></pre>
<p>Prompt:
In many circumstances, optimismthe expectation that one's ideas and plans will always turn out for the bestis unwarranted. In these situations what is needed is not an upbeat view but a realistic one. There are times when people need to take a tough-minded view of the possibilities of success, give up, and invest their energies elsewhere rather than find reasons to continue to pursue the original project or idea.
Assignment:
Is it better for people to be realistic or optimistic? 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>
<pre><code>Many consider the terms realistic and optimistic to be mutually exclusive that optimism is analogous to rounding up and relying on self-conjured assurances, while realism denotes a tough, hard-as-nails view of the world as it really is rarely good. However, I believe that a healthy blend of the two is the best outlook to have the ability to recognize the harsh realities of every circumstance, while still choosing to remain resilient and positive in the face of adversity.
Jane Eyre, protagonist of the eponymous novel, is the perfect example of an individual with just this ability. She was brought up by a spiteful aunt in a household among her spoilt and abusive cousins. However, despite the hostile surroundings of her childhood, Jane eventually becomes an adept student at Lowood school, and forms a strong bond with the almost ephemeral Helen Burns, whom Jane regards with as much reverence as love. Helens premature and tragic death is a heartbreaking experience for Jane but does not break her spirit; several years later, Jane has become a teacher at Lowood school, and is thirsting for a brighter future for herself.
Unfortunately, there is more misfortune to come at Thornfield Manor, where Jane accepts the post of governess to the ward of the charismatic gentleman, Mr. Rochester. Though Janes love for Mr. Rochester is shown to be reciprocated and they almost marry, Mr. Rochesters darkest secret is revealed at the very last moment; his wife, to whom he is still married but who is now mad, has been locked up in the attic at Mr. Rochesters behest for the past few years, meaning that Mr. Rochester had almost committed bigamy. At this point, Jane flees, and is eventually taken in by the Rivers family, where she begins to rebuild her life. In fact, she almost departs with St. John Rivers to India forever as his wife, before she hears Mr. Rochesters voice calling her, and she is eventually reunited with the man she truly loves.
Delusive optimism never led Jane to hope that her aunts treatment of her would improve, yet the harsh reality of her situation failed to twist her into a bitter, cynical child. Foolish optimism did not deceive Jane into thinking that she could remain with Mr. Rochester without abandoning her strong moral principles, but neither did the hardships and separation from Mr. Rochester she suffered cause her to sink into an all-consuming depression. Rather, she chose to move on and make something of her new life, even agreeing to learn a foreign language and travel to a distant land as a missionary wife. It is this blend of realism mixed with a constantly upward outlook of determination and resilience that helped Jane through her trials, and it is this outlook other people should strive to maintain when they go through their own trials in life.
</code></pre>