How to write this kind of essays?

<p>I really don't know how to deal with this assignment:Is it better for people to be realistic or optimistic?
Honestly, I think these two kinds of attitude do not contradict each other, do they?
One can not be totally realistic without any optimism, and also, he/she can not be too optimistic regardless of the reality.</p>

<p>So, must I choose from these two?
Or would my essay be considered a digression if I say "one should need both"? After all, there's a word "better" in the assignment.</p>

<p>How would you deal with this assignment?</p>

<p>Plzzzz help me out. I'm really confused.Orz</p>

<p>Here’s how I would go about it: Being realistic doesn’t disappoint you. Since the scope of the topic is ambiguous, I’ll go ahead and assume that being realistic is associated with hardwork, but being optimistic is associated to “hoping” positively for a result and not actually working towards it.</p>

<p>In real life, of course I don’t see a distinction, but for the sake of the essay, I’m assuming hardwork as a deciding factor.</p>

<p>Connecting “realistic” with “hardworking” does make the point less ambiguous. I’ll this way.
Thanks for your suggestion. :)</p>

<p>Glad I could help, tell me if I could be of any further use :)</p>