<p>I am likely unprepared for the SATs that I am taking this sunday!
so far, i have only done one practice essay. Would someone qualified on here mind grading it on a 0-12...I would just like to know what an essay like this would receive for me...
Thanks in advance!!</p>
<p>A mistakenly cynical view of human behavior holds that people are primarily driven by selfish motives: the desire for wealth, for power, or for fame. Yet history gives us many examples of individuals who have sacrificed their own welfare for a cause or a principle that they regarded as more important than their own lives. Conscience- that powerful inner voice that tells us what is right and what is wrong- can be a more compelling force than money, power, or fame.</p>
<p>Assignment:</p>
<p>Is conscience a more powerful motivator than money, fame, or power? 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>Essay:</p>
<p>Conscience and principle are the most powerful factors that are capable of swaying a person- above and beyond promises of money, power, or fame. The moral and ethical beliefs that a person is raised with form the foundation and therefore the most influential aspects of a human being throughout their life.</p>
<p>I didnt used to believe any of that. I used to believe that all people made decisions based on one thing: convenience. I used to think that there were two types of people: the inconsiderate ones who did what was convenient for them, and the nobles (at least compared to their counterpart) who admitted to only doing what was convenient. As a teenager, it is understandable how I came to this worldly assessment. Teachers and parents always seem to come to ridiculous conclusions with no intellectual basis other than that which stems from convenience. The student misbehaved by refusing to pray to God (something that would seem to be between the student and God)? Give him detention! Why ask him why when we can just discipline him?</p>
<p>Then I saw the movie Milk based on the first openly gay political activist in American history. Harvey Milk, in campaigning for city of supervisor of San Francisco, never abandoned his friends, the people he was loyal to, and most importantly, his conscience. He could have taken more easier routes to victory by conceding some of his beliefs, such as when he was offered magazine endorsements in exchange for some of his integrity, but Milk never gave in. And the best part was that in the end he won.</p>
<p>Despite his assassination, Milk won. He knew there would always be a target on his head. But he realized early on that he could take nothing to the grave by being corrupt. He learned early on, even inspiring me, that the only thing that outlives us is our conscience.</p>