<p>Hello again everyone! I know this thread kind of died, since I opened it up way too early (around the beginning of October), but now that the November Exam is in about two weeks, I'm hoping that'll be a bit more active! I'm sure if we helped each other analyze our essays, we'd be a lot better off for the test than if we practiced the essay portion by ourselves.</p>
<p>I'm going to post the essay responses I wrote for the past couple of days. I wanted to post them on here as soon as I finished writing them ASAP, but I just never got a chance to. I hope someone will be kind enough to give me feedback/advice/tips on how to improve, and I will try to do the same.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>First Essay:</p>
<p>Prompt: Whether in the form of a business contract, a personal quarrel, or a multi-nation peace treaty, negotiation is an activity that most people participate in every day. Because negotiation is so important in day-to-day life, our nation's youth should not be left to develop negotiation skills without proper guidance. Negotiation should be a required class in the curriculum of every high school in the United States.</p>
<p>Assignment: Are negotiation skills necessary for success in life? </p>
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<p>No matter where we go, what we do, or how we decide to live our lives, negotiation is a skill that we will have to use almost everyday. Every one of us attempts to achieve their goal once in awhile, but in order to reach such achievement we must deal with negotiation in one form or another. Negotiating is an activity that is a part of our daily lives; without negotiation, we wouldn't be able to do the many things that we love to do. There will always be a numerable amount of things in life that we will never agree with unless some type of negotiation is done on our part.</p>
<p>One example that generally helps to support this issue is found in Princess Academy by Shannon Hale. In this unforgettable story, the title protagonist Miri Laurendaughter is sent off to an academy to learn how to act as a royal princess in preperation of the awaited arrival of the prince. Miri soon realizes what a terrible time she is having at the academy and - in hopes of coming to an agreement - decides to negotiate about the matter with her tutor Olana. After much discussion and dissagrement, tutor Olana finally makes an agreement with Miri and makes the academy more enjoyable for her. Miri is happy and ends up to have a wonderful time for the remainder of her time.</p>
<p>Another illistration that relates to this issue is found in The Journey of All Times by Salah H. Alloba.</p>
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<p>Second Essay:</p>
<p>Prompt: Every important discovery results from patience, perserverence, and concentration -- sometimes continuing for months or years -- on one specific subject. A person who wants to discover a new truth must remain absorbed by that one subject, must pay no attention to any thought that is unrelated to the problem.</p>
<p>Adapted from Santiago Ramon y Cajal, Advice for a Young Investigator</p>
<p>Assignment: Are all important discoveries the result of focusing on one subject?</p>
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<p>Many fascinating discoveries have circled our world century by century and have rapidly developed over time that such innovation requires more than one subject of study. Although several discoveries developed from one particular area of study, many other foundings resulted from the knowledge aqcuired out of a variety of sources. If we were to focus on only one area of study, our knowledge and ideas would never get anywhere. One must explore a variety of subjects, styles, and elements in order to discover every single aspect of what an individual has in mind.</p>
<p>One such example that helps to support this issue is found in Sunlit Shadows by Roy S. Guttenburg. In this classic novel, the title protagonist Rhonda Williams yearns to learn every aspect of the geographic area that contains her mother's sacred - and sought after - treasure. When Rhonda examines the land surrounding the treasure, she doesn't just focus on the appearance of the area or what it contains - she takes into account the area's landscape AND the history of people who happened to approach the land before her. By doing this, Rhonda is able to discover a way to cruise through this unfamiliar area and avoid danger at all possible costs - giving her a 100% chance of attaining the treasure that she long sought for.</p>
<p>Aside from Rhonda's personal discoveries, many prominent people throughout history have also discovered things by examining more than one area of study. Take Albert Einstien for example - his discovery of Quantum Mechanics and the</p>
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<p>Third Essay:</p>
<p>Prompt: A person does not simply "receive" his or her identity. Identity is much more than the name or features one is born with. True identity is something people must create for themselves by making choices that are significant and that require a courageous commitment in the face of challenges. Identity means having ideas and values that one lives by.</p>
<p>Adapted from Thomas Merton, Contemplation in a World of Action</p>
<p>Assignment: Is identity something people are born with or given, or is it something people create for themselves?</p>
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<p>Although an individual can easily be identified by his or her name, age, and appearance, one's true identity is found within the choices and actions he or she make in life. Identification does not solely distinguish a person by physical appearance, but by the personality and choices of that one individual. "True identity is something people must create for themselves by making choices that are significant and that require a courageous commitment in the face of challenges" - such actions are the true makers of one's unique identity. This aspect is evidentially shown in two literary classics.</p>
<p>One example that helps to support this viewpoint is found The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. In this renowned classic, the title protagonist Jay Gatsby is identified by many as an opulent gentleman who constantly holds a wide array of parties at his mansion. Earlier in his life, Gatsby was determined to become a wealthy man after being struck by poverty for so many years. The actions and judgements Gatsby made throughout his life gradually turned him into a rich man and gave him an identity of one in great wealth. Based on his choices in life, Gatsby was now identified by many as a successful man who lives in riches and glory every day of his life. </p>
<p>Another illistration that supports this issue is found in The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. According to the story, the title protagonist Dorian Gray is a beautiful man who is pure in his heart and actions - something that the society identifies him with. However, when Dorian befriends his influencial aquaintance Henry, he starts to</p>
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<p>Fourth Essay:</p>
<p>(I thought this prompt was really weird -- I don't think something like it will ever come on an SAT exam, will it? :\ This was from Barrons).</p>
<p>Prompt: Since the invention of television, the medium has had its ups and downs. At first, television watching was a communal affair; the first television set owners in a neighborhood would proudly invite the neighbors in to view the marvelous box. In time, however, television came to have an isolating efect on viewers; as the painter Andy Warhol once said, "When I got my first television set, I stopped caring so much about having close relationships."</p>
<p>Assignment: What are your thoughts on the idea that television has turned out to isolate people instead of brining them together?</p>
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<p>At the time of its creation, the standard television set was a marvel for everyone; many people got together to enjoy this new form of entertainment. But as the years went by, more and more people begaon to move away from the busy world and seclude themselves infront of that flashing screen. Families that once shared pelasant memories together are now seperated over arguments such as who would gain access over the remote control. Children who used to enjoy playing with their friends outside now trap themselves in their rooms around four o'clock to watch their favorites series. The television set has done nothing but bring us away from people whom we truly cherish and love. </p>
<p>One such example that generally helps to support this viewpoint is found in Sunlit Shadows by Roy S. Guttenburg. In this classic tale, the title protagonist Rhonda Williams befriends a girl named Melissa. Melissa has problems cooperating with her family and, as the story goes on, Rhonda figures out why. Ever since Melissa recieved a new television set for her birthday, she's been isolating herself in her room day and night just watching reruns of her favorites shows. Rhonda soon sits down with Melissa and discusses the problem with her. She lets her know how too much television can influence someone in a bad way and that her family is more important. Melissa soon realizes how serious her situation is and stops watching television in order to spend more time with her family.</p>
<p>Besides Melissa's family issues rooting from her television obsession, the society that</p>
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<p>That's all for today. Please - crits/feedback is most appreciated.</p>
<p>Thank you, and good luck to all on your exams!</p>