<p>Please be critical; this was written for an online practice test, and I would like CC's input.</p>
<p>Topic:</p>
<p>Do people accomplish more when they are allowed to do things in their own way? 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>
<pre><code> People accomplish much more when they are allowed to adopt individual creativity and do things in their own way. Several examples from recent history and literature support this, including the creation of Facebook by Mark Zuckerberg, and the dystopia of 1984 by George Orwell. Indeed, true individuality and freedom of expression has allowed for the greatest achievements throughout history.
One such prodigious achievement is the creation of the massive social network Facebook.com, by Mark Zuckerberg. Zuckerberg worked on the idea of creating a linked computerized social network with his colleagues at Harvard College. There, the Harvard Committee wanted to utilize a certain approach that was often used by other social networks, like Myspace. However, Zuckerberg disagreed with this approach for its hackneyed qualities and was therefore removed from the committee. He went on to develop his own social network, called Facebook, without the consent of the college. It soon attracted thousands, then millions, and now even a billion users worldwide. Today, Facebook has become a centerpiece for business, communication, socializing, and much more. Zuckerberg's famous achievement is owed to his own individual tactics in web design - had he followed the way of the Harvard Committee, the world may have never experienced the social network phenomenon that Facebook has created today. His feat reveals how people need to do things their own way in order to maximize accomplishments.
On the other hand, 1984 by George Orwell reveals how people need to adopt individual creativity and expression to even spark achievement. Winston Smith, the protagonist of the novel, lived in a dystopian world where the authority (known as The Party) grasped an iron fist over the population and created an oppressive government that limited individual freedom. Several times during the novel, Winston regretted his inability to progress in society due to The Party's stringent regulations and stagnant advancement. In actuality, The Party sought to maintain its current state through a lack of achievement - that way, it could never be overthrown. Yet Winston thought differently, and his eagerness to escape The Party's grasp and thrive in his individuality soon got the better of him. He was soon targeted and essentially annihilated by The Party for his individualistic beliefs. But his endeavour reveals how today, we must do things our own way, and we must utilize our individuality so society can progress. Unless we do so, we may face a torpid, declining civilization as revealed in 1984, which would be detrimental to humanity as a whole.
Mark Zuckerberg's creation of Facebook and the dystopia of 1984 reveal how we absolutely must do things our own way and adopt individual creativity. Only then can we grasp true achievements and prodigious accomplishments. Only then can our great civilizations go further than ever before.
</code></pre>