<p>Hey everyone,
I was practicing some prompts from the Green book, formerly known as the "Blue Book", and I wondered what people thought of my essay. This is like my second practice essay, so I could really use some advice.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Prompt:
Honesty is important, of course, but deception can actually make it easier for people to get along. In a recent study, for example, one out of every four of the lies told by participants was told solely for the benefit of another person. In fact, most lies are harmless social untruths in which people pretend to like someone or something more than they actually do.</p>
<p>Assignment:
Is deception ever justified? 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>Ok, so here is my response:</p>
<pre><code> A stigma rests on the word: "Deception"; Many people believe that an honest society is the best. However, depending on its reasons of use, Deception can often be justified, when done for the greater good. We observe two examples of justified deception in the TV thriller, "24" and in Jeff Shaara's Pulitzer-Prize winning novel, "The Last Full Measure".
In the TV show, 24, President Palmer often encounters impossible dilemmas. In one such situation, There is the threat of a nuclear bomb in Los Angeles. Due to increased federal activity in L.A., the press corps question Mr. Palmer. They demand to know the reasons for the "extraneous" activity: The ubiquitous presence of the National Guard in L.A. Mr. Palmer keeps his true reasons surreptitious, citing a military drill as the cause for the increased activity. He deceives the press corps, and, through them, the entire nation by dismissing claims of an actual threat. After hours of contemplation, he chose to deceive the press corps in order to prevent panic and rioting in the streets of L.A. His deception prevented the panic and rioting that the public exhibits in the fact of an emergency, thereby keeping any potential damage contained.
Jeff Shaara's historical fiction novel, "The Last Full Measure" also exhibits the need for deception in order for the general good. General Robert E. Lee, Commander of the Confederate army, observes that all of his troop movements are being leaked to the press. He notices this happening only after telling his superiors of his location. Sharing his location with the press is just as good as telling his opponent, Ulysses "Sam" Grant, how to ambush and destroy the Army of North Virginia. He actively begins screening his troop movements by sharing diminutive information with his presumptuous superiors. Essentially, he deceives them by breaking his promise to the Confederate President Jefferson davis, by "staying out of the loop". He becomes clandestine about his movements. This deception holds the Army of the Potomac in great uncertainty, with its generals unable to discover Lee's position. By deceiving Richmond, Lee protects his army. The deception is justified as it was done for the greater good.
Deception may often be justified. It wholly depends on its reasons. A major theme we see in "24" and "The Last Full Measure" is that Deception is justified, when done for the greater good of the public. To this day, it is a tricky topic, but the situation determines the response.
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<p>DONE----</p>
<p>I understand that there are some minor mechanical errors. I would like to request anyone reading this to give me specific comments on my thesis, my supporting evidences, my flow, and any further tips on how to improve this paper.</p>
<p>Also, if you don't mind, please give a sample score of what you think this essay merits.</p>
<p>Thanks again!</p>