<p>My essay (an 8) kept me from breaking a 700 in writing on my last SAT. I'm really hoping I can get a 10 on my essay in May. I've practice a little bit on the essay since then, but I don't want to spend too much time on it because I also have to study CR. Can you grade this essay so I know if I have to study further?</p>
<p>Prompt:
We do not take the time to determine right from wrong. Reflecting on the difference between right and wrong is hard work. It is so much easier to follow the crowd, going along with what is popular rather than risking the disapproval of others by voicing an objection of any kind.</p>
<p>Adapted from Stephen J. Carter, Integrity</p>
<p>Assignment:
Is it always best to determine one's own views of right and wrong, or can we benefit from following the crowd? 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:
While following the crowd may seem like the easiest path, it is not always the right one. Determining one's own views of right and wrong is more beneficial in choosing to do what is right, being true to oneself, and practicing decision making for the future.
One must realize that "sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same," as said in a song by the Fray. Following the crowd is sometimes a simple way to do the right thing, but the majority opinion isn't always good. Rather than thinking for themselves, people often assume that the masses are making the right decisions and therefore follow them. That isn't always the case. For example, 90% of high school students drink alcohol and/or do drugs. Students often choose to do these things because of the large number of students that do. However, it is in fact the 10% minority who are choosing the better path.
One must rely on oneself and not let outside forces interfere with one's opinion. Emerson's Self Reliance focuses on this fact when he mentions that one should trust in one's own choices and not try to be someone else. He says that immitation is an enemy and one should never base one's personality on what other people think is normal. This is true for decision making. One should embrace his or her beliefs and not let them be influenced by popular opinion. To be true to oneself, one must do what he or she thinks is right, not what the crowd does.
If one lets the crowd control his or her decisions, he or she will never be able to make choices when the 'easy way out' is not an option. Sure, it is easy for fish to swim with the current, but currents aren't always there, nor do they always lead fish to the right place. One must practice reflecting on choices that are right and wrong and develop one's decision making skills for times when following the crowd is not an option.
The line between right and wrong may at times be blurred when making a decision, and it may seem best to just follow the crowd. However, the crowd does not always choose the best path, and it is therefore important to determine one's own views of right and wrong. Though the decision may be difficult, one should always "take the road less traveled on," if that road is what one feels is 'right'.</p>
<p>If it makes a difference, my handwriting is messy but readable, and I wrote the full two pages.</p>