Success, struggle, self-knowledge, leadership, the individual
vs. society… These are concepts on which high school teachers
ask students to reflect as they read classic novels,
autobiographies, and as they study history as well. Not
surprisingly, reviewing your high school essays helps to prepare
for similar writings prompts for the SAT Essay. The first
official practice test found in College Board’s Official SAT
Study Guide has the following essay question: “Is it important
to question the ideas and decisions of people in positions of
authority?” Romeo, Romeo, where the heck is that Romeo and
Juliet paper I wrote?! Here a student could reference the Bard’s
ill-fated couple and take a strong position in either direction.
(Always take a strong position, since fence-sitting is not
appreciated by the essay graders). What will your thesis be?
Option 1) The decisions made by powerful people cannot take
precedence over the desires of the individual. Option 2)
Ignoring the ideas of those in authority can lead to ser