Sample Essay - Score of 6
Every person has his or her own idea of ethics and morality, regardless of objective truth. Authority figures, whether teachers, heads of nations, or other positions of power, may not always be in line with that morality. In order to determine whether an authority figure is doing what is just, individuals must speak out when they perceive injustice. Oftentimes, that
means questioning authority.
Dystopic novels often portray systems of national leadership in which questioning governmental authority is explicitly forbidden. George Orwell’s novel 1984 is such a story. The government is known collectively as \watching over every citizen. The language, Newspeak, is constantly being updated to control
people’s expression and thereby control their thoughts. Anyone caught even thinking something other than Big Brother would want them to think are arrested by the Thought Police. Under this regime, there are virtually no independent thinkers. Every piece of information given to the people comes through the government, which has the power to change facts and history with utter impunity. The main character, Winston, manages to catch on, but in the end, he is finally brainwashed by torture. In this society of obedient drones,
truth is irrelevant because there are no lies.
When a student goes through formal education, he must be on his guard when it comes to what he absorbs. In the midst of objective facts, all too often a teacher may attempt to indoctrinate him with the teacher’s own ideology. One need only look at the majority of United States universities. There are thousands of easily-accessed articles exposing documented incidences of teachers boldly instilling in their students the liberal ideology. Universities are cesspools of leftist professors who punish students who express differences of opinion. Yet without those few questioning students, the rest of the student body would be subjected to unadulterated liberal lectures, with nary an opposing view in earshot. In order to form proper opinions, students must be exposed to both sides of an issue, and both sides
must be questioned so as to ascertain the truth of each.
Leaders of other countries must also be questioned by nonresidents so as to discover
precisely what is happening under their authority.
Score Explanation
This essay demonstrates outstanding critical thinking by effectively and insightfully developing a point of view (In order to determine whether an authority figure is doing what is just, individuals must speak out when they perceive injustice. Oftentimes, that means questioning authority), providing clearly appropriate reasons and examples from literature and current events as support. The essay is well organized and clearly focused on authorities who \(Universities are cesspools of leftist professors who punish students who express differences of opinion. Yet without those few questioning students, the rest of the student body would be subjected to unadulterated liberal lectures, with nary an opposing view in earshot. In order to form proper opinions, students must be exposed to both sides of an issue, and both sides must be questioned so as to ascertain the truth of each). Using a varied, accurate, and apt
vocabulary, the response exhibits skillful use of language, and there is meaningful variety in sentence structure throughout (Every piece of information given to the people comes through the government, which has the power to change facts and history with utter impunity).
Demonstrating clear and consistent mastery, this essay receives a score of 6.
Sample Essay - Score of 5
While respect should be given to figures of authority, they should not be followed blindly. People with power need to be kept in check, and if those who follow them don’t do this no one will. For this reason it is not the option but rather the duty of people under someone else’s
power to question them and their authority.
When people see something that they feel is wrong, they must speak up. If a student notices that a teacher has made a mistake, they must say something. Yes, they are second guessing the teacher, but it is for the benefit of the whole class. It is better to speak up then to let the class go on and to let all the other students be misinformed. On a larger scale, citizens must speak up when they see their leaders doing something that they do not agree with. They do this at a risk to themselves, though. Questioning authority can make one look ungreatful for that authority, but that is a risk many are willing to take. John Kerry, for example, stood up
and spoke out against the war in Vietnam. Many people saw this as unpatriotic and anti-American, but he did it anyway because he believed that his government, and the men
with authority, needed to know that he disagreed with them.
Many people in authority make very important decisions. These decisions usually directly affect many people. If someone is being directly affected by a decision then it is their right to ask questions or challenge it. If leaders don’t hear from the people, then they will not know what the people want, so communication with and questioning of people in authority is crucial to a working relationship. This is demonstrated in the Senate and the House. People write to their representatives and ask them questions and challenge decisions that they have made.
All of these things help these powerful men make good decisions.
While all of this challenging and questioning is good, figures of authority must be respected. They have a lot of responsibility and deserve respect for what they do. Also, if a person in authority is not respected by a person or group of people, they will not take comments or
complaints from those people seriously. George Bush won’t take advice from
Sorryeverybody.com because he knows that they make a mockery of his re-election. Respect has to be mutual and people have to be vocal in order for people in authority to be able to do
a good job and keep the opinion of the people in mind.
Score Explanation
This essay effectively develops a point of view (. . . it is not the option but rather the duty of people under someone else’s power to question them and their authority) and demonstrates
strong critical thinking, providing appropriate reasons and examples from personal observation, history, and government to support the position. The essay is focused and well organized as it moves through its examples, displaying coherence and progression of ideas (If a student notices that a teacher has made a mistake, they must say something. Yes, they are second guessing the teacher, but it is for the benefit of the whole class. It is better to
speak up then to let the class go on and to let all the other students be misinformed). Through the use of appropriate vocabulary, the response exhibits facility in the use of language, and variety in sentence structure appears throughout (If leaders don’t hear from the people, then they will not know what the people want, so communication with and questioning of people in authority is crucial to a working relationship). To earn a score of 6, the writer should use critical thinking and additional detailed evidence to enrich the examples, which are somewhat general. This essay demonstrates reasonably consistent mastery and merits a score of 5.
Sample Essay - Score of 5
When any group, organization, or people choose a leader, they expect to be governed well. Throughout history powerful nations have been reduced to rubble because of poor leadership. Unfortunately, there was not much the people could do because speaking out against their ruler was illegal. Although most governing bodies have the best interest of the people in mind, the real experts on the issues of the people are the people themselves. In the United States people not only have, but cannot be denied the right of questioning authority. Far from rebellious, this ability to voice concern is important because it appeases the people, rights
wrongs, and makes governing more efficient.
Any governed people will be easier to mange if they are happy. Happy people are more productive. Therefore, happy people benefit the entire country. In order for people to feel content they have to feel like they are heard. Everyone’s opinion matters and is important. When people feel that their important matter is being ignored they become disgruntled. In order to affectively manage a people it is very important to make sure they are heard. Their
opinion can prove to be invaluable.
Another reason that voicing concern to the government is because it can lead to the betterment of the whole. In the 1960’s the United States witnessed the Civil Rights Movement. Prior to that point the country was segregated. This was an ugly time when whites enjoyed the better of everything. Black people felt this injustice and did something about it. They spoke out against this evil institution and spurred change. Because of their bravery
everyone is on an equal playing field.
Governing becomes more efficient when people can speak out against it. A ruling body will not always know when part of the system is not working anymore. When people are allowed to talk about their difficulties with healthcare and public school systems those problems can be rectified. Not all comments about the governing body are going to be positive. It is the
negative ones that can sometimes make the difference.
A person with a problem and a voice to call it out is the most invaluabl asset to a country. The people know best what will make their lives more productive. It is extremely important that they be allowed to speak out about the ineffective measures in order to develop new ones.
This right should be undeniable to all people.
Score Explanation
Demonstrating strong critical thinking, this essay effectively develops a point of view on questioning authority (Far from rebellious, this ability to voice concern is important because it appeases the people, rights wrongs, and makes governing more efficient), providing
appropriate reasons and examples to support the position. Well organized and focused on its three reasons why \coherence and progression of ideas (Throughout history powerful nations have been reduced to rubble because of poor leadership. Unfortunately, there was not much the people could do because speaking out against their ruler was illegal. Although most governing bodies have the best interest of the people in mind, the real experts on the issues of the people are the people themselves), despite some repetitive and general ideas. Using appropriate vocabulary, the essay displays facility in the use of language and variety in sentence structure (Black people felt this injustice and did something about it. . . . Because of their bravery everyone is on an equal playing field). In order to receive a score of 6, the writer needs to develop the one specific example more fully, and should highlight the connections among the examples rather than treating them as three distinct ideas. Demonstrating reasonably consistent mastery,
this essay receives a score of 5.
Sample Essay - Score of 4
In order for societies to grow, they must adapt to new ideas and opinions. Although it is difficult to decide what is best for a society, an authoritative figure must make these decisions. However, sometimes it is difficult to make the right decisions. It is, then, important to question ideas and decisions of authority figures because without new ideas, there would never be change in a society. Without change, it is difficult for societies to grow and prosper. It is necessary for one person to start a revolution in order for changes to occurr. For example, during a difficult time of discrimination, Rosa Parks took a stand. She refused to sit in the back of the bus so a white person could have her seat. Although this act may have seemed insignificant, it really started to get more and more African-Americans to speak out against authority. Eventually, many of the laws were rewritten so that freedom is equal for everyone. It was completely necessary for one woman to question the authority, or our society may
have never grown out of that frame of mind.
Although it may seem difficult to speak out against ways you have lived by your whole life, oftentimes it is better to go against a society and stand up for what you believe in, rather than following wrongful laws and regulations. In The Adventures of Huckelberry Finn, Huck has been taught his entire life that Jim is a slave and should be treated as such. However, through their journies together, Jim and Huck develop a new appreciation for each other. Huck begins to view Jim as less of the animal society has called him and more of a friend. In desperate times, Huck would come up with clever stories and lies so that Jim would not be arrested and returned to slavery. Huck went against everything he knew so he could help a friend. Huck’s mind was one of a few that went against a society that believed the color of your skin was more important than any other characteristic. When more and more people come together
with a common goal, it is easier to question and change a society.
Without questioning authority, it would not be possible to have variety in a society. In The Giver, Jonas’ world is a community of \
there is no color or world beyond their tiny community.
Score Explanation
