Prompt:
All progress has resulted from people who took unpopular positions. Adlai Stevenson, speech at Princeton, 1954.
Assignment:
Do you agree with this statement? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your postion on this issue. Support your point of view with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.
SAT Essay Sample
I believe that progress is achieved by people that take unpoplar positions. To be popular often means trying to please everyone. Progress, on the other hand, comes from making difficult decisions that often dont satisfy everyone. Whether its politicians, parents, or even myself, progress has often come from making unpopular decisions.
Many politicians have to make unpopular decisions. Abraham Lincoln is revered today but during his lifetime the Civil War was very unpopular. There was rioting over the draft and the destruction of lives and property wasnt popular either. But without the unpopular decisions he made it is hard to imagine what the United States would be like today.
My parents also make unpopular decisions. One such decision was when they sent me to summer camp when I was 14. I didnt want to go but it turned out to be a terrific experience. I learned a lot about wildlife and nature. At the time it was not a popular thing to do but I really benefitted from it.