<p>All essays are my own and copied verbatim from real tests.</p>
<p>Perhaps this will be a give you an idea of what yields a 12, 11, 10, and a 9. There is another essay on which I received a 9 in another thread, so I will not post it here. All essays employ a similar introductory/concluding template that I have devised and the use of the same examples for most, but not all, of the essays. I made a similar thread several months ago, but it was erased and I was given an infraction (something about using vulgar language, posting other people’s essays, soliciting business, blah blah). This time, I will not post any essays but my own or curse, and no, I am not soliciting any business. I would only post essays on which I received a 12 or an 11 if that were the case and lie and say I received a 12 on every essay. Moreover, I am fully aware of the minor grammatical mistakes, diction/collocation errors, verbose language, tendency to write lengthy sentences…blah…blah…so need to nitpick and say: “Hey but this word doesn’t go with that verb…” If it were up to me, I’d burn every one of these damn essays and light up a joint.</p>
<p>12/800 (October 2012)</p>
<p>Do all people need to be creative?</p>
<p>Words alone cannot express the extent to which creativity is an indispensable factor of people’s lives that contributes the development of the world. One would do well, therefore, to recognize the importance of creativity in all aspects of people’s lives, ranging from business sectors to multmedia and every other facet of the modern world. Hence, it can be said with the utmost confidence that all people do indeed to learn to think outside the box and be creative in order maximize their full potential and to attain unparalleled heights of success. </p>
<p>We need look no further than the explosive popularity of Korean singer Psy’s new music video, entitled “Gangnam Style,” to recognize the validity of the aforementioned statement. In a little over a month, Psy’s scintillating music video, inundated with hilarious dance scenes and an addictive, trance-like beat, topped nearly every music chart in the world, garnering a record-breaking 350 million views on YouTube. The unprecedented success of Psy’s video can be attributed to the creative flair of Psy, who, unlike other K-pop (Korean Pop) stars, appeals to mass audiences by mixing an exotic blend of Western trance beats with modern Korean rhythms. Moreover, Psy erratic movies/dances, which have been lampooned as highly unconventional, make Psy a truly unique and one-of-a-kind singer who has taken the world by storm. Another creative aspect of Psy’s repertoire is his willingness to defy traditional norms and rap about controversial issues, which creates an aura of defiance that attracts millions.</p>
<p>Take as another great example the modern Korean education system, which is notorious for forcing students to conform to rigid standards of rote memorization and standardized tests. As a results, students are like robots who merely regurgitate facts that they memorize, lacking both the creativity and insight to truly maximize their potential and achieve great success. It is no wonder, then, that despite their remarkably high scores, Korean students rarely give presentations and cannot express their thoughts creatively or openly to others. The government has taken active measures to rectify this problem by implementing more interactive courses in which students are taught to interact and communicate with their classmates and to openly challenge the ideas of others with whom they disagree. The results are still tentative, but it goes without saying that without creativity, our schools are bound for the gutter.</p>
<p>An indisputable reality of life is that creativity is not always easy to attain, not it is easy to be the one who stands out. In the final analysis, however, creativity is the spark that will ignite the engines of modern society and a catalyst for personal development and commercial success.</p>
<p>11/790 (November 2012)</p>
<p>Are people too serious?</p>
<p>Words alone cannot express the egregious extent to which many people live their lives complacently and frivolously with a lack of seriousness that often deprives them of myriads of invaluable opportunities. One should not, however, fall prey to the misconception that it is acceptable to live one’s life nonchalantly without exerting one’s utmost efforts and willpower to maximize one’s full potential and to attain unparalleled heights of success. By making serious efforts to accomplish one’s goal rather than sitting back passively, the sky’s the limit!</p>
<p>We need look no further than the life of the prominent NBA superstar Michael Jordan to recognize the validity of the aforementioned statement. A winner of 6 NBA titles, numerous MVPs, and various other accolades, Jordan undoubtedly accomplished much during his dominant and illustrious career in the NBA. Yet, what many fail to recognize is that Jordan experienced a devastating setback during his sophomore year in high school. Deemed too short and unathletic, Jordan failed to make the cut for the varsity basketball team. Undeterred, Jordan did not just accept his failure in resignation but decided instead to take a much more serious and rigorous approach to overcome his failures. He woke up at 5 a.m. every morning to enhance his athleticism and (enhance) increase his skills. His relentless efforts and serious mindset of determination ultimately allowed Jordan to overcome his limitations and surpass his own expectations, which led to unparalleled heights of success not only in his high school years but throughout his career in the NBA.</p>
<p>The life of Martin Luther King Jr., a prominent civil rights’ activist in the 1960s, further reinforces the notion that only when one takes a serious approach to resolve a problem can one truly succeed. In a time when black people were harshly segregated and persecuted from the mainstream society, King rose to prominence as a brave and fearless leader of the Civil Rights Movement. King understood the gravity and seriousness of the situation and carefully mapped out a plan to address such grave injustices. He initiated a myriad of boycotts, nonviolent resistnace movements, peaceful demonstrations, and sit-ins. Who can also forget King’s compelling and eloquent “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered with a serious and impassioned tone that millions of Americans were aroused to the brutal realities of racial segregation and joined his righteous cause? As one can also see in the life of MLK, people must always take a serious approach in order to attain success both on a personal and societal level.</p>
<p>An indisputable reality of life is that people who are too serious are sometimes seen as anal-retentive rigid robots who lack humor and good will. In the final analysis, however, as vividly portrayed through the lives of Michael Jordan and Martin Luther King Jr., a serious approach to life is often the only means by which one can truly succeed.</p>
<p>10/800 (October 2011)</p>
<p>Are people better off if they do not listen to criticism?</p>
<p>Words alone cannot express the extent to which criticism can demoralize and discourage individuals in numerous ways. One should not, however, fall prey to the misconception that criticism is of no use or value in people’s lives. Criticism can be an invaluable catalyst that promotes self-development and an astute awareness of various social ills. Against this backdrop, the notion that people are better off if they do not listen to criticism warrants a serious re-evaluation.</p>
<p>The life of Michael Jordan, the great NBA superstar, perfectly exemplifies the value of criticism. Although many people revere Jordan for his spectacular dunks and dazzling moves in the NBA, Jordan was not always such a great success. In his sophomore year of high school, Jordan was cut from the varsity basketball team because he was deemed too short and unathletic. Jordan’s coach criticized Jordan so severely, in fact, that Jordan simmered with anger and almost gave up. However, Jordan did not allow such stinging criticisms to hinder him in his quest to become a better basketball player. Rather, Jordan listened to the criticisms of his coach carefully to recognize his weaknesses and shortcomings. Consequently, Jordan woke up at 5 a.m. every morning to refine his moves and turn into the stellar star we admire today. Had it not been for the criticisms of Jordan’s coach, which motivated and encouraged Jordan, the great Michal Jordan or “His Airness” would not exist today.</p>
<p>Yet another great example of the importance of criticism, not only in people’s lives but also in raising awareness of social evils, can be found in the life of Martin Luther King Jr. A prominent civil rights’ activitist, King fiercely advocated equality for African Americans in the 1960s, a time when perseuction and discrimination against black people was (rampant) widespread. Rather than passively accept the status quo and the rampant injustices of racial inequality, King harshly criticized and condemned the government and other defenders of the status quo for their willful acceptance of racial segregation. By using criticism as a social tool to rally masses of followers, initiate boycotts and sit-ins, and stage demonstrations denouncing the evils of racial segregation, King was able to successful pave the road for the eventual elimination and eradication of racial segregation of black people in the 1960s. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech clearly eludicates the power of criticism in fighting social injustice and promoting equality.</p>
<p>An indisputable reality of life is that criticism can often be disparaging, discouraging, and detrimental. In the final analysis, however, as the lives of Martin Luther King Jr. and Michael Jordan vividly illustrate, criticism is the rod that corrects, enlightens, and changes people and the world itself.</p>