<p>SAT October 2008 Prompt 1
Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.</p>
<p>If an old tradition is still around today, we can assume that it deserves to remain in existence. Well-established customs, styles that are still popular, and ideas that people still find sensible survive because these traditions are strong enough to survive. Continuity guarantees quality. Old-fashioned hospitality, old-fashioned politeness, old-fashioned honor in business—all these traditions have qualities of survival. Fortunately, these will always be with us.</p>
<p>Adapted from Jacob Braude, Jacob Braude’s Second Encyclopedia of Stories, Quotations, and Anecdotes</p>
<p>Assignment:
Do all established traditions deserve to remain in existence? 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>The essay:</p>
<p>Established traditions are invaluable a society. People of certain cultural background are often defined by old-fashioned ideas and practice; without these traditions, one loses one’s cultural identity. Acute analysis of the following examples will demonstrate why established traditions should remain in existence.</p>
<p>Confucianism is a philosophy comprised of the teachings of Confucius, who lived during the 5th century BC. Confucian ethics are characterized by the promotion of virtues, encompassed by the Five Constants: Humaneness, Righteousness, Propriety, Knowledge and Integrity. Confucius argued that even plebeians can achieve nobility of virtues if they strive to be persons of integrity. Because of these values’ versatility and practicality, Confucian teachings have been deeply ingrained in Chinese culture. Confucianism is an established tradition that deserves to remain in existence because of the values it extols and perpetuates.</p>
<p>On the other hand,destruction of cherished traditions can be detrimental to a society. During the Cultural Revolution in 1966, China’s Communists leader Mao Zedong launched a campaign to destroyed the ‘Four Olds’ of the Chinese society: Old Culture, Old Customs, Old Habits and Old Ideas. The ‘Four Olds’ were blamed by Mao for China’s economic backwardness. In the process of the campaign, many Chinese traditional architectures, classical literature and Chinese water paintings were destroyed. Because of the destruction of these irreplaceable artifacts, much of China’s history and cultural identity was lost.</p>
<p>Based on the aforementioned examples, it is evident that established traditions deserve to remain in existence. A society’s lost of established traditions is analogous to a person’s lost of a limb. As an integral part of a culture’s identity, traditions should therefore be preserved and perpetuated.</p>
<p>Also I would be eternally grateful if someone can give me tips on improving my SAT essay writing speed. </p>