Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.

Independent people—those who rely on themselves rather than on others—get what they want through their own efforts. Interdependent people combine their efforts with the efforts of others to achieve their goals. To be most effective, people need to be interdependent. People who do not think and act interdependently may achieve individual success, but they will not be good leaders or team players.

Adapted from Stephen R. Covey, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

Assignment:

Is it necessary for people to combine their efforts with those of others in order to be most effective? 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.

Recently, the India Deal was passed in Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support. It gave India access to nuclear technology to help quell its energy needs. This move also earned the US a powerful ally. Had the two countries not worked together, the deal would have never been reached. It is necessary to combine efforts with others to be more effective as seen through my experiences with school theater, and through the formation of the EU.

At my school, the seniors, the juniors, and the underclassmen each create a unique theatrical production called SING! As a junior last year, our mission was to beat the seniors (the win over the underclassmen was guaranteed). Since this is purely a student-led production, things were in disarray at first. The seniors devised a strategy to win; they let everyone split up into their respective group (dance, props, etc.) to work on their assignment to perfection. On the other hand, we decided to hold practice by integrating everyone and working together. On performance night, our production meshed together like clockwork. The seniors fumbled relentlessly, barely being able to keep everything tied together. We had just pulled off a successful upset because of the work of our combined efforts.

Theater originated in Greece, a country that was once the most powerful in all of Europe. Though this did not remain the case, Europe itself developed into a powerful collection of countries. Then the US rose to become a superpower and Europe in turn seemed powerless. As a strategic and effective move, the European Union was formed-an organization consisting of most of the countries in Europe. This helped dramatically stimulate the European economy as a whole, and gave Europe leverage against the US. This balance of power would not have been achieved had the countries continued to act independently.

As effective as joint efforts may be, it is not employed enough in daily life. The bipartisanship seen with the India deal was a rare instance of unison between the Democrats and Republicans. Only when miscellaneous differences are cast aside will the full potential of combined efforts become apparent.

This essay does not tie together very well. You have given examples of political parties, various countries, the European Union and your Jr., Sr. classes theatre competition, However you never tell how these relate. Your examples are relative but your don't clearly show this.

Hello Sahil. I disagree with the above response. I think your doing a great connection. This is an SAT essay, not for a class where you get days or a week to think. This is a great writing.

Thank you GuruBlue and Sam. A numerical grade por favor?

# T Essay - sam , Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 7:34pm

Hello Sahil. I disagree with the above response. I think your doing a great connection. This is an SAT essay, not for a class where you get days or a week to think. This is a great writing.

* SAT Essay - Sahil, Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 7:50pm

Thank you GuruBlue and Sam. A numerical grade por favor?

In order to plan and write an essay on this issue, you can follow these steps:

1. Introduction:
- Start by introducing the topic and providing some background information.
- Clearly state your position on the issue.

Example: Combining efforts with others is essential for individuals to be most effective. In this essay, I will support this claim by drawing upon my experiences with school theater and the formation of the European Union, as well as discussing the recent bipartisanship seen with the India deal.

2. Body Paragraph 1: School Theater
- Describe your experience with school theater and the competition between the seniors and juniors.
- Explain how the seniors' strategy of working independently led to disarray.
- Discuss how your junior team's decision to integrate everyone and work together resulted in a successful performance.
- Provide specific examples or anecdotes to support your points.

Example: In my school's theatrical competition, SING, the seniors and juniors had different approaches to winning. The seniors focused on individual assignments, which led to chaos and lack of coordination. In contrast, our junior team decided to integrate everyone's efforts and work together. This collaborative approach allowed us to create a seamless and successful performance, ultimately leading to an upset victory over the seniors.

3. Body Paragraph 2: The European Union
- Explain the origin and purpose of the European Union.
- Discuss the economic and political benefits that Europe achieved through the formation of the EU.
- Highlight how unity and cooperation among European countries allowed them to regain power and balance against other global superpowers.
- Provide examples or evidence to support your points.

Example: The formation of the European Union was a strategic move that revitalized Europe's standing on the global stage. By uniting most of the European countries, the EU stimulated the European economy and created a balance of power against other superpowers, such as the United States. Through combined efforts and cooperation, Europe was able to regain its influence and enhance its global position.

4. Counterargument:
- Consider and empathize with the opposing viewpoint that combining efforts with others is not necessary.
- Briefly explain the arguments or reasons that individuals may have against interdependence.
- Use logical reasoning to refute the counterargument and explain why interdependence is indeed essential.
- Reiterate your position on the issue.

Example: Some may argue that independently achieving individual success is enough, and that relying on others hinders personal growth. However, it is important to recognize that true effectiveness often requires collaboration and collective efforts. By pooling together diverse perspectives, skills, and resources, individuals can achieve outcomes that surpass what they could accomplish alone. Only by abandoning miscellaneous differences and harnessing the power of combined efforts can the full potential of individuals be realized.

5. Conclusion:
- Summarize your main points and restate your position on the issue.
- Provide a concluding thought or call to action that emphasizes the importance of interdependence in various aspects of life.

Example: In conclusion, whether it is in school theater, global alliances like the European Union, or political dealings such as the India deal, the benefits of combining efforts with others are evident. The success and effectiveness that can be achieved through interdependence are undeniable. It is crucial for individuals to recognize the value of collaboration and unite their efforts to achieve common goals. Only by doing so can we truly maximize our potential and make a meaningful impact in the world.