Excerpt - In a culture obsessed with superficial appearances, our leaders should be those who can see beyond the surface. Judging a book by its cover is the job of the consumer, bet reading the book-pondering its contents and perhaps seeking to write new chapters-is the job of a leader.
Assignment: How important is it to look beyond superficial appearances? Write an essay in which you answer this question and discuss your point of view on the issue. Support your position logically with examples from literature, the arts, history, politics, science and technology, current events, or your experience or observation.
Without knowing what the book says, we know close to nothing about the book. Way too often do we let the cover of the book decide whether we will read the book or not. Which means that we are often let down by what we read because the only appealing thing about that particular book was the cover. And on the reverse side, we often miss the best books just because the cover isn't very pretty. Therefore I would say that it is definitely very important to look beyond superficial appearance.
Maybe one of the best real-life examples of this is in the workplace. One of my best friends is considered by his peers a "goth". He dyes his hair black, gauges his ears, has a nose piercing, a lip piercing, and an eyebrow piercing. But that doesn't change the fast that he is one of the hardest working, most dedicated people I know. But it does hinder him significantly while trying to find a job. I have seen him go into a store, ask for an application, and be told no. Right there, without knowing him at all, the manager rejected him for the way he looked. That person will never know this but he missed out on one of the best employees he would've ever had. And on the flip side of the, people get hired because they look nice, or suck up to someone, then become a waste of time, money, and effort to the employer.
There are many, many examples like this one, where people's choices are made on the cover of the book and end up being completely wrong. If people took the time to read into the book a little bit, or at least the back cover, I believe they would be much happier with their decisions a lot more often.
I'd give this a 2 (or maybe a low 3). References aren't clear, and there are too many generalizations. Mechanical problems are the same as in the earlier paper.
Here's how I'd rewrite your first paragraph:
"You can't tell a book by its cover." That is one of my grandmother's favorite sayings. Without knowing what the book says, people know almost nothing about the book. Very often, people let the cover of the book decide whether they will read the book or not. Sometimes people are let down by what they read because the only appealing thing about that particular book was the cover. On the other hand, people often miss the best books just because the cover isn't very pretty. People should look beyond the superficial.
It's still pretty general, but somewhat better.
In order to write an essay on the importance of looking beyond superficial appearances, you can support your position by providing examples from various fields such as literature, the arts, history, politics, science and technology, current events, or personal experiences and observations. Here is a breakdown of how you can find examples for your essay in each of these areas:
1. Literature: Look for characters or situations in literature where judgments based on appearances turn out to be flawed. For example, in "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, the character Boo Radley is initially judged based on rumors and appearances, but turns out to be kind-hearted and heroic.
2. The Arts: Explore artworks that challenge superficial appearances or convey deeper meanings. For instance, in Picasso's painting "Guernica," the artist uses striking and unconventional imagery to highlight the horrors of war and the resilience of humanity.
3. History: Research historical figures who have defied societal expectations or prejudices based on their appearances. One example could be Rosa Parks, whose refusal to give up her seat on a bus ignited the civil rights movement, challenging racial segregation.
4. Politics: Analyze political leaders who have risen above judgments based on their appearances and proved their capability and effectiveness. For instance, discuss how Barack Obama, as the first Black president of the United States, faced criticism and biases based on his race but was able to lead the country with intelligence and dignity.
5. Science and Technology: Look for scientific breakthroughs or technological innovations that have challenged preconceptions based on appearances. For example, advancements in artificial intelligence have shown that a machine's appearance doesn't necessarily reflect its capabilities or intelligence.
6. Current Events: Observe recent news or events where appearances have influenced judgments. This could be instances of discrimination based on race, gender, or other superficial factors, or situations where individuals have defied expectations.
7. Experience or Observation: Draw from your own personal experiences or observations to provide real-life examples of the importance of looking beyond superficial appearances. This could include instances from your workplace or interactions with friends, where you've witnessed the impact of judgments based on appearances.
By using examples from these different areas, you can support your position on the importance of looking beyond superficial appearances and provide a well-rounded argument for your essay. Remember to structure your essay with an introduction, body paragraphs that provide evidence and examples, and a conclusion that reinforces your point of view.