Please evaluate my issue essay

[kraft79]

It is primarily through our identification with social groups that we define ourselves.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.

I agree that through our identification with social groups we define ourselves. I feel this way because social groups allow people to defined by a specific cause . Involvement with a group also allows individuals to achieve great things. There is a significant point of concession in that there are many examples of individuals being a part of a collective and having a personality that contradicts the traditions of the very group they belong to .


By being a part of a group, individuals are able to become part of something bigger. This something bigger is usually the mission statement of their particular group. The best example of this is individuals who belong to a political party . By aligning themselves with a specific party , individuals share the party’s beliefs and will constatntly defend them. When a person is asked about their political affiliations, the classic response is “I am a republican “. Instead of being just bob, bobs meaning as a person has become a member of the republican party.


The second example of how groups can create an identity for its members falls in the area of athletics. Tom Billups was the head coach of the United States mens rugby team and was recently interviewed regarding teamwork. In the interview Billups kept going back to the idea that to be a member of a team it is team first, individual second. This philosophy shows that in order to be a part of a team , individuals have to check a good amount of their personality at the door. These players often deny themselves individual desires or traits of their personality for the greater good of the team .


There is a significant point of concession to be made regarding individuals holding onto their personality and be a part of the team . I am going to go back to the sport of rugby because it is a passion of mine. Gareth Thomas is considered a legend of Welsh rugby and recently came out of the closet as a homosexual. He is the first openly gay rugby player and is now a hero to many. For years, he denied his true self because he feared public scrutiny. Rugby is a machismo sport played usually by alpha males. Thomas has received nothing but praise since coming out and has truly squashed any stereotypes about rugby players . He is a classic example of someone not being defined by their sport.


In conclusion, I agree that affiliation with organizations defines who we are as individuals. While there are exceptions, most people who join organizations do so to be part of a bigger cause.

[katzman613]

Hi, I don't know you and I have never done this before. But I want to personally thank you for tommy's last message to this forum. Because you and I am sure others posted essays multiple times everyday it became a burden to answer them all. As a result the forum will no longer be evaluating any essays. Thanks for abusing a free service. Now the rest of us who were able to send in one maybe two essays for reciving some advice are left without that opportunity. Thank you for making GRE prep that much harder

[tommywallach]

Hey Katzman et. al.,

I certainly don't want anyone to feel bad about using the forum. We were never clear about expectations on grading essays, and given how important the GRE can be, it's not surprising that some people tried to get as much out of it as they could. Just remember that the essays are primarily checking that you speak English; focus on structure (intro, 3 body paragraphs, conclusion--length matters!) and grammar, and try to throw in some good GRE words that you're certain you know the meaning of. That should be enough for native speakers of English. Non-natives who really struggle with the language probably need more work than any forum could provide, anyway.

Good luck studying! : )

-t