#16

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

Quotes Included Above Prompt:

We almost always tend to treat people on the basis of what they have done: the star athlete is recognized and rewarded with a college scholarship, while the lawbreaker is prosecuted and punished. But our past deeds provide only a partial measure of our real worth as human beings. We should be treated according to what we are capable of accomplishing, regardless of what we may or may not have actually done.

Assignment:

Should people be treated according to what they are capable of achieving ... (part 1 of prompt)

... instead of what they have actually done? (part 2 of prompt) 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.

Brainstorm:

For this question, it may be useful to think of stories or people who may have done little in terms of accomplishment, but who soon did very much due to their potential. Examples include people like Steve Jobs, Bill Gates (before they were rich and famous), or even Barack Obama.

Alternately (to answer negatively), you may think about the respect we must afford those who are older than us, and who have done more in their lives. For example, we must show respect to our elders and bosses because of what they have achieved, rather than treating children much better even when they may have great potential.