Score Explanation

This essay insightfully and effectively develops the point of view that "The
paths we take are the functions of the paths we choose to follow." The writer
demonstrates outstanding critical thinking in moving easily from discussing
the "importance of one's own decisions" as shown in Imre Kertesz's novel
Fateless, to describing Churchill's understanding of the importance of Great
Britain's choices early in World War II, to recounting the "stories of my
grandfather's and great-uncle's lives" in order to "clearly display the dramatic
effect that even a single decision can have on one's life." By consistently
developing the point of view through a range of differing examples, the essay
demonstrates smooth progression of ideas and clear coherence. The essay
also exhibits skillful use of language and meaningful variety in sentence
structure ("Similarly, as Kertesz was himself being moved off to Auschwitz,
Winston Churchill was decrying Chamberlain's policy of appeasement in Great
Britain. The importance, Churchill maintained, lay in action: Britain had to
intercede in mainland European affairs if it wanted to have any moral
legitimacy in complaining if things did not turn out the way the country
hoped"). This outstanding essay merits the highest score of 6.