Sample SAT Essay 5

Topic: Are a person's actions a better indicator of his or her thoughts and feelings than are words?

It is much easier to "talk the talk" than to "walk the walk", however, a person's actions are the true indicator of his feelings. One can easily lie with words, but one cannot lie with ones actions. Actually doing something concrete is a much stronger statement than speaking empty words. There are many clear examples of this from history, literature and personal experience. Martin Luther King Jr. sacrificed his freedom to express his feelings of resentment towards his oppression, Rosa Parks expressed her emotion by not giving up her seat on a bus, and Romeo and Juliet from Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," give their lives as a symbol for their love for each other, actions that express emotion much stronger than any words could describe.

Martin Luther King Jr's actions during the Civil Rights Movement demonstrate that a person's actions are a better indicator of his feelings than are words. King believed that all men were created equal and was willing to do anything to change the unjust nature of man. Merely stating that his circumstances were unfair would not have been nearly as strong of an indicator of his true feelings than standing up. Taking action is always much stronger and more powerful than words.

Rosa Parks action on a bus in Birmingham also demonstrates that a person's true feelings can only be known through actions. During a time when a black man gave up his seat for a white man, Rosa Parks made a statement that no words could have made. As a true indicator of her feelings, Rosa Parks denied a white woman a seat occupied by herself. Because of this she was arrested and sent to jail. Those actions showed her deepest emotions better than any words could have.

The actions of Romeo and Juliet in Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet demonstrate that true feelings of love can only be known through actions. Romeo and Juliet loved each other very much. They expressed their love through words, but the epitome of love was shown when they gave their lives to keep from being apart. Giving your life is the strongest gesture anybody could give. The words "I love you" are only so strong and expressive compared to the great sacrifice of ones life. Romeo and Juliet's actions were a stronger indicator of their feelings than words could have ever been.

In conclusion, no matter how strong words are, they can never express emotion as well as actions can. One must feel very strongly in order to act; therefore, actions show the truest of ones feelings. Therefore we must be ever watchful of people's deeds and not their words, we must compare words and actions to know whom to trust and whom not to trust.

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