Question Description

I’m working on a English question and need guidance to help me study.

In this essay, I want readers to think about their own experiences growing up. Many children growing up believe that they are smarter than their friends of the same age, only to be knocked back by their pride once acknowledge their “normality”. This may not be a universal enough experience, but I had seen many people feeling related to this, and I hope that I can describe this in an objective way. I also hope that readers can understand this experience even if they had not been through this.

Special is the new Normal

In my home country, there is this special class in each grade that is preserved for “gifted students”. Its purpose is not to discriminate against normal students, but to encourage and to provide those gifted ones with opportunities to learn more and study more. Opportunities to shine brighter than normal. Luckily, I got into one in my fourth grade.

It was a small public school, and, in my class, I was the only one that was qualified for that special class. I still remember sitting in the room, focusing on my friends and suddenly received the news from my homeroom teacher. I was, undoubtedly, ecstatic. I shared my joy with my mother and father during dinner, and with my grandparents through the phone. Everything was so bright. My family and my relatives told me I was a genius.

And so, I went on to my secondary school with that exact belief. It was a religious school, famous with its bright students and an exceedingly high graduate rate. Nothing to worry about, for I, myself, was one of them too.

I got along with many new friends during the 4 years at that school. I knew most from my class, and then many more from other classes. My friend circle slowly expanded, and I was thrilled. More opportunities to get to know more people like me. We would undoubtedly get along quite well.

Among all those friends, there were four who I became closest.

One who had hair as fluffy and will as a lion, which I later learnt was a product of a failed hair makeover. She and I usually had long walks around the schoolyard, talking about all kinds of topics. She knew me well and was a bright individual.

Another one who had the same hobby as me: gaming. It was rare to find girls who like to play games (no misogynistic here, ahem) and so I was quick to become close to her. We would discuss for hours about the game we liked, about their characters, about their animation, and about which strategies we would need to have like true strategists.

The third one was one of the smartest people I had ever met. She was the class president for 4 years straight. She was also the valedictorian of our grade, whose average was only 0.1 away from the max point. Truly the friend I was dreaming of having.

The third one was the one I like the most. Our connection was like no others. There was a time she was the victim of bullying and I was the one who stood beside her. For a long time, we only had each other to talk to in school. Slowly, I had become to like her. As in, more than a friend. But I was too shy to confess, especially when we were so young. Every time she earned a high score or was praised by teachers, I would feel so proud. Did you see that smart girl? She was my friend and my crush! Jealous much?

Time flies and it was time for our graduation. After graduation, the results of the graduate exam came in.

In the end, I could not get into the school that I wanted and was forced to settle with another one.

I was devastated. Why did this happen? What did I do wrong? If I were a genius, how could I get such a low score? It was summer when I got the results. All my friends got the results that they wanted, they could apply to their favourite schools and get in easily. In a group of 5, I was the only one who could not reach my goal.

I knew that the results were true. This was how high I could get compared to my friends. All was real and, in the end, it still felt like a sucker punch to the guts. It took years for me to get back from the truth that I was not some genius child. I was no Albert Einstein. I was no Thomas Edison. And I was no Nikola Tesla.

But strangely, that was what the praises made me fell like.

All my childhood, I had heard people praising me, calling me obedient and smart. “Such a special child you have! She will surely grow up to be a doctor or engineer! You know, those professions that only smart people can do!” No. It is not. You are all liars. I am not special. No one is born special. “Then what about that child-“ No. That boy there is not special because he is obedient. That girl over there is not special because she learnt how to walk faster than other kids. Stop this. “Special” is not a participation trophy that you can give to just anyone.

Up until now, every time I think about this, I can’t help to asking myself the same question: if I had not fallen that high when I realized everything, would the me of the present be nearer to the sky?

answer those questions1. Does this paper sustain a coherent point of view? Why or why not?2. Overall, are the sentences rhetorically interesting or powerful?3. Do you feel you have gained insight not only into the writer’s private experiencebut into a larger experience, one that others can share in?4. What is the strongest aspect of the draft?5. How could the piece be made stronger?6. Do you have any further suggestions for your classmate?