When conflict arises, it is impossible not to take a side. Everybody has a role.
I clasp my hands tightly in my lap and inhale deeply. All I have to do is tell the Judge my version of events, yet so why am I so on edge? What harm can possibly arise from articulating telling the truth? I tap my feet on the marble tiles in an attempt to placate myself, and focus my attention on the courtroom’s furnishings. The thin, long cracks dominating the building’s concrete austere walls were not only suggestive of its antiquity, but also of a losing battle to contain an overpowering force within it this sounds lovely, but I'm not sure what you're implying here? What is the overpowering force? Justice? Why would it be battling to contain justice?. The appearance of the billowing lace curtain opposite implies that it has succumbed to the pressures of the evening breeze ??; I watch as the curtain’s movements are dictated by the breeze’s erratic gusts, and am momentarily mesmerised by the curtains struggles to regain its tranquillity on the windows border. The air leaving the window carries the sound of indignant and derisive voices. It wouldn’t be long until the cacophony of protests subsides and the Judge calls my name. I fiddle with the cotton threads that hang loosely from the end of my headscarf. Like the threads cascading between my fingers, I too am graceful and slender, and easy to break when pressure was keep tense consistent (this should be 'is') exerted. ‘Ms Ghahraei!’ The Judge exclaims, breaking me out of my reverie. ‘Salaam’ he greets me as I make my way to the centre of the courtroom. ‘As you were present at the incident, would you kindly confirm if Mr. Lavasani knew of this lady’s pregnancy?’ The Judge gestures to my right. I glance in the direction of his gesticulation, where Razieh’s pale fingers are caressing the forearm of her husband, Hojjat. He is panting heavily and his chest rises and falls with each sharp intake of air. His trembling hands open and close in an act of rhythmic clenching, as if some violent solution to his pain exists outside of his reach. I swivel around and stifle a sob as I meet Nader’s gaze. Pink veins are filigreed probably the first time I've read this word in an essay - congratulations 
across his bloodshot eyes, and his thick lashes stick together in clumps as if he'd been swimming. His tears make wet tracks down his face and drip from his stubbled, wobbling chin. Clear watery snot streaks from his flaring nostrils down his porcelain skin to his open, quivering lips. My heartbeat quickens its pace. I’m not fond of the idea of lying, but what would happen to Nader if I didn’t? An irrepressible surge of fury races through my body, clouding my common sense. What did Razieh and Hojjat think they were doing, treating Nader like this? And what was I doing by acting as a bystander? this is a little clunky. Perhaps specify what she was/wasn't doing, instead of just writing it off as 'acting as a bystander' ‘Ms Ghahraei?’ The Judge’s sharp voice brings me back to attention. Before I have time to restrain myself, the lies pour out of my mouth. really lovely set up
***
Conflict is an inexorable force that is rarely confined within the active participants. Its potency embroils not merely those who initially instigated the dispute, but also those who reside on the perimeter. v. good, clear contention that's in line with the direction your creative portion was going. The animosity that emanates from an altercation between individuals will inevitably permeate the mindsets of those on the boundary, eventually influencing them to assume a position in the conflict. Once involved, the former spectators are impelled to evince their support for the individual they are championing is this always the case? Are we always 'championing' for a particular side in a conflict? The allure of emerging from the argument as the victorious party aligns the aforesaid individuals to disregard the ramifications of their actions, and simultaneously exacerbate the conflict. The decisions that conflict provides to those concerned, all of whom play a pivotal role, invariably results in consequences conflict provides decisions that result in consequences? that adversely affects the individual as well as the situation.
It is prevalently assumed exp. that individuals decide to enmesh themselves in a misunderstanding. However, it is also those who are inextricably intertwined with the main combatants who are compulsorily entangled in conflict, and thus harbor the hostility generated by hostility towards (?) the instigators. Asghar Farhadi’s film, ‘A Separation’ exemplifies such a circumstance through the portrayal of the Lavasani family. The disharmony between Simin and Nader, a divorced couple, creates implications for their daughter Termeh. She is unavoidably lured into the conflict as a consequence, as a consequence of what, exactly? And what is the 'disharmony'/ conflict in this example? in face of her role as a bystander. Her parent’s decision to separate ignites outrage in Termeh towards her mother, and subsequently positions her to inwardly yearn for her parents to reunite. Those who are closely affiliated with another participant feel coerced to behave in their favour, in order to maintain the relationship they share with them. Though this may require the individual to act against their probity, they deem it a necessity to prevent the conflict from escalating. In an act of loyalty, Termeh fabricates a story to the Judge to preclude Nader from imprisonment. Yet, this profoundly impacts her, as she esteems rectitude exp. and honesty as integral. Termeh’s desolate demeanour afterward insinuates that lying in a court, an institution of truth and veracity, has worsened the internal conflict what conflict? What is she feeling? What is she torn between, and why is this an example of conflict? This might seem obvious, but often it's still worth spelling out within her. <-- aim for greater fluency between examples and ideas; this transition is a bit abrupt --> It is likely that a participant will attempt to assuage the misery experienced by the former observer, perhaps by disconnecting them from the situation. However, removing those who are deeply rooted in the conflict aggravates both the individual and the predicament. <-- same here --> Simin persuades Nader to pay the ‘blood money’ owing to Hojjat, to cease the conflict and thus guarantee her daughter’s happiness. However, this idea is not welcomed by Nader, who refuses to pay unjust money. The disparities between Simin and Nader’s interests merely inflames the situation, and thus results in Simin removing Termeh from the family home. Termeh’s role in her parents discord is perhaps reminiscent of her frequently viewed as a passenger in her parent’s car, which symbolises her lack of control when compared to the driver, who steers her in the direction of conflict. Therefore...? you don't have to zoom out that directly, but it'd be good to then conclude something about conflict at the end of this paragraph.
The sentiments educed in individuals exp. as they observe a disagreement will ultimately provide them with an intention to interfere in the conflict. Where one individual may opt to endorse their preferred participant, another may be driven by their aspiration to mitigate the intensity of the situation. An epitome of the latter individual is the Judge in ‘A Separation’, who attempts to dispel the enmity between Nader, Razieh and Hojjat. Though he actively sought to quell the resentment experienced by all three individuals, the repercussions of his attempts initiated the converse good The Judge’s decision to imprison Nader, as a punishment for causing Razieh’s miscarriage, engenders further conflict within him; the prospect of not being able to care for his ailing father inclines him to be both distraught and obstinate, in that he implores the Judge to re-consider his verdict, and emphatically reiterates his refusal to comply with his sentence. Hojjat’s belief that the Judge is ruling to benefit Nader in the film's denouement provokes him to act acrimoniously and critique the Judge’s impartiality. The corresponding decision to penalise Hojjat for his pugnacious behaviour perceptibly affects Razieh, who attributes Hojjat’s outbursts to his financial situation, and tearfully pleads with the Judge to empathise with her family’s plight. In light of such an outcome, one may feel dissatisfied with themselves for not accomplishing their original intentions. The pervasive nature of conflict manipulates one to regard their inability to meet their expectations with disparagement, thereby inciting internal embitterment within one’s inner self kind of goes without saying that internal embitterment would occur internally. This is witnessed evident in the final scenes of Farhadi’s film, in which the Judge is cradling his head between his hands in the courtroom. He is evidently weary from the trial; though perhaps his failure in delivering a just resolution, along with his entanglement in the conflict, acted as the impetus. Awesome paragraph, but try not to end your discussion by talking about a conflict in your example. Ideally, you want to zoom out and look at conflict on a broader level here. Admittedly this is the norm, and not a formal requirement, but basically if your assessor can still ask 'so what?' at the end of your para, you haven't zoomed out enough.
The nature of conflict can be portrayed as an uncontrollable fire avoid cliches 
that rapidly spreads its influence beyond the central partakers are there partakers in a fire? Either stick with and develop the metaphor, or just have this be an expository assertion. Those who originally intended to survey the conflict are immediately consumed by its power. They are subsequently compelled to enact a role exp. in it, regardless of whether or not they desire to do so. By succumbing to the urge to involve themselves, the former bystanders create profound repercussions that irrevocably damage both the conflict and their inner selves.
***
I clench my fists in an endeavour to contain the feeling of dread and agony that has washed over me. The pain arising from my nails biting into the skin of my palms is marginal compared to the aching sensation in my stomach. A black leather volume is pushed in front of me by a pale hand that I instantly recognise to be Hojjat’s. I gasp in fear as he cups his cold hand around my chin and tilts it in his direction of his gaze. He studies my anxious demeanour through small narrow eyes, which are incandescent with fury. A vein in the centre of his forehead throbs violently, as if it is trying to escape from the layer of flesh obstructing it. As I focus on the vein’s irregular pulsating, I realise that I too am unable to escape my predicament; despite the voices outside insisting for Hojjat to leave, his arm still dangles the Quran in front of me. ‘Swear on it’ he hisses through clenched teeth, ‘Swear that what you said in that court was a lie’. My mind immediately returns to the day in the courtroom. I am overwhelmed with regret. Why didn’t I think of the consequences? I shouldn’t have acted so irrationally. Why didn’t I just stick with the truth? Before I can castigate myself further, a white fist swings in the direction of my head. ‘Hojjat, stop it!’ Simin cries as she leads him out of the classroom. As I watch his retreating back, I inwardly yearn for an opportunity to walk away from this conflict. But inside my heart, I knew it was already too late. v nice ending
- Great exploration of the prompt, and you seem to be talented at both creative and expository writing, which is excellent
- I like that you don't use the word 'conflict' in your creative bits - this really helps you
show the idea of conflict rather than
tell us in clunky lines like 'I say outside the courtroom feeling lots of inner conflict'
- Connection b/n the creative and expository bits was really good
- HOWEVER (and this is a big however, hence the caps.) you're right that this is a bit too Text-Response-y. Both your expos. paragraphs and your creative bookends are revolving around the set text; you'd need to use some external evidence in one or both of those sections to move beyond 'A Separation' and gain marks for the quality of your exploration
- This is also quite long; fine for now and potentially for your SAC depending on how much time your school gives you, but I think you'd struggle to write 1600 words in exam conditions, so cutting down those creative bits on either side to the bare necessities and most effective parts would be ideal.
- Careful with expression in the more complex of your expository sentences.
Hope that helps, let me know if you have any questions
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