...How to Say Nothing in 500 Words by Paul Roberts, an essay, discusses common mistakes made by college freshmen in academic writing. During my semester of Intro to Expository Writing, my academic writing has greatly improved. My writing started as “Elementary school was like a fairytale; there was a pretty princess and a handsome prince, but I was an evil villain.” And has grown to “Through her diction, Walls creates various tones in order to convey to her audience that despite obstacles, it is possible to escape from a dysfunctional family in hopes of a brighter future.” Using How to Say Nothing in 500 Words, I will be evaluating my own writing by discussing my strengths, weaknesses, and how I have grown as a writer. Writing narratives have always been a personal struggle for me. Unless I passionately come up with a story, and immediately write it on paper, my narratives are bland. It is hard to write personal life-changing stories when I have a deadline. One weakness of mine is using colorful words. For example, a sentence from my personal narrative was written as “It was magnificent with its stained green carpet and plenty of wooden bookshelves stocked with colorful books.” In retrospect, this is how it could have been written, “The spacious library had wooden bookshelves stuffed with leather-bound books, which rested on gritty emerald carpet.”...
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...SUMMARY OF PAUL ROBERTS' "HOW TO SAY NOTHING IN 500 WORDS" Paul Roberts' article about "How to Say Nothing in Five Hundred Words", talks about the different impediments of students in composition. He enumerated several advices in creating a blunt topic into an interesting one, to immerse the readers with unexpected turn of events and ensuring a well-defined outcome. Roberts stated that to have a successful piece, one should avoid obvious contents and take the less usual side to make his or her paper enthralling and to pull the reader's attention into the text. Aside from those, he also said not to overuse generalities so that the content would not be too obvious for the readers but instead, include actual pieces of informations to get the...
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...You can say nothing meaningful about God. Discuss (35) Ayer believed that ‘No sentence which describes the nature of a transcendent God can possess any literal significance’ therefore according to Ayer we cannot say anything meaningful about God. Through the verification principle, he demonstrates that all religious statements are meaningless, because for any statement to be meaningful it must be empirically verifiable for example the statement “Jesus is the light of the world”; is meaningless as there is no way to verify this. Ayer used the strong verification principle to reject any talk of ethics, metaphysics, historical and even scientific claims as they work in probability rather than certainty. The strong verification principle only regarded statements to have meaning if they could be tested in the past, present and future using sense or empirical measures to find the conclusion. Therefore statements such as “Jesus resurrected on the third day” would be seen as meaningless as we cannot test this claim in the here and now. Once again this stresses the fact that we cannot say anything meaningful about God using the strong verification principle as we cannot physically see him in our present time. This principle criticised itself because it not only meant that we could say nothing meaningful about God but also past historical events since we are unable to verify their certainty. However the weak verification principle allows statements to have meaning if the means to which...
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...1. “When You Say Nothing At All” by Alison Krauss is a song relating to my parents wedding. It is a song about a woman and her lover, and how even when they don’t talk they still know that they love each other. Every time that my mother hears it on the radio she makes a big deal about how it is her and my father’s song. Therefore every time I hear it my mind wanders to two of the most important people in my life. So, thank you Alison, because without you, this paper may not have been written. 2. “We Belong” by Pat Benatar is my crazy parents theme song. It is a song written about feelings behind an old lamenting romance. The reason that it is on my life soundtrack, is because of the amount of times I hear it blasting from my parent’s parties....
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...In this essay I will analyse the representation of speech in Justin Bieber’s Never Say Never and thought in Kanye West’s Can’t Tell Me Nothing using approaches developed by G.N. Leech, M.H. Short and S. Rimmon-Kenan. I will use the aspects of Leech and Short’s essay ‘Speech and Thought Presentation’ that I consider to be constructive and compensate the shortcomings of their essay with the improvements – in my view – made in Rimmon-Kenan’s essay. Also, since Rimmon-Kenan’s essay ‘Narration: speech representation’ does not include an account of thought representation, I will convert his distinctions of speech representation. Thus “diegetic summary” (DS) will be “diegetic thought summary” (DTS); “Summary, less ‘purely’ diegetic” will be “Thought Summary, purely diegetic” (TS); “Indirect content paraphrase”(ICP) will be “Indirect thought content paraphrase” (ITC); “Indirect discourse, mimetic to some degree”(ID) will be “ Indirect thought, mimetic to some degree” (IT): “Free indirect discourse” (FID) will be “Free indirect thought” (FIT); “Direct discourse” (DD) will Be “Direct thought” (DT) and “Free direct discourse”(FDD) will be “Free Direct thought” (FDT). ITC, FIT, DT and FDT correspond with Leech and Short’s distinctions (in definition and symbol, except for ITC which correspond with their IT). I will give examples of DTS, TS and ITS: DTS: The bare report of a thought, without any specification of how the thinker felt or the language the thinker used to think. E.g.,...
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...which include the reduction of reliance on civil service employees and temporary work force instead of employing seasonal help. By using these methods, Soderbery could flexibly hire employees to make his department like a business. Then he created the piece-work program, which incentives employees with more freedom. The program, however, faces a serious obstacle concerning the difference of two types of employees-the clock-punches and the go-getters-. In this process, Soderbey discovered that discipline could not motivate the employees and improve production, while he wanted to get more from employees. Money is the central factor to incentive the employees. So he created the Shared Savings Program having nine primary features. Briefly to say, “ Do not give them more money on a silver platter and they have to have a vested interest.” Luckily, Donato, city manager, regarded the Shared Saving Program as an effective way to survive financially and do the kinds of things socially and physically for our community. At the same time, Donato mitigated the risk that the program might be seen as giveaway of public funds to response the argument about the program. Obviously, the implement is difficult because many employees did not trust Soderbery’s management. Moreover, there existed the tension between Shared Savings members and...
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...A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing nothing to say A had nothing nothing...
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...his mouth to say something back, but Bruno never heard it… despite the chaos that followed, Bruno found that he was still holding Shmuel’s hand and nothing in the world would have persuaded him to let go. “….he took hold of Shmuel’s tiny hand in his and squeezed it tightly. “You’re my best friend, Shmuel,” he said “My best friend for life.” Shmuel may have opened his mouth to say something back, but Bruno never heard it… despite the chaos that followed, Bruno found that he was still holding Shmuel’s hand and nothing in the world would have persuaded him to let go. “….he took hold of Shmuel’s tiny hand in his and squeezed it tightly. “You’re my best friend, Shmuel,” he said “My best friend for life.” Shmuel may have opened his mouth to say something back, but Bruno never heard it… despite the chaos that followed, Bruno found that he was still holding Shmuel’s hand and nothing in the world would have persuaded him to let go. “….he took hold of Shmuel’s tiny hand in his and squeezed it tightly. “You’re my best friend, Shmuel,” he said “My best friend for life.” Shmuel may have opened his mouth to say something back, but Bruno never heard it… despite the chaos that followed, Bruno found that he was still holding Shmuel’s hand and nothing in the world would have persuaded him to let go. “….he took hold of Shmuel’s tiny hand in his and squeezed it tightly. “You’re my best friend, Shmuel,” he said “My best friend for life.” Shmuel may have opened his mouth to say something back...
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...Discuss the concept of nothing as used in King Lear. Consider the themes of the play as you discuss lines such as “nothing will come of nothing, speak again.” And “the quality of nothing has no such need to hide itself.” And “I am better than thou art now. I am a fool, thou art nothing.” Nothing becomes a double symbol for King Lear’s ignorance to the truth and inability to perceive nothing. It also symbolizes King Lear’s paranoia which is brought on by his ignorance and short shortsightedness. This is due to the fact that power under King Lear has consistently been contended, highlighting its fragility and vulnerability. Nothing also symbolizes the fear of becoming insignificant and destitute. Nothing is symbolic of a way to perceive reality where the fragility, dynamism and human nature’s obsession with power obscures. The idea of nothing symbolizes King Lear’s paranoia. Shakespeare explores the idea of nothing by implying the common characteristic of chasing away things that people don’t understand or things that are different by having King Lear banish his favorite daughter due to his inability to comprehend the fact that she wants ‘nothing’ from him. King Lear is so unable to accept this unusual and probably new idea of not wanting the power and fortune that he has, that he becomes suspicious. Not wanting anything is seen as a strange thing in the play just as it is seen in today’s society. There is usually and exterior motive when doing something to benefit other people...
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...My View of Reality In my journey in finding the nature of reality, I have encountered philosophers of different views. There is Parmenides who says that the real is being(one) which is permanent; on the other hand, Heraclitus says what is real is becoming which is changing. While Plato who sided with Parmenides says what is real is the world of Forms, the world that reflects our world today. However, Aristotle says that the real are matter and form. Furthermore, Levinas stresses the importance of the other as if your relationship with the other helps you fulfill your being a person. That is really true if you will live it. Another philosopher, St. Thomas Aquinas says what is real is being “that which exists” wherein his essence and existence is a participation or came from the Pure Act/ God who acted his act of existence. On the other hand, Heidegger makes a turn of these Western views of metaphysics. Heidegger claims that what is real is that the nothing which makes being possible and reality is the unfolding and keeping of Being. Thus, for Heidegger reality is whole and dynamic. This is compared to Buddhistic view of reality. Buddhism believes that reality is interdependently arising which is impermanent and no separation. Moreover, Derrida adds something. He believes that meaning is impossible for no matter how you process to signify the meaning of something, you could not really get the meaning of that something. So, what one...
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...due to the evils committed by people who have no beliefs. To show this theme, she uses elements from both stories, similar and different. Through characters, conflicts and symbolism of the two stories I hope to show some new understanding of these two excellent stories. Based on description, the two protagonists of the two stories, Hulga and the Grandmother don’t seem to be similar at all. The grandmother looks back fondly on days when people acted nicer and looking for a good man was much easier. In “Good Country People”, Hulga is rude, has a degree in philosophy, and likes the idea of… well, nothing. There isn’t that much similarity based on the descriptions given, but there is a similarity that wasn’t stated: the fact that both characters are more shallow than they think they are. Even with all her university training, Hulga isn’t a full believer in nothing. She just knows what to say to give this assumption. This is shown when she was shocked in Manley’s change of behavior, from a simpleton and bible salesman, Manley turns into someone who declares the truth behind what he sells. “I hope you don’t think I believe that crap! I may sell Bibles but I know which end is up and I wasn’t born yesterday and I know where I’m going!” (O’Connor 201). The grandmother also liked to think of herself as a good person, but she only really became a good person after her meeting with “The Misfit”. Through the entire encounter with The Misfit, she begs and pleads not for the life of her family...
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...Compare and Contrast Essay 5/12/2014 Ashford University English 121-AXC1415E Instructor: Jamie Cooper Student: Katherin Wheat When it comes to writing the compare and contrast essay style, it is one of the more difficult ones to achieve. The differences between these two essays “How to say nothing in 500 words” by: Paul McHenry Roberts and “caged bird” by: Maya Angelou is easy to pick out. As far as the similarities goes that proved to a little harder to give a lot of examples. In the following paragraphs there will be plenty of examples of compare and contrast, give summaries, a couple of quotes and a paraphrase will be included in this essay. While how to say nothing in 500 words and Caged Bird are both well-written essays, caged Bird was more visual than How to say nothing in 500 words because the author painted a more detailed picture which kept the reader’s attention, the attended audience was more overly open to more people than that of how to say nothing in 500 words essay, and the author of caged bird had a bigger and deeper impact on the readers then the author of how to say nothing in 500 words did. Caged Bird was more visual than How to say nothing in 500 words because the author painted a more detailed picture which kept the reader’s attention. Maya Angelou’s descriptive essay “Caged bird” tells a story of a caged bird and a free bird. The caged bird signifies a person with the skin color darker than that of a peach colored crayon, held down by the paralyzing...
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...that I had anything to say to you I just wanted to hear your voice I know I shouldn’t do this, I know it’s over between us But will you stay like this for a moment, for a short moment? I’m with my girlfriend right now I can’t believe; did you really just say your girlfriend? Is it true? It can’t be She is your girlfriend right now Is she listening to this right now? Do you say that I mean nothing to you now? It can’t be true, don’t lie I was crazy too, it wasn’t like me It was a stupid thing that I would have never usually done But still, you were sober, you were in the right state of mind You shouldn’t have picked up, then I could’ve just fallen asleep I’m with my girlfriend right now I can’t believe, did you really just say your girlfriend? Is it true? It can’t be She is your girlfriend right now Is she listening to this right now? Do you say that I mean nothing to you now? It can’t be true, don’t lie She is your girlfriend, I was your girlfriend That’s not what I wanted to hear I know even if you don’t say it If things just pass like this, is it over? Is it nothing to you? Is that it? Baby don’t lie Loving me, forgetting me, making it be like nothing Is it that easy for you? Is that how you empty me out? Is that how you erase me? Yes, call me crazy but I still can’t forget you Say that I’m talking crazy I won’t remember this tomorrow anyway I’m with my girlfriend right now I can’t believe, did you really just say your girlfriend? Is...
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...“Stop right there,” says Schrank. Chino’s steps begin to slow down as he waves his around angrily. “Do not move a muscle, kid,” speaks Schrank. Chino stops and halts in his tracks. He stands motionless in the middle of the street. Schrank comes forth behind Chino and pulls out a pair of handcuffs from his back pocket. He tautens them on Chino’s wrists, nearly cutting off his circulation. “You had no right to kill,” Schrank shouts in Chino’s ear. “Yeah, what Schrank said, you had no right to kill,” adds Officer Krupke. “Oh, shut it. I wasn’t the only one doing the killing tonight,” says Chino. “Mhum,” mumbles Schrank. “You’re coming with me. You PR’s know better than to kill a white man. Soon enough they’ll put you...
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...The Speak novel is about a girl named Melinda. Melinda was raped when she went to a summer party with her friend. She didn’t tell anyone because it is too embarrassing to talk about. Melinda is a 14 year old girl from Syracuse, New York. Her identity is shaped by her family that is always busy and all of the friends that she has lost. In the novel during a parent teacher conference Melinda says,”I have no friends, I have nothing”(Anderson 92). When she says she has no friends it is because none of her friends know about what has happened to her so she lost all of them. When she says she has nothing I think she is saying there is nothing that she really cares about in her life. Her teacher Mr.Freeman says, “I think you have a lot to say, and...
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