Philosophical Debate

[ÆNIMA]

Originally posted by MaGi kOz
500 words mr.

You started it...JackAss.


Your question...put it into context.

[MaGi kOz]

Originally posted by ÆNIMA
You started it...JackAss.


Your question...put it into context.

if you say so mr. know-it-all

[Bilbo]

42

[stuckup]

Re: Re: Philosophical Debate

Originally posted by Webbb Llama v1.5
TWL

lol, elite

[Blast]

Re: Re: Philosophical Debate

Originally posted by Webbb Llama v1.5
TWL

Has anyone ever told you that you take Subspace too seriously? Because you do.

[Fit of Rage]

Originally posted by Bilbo
42

Hell fuckin yeah. Where's your towel, Bilbo?

[Andy Rooney]

Originally posted by Dystrophy
That is pretty crappy. If you spent actual time on that I'd be surprised. A formal essay shouldnt contain "Me", "I", or "You". Language is simple, idiom usage = bad.

Grade: D

You are wrong. That is just high school bullshit. Everyone knows that the most effective style of writing is writing in the first person. Most of my classes in college make us use first person. They want us to take a stance on something, and back it up.

[Fit of Rage]

Originally posted by Andy Rooney
You are wrong. That is just high school bullshit. Everyone knows that the most effective style of writing is writing in the first person. Most of my classes in college make us use first person. They want us to take a stance on something, and back it up.

I hate it when my English teacher marks out a "you" or "I" in my paper. It pisses me off. Points are more effectively made when speaking directly to a person (since you can be you singular or you all).

[Troll King]

The use of first person in an essay is not necessarily a bad thing.

The reason teachers and professors tell their students not to use it is because the subjects of those papers must, in theory, be entirely subjective. You cannot be subjective while using the first person, as inserting yourself into the paper automatically creates a bias. Issues would therefore be based on facts and writers avoid the trap of having an argument stated as an opinion. In these cases, the essay's argument should not be an opinion, but a conclusion supported by the evidence provided.

That being said, you can still use the first person if the evidence is strong enough to support the argument, and there isn't any evidence that boils down to being "I think that...".

Using the first person places the writer into the issue while third person perspective makes the writer a neutral party. First person place a lot of emphasis on the writer while the third person keeps the focus on the issue. While most teachers throw in a general rule to allow or disallow the use of the first person, the pedagogical stance is that it depends on what the style and purpose of the essay is, and on whether or not an opinion is considered valid for the purpose of the writing. Using first person is a stylistic choice (not necessarily always the "most effective") that should only be used when an opinion is required, and even then, there must be evidence to support the stance taken. One shouldn't be using first person perspective in an essay unless they understand the implications of such a decision. In most cases, students do not, so teachers tend to make a rule to prevent such problems.

[Fit of Rage]

Thanks, TK. Most of the time it's essays on mindless dribble that our teachers know nothing about themselves, so it would be very easy to appear knowledgable on the subject. However, you are correct that it does create a bias, and should only be used when having a complete understanding of what you are discussing. But sometimes bias is a good thing, like in a debate for example. Unless you stand behind your arguments, you leave yourself open because everything would be subjective. I agree, it does depend on the situation.

[Adman]

i was taught that essays are used to prove something to the reader. Nothing else nothing more. And then got to college and it all changed.

[brennos]

The meaning of life is to have your name spoken with honor after death. So do the most with your short time.

[Wreckless MiG]

alex thinks its like a game, and this is hell. you win and go to heaven. or something.

[NaiLed]

Originally posted by Bilbo
42

gah, just what I was gonna post.

[Bilbo]

But what is the question?