Wandering Words (a thread for essays and such)

[Tobias]

I figure, since lots of people have great writing talent on this board, i figure we help those who have good essay talents to write their minds here.

So if anyone has any essays that they want to share with us, or wants critique on any essays that they have and are planning to use for something, then come here and show us

(NOTE: any essays here should not be copied, due to plagarisms. If you do, i will hunt you down and cut you in half)

So i'll start if off...just have fun, read it, and give me feedback if you want!
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Words


What do you think of when I tell you about existence? How about when I speak about belief, or love, or for that matter, life after death? What do you think when I say a sarcastic remark, or give you a piece of wisdom? What would you think if I told you the meaning of life? Would you believe me, or would you let the words pass through your mind? Christ said that evil lay in the tongue of man, not in the steel of weapons. At the same time, we communicate with this same appendage; relying on this talent for our own survival…to communicate with others. The word of man has traveled a long way since its preliminary grunts and groans of our previous ancestors; it has transcended languages and cultures, not just as a way of communication and in times of peace, but as a weapon in times of war. It not only commends, but it condemns anyone who can understand its vocabulary and meanings.
The word alone, though, is nothing. It is harmless noise, maybe attaining irritation for those who cannot understand the meanings. A word alone has no strength if given no meaning. Let us look at the actual word: Word. It is defined by Merriam-Webster as, “speech sound or series of speech sounds that symbolizes and communicates a meaning without being divisible into smaller units capable of independent use.” As long as it is, it can be summarized by another definition provided by Merriam-Webster: “something that is said.” Looking at that definition, one can simply destruct that small phrase into mere words. When looked at individually, these words mean absolutely nothing to one-self. The common word is nothing in and of itself, like a fish out of water, a simple atom in a molecule, or a single shape in a diagram.
A quote comes to mind when I think of the word, which is part of a small game, “You can build a perfect Machine out of Imperfect Parts.” When the word is combined with others of its kind, it becomes something more. Put emotion into it, and the words become a phrase, and then a sentence. Take our quote from above for example: It has no real meaning if you separate it as “You” “Build” or “Imperfect.” Rather, when you place all the words together, they add up to a sentence, but still lack organization or meaning. When you emphasis these words, and tell them to someone, then they present a meaning to someone, creating a mental image in their minds which allows them to understand what you mean. Other words, alone, don’t really mean anything. Let’s take “Anger”, shall we? I can say to you, “Anger,” and nine-times-out-of-ten, you’ll just look at me and say, “But…whatever do you mean?” Now, put in some more words, “I am full of anger!” Now, your new response will be, “What happened?” or, “Why are you Angry?”
At the same time, I can go to someone full of emphasis; full of meaning and tell them: “You piece of trash, I hope everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, you ever love dies in your arms.” Now, what if I tell someone that who cannot understand my English? Then we are brought back to square-one of our argument: “It is harmless noise, maybe attaining irritation for those who cannot understand the meanings.” From there, we would have to understand how to put words that they could understand together to form a body of words in which they could understand our meaning, and portray that mental image in their head.
A word is speech sound or series of speech sounds that symbolizes and communicates a meaning without being divisible into smaller units capable of independent use. These, though, are just things that are said. Alone, they are not understandable, yet in a group they can become the most potent of weapons or the most prominent tools of peace. That definition above is just a collection of Words, containing no meaning unless kept in the specific collective restraint above. This whole essay is just words; each word being another atom in the body of this essay. Alone, my words have no meaning, but when you read them they become alive; they have meaning and tell you something…whether it commends or condemns the word.

[Therin]

Very well written, but your point seems slightly vague to me, and it seems to do what I often do, which is get to a certain point, become bored of writing, and just cut it off. I was expecting you to go somewhere else with your second to last paragraph.

Still, though, very well written, and an easy read. Congratulations, Tobs.

[Silver Adept]

Words, Meaningless, yet useful. A little more about how words convey ideas, albeit imperfectly, might have been helpful here, but it's okay, Tobs. Perhaps later I'll think about dragging something up of my own.

[Tobias]

well, dont be afraid to. This is MY official thread on Essay writing and Critique...so dont be shy about it!

I figure, an essay on words would help exemplify that they ARE just words, and its never a problem to let people read them and tell you what they think about it!

That is all

[Tobias]

ok, so im gonan give one more attempt to anyone who wants to possibly put something up here, or maybe critique any of my stuff.

This essay was inspired by a poll on PO...thusly, the pirate or Ninja poll. For reference, i just got the paper back, and i got an A on it...so let me know what you think, and how i shouldnt have gotten an A, since i didnt think i did that great

Pirates Vs Ninjas

Who would you say is better: the Pirate, or the Ninja? If you chose Ninja, I can see where you’re coming from. They are warriors of the night, who assassinate with the simplest of ease and kill as if it meant nothing. If you decided to be the renegade, though, then you have made a wise choice. Even though Ninjas appear to be more popular and more enjoyable, Pirates are, as a matter of fact, better than Ninjas, not only through history references, but also in the general personality and daily life and luxuries they have. To understand this better, we shall inspect the character, strengths, and histories of both renegade warriors.

Let us start with their professions. The Ninja is defined in Merriam-Webster as “a person trained in ancient Japanese martial arts and employed especially for espionage and assassinations.” Their profession requires them to follow a code of conduct, as to not alert people of their attention, and they receive reward upon completing (or killing) their mission target. To add to that, the ninja is under employ, getting hired as a mercenary, and his code of honor makes him follow his master until the end of contract. The ninja also was trained in this art from the beginning of his years to his current day; every day being another day of learning the disciplines of being a ninja, particularly the arts of stealth, camouflage, and how to kill. The Pirate’s profession involved, simply enough, Piracy. Piracy is defined in Merriam-Webster as “an act of robbery on the high seas.” The objective of the pirate was to overtake other naval ships and plunder them, looting them and killing the passengers of the now raided vessel.

Another attribute we consider is the abilities of both the Pirate and the Ninja. The Ninja is trained in a martial art-form known as Ninjitisu, or the way of stealth and camouflage. They are trained from an early age up to their current day in utilizing weapons, walking and running with stealth, and enhancing their agility and charisma. While the ninja is a trained killer, he is also an honorable warrior, but his honor is sometimes set aside if his employer wants a man killed whom he may love. The Pirate is much different, in many aspects from the Ninja. While the Ninja works for someone, the Pirate works for himself, and his crew. The slogan, “All for one and one for all” comes into play aboard a ship full of pirates, when the waters become hot with battle. Pirates are trained as ruthless sailors, obliging themselves to the rules of sailing a ship, but their honor comes with gold. Since they have no employer, they don’t have to truly listen to anyone save for the captain, whose primary function is to guide the ship and her crew. While the Ninja also has an assortment of weapons to use, the Pirate is adept at just utilizing a cutlass or rapier to do his bidding, with the occasional help of the long-range cannon. His skill with a sword is decent, and his strength is great, due to being a sailor on the seas. Another aspect to consider is the character of both Ninjas and Pirates. While Ninjas are honorable folk, they live a harsh life of training and are constantly under pressure. The pirate’s carefree life may be harsh and sometimes boring, but they have fun at what they do.

One great attribute to also consider is the historical references of both Pirates and Ninjas. When you think Ninja, most times, the names that come to mind are those of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Not many know of the name Hattori Hanzo, who was also called “Devil Hanzo” for his amazing Ninja skills and his skill at the arts of Ninjitsu, who lived from 1541-1596. Now, when you think of the Pirate, a few more doors open in the mind: Edward Drummond, otherwise known as the notorious Blackbeard; Captain Kidd, the pirate hunter; Sir Francis Drake, otherwise known as El Draque by the Spaniards, which meant “The Dragon,” who took over part of California for the queen; Samuel Bellamy, who went on a plundering run for 6 months straight; Henry Morgan, who looted through the city of Portobello for thirty-one days straight, netting him a large sum of money; The Great Pirate “Black Bart” Bartholomew Roberts, who in less than 4 years, took 400 ships with his crew…all amazing historical pirates that we all have heard of in history classes many a time. Even it current times, how many sports teams do you see bearing the swords of the ninja or dawning a giant head of a masked assassin of feudal Japan? Now, how about those great football teams like the Buccaneers, those Raiders…and just flat out Pirates! As well, Pirates in modern society have been acknowledged by being given their own holiday, “Talk like a Pirate Day,” which occurs every September, 19th. Do Ninjas have any holidays? Well, maybe in Japan, but not here in the US.

So how do Pirates reign over the Ninja? Well, let’s look at all of our attributes that we’ve come up with: As far as profession, the ninjas have a boss to report to, when they are hired, and they DO have to follow a code of conduct, through their own training. In contrast, the Pirate, while his life is rather difficult, works for himself, and has fun raiding and attacking other ships. Anyone would love to live a life on the seas having the time of their lives, adventuring and plundering. As far as abilities, while the Ninjas has supreme stealth, put him at sea and watch him float belly up against the supreme swimming, sailing, and brawling capabilities of the pirate, along with the pirate’s no-quarter combat. When character is brought into the fray, we see that the Pirate’s cheery attitude towards what he does and how he does it beats out the constant pressure and emotionless life of the Ninja, which most people would prefer. Historically, the Ninja are outnumbered, many to one, with many pirates that people learn about in the days of sailing and seafaring battle. Current day, Pirates are recognized more in our society then the Ninja, not just in sports teams, but even being granted their own holiday (as silly as it may be). So reviewing the facts, the Pirate certainly does have the upper hand against the mighty Ninja, having a lifestyle of fun and adventure while living by their own rules on the open seas. Backed up with the might of the Seven Seas behind them, they are the superior rouges of the world. ARR!!!!

[Ming]

Very nice essay, although I think I like the "word" essay a bit more...I think it was better written. But then again, and A is an A...

Anyway, the best reason why pirates are better can be summed up in one word: Plunder

~Ming

[K-chan]

Very nice argument, and well presenteed. My roomate also wishes to express the same sentiment.

Okay I was going to end it there but I can't help myself.
*starts singing*
We are the pirates who don't do anything we just sit at home and lie around.
And when they ask us to do anything, we just tell them we don't do anything.

[Tobias]

*wonders*

I'm quite confused...what are you singing?

[Silver Adept]

And... I've...

Acutally, no. I have no wish to start singing Veggie Tales at the moment. First, I must find my hairbrush.

[Shandriz]

She's singing "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" from Veggietales, Tobi ^_^

...also, I love you, Silver. Here, have a Cheeseburger.