#essay form

$500 MIL TO PROVE LIFE AFTER DEATH

$500 MIL TO PROVE LIFE AFTER DEATH A rich guy will give you $500k for answering one existential question Is there life after death? A Las Vegas businessman wants to know the answer to that question definitively, and he’s funding an essay contest in the hopes of doing so. Robert Bigelow’s Institute for Consciousness Studies is awarding almost $1 million to three winners of this essay…

At this point in your academic careers, you are probably familiar with the standard 5 paragraph essay format - there’s even a Wikipedia page outlining the process.  

As your papers will be between 6-8 pages in length, and will be incorporating two texts, you will certainly go beyond the 5 paragraph frame. 

In tutorial, we looked at the very basic HATMAT key: think of this more as a cue, or a ‘checker’ - a way to ensure that all of your information is present, not necessarily a ‘recipe’ for an introduction or paper. 

GENERATING CONTENT:

Class notes: Because this is a close reading essay, and not a research essay, all of the content really does come from the poems or texts you are working with. Your knowledge of the historical backdrop that contextualizes each piece of writing should be coming from your class notes. If you have been absent, or if you are looking at your notes and not finding the information you need then come and speak to me. I’ve been taking detailed notes and can potentially fill in the blanks. 

Free writing // annotation: much like the exercises we have been doing all semester, you should be reading through your selected texts with *pen in hand*, ready to scribble an observation or circle a word or image that stands out to you. Annotate your text (or a photocopy of the text if you’d like to sell the book) freely, record your impressions as you move through the piece. 

When you have finished reading the poem, or even as you go through, take notes - write openly, explore ideas and make connections. Not all of this material will go into your final paper, or even lead you to a thesis topic, but it is the first step in organizing your thoughts.  

Try a Reverse Outline:

From the University of Toronto’s Writing Centre:

When you have completed your first draft, and you think your paper can be better organized, consider using a reverse outline. Reverse outlines are simple to create. Just read through your essay, and every time you make a new point, summarize it in the margin. If the essay is reasonably well-organized, you should have one point in the margin for each paragraph, and your points read out in order should form a coherent argument. You might, however, discover that some of your points are repeated at various places in your essay. Other points may be out of place, and still other key points may not appear at all. Think of all these points as the ingredients of an improved outline which you now must create. Use this new outline to cut and paste the sentences into a revised version of your essay, consolidating points that appear in several parts of your essay while eliminating repetition and creating smooth transitions where necessary.

You can improve even the most carefully planned essay by creating a reverse outline after completing your first draft. The process of revision should be as much about organization as it is about style

MLA:

You will find the resources in the email I sent to the group, but here is the link to OWL Purdue just in case.

As for me, I'm scared to be bullied. Why? I experienced it. My so-called "Best friend", betrayed me. And most of my classmates way back in High school became my ENEMIES. Yes, MOST of them and I mean it. I only have few friends who stood up by me, and some of them were not expected.

It hurts. Really hurts. The people you once called FRIENDS were the ones who betrayed you. I trusted them so much. Sorry, but the memories are still in me. I'm trying to forget it but thinking of what had happened brings back the hatred.

It was like Me and Chin chin *my other friend who they bullied* against the whole class. Throwing nasty issues, misinterpreted actions and made-up stories at us. SHAME. We couldn't say anything. Why? Because at that time they we're powerful and we are powerless. They acted like Kings and Queens, treating us like somewhat peasants. >___<

We, especially me was being observed. One wrong action and you're dead baby. That time, I wanted to give up. But thank you to my friends. MY TRUE FRIENDS who stayed by my side and gave full support. I know they were scared but at least they stood by me till the end. My Mom who gave her moral support.

Maybe its safe to say that thank you for what happened because if that didn't happened maybe until now I was still surrounded by FAKE FRIENDS, and I wouldn't get the chance to know who are my True Friends.

Anyways, so much for that. People who bullies weak, kind and so. Please, stop it. Not because you are more STRONG, INTIMIDATING, and was like that person is too kind or not even talking back or doing something back, you have the right to bully him/her. She/he respected you as a HUMAN, as a PERSON or even as his/her friends. I know life is too harsh but don't add up! You're not showing to the world that you are great belittling people. But you are showing to them how scumbag you can get.

Bullying doesn't solved any problem. Why not open up your problems to your friends? Or someone you trusted to? Someone who might be your teacher, your guidance counselor, your siblings? Anyone. They are willing to help you, you just need to talk to them. They can help you, just be open and accept it.

Then why not give respect to the weak ones, cause they are striving to do their best for daily lives? Learn to appreciate the good things around you, let positivism be in you. Feel the air, laugh like there is no tomorrow, enjoy the little things and don't hold back. And you'll know how it is to be at peace. No guilty feelings, no negative vibes. :)

After that, PRAY. Ask for forgiveness. For all the wrong things you did. HE will listen to you and will forgive you cause HE loves you. So why not give back to the people all the love you have received from HIM and that is in your heart? You are loved from the very start. And still so. So, please don't ever never bully anyone now. Nor try to hurt others, may it be words or physically.