Words Paper.edited
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South America University *
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Course
EET
Subject
English
Date
Nov 24, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
4
Uploaded by CasperNyoveri
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Essay Outline
First Name Last name
Class and Section #
Professor’s Name
Date 21 February 2022
Prompt:
Type the prompt you have chosen here:
Some people believe that words hold little meaning while others believe they are
very powerful. What is the connection between words and power? Take a stand
Introduction
Hook:
The nexus between words and power has for eons now been the subject of
disputatious debates. Words have been used as a source of motivation, castigation,
or even empowerment in a myriad of settings. From the clarion calls to war by
Dionysius I of Syracuse in conventional history to the admonishing of Jews by Adolf
Hitler in recent history.
Transition:
Historical, personal, and collective events all show a clear relationship between
words and power.
Arguable Thesis:
Words are singularly the most powerful force in humanity as they have the energy
and power to empower, humble, humiliate, tear down, hurt, heal or even help.
-
What are you key words from the prompt, hook and thesis? List here:
1.
Powerful
2.
Destroy
3.
Humiliate
4.
Motivation
5.
Empowerment
Body Paragraph One:
Topic Sentence: (Make sure your key words are in your thesis sentence.)
Words are very powerful in society in terms of interactions with other people,
establishing societal norms, challenging societal standards, and comprehending
language biases. They are very powerful in personal interactions from basic
communication of feelings, intentions, and ideas while setting up the requisite
milieu for inclusion or discrimination.
Quote from Reading One with MLA in text citation:
“As University of Oxford feminist linguist Deborah Cameron notes on her blog, when
the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) added cisgender to their listings in 2015,
Last Name 2
advocates hailed the move as proof that the word and all the implications behind it
were valid—that it was a way of “making language more inclusive” (Schulist, Proctor
& Oman-Reagan 4)
.
Paraphrasing (Explanation of quote):
The above quote is an indicator of the fact that words can be inclusive or
discriminatory by nature. The inclusion of cisgender terms in the dictionary was
vital in improving inclusion and equality. Furthermore, it provided meaning to the
readers and those who ascribe to the gender identity. Since words establish societal
norms, the cisgender terms helped challenge social standards and create a new
identity that is all-inclusive.
Analysis: (use key words used in thesis)
Words and language are critical in establishing boundaries between us and other
people during our interactions. A simple no can offer some contrast with what one is
comfortable or uncomfortable with. If a person does not want to be identified as a
transgender rather than a cisgender then they are able to set boundaries through
their words. The end outcome is an influx in empowerment as the individuals are
accorded the agency to decide who they want to be. The use of inclusive words in
language promotes gender equality and makes society more egalitarian.
Body Paragraph Two:
Topic Sentence: (Make sure your key words are in your thesis sentence.)
Words are very powerful. They can create and destroy, instill feelings of safety or
dread, and even alter people’s perceptions of themselves and others.
Quote from Reading Two with MLA in text citation:
“I suppose it was inevitable that as my word-base broadened, I could for the first
time pick up a book and read and now begin to understand what the book was
saying. Anyone who has read a great deal can imagine the new world that opened.
Let me tell you something: from then until I left that prison, in every free moment I
had, if ] was not reading in the library, I was reading on my bunk. You couldn’t have
gotten me out of books with a wedge. Between Mr. Muhammad’s teachings, my
correspondence, my visitors—usually Ella and Reginald—and my reading of books,
months passed without my even thinking about being imprisoned. In fact, up to
then, J never had been so truly free in my life” (Malcolm 2).
Paraphrasing (Explanation of quote):
The power of words in changing a person’s perspective of themselves is immense.
By learning various words and being able to pronounce them, a person develops
confidence and a sense of safety. Their personality is created but can also be
destroyed whenever they come across phrases that are unknown to them.
Analysis: (use key words used in thesis)
Words can be freeing and powerful. Whenever a person is cognizant of key words,
they develop a sense of empowerment which allows them to navigate through
situations without any hassles whatsoever. They can also use words to empower
others by telling them the right things at the right time. A word like “Keep on”
pushes people to overcome their life struggles and hope for better days.
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Body Paragraph Three:
Topic Sentence: (Make sure your key words are in your thesis sentence.)
Words can hurt and humiliate others when used in the wrong manner.
Quote from Reading with MLA in text citation or Observations from the Outside
World:
I gained some insight on the power words can carry during an encounter where a
person was being racist and hateful against a group of people. In this encounter a
white person was hurling racial slurs and obscenities at an African American family,
mocking and humiliating them in public. The look of helplessness on the family’s
face throughout the terrifying encounter with a white supremacist was
heartbreaking. One could see how the insults they received affected them and how it
made them feel unimportant and violated. Fortunately, the people who stood up for
them also demonstrated the power of words by offering the family some hope and
comfort, but the damage had already been done.
Paraphrasing (Explanation of quote):
The power of words can directly influence how people think of themselves. By using
wrong words, people can destroy the quality of lives of others.
Analysis: (use key words used in thesis)
Societal norms about language and what is considered acceptable and unacceptable
language also determine what behavior is allowed and what is not. When people are
allowed to be racist, then they are empowered to carry out racist actions.
Understanding this allows people to challenge the standards and norms through
words that similarly inform and convince others to act against societal biases.
Language biases hurt others and promote action biases, which make society
discriminatory and unfair to certain people. Correcting them can also promote
inclusivity at many levels including the racial, ethnic, and gender levels of society,
hence proving the power of words and language.
Conclusion
: (Evaluate your thesis based on arguments in body paragraphs 1-3.
Have you changed your point of view, or do you believe in your argument even
stronger; what have you discovered?).
Based on body paragraphs 1 to 3, I surmise that words can be powerful in both
individual and social settings. I believe that my argument is strong owing to the
various dispositions and experiences explored. I have discovered that there is a need
for people to use their words carefully as a slight phrase or word might harm or
destroy others.
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Works Cited
Malcolm, X. "Borough of Manhattan Community College ." 1965.
Shulist, Sarah, Lavanya Murali Proctor and Michael P. Oman-Reagan. "The Power of
the Dictionary." 2016.