Preview

Originality

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1461 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Originality
Per. 1 – Synthesis Essay, Originality

October 14, 2011

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind” as the famous Dr. Seuss once said about originality. The society we live in today always seems to promote the idea of being original and different. And why shouldn’t it? Had it not been for Martin Luther King Jr., America still would have had the mentality that segregation was right. Had it not been for Elvis Presley, the rock and roll era would not be what it is today. Being original is what makes a person stand out from the crowd. Though our society encourages originality, there are boundaries set for the originality. The First Amendment, “Freedom of speech” is an example of the boundaries set for being original. The irony of this amendment is that we cannot actually say anything we want. Even though this amendment is supposed to allow our unique voices to be heard, it limits it. For instance, a person cannot yell “fire” in the movie theaters even if they want to. If our society were “pushing” all Americans to be unique, wouldn’t we all be doing the same thing by all trying to be different? Being original is one thing and being you is another thing. Individuals should not be concerned with being “original” but rather being themselves. Originality can mean different things to different people. Most people would define it as being different. The motive behind being different is usually to get attention and be noticed. Whether the purpose is positive or negative is a different story. In Walden, Thoreau’s purpose for leaving society and going to Walden was not to stand out and be different but rather “to live deliberately [and] to front only the essential facts of life.” (Thoreau, 135) The thought of being original had never crossed his mind. The purpose of his experiment was to show the benefit of living simply. He is not saying that everyone should go out and live in the woods but rather not be
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Texas Vs. Johnson: Supreme Court Case
    • 933 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Texas Vs. Johnson: Supreme Court Case

    It might be repulsive, but it is the freedom of expressing your opinion, which the founding fathers wanted Americans to have. In the Texas v. Johnson (1989) ruling the Court said "If there is a bedrock principle underlying the Firs Amendment, it is that the government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because the society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable." (Miller 78) In a later ruling against overruling Johnson's case the Court said that the Constitution does not change with popular opinion. (Miller 91) America is a republic democracy. The people are entitled to freedom of speech and ideas just how the Johnson ruling went. The people can't do as they please though. America is republic, meaning that the laws must still be followed. The supreme law of the land is the Constitution. The Constitution states in its first amendment that "Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech." (Miller 8) It is clearly meant for the people to be able to state their ideas without being put in jail. The Johnson case assured Americans that they could express their ideas, even if they were unpopular and offensive, without fear of being…

    • 933 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Politically Correct/Vicious Cycle Research Paper
    • 1173 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Politically Correct/Vicious Cycle Research Paper

    The Bill of Rights, Amendment I states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances” (Bill of Rights). These rights were basically protecting what people say, and write, however, we are slowly loosing those rights. We have to worry now about offending someone because of our language, or saying something that is considered politically incorrect. A quote that has made a big difference in my perception when dealing with people is “You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time”. (Lydgate) As I grow older, I see this to be so true. If you look around, you see people being offended more and more. When you please one group, then another group will be offended. There is no way to please everyone, even with claiming terms are politically correct/incorrect. We are in a vicious cycle of using a word in the proper context, it being misused, being changed to a politically correct word, then the word being misused again.…

    • 1173 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Have You Ever Read The Book 'Anthem' By Ayn Rand
    • 402 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Have You Ever Read The Book 'Anthem' By Ayn Rand

    Freedom of speech is the right to express your ideas and opinions when you’re speaking. Equality 7-2521 was a very intelligent man. He was the smartest in his class, also known as Home of Students. Home of Students is a boarding school where he lives. He was full of ideas which he wasn’t allowed to express. Everybody had to be the same; nobody…

    • 402 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Shodanea Brown Media Law And Ethics
    • 940 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Shodanea Brown Media Law And Ethics

    The First Amendment was adopted on December 15, 1791, as one of the ten amendments that constitute the Bill of Rights. A careful reading of the First Amendment reveals that it protects several basic liberties freedom i.e. religion, speech, press, petition, and assembly. Interpretation of the amendment is far from easy, as court case after court case has tried to define the limits of these freedoms. The prohibition on abridgment of the freedom of speech is not absolute. Certain types of speech may be prohibited outright. Some types of speech may be more easily constrained than others. Furthermore, speech may be more easily regulated depending upon the location at which it takes place. All these rights protect the people of the US they have the right to religion and speech, they right to say whatever they want as long as it’s true without being held accountable for it. Even though speech is protected by the First Amendment not every speech is protected for example obscenity, child pornography, and speech that constitutes so-called “fighting words” or “true threats” are not protected by the amendment. There has always been controversy for defending the free speech rights of groups that spew hate, such as the Ku Klux Klan and the Nazis. But if only popular ideas were protected, we wouldn't need a First Amendment. If we do not come to the defense of the free speech rights of the most unpopular among us, even if their views are antithetical to the very freedom the First Amendment stands for, then no one's liberty will be secure. I can’t say I disagree with anything about these facts, I do agree that one should have freedom of speech everyone should feel free to express themselves by speaking but not everything should be said and that is why not every speech is protected by the amendment.…

    • 940 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    The Character Equality In Ayn Rand's Anthem
    • 1086 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The Character Equality In Ayn Rand's Anthem

    Originality, is the ability to think independently and creatively. In the book anthem the character Equality 7-2521 faces many toils in his collectivistic society. Ever since Equality 7-2521 was born he has been more physically and mentally different than his brothers, but his collectivistic society has taught him that to be different is a sin. He tries to suppress his curiosity and transgressions but to no avail. Equality’s character traits such as individuality, intelligence and, compassion make it difficult for him to live and survive in the dystopian society of anthem.…

    • 1086 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    A First Amendment Junkie Vs Kiddie Porn
    • 445 Words
    • 2 Pages

    A First Amendment Junkie Vs Kiddie Porn

    In today’s society, the first amendment is taken advantage of in many ways. Many people express that they can say whatever they please because they have the Freedom of Speech. They might burn the USA flag, make a racist remark, or some other kind of action, but what they do not realize is that this may hurt people. The First Amendment should be limited so that individuals can speak their mind so long as it does not hurt other people, or violates their rights.…

    • 445 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Political Controversy: The First Amendment Of The US Constitution
    • 301 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Political Controversy: The First Amendment Of The US Constitution

    The first amendment of the US Constitution has come into a lot of political controversy because it gives us some of the very essential rights to be whom we want to be. Under the first amendment we as United States citizens have the right to “freedom of speech, or the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble”, which some people don’t want us to have these rights and will try to come up with laws to restrain us from using them so it can benefit their cause (Ivers, 2013). I feel that the government wants to have the power to keep us in control and be able to do what they want, when they want with us.…

    • 301 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    To Kill A Mockingbird Conformity Analysis
    • 561 Words
    • 3 Pages

    To Kill A Mockingbird Conformity Analysis

    “The opposite for courage is not cowardice, it is conformity. Even a dead fish can go with the flow.” - Jim Hightower. Lack of originality has been a problem for a very long time. It is shown in movies, television programs, books, history, and present day.…

    • 561 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Haac Pros And Cons
    • 2234 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Haac Pros And Cons

    Free speech, more than any other of America’s values, has been the touchstone of American democracy dating back to the Bill of Rights. The First Amendment, created in 1791, is so important because “without our basic and essential rights established by that first amendment, the others amendments would have little to no meaning and hardly any force.” It shows the creativity and innovativeness of American democracy. The Amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” However, almost from the moment the…

    • 2234 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Are The Amendments Achieve Equality?
    • 661 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Are The Amendments Achieve Equality?

    Everyone has the right of expression , which means they can judge people for who they are . Aren't the amendments put to let everyone be who they are and not be judged. People will judge you no matter what. This world in ways can't be equal. People commit suicide because they are being judged , because the first amendment says that we have the right to express ourselves in the way we want too.…

    • 661 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Does Being Uniquelymade Means
    • 312 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Does Being Uniquelymade Means

    To my way of thinking, #UniquelyMade means that everyone is made differently for a reason. Being #UniquelyMade is not at all a bad thing, but a quite great thing. In many cases, people don’t want to accept the fact that they are different and they want to blend in with others. Never should anyone pretend to be someone they’re not because everyone is made in their own unique for a reason. I believe that many influences on social media lead people to believe that they have to be like the popular celebrities and models around us. Everyone should be comfortable in their own skin and not be affected by the opinions of others. My lifestyle declares to the world that I am #UniquelyMade by the confidence that I have and the acknowledgement of my worth.…

    • 312 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Should Freedom Of Speech Be Allowed In Public Schools?
    • 1868 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Should Freedom Of Speech Be Allowed In Public Schools?

    Freedom of speech issues are constantly in the media today. There are plenty of incidents where people’s constitutional rights were met with great and unnecessary force. The First Amendment in the Constitution of the United States of America guarantees the freedoms of speech, religion, assembly, press, and the right to petition the government. These freedoms are impeded when their freedoms are met with retort. When free speech is not allowed in the public sector, honesty is no longer accepted. This, in turn, sets the precedent of honesty as being looked down upon and considered rude. Why should someone’s opinions be punished because they don’t go along with what is standard or declared acceptable by others. By infringing on the freedom of someone’s speech, it is the same as punishing them for being who they are. Freedom of speech should not be obstructed or met with retort by the…

    • 1868 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    First Amendment Limitations
    • 1792 Words
    • 8 Pages

    First Amendment Limitations

    There are now limitations of free speech that were not put in place before because they have evolved as a problem of our society in this day and age. These limitations that "Fall outside of its protection are obscenity, child pornography, defamation, incitement to violence and true threats of violence," (Richards) "Even in those categories, there are tests that have to be met in order for the speech to be illegal. Beyond that, we are free to speak" (Richards). The Supreme Court of the United States of America fully supports and condones the First Amendment in all aspects and cases that don’t fall under any of these categories. This law is held to the highest importance because our country is run off of the human rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and without freedom to have a voice this would not exist. The limitations are set in place, but when the Founding Fathers passed this Amendment they wanted absolute freedom of speech, as they felt there should be no limits on what can be said and not said. Everyone has a voice or at least that’s how it started off. Present day issues, such as the items listed above, shouldn’t create a limitation on what can and cannot be said. That’s why we live in a free country unlike any in the world.…

    • 1792 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Why Is The First Amendment Important
    • 1033 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Why Is The First Amendment Important

    The freedom of expression serves as the backbone to a free society and creates a space for each individual to fulfill our own goals in which we desire. The first amendment ensures the rights of individuals to express their thoughts, desires, aspirations, and the ability to communicate freely with others which together strengthens the role of each individual in society. Thus, the freedom of expression is an end in itself and should not be the subordinated to any other goals of society. Freedom of expression is also important to the advancement and importance of knowledge. New ideas are more than likely to be discovered in a nation that allows the freedom of expression. Such rights have provided as a gate way to iconic figures that are of have been able to study and share their research with the public and in turn has caused America and certain other countries to advance. These discoveries brought forward by the freedom of expression have shown why the first amendment has evolved civilizations practicing free…

    • 1033 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Essay On Equality In America
    • 627 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Essay On Equality In America

    However we aren’t the only country to have freedom; the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia are just some of the many other nations that also enjoy freedom. But the real question is, where do these rights end for an American? An American has their own voice, but the freedom of speech leads to the creation of stereotypes along with discrimination. This is where the concept of an American becoming a hypocrite kicks in. The idea of equality can never be made a reality with individuals treating each other the way they do now. The division among social groups whether it’s by race, religion, gender, economic status, or physical appearance, is unacceptable and the stereotypes only causes tension and for these groups to become more divided and separated from society as a whole. How can the United States boast its diversity, when the diversity of its people calls for tension and lead to a fragmented nation, and contradicts the name of the country itself? When will the American people become united once again just as they did during the Revolutionary…

    • 627 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics