Explatives in Essay? Your thoughts?

Applying to College
1

For the “something or someone that has had an impact on you” essay, I’ve decided to write about a movie’s effect on my life. I’d like to take a 2-3 quotes from the movie and put them into my essay. One of the quotes has the F word in it and I was just wondering if that’s cool. For your info, it’s not used in an egregious, immature way. It’s a great quote that simply has some strong language in it.

I think it would be fine, but I’ve never seen this subject discussed so I was wondering what everyone thought. I’ve seen the word “damn” used before, but I’ve never seen anyone go any farther than that, and this case would go pretty far behind that.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Thanks.

2

<p>See for me, it would be ok. But I have a college essay book that advises that applicants "keep it clean" they interviewed admission oficers from some of the top schools and they said that expletives rarely strengthened essays, but I guess it's just a judgement call. Sorry to be so ambiguous!</p>

3

<p>If that's your personality, go for it. </p>

<p>Of course, I'm 18 and swear like a foul-mouthed sailor so I'm probably not the best person to take advice from on this.</p>

4

<p>I think that if it is in quotes and not your personal phrasing of the words it is OK.</p>

5

<p>I've been told this:</p>

<p>"hell" - okay
"damn" - if necessary
"f***" - don't even think about it</p>

<p>..hope that clears some things up :)</p>

6

<p>only if they're necessary</p>

7

<p>**** no
.</p>

8

<p>I think I know the quote and movie you are talking about. I was thinking of using it actually ;D</p>

9

<p>no way, don't do it</p>

10

<p>Let me strengthen my earlier statement.. the F word doesn't belong in a college essay, period. I swear all the time in real life, but including such strong language in an essay will NOT help you in 95% of cases.</p>

11

<p>In your case it's hard to avoid because it's a quote you are using from the movie. Usually I'd say avoid at all costs, but in this case, with quotes you might consider f___.</p>

12

<p>I'd say don't do it. Maybe replace it with another word and then mention in parenthesis that the word is being used to replace "another word"</p>