Quoted Profanities: Taboo or OK?

College Essays
1

<p>A couple of threads from the archives, as well as common sense, have addressed the issue of using profanity in an essay. Generally, it's a no-no.</p>

<p>But my question is: what about quotes from other people--something they said in a dialogue that proves the essay's point? I suppose we could cop out and put something like *#&@, but personally I don't like copping out, and it doesn't fit my personality, which is what the essay is supposed to evidence.</p>

<p>So...Quoted Profanities: Taboo or OK?</p>

2

<p>Same question, although a little bit of a variation: for my Why UChicago essay, can I quote the Dean of Admissions when he said, "We're University of Chicago- we can do what we d*** well please." ?</p>

3

<p>Damn is generally not considered a swear word, especially in that context. Not sure I would risk it with anything more serious, though. @#$%@* looks childish, so I don't think I'd go that route either.</p>

4

<p>Well the one I wanted to use was f uck.</p>

<p>Someone else said it, and it's an integral part of the action.</p>

5

<p>Seriously: there is just no possible way that you can do without that word?</p>

<p>Your entire essay hinges on it?</p>

6

<p>i think you should just play it safe, and omit those type of words, but that's just me.</p>

7

<p>If you're quoting the Dean of Admissions of the university (I remember that Newsweek article! The quote had me rofling!) then I think it's a nice touch.</p>

<p>Sometimes bad words make wonders to create characters and dialogue and grab attention. If it's done tastefully, I think they're great. It sounds like since you're quoting somebody else, using the f-word is fair. Where I WOULD be concerned is if the language seemed to be stuck to your manner of speaking.</p>

<p>I could see the potential for a lot of beautiful essays centered around hurtful, strong, racist words.</p>

<p>And even then, it's not like the adcoms have never heard (or used) these words before in their life.</p>

8

<p>Well...It's really not the same without it It's what the guy said. And it's a pretty important anecdote.</p>

<p>I really don't know a situation when "f***" is tasteful, and I guess that's the point. </p>

<p>What are the opinions on using $%*# or something like that. Like I said in the OP, I think it's a cop-out and it seems like I personally can't take the word. It seems like I'm scared or something like that. And olgita thought it was childish. What do other people think?</p>

9

<p>Or what about f***?</p>

10

<p>It looks better with stars than as @#$%^*
But no matter how you manage to change the censoring around the word, any adult would still know what the word is supposed to be, so I don't know if doing that really saves you from the possible bad effects of profanity.</p>