One of my students is applying to nursing school. Her essay is very clever and made me smile, but it does contain a profane word that is essential to the story. I generally think a curse word here or there in an essay, if used to good effect and with a purpose, is acceptable for the most part. Especially if the student appears likable. But this is a nursing program, and I am wondering if the use of profanity is a good idea. Is it contrary to the idea of what a nurse should be?
@bjkmom , thoughts?
You have said that the profane word is essential to the story. Not sure why that is. But you seem to have answered your own question. It is needed. However, I would double check that the word is truly necessary to the story. Have someone read it without the profanity. Also, I would consider writing a different essay entirely. Sometimes it is best to draft several different personal statements, approaching the essay from multiple directions, and then choosing the one that comes off the best.
@Sam-I-Am , the word is indeed needed. I should have made clear that without it, she has no essay, and would in fact have to write a new and different essay. It’s a good essay, but my concern is that she is applying to a nursing program, and does it give a bad impression in that context?
A couple thoughts:
In the Harry Bauld book on College Essay writing, there’s a big emphasis given to overall tone. If the rest of the piece comes off as kind, nice, respectful, likable, subservient…then I think its okay, because its in the context of a piece relative to the whole.
My student’s college counselor (back when) said it was okay to use profanity as long as it is in keeping with your voice, and as long as it is necessary. In the end, my student scrubbed it, but apparently its okay.
Can you use asterisks in the use of profanity, to show that it is profanity, and that you are aware that it is, and are using it to get the message across but that you don’t intend to be offensive?.
I think it would take a pretty specific example…like quoting Rhett Butler… to make this a good idea.
For more context, the whole of the essay rests on her describing herself as having Resting B**** Face. She goes on to describe how she isn’t at all like her RBF. It’s well written and made me smile. I think I will make her aware that it is possibly risky but if she feels that it represents her, then she can take the risk. I wouldn’t be as concerned if she wasn’t applying to nursing school.
I think nurses can handle it. Sounds funny. I give her credit. It takes a lot of talent to write a humorous piece. My daughter did one which got her a waitlist admission to Harvard.
Thoughts off the top of my head, as an old (55) guy, and worth exactly what you paid for them:
- I am completely mystified as to why it’s relevant that this is nursing school as opposed to anything else.
- Does anybody even consider the B-word “profanity” any more?
- Wouldn’t it actually be funnier to write “RBF, or spelling it out, ‘resting (female dog) face’?”
- Isn’t the whole point of RBF that the person isn’t really like that, such that the essay is stating the obvious to anyone familiar with the term?
- It may just be me, but for reasons completely unrelated to the “profanity,” I can’t stand the term RBF.
I think there’s always a better way of expressing oneself that doesn’t require profanity.
@poblob14 , thanks. I guess I have an old-fashioned idea of nurses being these kind, sweet, caring individuals. Which they are, no doubt. I don’t tend to think of them as B words:-)
“RBF” is a fairly well known phrase… If I’m familiar with it, it’s GOT to be common usage.
I don’t think it’s a problem.
And, more than that, I trust your experience in this matter. Every piece of advice I’ve seen you give has been good (Which of, course, means I agree with it, lol.) If you think it’s good, I say she should go with it.