<p>I want to quote an influential figure to me in a personal statement/essay. The problem is, he said something along the lines of "make **** happen". Is it a bad idea to write it out like that (with asterisks) or should I just change the wording to "make things happen"?</p>
<p>an influential figure?</p>
<p>If you’re applying to colleges, I would assume that you are a mature and experienced high schooler. You don’t need to worry about what adcoms will think if you have some profanity in your essay. Let’s face it; your essay is supposed to be about your life, and life is full of profanity. Some of the world’s greatest literature is riddled with profanity.</p>
<p>Don’t censor the word, as it will only detract from the quality of the essay, and will only leave adcoms with the impression that you are conflicted about your use of the word. Be proud of your ****.</p>
<p>LOL, dont be throwing them around. But if it really adds to your essay im sure they wont mind!</p>
<p>OH!! Let me guess!! Is the word—…shi*?</p>
<p>If you’re going to use it, don’t tiptoe around it. Use it, and move on. It’s easy to tell when someone is ambivalent about using profanity in a piece of writing–almost as easy as telling when someone is using it simply for shock value (this coming from the EIC of my school’s lit mag, which receives some less-than-stellar submissions).</p>
<p>Here’s a blurb from UNC’s creative writing portfolio FAQ. Not quite the same as an essay, but the point holds:</p>
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<p>^ Ok, after writing it I will ask people to read it and tell me how I’m using it.</p>