This is beautifully written and you analyse character and themes well.
- 20/04/2011
- 15:32:50
- Score: not rated
Was it supposed to be heavy with irony!? I really hope so - hilarious, and very well written.
- 15/12/2010
- 15:26:58
- Score: not rated
Very informative. I love reading about Irn-Bru; I love the Irn-Bru ads; I love Irn-Bru!
- 09/06/2010
- 16:25:26
- Score: 0 out of 0 people found this comment useful.
Informative, structured and concise. Well done! This essay, as final fantasy said, had the potential to be longer but in my opinion it really doesnt need it. I didnt know that obesity is the most common form of malnutrition in the western world, thats not something I would expect, although I see why. I thought that was quite an interesting fact.A good essay.
- 02/09/2004
- 10:48:45
- Score: 3 out of 5 people found this comment useful.
This is a really unusual essay - focusing on analysing yourself as well as the characters in the film. I really like the idea of doing this and the conclusions you came to after you had written it. Its nicely structered and clearly set out and it's definately a pleasure to read! I also like the film clueless, even though it is a bit of fun, like you said. My impression of the film plot however, was that it is very similar to Jane Austen's 'Emma' which is where I always imagined the scriptwriters got it from.All in all I thought this was a great essay! Im going to try this approach myself I think.
- 02/09/2004
- 10:03:08
- Score: 4 out of 4 people found this comment useful.
I found it interesting to see just how much the editing can manipulate the audience's sympathies and emotions to the characters in the programme. And the techniques used to creat tensions and atmosphere are something I hadnt previously thought about or considered.I also, as an additional but not very relevant comment, thought that your choice of programmes to analyse (fawlty towers and blackadder) were brilliant! Seriously though, I liked this essay.
- 31/08/2004
- 09:28:36
- Score: 2 out of 2 people found this comment useful.
This book sounds really stupid. Have you ever looked after a baby by yourself even for one day? I work hard outside the home and believe me it is NOTHING to how much work it is looking after a child. Seriously. I babysat my niece for a couple of days (shes 7 months) for the first time completely on my own and I was nearly crying by the end of it!I'm guessing this book is outdated, but I think even back then that women worked just as hard, if not harder than men. Their lives were lives of servitude. If it wasnt caring for the children and tending the house it was serving their husband when he came home from work.
- 31/08/2004
- 08:53:30
- Score: 5 out of 6 people found this comment useful.
This essay is quite funny and I do agree with you - but people will never take it seriously cos its just your opinion with no facts or references. By the way, I heard on the news the other day that they've now managed to grow a man a new jaw under the skin on his back! How freaky is that - apparently somewhere in Germany.
- 31/08/2004
- 08:48:41
- Score: 4 out of 4 people found this comment useful.
I enjoyed this essay,,,it was an important movement. I don't particularly like the fashions, or the kind of hippy culture around today that was born from the hippies of the 60s, but I think their ideology is sound: "For them there was no absolute right or wrong, but what was right was relative to what made one happy". I thought that wee line was lovely and summed up the hippy ideology really well. Good work!
- 31/08/2004
- 08:41:43
- Score: 4 out of 4 people found this comment useful.
but really fucking funny. I understand your situation entirely. It was really nice of them to pass this through. You're a really funny person - I liked your essay on ADD
- 30/08/2004
- 13:11:31
- Score: 3 out of 3 people found this comment useful.
The essay doesnt give dates, my parents were born in the 40s, so don't assume that this essay is about the 60s. Secondly, in Britain at least, much of what is in this essay is true. My Mum, and my Gran have both talked to me about sex, and I found it interesting to note that they can hardly even say the word 'sex' out loud for fear of embarrassment. Sex was not always talked about, and not everyone got to experience the sexual liberation that came with the 1960s. I grew up in rural Scotland in the 80s and 90s and sex was never talked about then, let alone 30 or 30 years ago! The ideology of the 60s did not reach everyone everywhere. In fact it was mostly just limited to the larger cities and particularly in America.I thought this essay was an interesting read, and very informative. I believe in sexual liberty, but it is really fucking important to be sexually aware. Not all STDs are "curable with the latest antibiotics" as it also states in this essay. AIDS for one is a terminal disease that cannot be cured, it can be contracted through sex and you will usually not know that the person is HIV positive. The person themselves might not even know. So it is really important to be aware. Sex is fantastic, as long as you take care.You should read "The Vagina Monologues" by Eve Ensler.
- 30/08/2004
- 12:23:58
- Score: 7 out of 8 people found this comment useful.
This is a great essay, its very informative containing lots of statistics and references. Its a tentative issue and you have approached it well and with care. It is clearly structured with an opening and conclusion. On the whole I would say its an example of a really good essay. Good work! About the bibliography, It is always essential to have a bibliography if the work is being handed in to mark, but I think on cheathouse a lot of the time the essays are old and the bibliography has just been lost or forgotten about. Thats why mine arent always included anyway. :)
- 30/08/2004
- 12:05:57
- Score: 5 out of 5 people found this comment useful.
A very informative essay, I really enjoyed reading it. Matisse is one of my favourite artists, and it was nice to read some facts on the movement.
- 30/08/2004
- 10:19:16
- Score: 13 out of 13 people found this comment useful.
You're right grapey, I just always lose the bibliography as I use the library computers to do my work...it is important to have a bibliography (which i did but i have no idea where it is now!). I think, if anyone is interested in looking anything up, my main reference was the site: http://reference.allrefer.com/country-guide-study/Its a great site for information on other countries.
- 30/08/2004
- 10:14:31
- Score: 4 out of 4 people found this comment useful.
I liked reading this, as King Lear is one of my favourite Shakepeare plays. I thought this was an interesting angle to come at it from. Good work!
- 30/08/2004
- 10:07:02
- Score: 3 out of 3 people found this comment useful.
Your essay is an interesting read, your vocabularly is flowing and descriptive and the essay is clearly structered with a good opening and conclusion. It is not very long but that doesnt matter here as you include everything that is needed here. On the whole a clear, concise and brilliant essay. Well done!
- 28/08/2004
- 08:48:54
- Score: 10 out of 13 people found this comment useful.
Quite an inspiring account of your life. My Dad also worked long hours for little money when I was wee, although it had a different affect on me. I grew up wanting to work as little as possible for as much money as I could. I feel it had a more positive affect on you and I respect people like yourself a lot who aim to work to help others. Your job will be very rewarding. I wish I had your drive. Keep up the good work!
- 28/08/2004
- 08:42:20
- Score: 9 out of 11 people found this comment useful.
What gives you the right to think that you can dictate to people the right and wrong ways to live their lives? I am referring to 'Larrylovenduonofit'. The essay on Lesbianism, I thought, was was not a very good essay as it had no point. The comment you left was not about her essay, as it should have been. It was you being abusive to her. You need to grow up. Its you who is wrong. You have no right to be abusive to other people because of their sexuality. You obviously have no understanding of the concept of homosexuality. People do not CHOOSE to be homosexual, they are born homosexual. It is natural, NOT an abnormality as you think.It is not the person that wrote the lesbian essay that has something wrong with her, as you claim, its you that has something seriously wrong with you.You should also really stop trying to sound impressive (ie trying to legitimize what you are saying by attempting to use fancy language), as it doesn't work.
- 27/08/2004
- 11:17:45
- Score: 6 out of 10 people found this comment useful.
This is a great read, very insightful, clearly structured and relating to modern day life. brilliant work!
- 27/08/2004
- 10:22:57
- Score: 5 out of 7 people found this comment useful.
I think your perspective is very very wrong here. "unnecessary damage has been done because of the need to provide for ourselves"...Is it really better for people to remain in a marriage if they no longer love each other? Or is it really better to remain married if the marriage is abusive or if the couple are no longer happy being with each other. If the couple have children do you really believe that it is better for them so see their parents arguing, unhappy and resentful of each other all the time?You also state that the role of women is to be at home. You insinuate that it is specifically a wife's fault if she chooses a career (that is, taking the opportunity to be something other than a housewife, and waiting on people for the rest of her life), for her husband committing adultery! That is a sexist viewpoint that is very very wrong. If anybody is responsible for committing adultery it is the adulterer, not the wife specifically because she works, and her husband is (because she is not at home) "surrounded by an overabundence of women making the availability of sex outside the marriage more convenient". As a woman I find this extremely offensive.
- 27/08/2004
- 10:18:37
- Score: 3 out of 7 people found this comment useful.
Also, I very much doubt that you got 71% for this.
- 27/08/2004
- 08:18:54
- Score: 3 out of 6 people found this comment useful.
Firstly, this is not an essay. This is you taking 2 seconds to jot down what was going through your head, and you don't even do it very well.Secondly, you are brainwashed and there is something very very wrong if you think America is flawless. Individuality, freedom and equality is what America was supposed to stand for. This is not reality. It really doesnt take a genius to see that.Thirdly, the 'sacrifice of the American military'? Do you even know the reasons behind half of the 'wars' that America has started? It has ruined so many countries, so many developing countries for its own gain. When it is not invading them (for its own personal gain), it is provided so called 'aid'. This aid is not real, it is called 'tied aid'. It does more harm than good. You should look it up if you already don't know what it means.I certainly don't think America is alone in being this evil, I am Scottish and I think Britain is almost as bad, however I can freely admit this.Since, I'm guessing, most members of cheathouse are American, I suppose ill probably lose points because of this post. But I feel very strongly about this and I wish I could articulate myself better to enable myself to make others see that what I am talking about is true.
- 27/08/2004
- 08:17:46
- Score: 5 out of 7 people found this comment useful.
I think you have entitled this essay incorrectly...I see what you are trying to get at here, but what you are describing is only one aspect of sexism - attitudes and conditions that promote stereotying of social roles based on gender. You do not explain or analyse the effects of this stereotyping. Sexism is usually defined as discrimination based on gender. You do not say anything about discrimination here. You only descibe part of the socialisation process that moulds gender stereotypes, and you do not do that very well either. What you are describing is more the pressure from society, particularly the media, to look 'good', or to look a certain way. This is not sexism, and it is not racism.
- 27/08/2004
- 08:05:36
- Score: 5 out of 7 people found this comment useful.
This is cheesy and with very little real content in it. You describe none of your emotions here and you do not try and develop his character so that your readers would understand your 'love' for him. Also, you say you 'guess he felt he should be a "pimp"',,,do you actually know what a pimp is? It doesnt seem like it.I apologise in advance if im wrong here, and correct me if I am, but it seems to me that you wrote this in about 10 minutes and submitted it to get yourself 350 points. No?
- 27/08/2004
- 07:53:38
- Score: 5 out of 7 people found this comment useful.
No offence meant, but you are generalising a fair bit here by saying old war movies are 'based on fact but with little realism'.First of all, what do you classify as an 'old war movie'? Before the 60s? So EVERY war movie made before the 60s had little realism? You classify realism as 'blood and gore'. Come on! I feel like the realism in war is not just about seeing how much blood is spilled, its also about the reasons behind war, the REAL events that happened. Hollywood fails miserably every time at portraying war accurately. First of all, America is also portrayed as the hero, the do-gooder, when blatantly, as history has shown us, it is most often not.Secondly, Hollywood tends to leave out facts, and i don't just mean the date, time and place that battles happened.Your so-called explanation of realism does nothing else except make stupid people believe that war is about nothing else but blowing up the 'enemy' and watching 'blood and gore'.Not everything is in black and white. For example, during the second world war, not all Nazis were 'evil'. Certainly Hitler was, but most of the soldiers were just ordinary people, just like american and british soldiers. There are amazing stories of compassion from both sides during the war. Things are not as simple as you make out, and war is so much more complex and involves so many more emotions than any blockbuster war film will depict.Also, why don't you research your work properly? Watching 4 blockbuster films is hardly research for a topic on war.
- 24/08/2004
- 13:08:39
- Score: 3 out of 8 people found this comment useful.
This is a good, concise account of British imperialism. The essay is clearly structured and worded, although, as johnjjp says, there could have been a longer and more rounded conclusion to sum up what had previously been said.I think it is sad that Britain, and most of the Western countries, feel that they have the right to interfere with the way other countries are run. Although the custom that you mention, sati, seems frighteningly wrong to me, I think that banning another countries custom (particularly when Britain has not been invited into the country, but has taken it by force) is wrong. The West think we are more developed, and therefore right. This may or may not be true. However, to have the arrogance to think we can dictate the laws of another country, which has different customs and beliefs, is as wrong as the custom sati. Countries need to be able to develop at their own pace, without interference from other cultures. I do not think there is any good that can come of imperialism. capital and technology are not necessarily the positive things we think them to be.A thought-provoking essay. Well done!
- 24/08/2004
- 12:48:32
- Score: 3 out of 5 people found this comment useful.
This is a good, concise account of the role of women in WWII, however it is very very short and because of this i fail to see how it achieved 100%. It has no references, examples or case studies. Perhaps these could have improved your essay?
- 24/08/2004
- 12:36:57
- Score: 3 out of 5 people found this comment useful.
I think this has some good information and some good arguments in it, however, this is a big issue and a better, more in depth analysis could have made this essay more effective. Perhaps looking at the violent crime statistics of other countries (i.e Britain, where firearms are not legal) might have helped back up your argument.
- 23/08/2004
- 13:03:47
- Score: 2 out of 4 people found this comment useful.
This has some valuable information in it and is a very informative, concise essay. It seems to be strangely written though, an essay about a Professor's work, and it also seems to be promoting a website? Still, good work, and a good essay.
- 23/08/2004
- 12:57:14
- Score: 3 out of 6 people found this comment useful.
Has the potential to be a good essay. You probably need to make it a little longer in order to include other arguments. Possibly you could have examined binge drinking in other countries where the drinking age is lower than the US (I assume its the US you are writing about), such as Britain. This way you would have provided evidence or analysis for your work.You also touch on Peer Pressure in your conclusion. This could have been mentioned and developed earlier on in the essay.Good work though.
- 23/08/2004
- 12:50:05
- Score: 3 out of 6 people found this comment useful.
This is a good essay, and very informative, however, there is no clear opening and conclusion here, the essay drags on and there are few statistics or references. I also think that you should either have talked just about the British governement at Westminster or have taken time to properly analyse Scottish, Welsh and Irish aspects of the political system. You seem to be trying to squeeze too much into one essay.It is a Scottish Parliament, not Assembly, and the Welsh Assembly is hardly touched on here, despite being an integral part of the British political system.You also say that the referendum in 1979 for Scottish devolution did not muster enough support. This is not entirely true as there was a loophole in the referendum. Out of all the people that voted, a sufficient number (sorry, i'm lacking statistics here) voted Yes, and it was widely thought at first that devolution would go ahead. However the loophole was that less 40% of the actual electorate had not voted yes. In other elections and referendums this is not something that actually matters, but the government decided that in this case it did, so the outcome was no devolution.I also thought that the end note was not backed up with a sufficient argument. You claim that the Scottish Parliament may be a waste of money and may not represent the needs of the people because it does not hold soverignity, and many matters are reserved to Westminster. You do not back the argument up.The Parliament has cost a lot of money, a lot of unnecessary money. However, it is politically diverse, representing the public (Labour, SNP, Liberal Democrats, Greens, Socialists, Conservatives and some Independant MSPs all have representation in Parliament and thus all represent different aspects of the country.) through many different parties, using a proportionally representative political system, has many success stories (ie free tuition fees for all Scottish students, bans on fox hunting and many things that have not been reached in Westminster yet). The idea of the Parliament is that by only having devolved issues to worry about, such as health and education, it allows much more time to be spent on solving problems.On the whole this is a good essay, however, I think you try to cover too much in too few words. Keep up the good work though!
- 23/08/2004
- 10:37:24
- Score: 3 out of 5 people found this comment useful.
A very concise summery, you've managed to cover a lot considering the length of the essay. It is structured acceptably and there are some good arguments in it, however I feel it is really not much more than a short summery, and hardly an essay. It is an interesting read though, and good work.
- 22/08/2004
- 10:06:41
- Score: 4 out of 7 people found this comment useful.
Good essay, although rather short. It could have gone into more depth, and I think that the essay could have kept to its task better (describing or analysing Scotlands Economic State).John Logie Baird (from Helensburgh, west of Scotland) also invented the TV, a Scotsman invented penicillin, tarmac for the roads, the raincoat (not surprisingly), the adhesive stamp, the first cloned animal (Dolly the sheep), tyres for cars and much much more.
- 20/08/2004
- 07:57:02
- Score: 4 out of 6 people found this comment useful.
I think this essay has no understanding of the country it is describing. It is very short, has no references, little structure and no depth whatsoever.
- 20/08/2004
- 07:50:48
- Score: 4 out of 7 people found this comment useful.
Some good points made, and a clear argument is set out, however references are needed and the essay is much much too short to delve into any real analysis.Perhaps violence is used so much in the film industry is because, as argued above, it conveys strong passions. It can be repulsive, but for some reason repulsive things are also bizarrely, and sometimes frighteningly compelling?
- 20/08/2004
- 07:36:45
- Score: 3 out of 5 people found this comment useful.
This essay is very short, especially since it is analysing Shakespeare, something which usually needs to be examined in a lot of depth (because there is so much in it). However, being Scottish, I really don't understand what 10th grade is, so possibly it is of good standard for its level? I think it could do with being longer though, and with more analysis.
- 20/08/2004
- 07:30:06
- Score: 3 out of 5 people found this comment useful.
I can't say more than that. I thought it was fantastic...it didnt have any faults as far as I could see. Capitalism sickens me and you have articulated far better than I ever could exactly why it is so evil. Even better, you've described how to help prevent it. I hadn't known that there was a term for it either. Now I understand where the programme 'Jam' got its name. This is by far, in my opinion, the best essay I have read on cheathouse. Brilliant.
- 11/08/2004
- 11:43:34
- Score: 5 out of 8 people found this comment useful.
and really interesting to read. I learnt a lot!
- 10/08/2004
- 09:27:26
- Score: 13 out of 17 people found this comment useful.
This essay is ok, however you do not specify what sort of sex education you want to be given in schools very clearly. Also, don't schools already teach sex education as part of the curriculum? They definately do in Britain. You could perhaps have analysed how effective the current education is on preventing teen pregnancies or how modern the ideals being taught to children are.You also only really touch on the main topics. What about marginalized groups such as homosexual sex. If AIDS is on the increase then surely it would make sense to teach homosexual sex education to all children in schools as well. That might help to prevent the HIV virus from spreading so quickly amongst the youth.Also, positive teaching about homosexual sex might also help to raise awareness about homosexuality and therefore might cut down on prejudices that will last a generation.I agree with you in that U think sex education needs to be taught in schools. I personally do not believe that very much should be kept from teenagers when they are being taught about sex. I also do not believe that sex education given to them at school should have any basis in religion or specific ideals about sex, such as sex before marriage or leaving out homosexual sex from the curriculum. Education should just be based purely to teach teenagers how to protect themselves from STDs and unwanted pregnancies. I do not believe it should dicatate where or when it is right for a teenager to be having sex.Sorry - i've gone off on a tangent. It is an interesting subject and a thought - provoking essay. I thought it could perhaps have gone into more detail though, and it often repeats itself.
- 28/06/2004
- 08:47:44
- Score: 2 out of 4 people found this comment useful.
good analysis even though the essay is so short. I liked it. Might be better if it was longer though - then you could go into more depth.
- 28/06/2004
- 08:09:27
- Score: 3 out of 5 people found this comment useful.
its ok, but its short, has no factual references or case studies and I think the language is far too flowery for an essay.
- 28/06/2004
- 08:03:56
- Score: 4 out of 6 people found this comment useful.
Your essay is extremely enjoyable to read. You present your argument clearly through a sound analysis and a good use of language. I found that perspective on Love new and extrememly interesting. You've made me want to read this book now!
- 28/06/2004
- 07:52:26
- Score: 2 out of 3 people found this comment useful.
with what you are saying, but this essay lacks structure, research and facts. It has a good ideas behind it, and probably with a little more research and time could become a good essay.Also, I don't think there are more homosexuals in the world today than before, I think it is probably just that people are more away of homosexuality, or more open about it than they were.
- 25/06/2004
- 09:55:15
- Score: 1 out of 2 people found this comment useful.
This essay is useless as it does not say anything constructive at all. I read it because I found the topic interesting and I hoped I might be enlightened to things I might not previously have known. However this essay has nothing in it, no clear point, aim or references and is very very short.
- 25/06/2004
- 09:50:30
- Score: 6 out of 9 people found this comment useful.
This is an extract from a play.
- 25/06/2004
- 09:38:25
- Score: 3 out of 4 people found this comment useful.
Your analysis and the general content of the essay is really good, however, structure, paragraphing and your repitition of things are the only things to be addressed. I think its a really good essay. The hard part is analysing the book, and you've got that down to a T. Structure and everything can be worked on. Well Done!
- 01/06/2004
- 05:11:02
- Score: 2 out of 3 people found this comment useful.
Really informative and interesting - I don't know much about the feminist movements in the US. When did women get the vote in America (i'm not from the US - sorry)?
- 01/06/2004
- 05:03:22
- Score: 5 out of 9 people found this comment useful.
A well argued essay backed up with statistical references. Its nice to see an essay in favour of cannabis as well.
- 01/06/2004
- 04:52:58
- Score: 2 out of 3 people found this comment useful.
its really short but informative and well structured. I thought it was really interesting.
- 01/06/2004
- 04:48:56
- Score: 8 out of 10 people found this comment useful.
way too short to be an 'essay' on a novel. The summary of the story is well done, however, the decision that the monster is the villain is unfounded and without argument. You should really back these arguments up with references from the text or other criticism. I don't agree with your view at all. And who exactly said there could only be one villain in the text, or that there is even a villain at all?
- 31/05/2004
- 11:39:29
- Score: 2 out of 4 people found this comment useful.
You could have differentiated bewteen organised religion and spiritual belief, which can be two different things. I'm not at all religious myself, however I am not completely against the idea of a God existing, I just don't know. However, I am against institutionalized religion. I think the distinction between that and real spiritual belief should have been made.Also perhaps the idea that belief in God is born more out of fear than of love? It is an arguable point. Could compliment your argument that science is the new religion. It explains creation, and religion is thus no longer needed to explain it. People have answers to things and do not feel the need to have a blind faith in a supposed higher being, and thus are not frightened into following a religion.I think, personally, that institutionalized religion came about as a means of controlling the masses, or possibly a way of teaching what was right and wrong at the time the religion was born. I do not think that any Holy Books should be taken literally, although I think it is possible to derive guidlines on behaviour from them. I also believe it is possible to be spiritual, and to believe in a higher force without bending to institutionalized religion.
- 31/05/2004
- 11:22:12
- Score: 2 out of 3 people found this comment useful.
Poor spelling and grammer. No factual evidence to back up your arguments. A foetus is not actually living and breathing at the time of abortion - thats why abortions are only legal (in Scotland anyway, although I imagine it is the same for other western countries) within the first 3 months of pregnancy. I agree with much of what you say - I think it is immoral, and I believe life begins at conception, despite the foetus not being technically 'alive'. However, I thought the essay was poor for High School standards, you could have provided examples and statistics to clearly back up your arguments. However you appear not to have researched it at all and the essay seems to be merely your own opinion as it came off the top of your head. sorry.
- 31/05/2004
- 11:07:16
- Score: 9 out of 12 people found this comment useful.
I often wonder if people who write essays have ever taken drugs. What is exactly wrong with getting high then? You never really clarify this in your essay. The addiction? Selling drugs and getting caught? The way drugs can change people?I agree that drugs can change people as well, and not for the better, however, I think that people tend to classify everything under the general term of 'drugs'. Cannabis is not addictive, and is unlikely to have a bad affect on people, unless used in excess.What if drugs were legalised, all drugs, and thus regulated by the government. There would be none of the shit put into them as there is at the moment by dodgy dealers (often, it is what drugs are cut with that kills people rather than the actual drugs). Also, if drugs were legal, the actual amount that people take could also be regulated, cutting back on excess.People are going to take drugs anyway, they always have and always will whether the government like it or not. Surely it would be safer if it was legal?I, admittedly, have never seen the movies mentioned in this essay. But what about movies like Pulp Fiction? Or Trainspotting? Although these movies do depict the rough side to drugs, they also glamourise them by making it seem cool to be taking them. This can also influence young people.You say scareface shows drugs as the root of all evil, and that the person in it does horrible things as the drug takes over and his cocaine empire expands. Well, to be honest, I think that even if you removed the drug from the equation here that these effects are possible as a result of greed. I think that capitalism breeds these sort of effects, greed, want of more money can breed selfishness. America is the queen of big businesses, I think that this sort of thing exists without drugs being brought into the equation.
- 29/05/2004
- 13:19:43
- Score: 2 out of 4 people found this comment useful.
Your essay is ok, but its lacking reference and fact. Obviously, due to the last paragraph in the essay - you have never taken cannabis before - as your depiction of what happens when a person is stoned is completely inaccurate. I can tell you this from experience, a lot of it.But to your essay...Firstly, why would the British Health Service Collapse? Cannabis has been in recreational use for over 10,000 years (being a natural plant and all) - just because it is illegal doesn't mean that a lot of people don't take it. It is not difficult to get a hold of, most people - especially young people today - will be around the drug at some point in their life. I don't know any statistics off the top of my head, but I know that the number of people in Britain who take cannabis reguarly is very very high. I don't see the NHS collapsing from cannabis induced psychosis , and people have been taking it regularly since long before the 40s.Alcohol is a drug, it is dangerous in excess as well, everything is.The reason that a spliff is more damaging to a person's lungs is because at the moment, because cannabis is illegal, it is smoked without a filter, not because the drug is more dangerous when mixed with tobacco.You also seem to assume that it can only be smoked, it can also be eaten, a method which does not destroy a person's lungs.You also say that it is not 'supposed to be there'. Who gave you the right to decide that? It is a plant, it grows naturally, it should be a person's own choice whether or not they consume it, like any other plant. Other plants, or natural products that we consume merely as part of our diet are harmful to us as well, not any less or more so than cannabis, yet it is alright to consume them.It is a mind-altering drug, alcohol is mind-altering, yet it is legal. Tobacco on the other hand is not mind-altering, merely highly dangerous to a person's health and also highly addictive. I feel that if you are using the 'gateway' argument you must consider that it is probable that every person who has tried cannabis has previously tried both tobacco and alcohol. So what then? Make everything illegal? You say that dealers will try and get a person to try other harder drugs if they buy cannabis from them. Is that then, not an argument for its legalisation? If it was legalised it could be regulated. There seems to be no problem of selling of cannabis without a licence in Holland, purely because the cannabis there is purer, and does not have pieces of plastic and other such things cut into it. People in Holland are prepared to pay the full price for it because it is cleaner and stronger.People will take cannabis whether it is legal or not. Fact. By legalising it the government could control the intake and affects of it and it could also be used for medicinal purposes for those who need it.Do we really want a drug lifestyle in the UK? well, that really is debatable. I say yes. There is one point that you seem to be forgetting. This point is obvious to me after reading the last paragraph of your essay - people take it for a reason. Drugs are fun. Just like getting drunk is fun. Getting really really stoned with friends is fun as well.And no, people do not NEED it to have fun, but that doesn't mean that you won't have fun taking it. And on the contrary to your belief, I believe that drugs OPEN a person's mind to perspectives that they would never experience in a sober state.Why should it be wrong. There may be certain (minor) risks associated with cannabis and other (larger) ones with other drugs - such as ecstacy mentioned in your essay, but if people are given all the information, know the risks, know the impact it might have on their health, but choose to do it anyway, surely it should be their own PERSONAL choice?I think so anyway. I think it's worth it.
- 19/04/2004
- 18:27:05
- Score: 6 out of 8 people found this comment useful.
was this just submitted to get points?
- 19/04/2004
- 15:36:28
- Score: 2 out of 3 people found this comment useful.
by commenting on my own essay - im making a point
- 19/04/2004
- 15:32:08
- Score: 4 out of 20 people found this comment useful.
are exactly what essay's are all about. The english languague is expressive, what is the point of having languague if you don't use it to its full potential? Maybe its only wordy because you don't understand it?Also, if you read the lengthy explanation, you might find that it is not commenting on the essay, thus neither adding or subtracting to it, but clarifying the unfounded point you made yourself about the former communist soviet union being a 'prime example' of how communism wouldn't work. As the lengthy comment states, there were many factors contributing to the collapse of communism in the soviet union (see my other essay - its an account for the collapse of communism) that were extreme and unusual. Not only that, but your comment has little relevance to the essay, as it is MARXIST political theory. Again, it was not Marxist communism that dominated the communist east. Although founded on certain Marxist principles, Lenin formed his own theories from that and Stalin, and extremist in his own right, added to that with his own terrifying policies. Not Marx.Get your facts right.
- 19/04/2004
- 15:13:45
- Score: 6 out of 22 people found this comment useful.
im sorry - but you have missed the point completely - Trainspotting is such a skillful, carefully crafted amazing work of literature. The theme is that of materialism and capitalism, as well as the drug abuse in it. Read my essay - its not very good, but I think I understood the book a lot better than you did.Maybe i'll forgive you if you aren't British, but if you are, then this is a terrible essay and there's no excuse for it - i can't believe you got points.And by the way - I would never be so harsh on you except for the fact you rated your essay 100%. Aye right!
- 19/04/2004
- 14:48:34
- Score: 4 out of 5 people found this comment useful.
im surprised you only got 90% as well; its superbly referenced, well structured with excellent word choice for such a tender topic. I think its a fantastic essay.It really provoked thought as well in other areas - "Trainspotting" by Irvine Welsh is one of my favourite novels (i wrote a rather shite essay on it which i submitted here for points, but still - don't judge on that) and the ideas you touched on in your essay, that suicide"is usually considered a socially unacceptable topic in today's commericial media"sparked ideas about society that have been floating around in my head recentlyYour intro suggested that suicide is mainly caused by intense psychological pain - a response to unmet needs. That suicidal people lack the resources to cope with this pain. This suggests that it is the individual lacks something, or that something is wrong with the individual to make a person suicidal.However, and this is just a stream of concsiousness here - im really not as good at essays as you - what you mentioned later about adolecsence, that "social roles are being learned (forced)" suggested that society, or the societal systems (ie the way society is set up, or run - the idea of social norms etc) might play a hand in the causes of suicide. That society cannot handle anyone who is different, or does not fit into its system. Like in "Trainspotting" where the character Mark Renton states that society cannot abide drug 'abuse' because its "seen as a sign of their ain failure" (quote off the top of my head, sorry). In that novel, it suggests that it is not just the individual that has a problem, but also society because it will not accept anyone who does not agree with the way the world is run. And it is the fact that a single person cannot change the way society is run, and consequently can't escape from it, that the idea of suicide arises. That the problem of suicide stems from problems in society, and not necessarily in the person. You pointed out the signs of suicidal people: "disassociation, depression, ani-social-behaviour and lack of achievement" - perhaps these all arise because certain people are so sick of society, for whatever reason (capitalism, communism, greed - all the bad aspects of human society that perhaps to them, just seem to outweigh the good) that the best thing for those people would be suicide, because they do not, and will never, WANT (because rehabilitation is about reintegration and what happens if the problem is society, that the individual doesn't want to be a part of and never will?) to be a part of a society they hate? Rehabilitation will not work as that leads to conformity, and that is the very last thing that an individual with thoughts like this wants - it is literally impossible for them to conform unless their entire persona is changed, which is impossible. If the system of the world is inescapable, then suicide is the only, or the best option - provided the person has no fear of death.Sorry - i'm rambling again, i always do. I thought your essay was fantastic, it answered the question well, referenced everything with examples and quotes, was structured well and generally brilliant. I obviously don't think that the only cause of suicide is society, but your essay made me think of it from another perspecive. It was very thought - provoking (for me anyway). If you are interested in the notion that it is society that shapes the individual then you should read "Trainspotting" if you already haven't - FANTASTIC novel, very entertaining, poignant yet raw and very very well written. Also makes you think - too much - about society. Or i guess its really sociology (Emile Durkeim? i'm not too familiar with it) that it stems from. but still.yeah, sorry - FANTASTIC essay. I would have given u a 100%
- 18/04/2004
- 13:59:35
- Score: 3 out of 4 people found this comment useful.
But there are no references to back up your arguments. Why is cannabis bad for your health? There are other ways of consuming it than smoking it, which is obviously harmful to your lungs.Then there is the assumption that any mind altering substance is morally wrong. Getting too drunk is supposedly wrong, getting too stoned is supposedly wrong. Of course, this is arguably bad for a person's well-being in the sense that they are not of sound mind and are more likely to cause accidents, but there are already rules in place to combat that.The idea that cannabis can be used for medicinal purposes is one that should have been given more attention. Many MS and ME sufferers take this substance not recreationally but as a drug which not only eases physical pain but also relaxes a persons mind, thus combatting any worries or anxieties caused through these illnesses. I know that there is scientific proof of this if it is looked up.I thought that the argument put forward that cannabis is a 'stepping stone' towards other drugs was argued well, although cigarettes acting as a stepping stone towards smoking marijuana might have worked better than coffee.Then there is the argument (not in this essay, sorry, just my own personal thoughts) that ALL drugs should perhaps be legal, or many of them. Millions of people every week, in Britain at least, take Ecstacy regularly. This is a fact. But drugs education is so aimed towards prevention that there is very little information given on how to keep yourself safe while taking drugs. It is a fact that people will do it anyway, surely it is better, for certain drugs at least, to make it legal (and thus less of a novelty and perhaps hence less appealing to people) and provide information about the dangers and risks. If it was drummed into people from birth what Ecstacy actually does to you then perhaps people will think about what they are taking rather than just being reckless and doing it anyway.We are told at school that smoking cannabis is bad for you. It is made out to be much worse than it is. People realise as they get older that it has mind altering affects, that long term use may lead to memory loss, slower brain activity, yet it is not as bad as it is made out.People might then go on to think that harder drugs like Ecstacy are not as dangerous as the goverment make out. It is dangerous, but if people are given the knowledge they need to take care of themselves: drink water, but not too much, watch you're not overheating, do not take too much, do not use it regularly then the numbers of people using the drug might rise, but perhaps the casulaties would lessen.Is is becoming a bit of a stream of conciousness, your essay was certainly thought-provoking. If cannabis, and for example, Ecstacy, were legalised, the government would then have control over what each drug is cut with, and therefore the drug itself would be safer and could be regulated. If a person was too stoned, or too high, in a certain designated area, then they could be refused any more of it, teh same as really drunk people are refused alcholol in pubs when they are too drunk.Sorry, my own rant there - no - a really thought-provoking essay, but it needs references and examples.
- 15/04/2004
- 16:18:10
- Score: 16 out of 18 people found this comment useful.
I think people will rate this essay well merely because of the subject and not because it is a well written, well referenced, researched, or particularly interesting essay.
- 15/04/2004
- 15:48:30
- Score: 6 out of 10 people found this comment useful.
because of the content of the essay, but there was not much information, no clear introduction or conclusion and not much depth for a subject which could have such potential. I'm sure for the author that that day has hit feelings into him or her that are unimaginable. However, they also seem to be undescribable. No offence (because it can be easily taken with a subject like 9/11), but it lacked depth, there was no real point, or the point was not portrayed clearly enough, and no real body to the essay.
- 15/04/2004
- 15:46:29
- Score: 6 out of 9 people found this comment useful.