Isn't it all filler?

I studied my younger brother’s writing for his senior-level high school English class. I read several of his research papers and essays and what struck me most was the syntax of his paragraphs. I noticed in his writing that the only sentences that have any complex structure or depth of meaning are those which are either series of facts or summarization. This perception also applies to his papers as a whole; they read like straight regurgitation of facts. I asked Blake why he chose not to write anything substantial and he told me that he refused to put sentences in that did not directly support his thesis. He elaborated that his teacher will take points off for any sentence not directly supporting the thesis, which accounts for the lack of originality and sophisticated sentence structure. In order to receive good grades my little brother had been writing for the teacher’s approval, not for the sake of writing or developing ideas. This is the problem that lies within Quintilian’s “set-standard” approach to education. My brother even has an evaluation sheet that his teacher uses to critique his students’ work which lumps specific details into vague generalities. For example, the teacher took points off of his research paper because he only consulted five outside sources instead of the required six. What does this teach? He is also losing points for agreement errors, which, aside from the purpose of grammar, in no way affect the point of his paper. Why should simple errors like that be a factor in the overall grade total of his paper? The only purpose of that it seems is self-discipline, but that contradicts the original motives behind Quintilian’s movement. He wanted people to learn how to express their ideas, not reduce them down to fit a cookie-cutter-mold of a paper. Other possible opportunities for points include, “Clearly Stated Thesis, Convincing Presentation, and General Appearance”. His teacher even admits that the introductory paragraph and the closing paragraph are the most important; everything else is just filler.

Going the Distance

Reluctantly crouched at the starting line. Engines pumping and thumping in time. The green light flashes and the flags go up; churning and burning they yearn for the cup.

Those song lyrics from Cake are what play through my mind before every rugby game I've played since Jr. year of high school. That song, and a few explicit others, rage so hard my body can hardly contain itself. I am a ball of endless energy encased in bone and flesh. I must use my body as a machine, momentum flying at my opponent's shins in full force as my feet leave the field. It's a mentality- you must know what you are capable of and that no other man can stop you. No attitudes, no hero role models, and no excuses.

Our warmups were the scream metal ska songs on Kyle's iPod. The team looked to us to incite terror and panic in the hearts of men, which turned to expectancy and contentness once we started our undefeated streak to regional champions. Logic has its time and place but true rabble rousers allow others to forget their humanity.

political science in todays economy