Strong Language in Essays?

juillet
Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:21:57 +0000

It really, really depends on the context. It can be cleverly pulled off, but I think in 97% of situations, it isn’t done right and shouldn’t be there at all. In those 97% of situations, it’s pretty clear that the student is using profanity solely for the shock factor – to attract attention – and that doesn’t come off well.

In the other 3%, it does shock but not in an offensive way – it makes a point. It draws the reader in, but not negatively, because the curse belongs there. Still, on general principle I would recommend against using profanity in your essay. You never know who is going to be reading your essay and who could be offended.

In your sentence, it sounds more like the former – like you are just including the word because you want to shock someone or because you don’t know of another equally strong, non-profane word to put there. (Also, it doesn’t make much sense. You like abnormality because it lets you ignore things? What does that even mean?) I would recommend against it.