SCholarship Help!!

[jstbcuz]

One of the scholarship applications dd has is to write an essay on

"How Do Political Differences Affect Americanism Today"

It is just for Senior girls at her school (about 26) and we got an email yesterday from the counselor that noone has applied yet. DD is not good with essays, but I think we should atleast give it a shot. The top 2 get $200.

Problem is: I dont even know where to start on this one. Must be less than 500 words. Can you give us a boost??? What direction would you go with this???

 

[bowne90]

Well, if it was me, I would try to use google and research the topic. They might have some quick response ideas that you could build upon in the essay.

However, the first thing that came to my mind is how the political parties are always "fighting" with each other and it takes forever for things to get done in this country. That affects everyone.

I hope that helps....

 

[jstbcuz]

We googles it.......lots of ways to go!!!

Politcal Science is definately not our subject...LOL

 

[v.t.]

You could take a positive route, talking about the ability to participate in politics. Freedom of speech means we can all voice our opinions and democracy means everyone's opinions count. While this makes it hard to get things done, it also means that the decisions made are in the best interest of the public. Well, there supposed to be anyway.....

 

[Marionnette]

As with all essays, you need to answer the question. Have your daughter look up the word "amercanism" and make sure that her essay addresses what it means and how it is influenced by differing political perspectives. The question is NOT about how warring political factions lead to stalemates in Washington nor is it about our freedoms.

The winning essays will be the ones that took the time to make sure that the actual question was answered.

 

[jgates]

Wisconsin is a great example of this right now. The passion involved in the current politcal upheavals, including protesting, recall petitions, etc. has carried over to the Supreme Court race that was held yesterday. In a spring non-presidential election turnout typically maxes at 20%. Yesterday they had a turn-out of approximately 1,480,000 out of 3,400,000 registered voters. Turnout rate is approximately 43.5% - more than double the average.

AND GET THIS - THE VOTE DIFFERENCE IS CURRENTLY AROUND 206 VOTES. Nearly one and one half million votes & only 200 votes separating the two candidates. Never feel your vote does not count.

It's a very good place to look at just how passionate people become about this - it really is 'Americanism' at it's finest as to how people are standing up to be heard, donating money to feed protesters, etc. People actually were living in the halls of the capitol for weeks.

I actually think it would be hard to write about in 500 words or less, but it's a great example of how people are using the freedoms they have to change what they believe in.

 

[okeydokey]

Since it is your daughter's essay, I would get her to do the work. Can she interview one of her HS Civics or Social Studies teachers for ideas. Is there a local CC or University nearby that has resources for her to use?

 

[mrsklamc]

You are a great mom for making sure your daughter is going after scholarship money. But the only way she will write well enough to win is if she comes up with a concept of her very own, so she can 'own' it.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

This is a little bit off topic, but keep in mind that if the college she is going to offers her financial aid, if she gets any outside scholarships, the amount she wins will be taken off the financial aid offer. It might not be worth it to go through all the work to write an essay for a chance to win $200.00.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

One of the scholarship applications dd has is to write an essay on

"How Do Political Differences Affect Americanism Today"

It is just for Senior girls at her school (about 26) and we got an email yesterday from the counselor that noone has applied yet. DD is not good with essays, but I think we should atleast give it a shot. The top 2 get $200.

Problem is: I dont even know where to start on this one. Must be less than 500 words. Can you give us a boost??? What direction would you go with this???

You really need to have your daughter do this essay, NOT you. The other girls are also looking for this money. You do not have the right to ask for help from others, her work should be original if it is for a scholarship, if it was just a school work paper, I would understand.

 

[Magix]

You absolutely have the right to ask for help with how to start your topic. We're not writing the essay for you, we're helping you with ideas about what to write about. Nothing wrong with that. It's always good to get input from a multitude of people on a subject like this.

I'd consider what I feel "Americanism" is. Then, I'd take a look at how our current political climate effects it. "Americanism" is defined by Webster's as: "Attachment or allegiance to the traditions, interests, or ideas of the U.S." and "the political principles and practices essential to American culture", as well as "a custom or trait peculiar to America." These definitions should give you a starting point to think about how today's politics have either changed or reaffirmed our Americanism.

Just have your daughter think it over, maybe talk with her about her ideas, then have her put her ideas on paper and work them into a cohesive essay. She'll reach 500 words in no time! Good luck!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

You absolutely have the right to ask for help with how to start your topic. We're not writing the essay for you, we're helping you with ideas about what to write about. Nothing wrong with that. It's always good to get input from a multitude of people on a subject like this.

I'd consider what I feel "Americanism" is. Then, I'd take a look at how our current political climate effects it. "Americanism" is defined by Webster's as: "Attachment or allegiance to the traditions, interests, or ideas of the U.S." and "the political principles and practices essential to American culture", as well as "a custom or trait peculiar to America." These definitions should give you a starting point to think about how today's politics have either changed or reaffirmed our Americanism.

Just have your daughter think it over, maybe talk with her about her ideas, then have her put her ideas on paper and work them into a cohesive essay. She'll reach 500 words in no time! Good luck!

It is not HER topic, it is her daughters. Parents should not be doing college essays for their children. It is just plain WRONG in my opinion.

And since this is a discussion board, I get an opinion.

 

[Green Tea]

It is not HER topic, it is her daughters. Parents should not be doing college essays for their children. It is just plain WRONG in my opinion.

And since this is a discussion board, I get an opinion.

I have thought this since I read the post initially. The OP uses I and We a lot to be talking about her daughter's essay.

 

[Magix]

It is not HER topic, it is her daughters. Parents should not be doing college essays for their children. It is just plain WRONG in my opinion.

And since this is a discussion board, I get an opinion.

You're absolutely right. And I get an opinion, too. And we disagree. I don't think we can tell, just from what the OP posts on this board, whether she's writing the essay FOR her daughter or she's just HELPING her daughter. And, IMO, there is absolutely nothing wrong with soliciting input from others. In fact, it may help her daughter to write a more fully-rounded essay, if she indicates that she has sought out the opinions of people with a variety of political viewpoints to help her get a feel for how Americanism has been influenced by today's politics.

I think there's been a pretty big leap of assumption, based on the OP's one use of "I". I see no indication that the OP will be writing the essay for her daughter to pass off as her own. Nor, do I see any indication that she has asked us to write it for her. They just needed a jump start, a few ideas to think about to get the creative juices flowing. It's part of the creative process. Cut the OP some slack. Nothing wrong with a mother helping a daughter to think about and research an essay, no matter what it's for. So long as the daughter does the actual work of interpreting the information and putting it together as an essay, in her own words, then nothing unethical has been done here.

 

[Hannathy]

time to back off Mom. This is a scholarship for your DD not you! She should be writing it and she should be coming up with the topic, you are quite a bit to involved.

This is no different than the parents doing the science project that wins the Science award in elementary school.

This angers me a lot. So the poor kid who is honest and does their own work is out of luck.

You can proofread, you can help her if she gets stuck with a sentence but to initiate it for her is wrong.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

time to back off Mom. This is a scholarship for your DD not you! She should be writing it and she should be coming up with the topic, you are quite a bit to involved.

This is no different than the parents doing the science project that wins the Science award in elementary school.

This angers me a lot. So the poor kid who is honest and does their own work is out of luck.

You can proofread, you can help her if she gets stuck with a sentence but to initiate it for her is wrong.

This 100%. What if Mom does get the idea's here and guides her daughters paper (I won't come out and say write it, but we all know it happens), what about that paper that was just a tad bit simpler or had one or two small errors, but that child came up with the concept, and totally wrote her paper. This mother is doing an injustice to all the girls who are vying for the scholarship.

And sorry to the other OP, forgot to duel quote. You have as much right to say your opinion as I do, you questioned me first, I was just replying. I actually think that if we all agreed all the time, this would be really boring.

I am just going to say there is a teen board here. DMom should have had her daughter sign up and ask over there by herself. I am sure most would guide her, and many would not help her. But it's her scholarship (daughters) and she needs to step up to the plate. Also, the daughter very easily could have went to the guidance office and or teacher for assistance. Very soon this child will be in college and therefore should act like such. No one like a cheater.

 

[mrsklamc]

Nothing wrong with a mother helping a daughter to think about and research an essay, no matter what it's for. So long as the daughter does the actual work of interpreting the information and putting it together as an essay, in her own words, then nothing unethical has been done here.

I agree with everything you said except the 'and research' part. Absolutely nothing wrong with helping think through or talk about it, but research is part of the writing process, and if someone else does it for a student, that is cheating.

 

[mrsklamc]

OP- one thing to think about as you and your daughter talk this through is what group is sponsoring the scholarship and how the perspective of that particular group may shape the answer they are looking for.

I'm sure you daughter will do great- 500 words is really nothing for a college bound student.

 

[shortbun]

You are a great mom for making sure your daughter is going after scholarship money. But the only way she will write well enough to win is if she comes up with a concept of her very own, so she can 'own' it.

Yeah, while I would LOVE to write this essay myself, your daughter should be doing this. No one has applied. She should be able to find plenty of political commentary on line. She could watch The Daily Show, Glenn Beck, MSNBC, Morning Joe, Bill O'Reilley, The Colbert Report. A few days of those shows and she should have plenty material. We are not allowed to talk politics on this board, otherwise many of us could help a lot. We have polar opionions represented here and we are almost all Americans.