Elements of English Eloquence by Macy

Elements of English Eloquence by Macy - August 2016 Scholarship Essay

To be or not to be? That is the question- a question best answered in English class. English classes teach us about the human condition and what it means to communicate with the rest of the world. Literature gives us examples of people interacting with their surroundings, positive (who has more faith in humanity than Tom from Uncle Tom’s Cabin?) and negative ones (we don’t speak of Macbeth). Composition, vocabulary and grammar give us the tools to express our own ideas and improve the world through educated thought. The study of English teaches us to observe, to process, and to enrich our own lives.
I, personally, have learned so much about the world and myself through my English classes. Some of my favorite books have come from in class readings, such as the Scarlet Pimpernel and The Great Gatsby. Did you know that most modern superheroes are based off of the titular character in the Scarlet Pimpernel? Imagine, Batman is based off of a bumbling Englishman from the 1700’s! And who doesn’t want to experience the lavish ecstasy of a Gatsby party? I’m even more eager for this year’s modern literature lineup- everything from Frankenstein to Lord of the Flies to A Brave New World. Every new books promises new ideas and adventures (and a reserved spot in my book collection).
Even with all the second hand experiences gained through reading, writing has taught me more about myself than I thought was there. I’ve had the opportunities to research everything from the Olympics to the process of adoption to the craze of dystopian novels. Each essay taught me more about the elements of life I took for granted. I learned even more about my own opinions and the foundations of writing in my AP Language class last year. I learned how to analyze both sides of the story to make truly informed decisions, how to take sides and make a stand. Is it more important to be feared or loved? Is the institution of an honor code negotiable or not? The best educated arguments are balanced; both side of have validity. Some arguments aren’t between right and wrong, but between better and best.
English classes have taught me who I want to be. They have exposed my passions and ambitions, who I could be and where I could go. This time next year, I will be headed off to college to pursue this infatuation with the written word that English classes have instilled in me, to refine the words written in my soul and etched in my brain. I have things to say and now I know how to say them. That’s what English has taught me.