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Narrative Essay on Being Judged

Narrative essay generator.

Imagine walking into a room where every eye turns towards you, not with curiosity but with judgment. This feeling, heavy and uncomfortable, can weigh down on one’s spirit, shaping their view of themselves and the world around them. Being judged, an experience many of us face at various points in our lives, is not just about being evaluated by others but also about the profound impact it has on our self-esteem, behavior, and perception of acceptance in society. This essay delves into a personal experience of being judged, unraveling its effects and the journey towards self-acceptance.

The Encounter

It was a bright morning in September, the kind that promises new beginnings and fresh starts. I had just transferred to a new school, midway through the academic year. As I walked through the corridors, I could feel the weight of unfamiliar eyes sizing me up, making silent assessments. My heart raced, and my steps faltered, not because the environment was new, but because I felt like an outsider, exposed and vulnerable under the scrutinizing gaze of my peers.

The Judgments

It didn’t take long for the whispers to start. Comments about my clothes, my accent, and even my interests began to circulate among my classmates. Each word felt like a tiny needle pricking my confidence, leaving me feeling diminished and isolated. I started to question everything about myself, from the way I dressed to the way I spoke. The judgments weren’t loud or confrontational, but they were constant, a background noise that I couldn’t silence.

The impact of being judged was profound and multifaceted. Socially, I found myself retreating, choosing isolation over the possibility of further judgment. Academically, my performance began to suffer as my focus shifted from learning to worrying about how I was perceived. Emotionally, I was a wreck; my self-esteem hit an all-time low, and anxiety became a constant companion. I began to see myself through the lens of my critics, and the reflection was disheartening.

The Realization

The turning point came when I realized that the judgments of others had become my reality. I had allowed their opinions to define me, to dictate my happiness and self-worth. This realization was a jolt, a wake-up call that I needed to reclaim my identity and self-esteem from the clutches of external validation. I started to reflect on who I was, beyond the perceptions and judgments of others. I revisited my interests, my values, and my goals, finding solace and strength in the unique aspects of my personality that had been subjected to scrutiny.

The Journey Towards Self-Acceptance

The journey towards self-acceptance was neither quick nor easy. It required a conscious effort to detach my self-worth from the opinions of others. I began to surround myself with positive influences, seeking out friendships and communities that valued me for who I was, not for who they wanted me to be. I engaged more deeply in activities that brought me joy and fulfillment, rediscovering the confidence I had lost along the way.

The Lessons Learned

Being judged taught me several invaluable lessons. First, it illuminated the importance of empathy and understanding in our interactions with others. Everyone has a story, a background that shapes their behavior and perspectives. Second, it underscored the significance of self-acceptance. In a world eager to point out our flaws, being kind to ourselves is a radical act of self-love. Finally, it highlighted the transient nature of opinions. People’s judgments are often more reflective of their insecurities and biases than of our true selves.

In conclusion, being judged is a challenging ordeal, one that tests our resilience, self-esteem, and capacity for growth. However, it also offers an opportunity to deepen our understanding of ourselves and to cultivate a sense of self that is unshakable in the face of external opinions. As I reflect on my experience, I am reminded of the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Embracing this ethos, I have learned to navigate the world with a stronger sense of self, one that is defined not by how I am judged but by how I see myself.

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Being Judged and Liberated

Being judged and liberated: embracing authenticity and conquering judgment.

The weight of judgment can be a heavy burden to carry, one that can seep into the very core of our being, leaving scars that may take a lifetime to heal. This narrative essay delves into the journey of being judged, exploring the emotions, experiences, and lessons that come with it. I have encountered instances in my life when the eyes of others, often strangers, felt like scrutinizing lasers, dissecting my every move and choice. These moments left me feeling vulnerable, self-conscious, and at times, questioning my worth. However, through these trials, I have come to understand that the power of judgment lies not in the hands of others, but in our response to it.

The Sting of First Encounters

The first time I vividly remember feeling the sting of judgment was during my early teenage years. It was a period of self-discovery, a time when I was trying to figure out who I was and where I belonged. Like many adolescents, I yearned for acceptance and approval from my peers. However, the path to finding my identity was fraught with pitfalls.

One scorching summer day, I decided to express myself through fashion. I donned a unique outfit that reflected my evolving taste and personal style. As I walked down the street to meet my friends, I felt a surge of confidence in my stride. But that confidence was short-lived. As I approached my friends, I noticed their glances and stifled laughter. Their judgmental expressions were like icy daggers, piercing my heart. “What are you wearing?” one of them snickered. I could feel the blood rush to my cheeks, a mix of embarrassment and anger overwhelming me. In that moment, I wanted nothing more than to run and hide, to erase the traces of my individuality.

That experience left an indelible mark on my psyche, and I became more cautious about revealing my true self to others. The fear of judgment haunted me, causing me to suppress my uniqueness and conform to societal norms. But in doing so, I lost a part of myself, and the mask I wore felt increasingly suffocating.

Breaking Free from the Chains of Judgment

As time passed, I came to realize that living in the shadow of judgment was a self-imposed prison. It wasn’t the opinions of others that were holding me back; it was my fear of those opinions. The turning point in my journey came during a solo backpacking trip to a remote mountain region. Away from the judgmental gazes of my familiar surroundings, I found solace in the serenity of nature.

While hiking through the dense forests and scaling steep cliffs, I embraced a newfound sense of liberation. The mountains didn’t judge me for how I looked or what I wore. They embraced me with open arms, inviting me to be my authentic self. As I sat atop a towering peak, watching the sun set on the horizon, I made a pact with myself – to break free from the chains of judgment and embrace the person I truly was, unapologetically.

The Liberating Journey of Self-Acceptance

Upon returning from my transformative journey, I began the process of self-acceptance. It was not an easy road, but it was a necessary one. I started to surround myself with people who celebrated my uniqueness, rather than those who sought to stifle it. Building a support system of like-minded individuals who understood the value of authenticity gave me the strength to face judgment head-on.

To truly accept myself, I had to confront the internalized judgments I had absorbed over the years. These were not just judgments from others but also the ones I had leveled against myself. I had to let go of the idea that I needed to be perfect, that I needed to fit into a mold crafted by society’s expectations. Through self-reflection and self-compassion, I learned that my imperfections were what made me human and that they were not something to be ashamed of but rather something to embrace.

As I began to unshackle myself from the chains of judgment, I also discovered the power of empathy. I realized that we are all burdened by our own insecurities and fears of being judged. Instead of letting judgment create a divide between me and others, I started to connect with people on a deeper level by understanding their struggles and perspectives. Empathy became a bridge that allowed me to transcend the surface-level judgments and find common ground with others.

The journey of being judged is one that we all embark on at some point in our lives. It can be a treacherous path filled with self-doubt, fear, and vulnerability. However, it is also a transformative journey that offers the opportunity for self-discovery, growth, and liberation.

Through my experiences of judgment, I learned that the power of judgment lies in how we respond to it. We can allow it to shackle us, suffocating our true selves, or we can break free from its chains and embrace our authenticity. The key is self-acceptance and surrounding ourselves with a supportive community that celebrates our uniqueness.

As I continue my journey, I am more aware of the judgments that exist both in the world and within myself. But armed with self-compassion, empathy, and a commitment to authenticity, I stride forward with newfound strength and resilience. No longer bound by the opinions of others, I embrace the freedom of being unapologetically me.

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• How to write a narrative essay | Example & tips

How to Write a Narrative Essay | Example & Tips

Published on July 24, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

A narrative essay tells a story. In most cases, this is a story about a personal experience you had. This type of essay , along with the descriptive essay , allows you to get personal and creative, unlike most academic writing .

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Table of contents

What is a narrative essay for, choosing a topic, interactive example of a narrative essay, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about narrative essays.

When assigned a narrative essay, you might find yourself wondering: Why does my teacher want to hear this story? Topics for narrative essays can range from the important to the trivial. Usually the point is not so much the story itself, but the way you tell it.

A narrative essay is a way of testing your ability to tell a story in a clear and interesting way. You’re expected to think about where your story begins and ends, and how to convey it with eye-catching language and a satisfying pace.

These skills are quite different from those needed for formal academic writing. For instance, in a narrative essay the use of the first person (“I”) is encouraged, as is the use of figurative language, dialogue, and suspense.

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Narrative essay assignments vary widely in the amount of direction you’re given about your topic. You may be assigned quite a specific topic or choice of topics to work with.

• Write a story about your first day of school.
• Write a story about your favorite holiday destination.

You may also be given prompts that leave you a much wider choice of topic.

• Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself.
• Write about an achievement you are proud of. What did you accomplish, and how?

In these cases, you might have to think harder to decide what story you want to tell. The best kind of story for a narrative essay is one you can use to talk about a particular theme or lesson, or that takes a surprising turn somewhere along the way.

For example, a trip where everything went according to plan makes for a less interesting story than one where something unexpected happened that you then had to respond to. Choose an experience that might surprise the reader or teach them something.

Narrative essays in college applications

When applying for college , you might be asked to write a narrative essay that expresses something about your personal qualities.

For example, this application prompt from Common App requires you to respond with a narrative essay.

In this context, choose a story that is not only interesting but also expresses the qualities the prompt is looking for—here, resilience and the ability to learn from failure—and frame the story in a way that emphasizes these qualities.

An example of a short narrative essay, responding to the prompt “Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself,” is shown below.

Hover over different parts of the text to see how the structure works.

Since elementary school, I have always favored subjects like science and math over the humanities. My instinct was always to think of these subjects as more solid and serious than classes like English. If there was no right answer, I thought, why bother? But recently I had an experience that taught me my academic interests are more flexible than I had thought: I took my first philosophy class.

Before I entered the classroom, I was skeptical. I waited outside with the other students and wondered what exactly philosophy would involve—I really had no idea. I imagined something pretty abstract: long, stilted conversations pondering the meaning of life. But what I got was something quite different.

A young man in jeans, Mr. Jones—“but you can call me Rob”—was far from the white-haired, buttoned-up old man I had half-expected. And rather than pulling us into pedantic arguments about obscure philosophical points, Rob engaged us on our level. To talk free will, we looked at our own choices. To talk ethics, we looked at dilemmas we had faced ourselves. By the end of class, I’d discovered that questions with no right answer can turn out to be the most interesting ones.

The experience has taught me to look at things a little more “philosophically”—and not just because it was a philosophy class! I learned that if I let go of my preconceptions, I can actually get a lot out of subjects I was previously dismissive of. The class taught me—in more ways than one—to look at things with an open mind.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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If you’re not given much guidance on what your narrative essay should be about, consider the context and scope of the assignment. What kind of story is relevant, interesting, and possible to tell within the word count?

The best kind of story for a narrative essay is one you can use to reflect on a particular theme or lesson, or that takes a surprising turn somewhere along the way.

Don’t worry too much if your topic seems unoriginal. The point of a narrative essay is how you tell the story and the point you make with it, not the subject of the story itself.

Narrative essays are usually assigned as writing exercises at high school or in university composition classes. They may also form part of a university application.

When you are prompted to tell a story about your own life or experiences, a narrative essay is usually the right response.

The key difference is that a narrative essay is designed to tell a complete story, while a descriptive essay is meant to convey an intense description of a particular place, object, or concept.

Narrative and descriptive essays both allow you to write more personally and creatively than other kinds of essays , and similar writing skills can apply to both.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Fear — The Fear of Being Judged in My Life

The Fear of Being Judged in My Life

• Categories: Fear Personal Beliefs

About this sample

Words: 790 |

Updated: 15 November, 2023

Words: 790 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Works Cited

• Alden, L. E., Taylor, C. T., & Mellings, T. M. (2008). Social anxiety and the interpretation of positive social events. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 22(4), 577-590.
• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.
• Crozier, W. R., & Alden, L. E. (Eds.). (2011). International handbook of social anxiety : Concepts, research, and interventions relating to the self and shyness. John Wiley & Sons.
• Hofmann, S. G. (2007). Cognitive factors that maintain social anxiety disorder: A comprehensive model and its treatment implications. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 36(4), 193-209.
• La Greca, A. M., & Lopez, N. (2008). Social anxiety among adolescents: Linkages with peer relations and friendships. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 36(3), 395-409.
• Leary, M. R. (2012). Social anxiety as an early warning system: A refinement and extension of the self-presentation theory of social anxiety. In L. A. Schmidt & W. B. Bard (Eds.), The Social Psychology of Communication (pp. 23-40). Psychology Press.
• Rapee, R. M., & Heimberg, R. G. (Eds.). (1997). Social phobia: Diagnosis, assessment, and treatment. Guilford Press.
• Stopa, L., & Clark, D. M. (2000). Social phobia and interpretation of social events. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 38(3), 273-283.
• Vriends, N., Becker, E. S., Meyer, A., & Michael, T. (2007). Social anxiety and overgeneralization of social events in adolescents. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 38(3), 304-313.
• Weeks, J. W., Heimberg, R. G., & Rodebaugh, T. L. (2008). The fear of positive evaluation scale: Assessing a proposed cognitive component of social anxiety. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 22(1), 44-55.

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Female Olympians are often judged on their looks. Now, some are taking control of their image

U.s. gymnast jordan chiles says her nails are 'one little touch' of self-expression.

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Anyone who's worn long, acrylic nails knows it can be difficult opening a door handle with them, let alone turning a double back tuck and sticking the landing.

But that's exactly what U.S. gymnast and Olympic silver medallist Jordan Chiles has been doing for years. Chiles, 23, who is heading to the Paris Games, is known in the gymnastics world for her grit , her 90s hip hop floor routine  at the 2023 NCAA regional final (which earned her a perfect 10), and her long, painted nails.

"You know how people always have to have that one little touch of who they are within their sport? Mine are my nails," Chiles recently told The Associated Press .

• Uniform or costume? Athletes sound off on revealing U.S. women's Olympic track kit
• Men can compete in Olympic artistic swimming for the 1st time. But none made the cut

The Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG), the global governing body for gymnastics, has  extensive rules  on "competition attire" for women's artistic gymnastics, including a leotard of "elegant design" with a "proper" neckline. Jewelry, other than small stud earrings, is prohibited, and makeup must be modest. Violations of attire can lead to points being deducted from a final score.

But there are no rules about nail length, and some gymnasts, like Chiles and 2021 gold medal winner Sunisa Lee , have embraced it in a sport that's  historically been strict about how its athletes should look.

It's part of an evolving conversation about self-expression and femininity in sport as athletes like track stars Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Sha'Carri Richardson boast colourful hair and vibrant manicures. On the flip side, other athletes have decried  longstanding sexism in sporting uniforms  and have sometimes  faced criticism for what they're wearing and their appearance.

Female athletes have historically been marketed in an over-sexualized manner, with more of a focus on their appearance than their skills, says Cheri Bradish, an associate professor in sports marketing at Toronto Metropolitan University, and the director of the Future of Sport Lab.

Olympic U.S. gymnast Jordan Chiles sheds light on team’s camaraderie

But now, because women's sports are being taken more seriously , some athletes are taking control of the narrative and choosing to express their individuality through their appearance, Bradish told CBC News. Some of it is a personal preference, she says, and some of it is about self-marketing.

Chiles, for instance, has a paid partnership with Milani cosmetics.

"There's a rise in them really crafting their story," Bradish said.

"Today, athletes do and should have the power to decide how they want to represent themselves on their field of play, and it should be respected." 

A short history of personal style

In 2021, Olympic runner Christina Clemons told media outlet  Pop Sugar she likes wearing bold looks while competing, styling her hair and makeup and accessories to suit her mood. That year, she qualified for the Olympics  while wearing Cool Ranch Doritos earrings .

"A lot of people may not expect female athletes to look feminine," Clemons told the publication at the time.

"I want young girls and even older women to feel they can be their feminine selves while they participate in sports or exercise," she said. 

"I believe it's important to show our femininity while being athletic because it is a strength, not a weakness."

On Team Canada, track and field athlete Jazz Shukla  qualified for the Olympics  last month, smashing the 800-metre final while wearing colourful acrylics.

The track stars are following a trail blazed by  Florence Griffith-Joyner , a.k.a. Flo-Jo, and her iconic sense of style. 

Joyner, who won medals in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics and set a still-undefeated world record in the 100 metres , also had 15 cm-long painted fingernails . She died in 1998. 

"Every time you see a woman in the 100 or 200 metres with make-up and nails, that's Florence," her husband and coach Al Joyner  told CNN in 2012 .

• Simone Biles continues Olympic prep by cruising to her 9th U.S. championship
• U.S. sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson out to prove she is better after drug suspension

The trend has taken off in tennis, too, where Canadian player Bianca Andreescu  posted a patriotic manicure on her Instagram stories this week to celebrate her first Olympic Games, as did U.S. player Danielle Collins .

Whether they choose feminine styles or not, what's important is that the athletes are able to present themselves however they're most comfortable, said Tara-Leigh McHugh, a professor in the faculty of kinesiology at the University of Calgary who researches gender equity in sport.

"With more women — thankfully — participating in the Olympics, we're getting to see the range, and we're hopefully getting to more of a time in sport where women can define how they want to participate," McHugh told CBC News.

"The problem isn't so much how they choose to present themselves, but how those watching are evaluating them."

'Under the microscope'

As some athletes push the envelope when it comes to self expression, others face backlash.

In 2021, the Norwegian women's beach handball team was  fined for wearing shorts instead of bikini bottoms  during the European Beach Handball Championships. Singer  Pink offered to pay the fines , and the sporting body later  changed the rule  after a player protest. 

That same year, an official at the English championships told double Paralympic world champion Olivia Breen that her shorts were "too short and inappropriate."

U.S. gymnast Simone Biles and tennis star Serena Williams have faced repeated  sexist trolling  and  media scrutiny , and both have faced coverage that focuses on what they're  wearing  or  their hairstyles.  Williams famously wore a catsuit at the 2018 French Open , which caused French Tennis Federation President Bernard Giudicelli to ban the full-body leotards, saying, "one must respect the game and the place."

Biles has faced social media scrutiny for her often-wispy hair, which has been called "unprofessional."

The backlash stems from society's "outdated expectations of female athletes," Bradish said. 

Society itself has expectations of how women should look, McHugh said, but the Olympics and other high-profile sporting events put them in a global spotlight. 

"Women are often under the microscope," she said. "It ultimately mirrors what see in society."

But can you do gymnastics with long nails?

As some athletes embrace long nails, one question  has been asked repeatedly  on social media : does it affect performance?

Chiles told The Associated Press that her nails have never held her back, and said they might even help.

"To tell you the truth, they actually help me with my technique, she said, explaining that she has to push herself harder when wearing long nails. "That's really how I make sure I don't break a nail." 

Sunisa Lee, named the all-around champion at the Tokyo Olympics (without breaking an acrylic nail ), recently qualified for the Paris Games with another pearly manicure. In 2021, after winning a gold medal, she told NBC that her acrylic nails are "good luck" — and functional, too, helping her on the uneven bars.

"Whenever I miss the bar, it hurts really bad, so it makes me catch the bar. That's why I get them."

However female athletes choose to present themselves, both McHugh and Bradish say they hope the focus at the Olympics will be on their athleticism and abilities.

It's still a win that they can express themselves, as is an Olympics being touted as the  first to achieve full gender parity , Bradish said.

"We're moving in the right direction," she said. "But we're still a long way from that finish line."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Senior Writer & Editor

Natalie Stechyson has been a writer and editor at CBC News since 2021. She covers stories on social trends, families, gender, human interest, as well as general news. She's worked as a journalist since 2009, with stints at the Globe and Mail and Postmedia News, among others. Before joining CBC News, she was the parents editor at HuffPost Canada, where she won a silver Canadian Online Publishing Award for her work on pregnancy loss. You can reach her at [email protected].

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Here’s Why ‘The Matrix’ Is More Relevant Than Ever

One scene reflects the themes — A.I., fake news, transgender lives and Gen X — that make the film a classic.

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By Alissa Wilkinson

Neo, the hero of “ The Matrix ,” is sure he lives in 1999. He has a green-hued cathode-ray-tube computer screen and a dot-matrix printer. His city has working phone booths.

But he’s wrong: He lives in the future (2199, to be exact). Neo’s world is a simulation — a fake-out version of the late 20th century, created by 21st-century artificial intelligences to enslave humanity.

When we first saw Neo, though, it really was 1999. The idea of A.I. feeding on human brains and bodies seemed like a thought experiment. But the movie’s warnings about A.I. — and everything else — have sharpened over time, which explains why it’s been harnessed by all kinds of people in the years since: philosophers, pastors, techno-boosters and techno-doomers, the alt-right. Judged solely on cultural relevance, “The Matrix” might be the most consequential release of 1999.

The genius of the movie — what makes it incredibly rewatchable 25 years later — is that the writer-directors Lilly and Lana Wachowski didn’t try to control the meaning. Instead, they seeded symbolism throughout.

Look with me at how one introductory scene manages to draw together many thematic threads, explaining why in today’s world of pervasive internet, A.I., fake news and extremism, “The Matrix” feels more relevant than ever.

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• High School

Writing a Narrative Essay about Being Judged

Expert-verified answer.

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Essay writing is to students in order to test their writing and reading skills .

How to write an essay

Based on the information given, the way to write the essay will be given. Firstly, it's important to decide on your topic. In this case, it is a narrative essay about being judged.

Research should be done on the topic and create an essay outline. Set your argument in the introduction and develop it with evidence .

Finally, check the content, grammar , formatting, spelling, of your essay.

Learn more about essays on:

brainly.com/question/24799048

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someone else on here asked a question " what is more mean, calling someone ugly or annoying ?" and i answered this

Explanation:

they are both mean either way, but it depends what is ugly or annoying  of them.

if you tell someone that their body is ugly that is beyond cruel as it is something they cant control nor fix and like those cheesy sayings every body is beautiful and if you are religious god creates only beauty and who are you to say otherwise.   If you say something like " your attitude, intentions, thoughts etc is ugly" then that is something more resonable and something that person can work on.

(but there are also people that are ugly within and on the outside, and i think that can lead back to their mental health, like insecurity, jealousy, lack of self  love,  can trigger rude/ mean behavior )

If you tell someone they are annoying in general then please leave that persons life because 99.1% that person is good and doesnt deserve that type of toxic/ mean stuff as well with being told they're ugly or anything else that is negative.

now if there is something in particular that is annoying maybe like tapping a pencil on purpose to annoy you or doing something on purpose to be purposely annoying and if you call them out for it it is not mean. But please dont be mean in general, you dont know a person's full story or what may be going in their lives. so just be kind.

either way if you or anyone decides to be mean, that is just your opinion and that is just one opinion out of thousands. ( and who are you to judge)

I hope this helps.

(short answer : it depends  on the context )

( simple answer: i think it also depends on the person recieving the " youre ugly/ annoying statement ")

Maybe you can take parts of this to help you with your essay.

or it may spark some ideas

Still have questions?

Get more answers for free, expand your knowledge with related topics.

• EOP Essay Writing Guidelines
• Importance of Writing a Short Back to School Essay
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