Discussion Class : The Power of the Words (Closing 15th April)

Elfie Dumbledore

Discussion Class : The Power of the Words
Runs alongside Rune Magic (Part 1)
There is a power in words, whether it be from runes or from the modern day written language.

Discuss this in detail. Cover as many aspects as you wish. New thoughts, theories and research will gain extra points. You may post as many times as you wish in debate with other members on this subject.

There is a possible 100 points for this class.

[center]Any sources used, please remember to cite them

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Just_Ginny

But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling like dew, upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think."
~George Gordon Byron

I agree that there is a very significant power in words. Take note: we're all here because we were inspired by the written works of J.K. Rowling. We have read these stories and been entertained, laughed, cried, and these books have brought us together and helped bond us to each other as a unique group of "family" and close friends.

The beginning of my country was through a very important written document known as the Declaration of Independence. These words told the story of a nation's desire for a freedom they eventually won. ((Sorry if this is a sore topic for Brits xD)) Another example of the power of words in America was via the Emancipation Proclamation, which empowered people to fight to end slavery.

These and many other cases throughout history show the power of words.

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I noticed how beautiful the sky was the other day and then I realized it's because you're up there.
RIP Holly

x_cookie-monster_x

I agree that words have a huge impact on someones life. For example, when you are young, words are aborbed by your brain like a sponge. What inspired me to write was the power of words, some credit must be given to J.K. Rowling which changed so much, not only in my life, but in others lives too. Almost an entire world was immobilised by these books, which, if you were to boil it down, we just some well chosen words.
And if you were a lawyer, the right words would define a person's future.
Isn't there a saying that goes: 'the pen is mightier than the sword.'? Which means that well chosen words can stop a conflict.

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Syltherin's Official Mad Hatter
Member of the role-playing Eliza and Holly Club GO HOLLY!

Role - Play:
Shadow*
Natalie*
Holly*
Hayley*
Phoenix*

Just_Ginny

Your point about lawyers being able to use words to save a person's life is quite true. But we also have to remember that words can start a conflict or put a criminal back on the streets as well.

"Words are potent weapons for all causes, good or bad".--Manly Hall

Progaganda is a method of using words to sway the people's minds, such as can be seen in the case of Animal Farm. (which was an allegory of the Russian Revolution) Napoloean managed to manipulate the othre animals on the farm so much, he managed to revert them back to what they had originally been-oppressed by a ruling class.

In everyday life words also can have a negative impact on us. Especially for teens, we think we have to be supermodel-beautiful, stick thin, and everything that the majority of us are not. So we think negatively about ourselves, using words such as "I hate how my..." or "I don't like this about myself..." and it does nothing but give us a low self image. Words are a powerful thing, a double-edged sword, if you will. But, their positive aspect can come into play when we start thinking positively, by noticing how we did well on something, or if we look particularly nice today. Words, like all types of magic, should be used carefully, but can do good when used right.

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I noticed how beautiful the sky was the other day and then I realized it's because you're up there.
RIP Holly

x_cookie-monster_x

It's true that words are both positive and negetive - that's why we must be extra careful in dealing with a more subtle type of magic.
It's also very true how some people put about that teens have to be beautiful, and that they should see their 'inner-beauty', but that's becoming increasingly difficult in the world that's coming - also with the fact that people can use insulting words to hurt someone else, as you pointed out.
But words are powerful, good or bad, there's no denying that!

_________________

Syltherin's Official Mad Hatter
Member of the role-playing Eliza and Holly Club GO HOLLY!

Role - Play:
Shadow*
Natalie*
Holly*
Hayley*
Phoenix*

Just_Ginny

I think one of the power obvious powers of words that we have not yet mentioned is the fact that they're spells. Where would we be without our charms, enchantments, and general spells to get us through our days? This is yet another example of words being taken for granted.

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I noticed how beautiful the sky was the other day and then I realized it's because you're up there.
RIP Holly

x_cookie-monster_x

Very true! People take words (and their power) for granted these days, but as you said, magic wouldn't be the same without words. Nothing would be the same without words. No way to communicate, no way to understand things without a lot of effort... And names for things! If you didn't have names for things and you went down to the shops to buy some milk, it would be near impossible!
Besides, you'd easily feel the power of words if it were a hex or a curse!

_________________

Syltherin's Official Mad Hatter
Member of the role-playing Eliza and Holly Club GO HOLLY!

Role - Play:
Shadow*
Natalie*
Holly*
Hayley*
Phoenix*

Just_Ginny

Indeed, I'm sure quite a fw people would be forced to acknowledge the power of words via a curse or hex.

Words are also used in self-help courses. I mentioned above how it can improve ones self-esteem by noticing the good things about oneself, and not the things that differ you from the supermodels in terms of looks or weight. Thinking "I am beautiful" is a positive affirmation.

But we must remember, that thinking something will not make it happen-typically, anyway. You can't look in your empty purse and say "I have money" and expect galleons, sickles, and knuts to fall out of the sky and into your waiting pocket. Words are powerful, but they can't do everything.

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I noticed how beautiful the sky was the other day and then I realized it's because you're up there.
RIP Holly

x_cookie-monster_x

Very true, although I wish it was possible, I could use the money! grin

And yet sometimes, words have no effect at all. Sure, they will sometimes persuade, for example, but sometimes a person can be so stubborn as to not even listen to the words. Words have to be accepted, too.
And words will only have power if connected the right way. If you just say, for example: "Mum I'd really like to have some money to buy sweets because I really want some sweets ", then you havn't even got a chance.
And then there's the topic the words are displaying. If it's a topic that interesses you, then you have more of a chance to be amazed by the words. But if it's about something that you need to know something about it already, then you won't be able to feel the strength of the words.

_________________

Syltherin's Official Mad Hatter
Member of the role-playing Eliza and Holly Club GO HOLLY!

Role - Play:
Shadow*
Natalie*
Holly*
Hayley*
Phoenix*

Just_Ginny

I agree, words need to be used in the right way, otherwise they won't be anywhere near as effective. I'm sure we've all buttered up our parents at one point or another, and noticed it's very different than simply asking.

And, for someone who has had to write her share of essays, the fact that words need to inspire you in order for you to be able to use them is very much true. I've written about topics that have just been assigned to me and that I have not chosen myself and the essays are not as good as the ones that I choose to write.

Another power of words is that they help to spread knowledge. I'm reading words right now about a Greek Astronomer named Ptolemy, and am learning a great deal from what is on the website. Knowledge is power, words have power, words have knowledge. So simple xD

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I noticed how beautiful the sky was the other day and then I realized it's because you're up there.
RIP Holly

x_cookie-monster_x

So simply said!

I know where you're coming from with having to write essays that turn out better if you found the subject interesting than if it was drop-dead boring! But we mustn't forget that words are used to introduce, to influence, to discuss, to flatter, to persuade, to annoy, to inform... Most actions are impossible without words, as I mentioned earlier. Words are essentiel, and that's the bottom line.

_________________

Syltherin's Official Mad Hatter
Member of the role-playing Eliza and Holly Club GO HOLLY!

Role - Play:
Shadow*
Natalie*
Holly*
Hayley*
Phoenix*

polly

Words, where would we be if we did not have the words in our world the English language has so many words in it that it has been said that the english language has the most words in it. Words are the things we use every day and take for granted. Some people can be considered as having 'a way with words.' Such as poets and our beloved Jo.

Words are the things that can also make or break us. The words that people say to us do that, we can be happy forever if someone tells us they love us or we could be broken by the words said to us. Many people now have to 'watch what they say' other wise it will hurt people's feelings. Words are truly the most powerful thing we all posess. To voice our opinions using the words we know to say how we feel and to make or break someone else.

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Just_Ginny

Ah, "watch what you say". An interesting comment, Polly, and one that is really quite multi-faceted. Watching what you say can be attributed to political correctness, some words are deemed too "harmful" to say, and therefore it is frowned upon if you say them. Some are truly awful, such as the n-word, but others it simply seems as though one person disliked the term and started something against it.

"Watching what you say" is also something directed to a child. They are taught "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all". Parents know how easily a child's feelings can be hurt by some words, and thus try to stop from their particular child causing that pain.

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I noticed how beautiful the sky was the other day and then I realized it's because you're up there.
RIP Holly

x_cookie-monster_x

Perfectly true, words can even shape someone's future, but as I said, the words have to be strung together like beads on a string to their best effect. Words can become a meaningless jumble of letters. Words have evolved during our history, from the time of Jane Austen (who, by the way, is an excellent writer and provides an interesting read) with what we would call: Posh Language, to today's 'Slang' which would seem odd to the next generation. Words evolve with time, and we have to adapt.
And yet words are chosen by people, so if you are 'good with words' as polly pointed out, then you have a power.
Words are only what we make them.

_________________

Syltherin's Official Mad Hatter
Member of the role-playing Eliza and Holly Club GO HOLLY!

Role - Play:
Shadow*
Natalie*
Holly*
Hayley*
Phoenix*

stephy

I also agree with you that words to have a lot of meaning.... but actions have say a lot more than words. like they say 'Actions speak louder than words'.... you can say one thing but it deosnt mean that you mean everything that you say. For instance you could have a boyfriend that says that he loves you but it doesnt mean much unless he shows you taht he loves you by kissing and hugging you, being there for you during those hard times and also by being honest with you. Any guy can go up to you and say I love you but it doesnt mean that he does love you. He could just be saying that. Also there are those who say that they are going to change but when they are gievn the oppunity they dont. People are not going to say well at least he said that he was going to change.... No instead they are going to talk about how he said he was going to do one thing but do somehting else. I believe that actions speak louder tahn words

Also when preforming spells there are those that can be done nonverbal... You dont have to say the word to make them work all you got to do is do the wand movement.

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Start College on august 28th. Expect me not to be on much