View Full Version : English Essay Question (Does Regard the Corps)
Fixxxated
10-18-10, 08:28 PM
I have a question to ask you all, and there's bonus points if you're a pompus English major. The question I ask you all is, in any kind of formal writing, would you capitalize the word 'Marine?' I did for an essay on the Corps, MEPS, and recruiting, and every time I capitalized 'Marine,' (which was every time) she (my liberal English instructor who I even doubt has an English degree) marked it for lower casing. Respecting the other branches I also capitalized Army, Ranger, Sailor, Shipman and Airman. I also capitalized 'Soldier,' but that's understandable because it is a generalized term, and granted many other nations have their own Marine force, ours is second to none. Anyone's thoughts?
Zulu 36
10-18-10, 08:45 PM
I have a question to ask you all, and there's bonus points if you're a pompus English major. The question I ask you all is, in any kind of formal writing, would you capitalize the word 'Marine?' I did for an essay on the Corps, MEPS, and recruiting, and every time I capitalized 'Marine,' (which was every time) she (my liberal English instructor who I even doubt has an English degree) marked it for lower casing. Respecting the other branches I also capitalized Army, Ranger, Sailor, Shipman and Airman. I also capitalized 'Soldier,' but that's understandable because it is a generalized term, and granted many other nations have their own Marine force, ours is second to none. Anyone's thoughts?
We Marines view the word "Marine" as a proper noun, therefore it should be capitalized. Also, it is standard American usage. It is also proper to capitalize Marine Corps, Army, Ranger, Navy, Air Force, and it is appropriate to capitalize Soldier, Sailor, or Airman.
If she doesn't like that, then you can tell her we are offended that she would denigrate Marines in such a fashion and shall report her to the ACLU.
That ought to get her liberal guilt trip running. :D
Fixxxated
10-18-10, 09:03 PM
Dumb liberal ***** is basically the reincarnation of what my uncle called "Hanoi Jane." I have a fellow classmate who's boyfriend is an active duty Marine currently deployed to Afghanistan. I bet she's seeing the same editing marks as I am. I don't mean to gloat, but according to her the first essay assignment that was turned in, the only one accepted was mine, and I still got a fat 'F' on it. Guess she doesn't like ole conservative me. :banana:
Thanks for clarifying that for me guys.
PS- Would 'Military' in United States Military be capitalized too? It is a title I believe, yet she seemed to cross that out as well.
Fixxxated
10-18-10, 09:20 PM
Sorry for the double post but I just checked my email inbox and...
"...you are having lots of trouble with capitalization. I have made a note to bring you some capitalization information. Please remind me to give it to you in class on Tuesday. Thanks."
http://www.zgeek.com/forum/gallery/files/1/0/8/polar-bear-face-palm_thumbnail1.jpg
Fixxxated
10-18-10, 09:50 PM
Hahahah, I would but as a poolee I don't have the authority to, nor do I have the 'warface' down yet as The Gunny would put it. :evilgrin:
Then again any liberal will wet themselves when they have someone intimidating yelling two inches from their face, so maybe the idea isn't too far fetched. Thanks again dcb188 and Zulu 36 for the research and insight.
Wouldn't it that if marine used as an adjective such as marine life, marine motor, marine chow always be lower case while marine used as a proper noun such as a Marine or the Marines be upper case?
If you subsituted doctor for marine then a doctors bag would be lower case while I'm going to see the Doctor would be upper case.
If you said hi Dad then dad would be capitalized but if you asked a friend how old their dad is would it be upper or lower case?
Now I'm a little bit confused .... which aint hard to do.
Hahahah, I would but as a poolee I don't have the authority to, nor do I have the 'warface' down yet as The Gunny would put it. :evilgrin:
so maybe the idea isn't too far fetched. Thanks again dcb188 and Zulu 36 for the research and insight.
You need to ask yourself something. "Who is going to be grading my paper?" You can try to be a hard ass and prove to the teacher how wrong she is but when she fails you you're going to feel like a real dumb ass, not her.
Just do what your teacher says. Your grade rests with her pen, not our opinions.
Then again any liberal will wet themselves when they have someone intimidating yelling two inches from their face
You realize, of course, there are 2 or 3 liberal Marines on this site, and a whole lot more in the Marine Corps, don't you?
Fixxxated
10-19-10, 07:49 PM
You need to ask yourself something. "Who is going to be grading my paper?" You can try to be a hard ass and prove to the teacher how wrong she is but when she fails you you're going to feel like a real dumb ass, not her.
Just do what your teacher says. Your grade rests with her pen, not our opinions.
You realize, of course, there are 2 or 3 liberal Marines on this site, and a whole lot more in the Marine Corps, don't you?
Of course. There are liberals in every branch. One of the senators of where I'm from (Iowa; Leonard Boswell) was an Army Combat(?) Aviator from '56 to '69 or so. Doesn't matter the political preference in terms of respecting one for their service. But in your defense, I should have been more specific. A flower-child who has absolutely no idea of how the military works yet spits on every vet getting off the bus for voluntarily or involuntarily serving his or her country and condemns them with false accusations of killing innocent civilians. That kind of liberal.
Bulkyer, I think you are right on all counts, but the doctor, going to see the doctor would still not be specific so it would not be capitalized. But I agree with everything else you just said.
As for the other opinions, I would say that this teacher is hell bent on correcting this kid over and over about capitalization, when he has it right. There is no reason why he cannot politely ,politely politely show her his own research, not stand there and argue with her but show her in writing that Marine is capitalized and soldier is not......not just to show her he is right but he is being constantly criticized for his improper capitalization, by her, when she is the one who is incorrect. So that is why I suggested he politely just show her his own research. The alternative is to have someone say you are wrong wrong wrong and you just say ok I know, when in fact you have been right all along
I did discuss it with her today, and she still thinks that Marine isn't to be capitalized. I told her that not only have I asked this site, but also a Marine associated group on Facebook (didn't give names though), and both have concluded that 'Marine' is capitalized. She still stuck to her guns. Referring to BR34's advice, I had to swallow my pride and agree with her, to get the grade. The girl with the Marine boyfriend didn't come to my defense as I had predicted; I think someone's a Jody. Oh well, eight more months of this crap and it's Corps time for me.
josephd
10-19-10, 09:13 PM
Of course. There are liberals in every branch. One of the senators of where I'm from (Iowa; Leonard Boswell) was an Army Combat(?) Aviator from '56 to '69 or so. Doesn't matter the political preference in terms of respecting one for their service. But in your defense, I should have been more specific. A flower-child who has absolutely no idea of how the military works yet spits on every vet getting off the bus for voluntarily or involuntarily serving his or her country and condemns them with false accusations of killing innocent civilians. That kind of liberal.
I did discuss it with her today, and she still thinks that Marine isn't to be capitalized. I told her that not only have I asked this site, but also a Marine associated group on Facebook (didn't give names though), and both have concluded that 'Marine' is capitalized. She still stuck to her guns. Referring to BR34's advice, I had to swallow my pride and agree with her, to get the grade. The girl with the Marine boyfriend didn't come to my defense as I had predicted; I think someone's a Jody. Oh well, eight more months of this crap and it's Corps time for me.
you do know the term "Jody" refers to a male right?
This is high school my friend, swallow your pride and correct the paper to get your grade. If you ever go to college it is only going to get worse but at least you'll have more ground to stand on for argument purposes.
While I agree this teacher needs to understand what the title of being a Marine and a proper noun is she is not going to learn it from what one of her punk students(yes you).
usmc987332
10-19-10, 09:23 PM
I have a question to ask you all, and there's bonus points if you're a pompus English major. The question I ask you all is, in any kind of formal writing, would you capitalize the word 'Marine?' I did for an essay on the Corps, MEPS, and recruiting, and every time I capitalized 'Marine,' (which was every time) she (my liberal English instructor who I even doubt has an English degree) marked it for lower casing. Respecting the other branches I also capitalized Army, Ranger, Sailor, Shipman and Airman. I also capitalized 'Soldier,' but that's understandable because it is a generalized term, and granted many other nations have their own Marine force, ours is second to none. Anyone's thoughts?
I always capitalize Marine, but that is not correct and I do not care.
usmc987332
10-19-10, 10:07 PM
It is correct, though, Bob.....it's the teacher who is wrong....the dictionary, every single source we looked up online last night says capitalize Marine unless it is marine life, marine biology, marine mammals, marine creatures.....but when talking about a United States Marine, it is always capitalized whether it refers to a particular Marine or not.
I capitalized Marine, but the editing staff corrected it to indicate the context of the word.
usmc987332
10-19-10, 10:44 PM
What editing staff, Bob....Marine, when talking about a United States Marine, is never lower case.
Not the United States Marines, but the word Marine. The 1975 edition of Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary does not show the word marine, referring to a member of The United States Marines, as being capitalized. Maybe we were talking about two different things. It does show United States Marines as always being captilized.
Maybe things have changed since 1975.
usmc987332
10-19-10, 10:46 PM
Oh, you mean your book....well, those are civilians who could care less how Marine is spelled or capitalized....now I fully understand....
I wonder, does that the kids of today are Marines and we are marines?
Fixxxated
10-19-10, 11:13 PM
you do know the term "Jody" refers to a male right?
This is high school my friend, swallow your pride and correct the paper to get your grade. If you ever go to college it is only going to get worse but at least you'll have more ground to stand on for argument purposes.
While I agree this teacher needs to understand what the title of being a Marine and a proper noun is she is not going to learn it from what one of her punk students(yes you).
This is college for me. And I thought the term "Jody" went both ways?
josephd
10-19-10, 11:26 PM
This is college for me. And I thought the term "Jody" went both ways?
well technically it can, but Jody refers to the person sleeping with the Marine's significant other, not the other way around.....minor details though
usmc987332
10-20-10, 12:50 AM
Not the United States Marines, but the word Marine. The 1975 edition of Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary does not show the word marine, referring to a member of The United States Marines, as being capitalized. Maybe we were talking about two different things. It does show United States Marines as always being captilized.
Maybe things have changed since 1975.
Just ran marine through Microsoft Word and they corrected me, Marine. It looks like things have changed and the Marines have won again.
SlingerDun
10-20-10, 01:22 AM
A flower-child who has absolutely no idea of how the military works yet spits on every vet getting off the bus for voluntarily or involuntarily serving his or her country and condemns them with false accusations of killing innocent civilians. That kind of liberalThat's your English teacher?!
Well, she has a more complete profile than you do, Fixxxxatedhttp://www.leatherneck.com/forums/images/icons/icon6.gif
usmc987332
10-20-10, 10:00 AM
Not the United States Marines, but the word Marine. The 1975 edition of Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary does not show the word marine, referring to a member of The United States Marines, as being capitalized. Maybe we were talking about two different things. It does show United States Marines as always being captilized.
Maybe things have changed since 1975.
Well, it's time for this old codger eat Crow with a capital C. I know better than take the word of a Marine without checking it out. So, the other day when I went to my 1985 dictionary and found it recognized Marine not captilalized I didn't see the need to go any further. Well, that was wrong. I was wrong.
I went to my copy of Bill Ross' "Iwo Jima" that, also, came out in l985. It is my favorite book on Iwo Jima. At that time he wrote the book, most of the information on Iwo Jima was still classified. Without access to some of the classified information, I am still amazed at what an accurate account he was able to put together. Anyway, he always capitalized the word Marine.
That made me want to look a little deeper in the matter.
Next, I looked at my copy of "Spearhead" published in 1950 by the USMC. It too capitalized Marine. Not only did it capitalize Marine, it also captilized Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard.
Going ever further, I pulled a couple of my old magazines. My May 1945 issues of Leather always capitalized Marine, and one of the May 1945 issues of "Life" Capitalized Marine and all the other branches of the military. One piece of trivia, the Army Air Force was almost shown as the Air Force.
I am satisfied, but later I may go further just to see if it has always been that way.
You know, Crowe wing tastes pretty good, and so does the neck.
NoRemorse
10-20-10, 10:24 AM
This is college for me. And I thought the term "Jody" went both ways?
I only glossed over this thread. You're in college or taking an AP English course in High School? No, I didn't check your profile either.
I'm lazy today.
What was the essay about? Not the subject, what was the point? Was it an analysis or more like free-writing?
Was there room for citations? Did you cite official sources, the dictionary, look up the etymology of the word? All you have to do is prove that in the US the word marine is also used as a title for United States Marines.
Yes, this part would constitute an extra credit assignment; a simple intro and thesis, body paragraph, conclusion and work cited page. Blah blah blah.
Backhaus 1103
10-20-10, 10:51 AM
Seriously? Who gives a sh!t to be making this big a deal out of it.
NoRemorse
10-20-10, 11:22 AM
Seriously? Who gives a sh!t to be making this big a deal out of it.
points is points
My 2 cents: Marine is always capitalized cuz I'm special and I said so.
End of discussion. Anything else you need me to clear up for ya?
NoRemorse
10-20-10, 11:29 AM
What I don't get is why they haven't opened a Five Guys in Westchester yet.
Backhaus 1103
10-20-10, 12:12 PM
Boobies is always capitalized because I like them
usmc987332
10-20-10, 12:48 PM
Boobies is always capitalized because I like them
Come on, why don't you guys just meet out back tonight and settle this? Whatever it is we are trying to settle. Just remember, I'm neutral.
usmc987332
10-20-10, 01:10 PM
My 2 cents: Marine is always capitalized cuz I'm special and I said so.
End of discussion. Anything else you need me to clear up for ya?
Excuse me Tdrt, but why ten years and not complete your career? Just being plain nosey.
Excuse me Tdrt, but why ten years and not complete your career? Just being plain nosey.
Stupidity. Was getting screwed with at my last command so I foolishly thought civilian life would be better. Regret it every day.
Supersquishy
10-20-10, 02:07 PM
Thats what the Reserves are for, keep your foot in while having a civilian job, haha.
tdrt and Bob, a lot of my buddies, a lot of them, were in for 10 and they all said without a doubt that the Corps was changing. This would have been 1973 or so. It changed so much that they all got out without hesitation. This is what they tell me, I don't know, I did 4
Well, in '73, I was in preschool so wouldn't know about that. lol
I was a Sgt in a Gunny billet (training quota manager for aviation) and some d!ckhead SSgt didn't like that. So they moved me to be a "show piece" for an officer thinktank. I did absolutely nothing all day except crossword puzzles. After the SSgt screwed up everything so bad after about 6 months, I got my old job back plus all the NATO and Air Force schools. But by then, I was sick and tired of being every commands little poster girl, I decided to get out. I had orders to Okinawa then it was off to the drill field but I turned it down. Had my Warrant Office package ready to do go too but told them to screw it.
Thats what the Reserves are for, keep your foot in while having a civilian job, haha.
Tried it. Too hard being single mom.
usmc987332
10-20-10, 02:48 PM
Well, in '73, I was in preschool so wouldn't know about that. lol
I was a Sgt in a Gunny billet (training quota manager for aviation) and some d!ckhead SSgt didn't like that. So they moved me to be a "show piece" for an officer thinktank. I did absolutely nothing all day except crossword puzzles. After the SSgt screwed up everything so bad after about 6 months, I got my old job back plus all the NATO and Air Force schools. But by then, I was sick and tired of being every commands little poster girl, I decided to get out. I had orders to Okinawa then it was off to the drill field but I turned it down. Had my Warrant Office package ready to do go too but told them to screw it.
Do you have any regrets?
Do you have any regrets?
Absolutely!!
I should have followed the career path that was planned for me by those who knew better. All I had to do was tough it out at Quantico for another couple months before going to Okinawa but I thought I knew best.