1+--+a.h.

Rough draft -- Definition Paper 01.30.11

Marriage

What is marriage? The definition changes throughout life, starting as a seed planted in a child's eyes, growing into a dream of little girls and fear of little boys, sprouting to a search for men and women alike, and finally grasping the beholder with complete infatuation.

At three years old, the concept of marriage originates from one's parents. The image of parents smiling together, holding hands creates a loving idea in a child's mind. Of course it is not like that for all children. When divorce and separation takes hold of families, a child can grow up with a distorted idea of marriage. However, when a child sees his first Disney movie, it implants a whole new idea. Beautiful women marrying beautiful men, singing and dancing, becomes an almost fantasy to the average three-year old, boy or girl. The institution of marriage develops into an unflawed idea.

At eight years old, the concept of marriage depends on the eye of the beholder. An average eight-year old girl would have a whole plan for her wedding, including the lucky man. Still infatuated with the idea of the perfect relationship she sees in Disney movies, on television, and in fact, almost everywhere, she likes to pretend and dream about her wedding, even rehearsing pretend weddings with her friends. The game of house is always a crowd favorite. On the other hand, the average eight-year old boy despises the idea of marriage and girls in general. Suddenly, girls have cooties, and he is just too cool to like them. He deflects "girly" games and plays rough with his newfound guy friends. Marriage could not be further from his mind.

At nineteen years old, on the concept of marriage, the two genders are again united. Throughout the next couple of years, a common goal becomes finding the person one wants to settle down with. Looking for a companion at school, work, and out in the world, people look for a partner: someone that one is truly happy with. Sometimes, one may meet this person unexpectedly, perhaps the best surprise of all. Having gone through make ups and break ups, marriage finally transforms into a serious prospect; settling down and beginning a family finally is not so frightening anymore.

At a lucky age, the concept of marriage turns extremely real. When one finds the special person, the idea of marriage begins to flash in their face. "When are you going to pop the question" is a common phrase to many long-term relationshipers. Everyone finds out that marriage is not as perfect as the movies make it seem: some can handle it; some can not.

Marriage is flawed; marriage is hard; marriage is work. Marriage is happiness; marriage is companionship; marriage is family. But most of all, marriage is like everything else in life: it requires maintenance, but with a little work, one has the ability to feel emotion people of all kinds yearn for: love.

I really enjoyed your chronological ordering of the paper. The whole paper was a good definition of something we all experience or at least have seen in a movie! Your conclusion was a very nice end and made it feel complete and important. You used a lot of stereotypes but I think they make the paper more relateable. Your diction in the fifth paragraph was entertaining and made the reader want to read the rest of the paper. Perhaps you could add another paragraph about how the guys and girls feel about marriage at 13 or 14, right when the dating frenzy starts. Just an idea, I think it is great! I love the topic! :D ~Hayley Nemmers

Revision-Marriage

What is marriage? The definition changes throughout life, starting as a seed planted in a child's eyes, growing into a dream of little girls and fear of little boys, sprouting to a search for men and women alike, and finally grasping the beholder with complete infatuation.

At three years old, the concept of marriage originates from one's parents. The image of parents smiling together, holding hands creates a loving idea in a child's mind. Of course it is not like that for all children. When divorce and separation takes hold of families, a child can grow up with a distorted idea of marriage. However, when a child sees his first Disney movie, it implants a whole new idea. Beautiful women marrying beautiful men, singing and dancing, becomes an almost fantasy to the average three-year old, boy or girl. The institution of marriage develops into an unflawed idea.

At eight years old, the concept of marriage depends on the eye of the beholder. An average eight-year old girl would have a whole plan for her wedding, including the lucky man. Still infatuated with the idea of the perfect relationship she sees in Disney movies, on television, and in fact, almost everywhere, she likes to pretend and dream about her wedding, even rehearsing pretend weddings with her friends. The game of house is always a crowd favorite. On the other hand, the average eight-year old boy despises the idea of marriage and girls in general. Suddenly, girls have cooties, and he is just too cool to like them. He deflects "girly" games and plays rough with his newfound guy friends. Marriage could not be further from his mind.

At thirteen years old, the concept of marriage is two words: dating frenzy. Suddenly dating doesn't seem so bad, although the motives may be different. Girls naively think that they can just fall in love at such a young age, and maybe they can. Boys begin to notice the beauty of girls, hidden to them for so long, but now becoming apparent. The new interaction creates smiles and tears; love and hate; hugs and cold shoulders.

At nineteen years old, on the concept of marriage, the two genders are again united. Throughout the next couple of years, a common goal becomes finding the person one wants to settle down with. Looking for a companion at school, work, and out in the world, people look for a partner: someone that one is truly happy with. Sometimes, one may meet this person unexpectedly, perhaps the best surprise of all. Having gone through make ups and break ups, marriage finally transforms into a serious prospect; settling down and beginning a family finally is not so frightening anymore.

At a lucky age, the concept of marriage turns extremely real. When one finds the special person, the idea of marriage begins to flash in their face. "When are you going to pop the question" is a common phrase to many long-term relationshipers. Everyone finds out that marriage is not as perfect as the movies make it seem: some can handle it; some can not.

Marriage is flawed; marriage is hard; marriage is work. Marriage is happiness; marriage is companionship; marriage is family. But most of all, marriage is like everything else in life: it requires maintenance, but with a little work, one has the ability to feel emotion people of all kinds yearn for: love.

I really like your point ma'am! I think that our moral standpoints are very similar =) and it is unexplainably refreshing to read something that doesn't seem too overdone or self-indulgent! The only thing i have to say is your paragraphs don't present much variety in structure...most begin with the word "at" and though the chronological order is very nice for organizational purposes, it would be more intriguing to read if you switched it up a little! Try using more synonyms for your parallel phrases instead of repetition =) --Lexi

// Wow. I think you chose a wonderful topic and wrote beautifully on it, I couldn't stop reading. Your conclusion is perfect. You made a definition extravagant and fascinating. I liked that you used the repetition of "At (age)", it made the differences clear and concise. Many of the points you made had never crossed my mind and alligned the half-hearted definition of marriage I had in my head. Also...HAPPY BIRTHDAY! -Emma Colman //