Essay Ideas

1. a. Idea- Write about being gay

b. Possible Anecdote(s)-- my anecdote is to show how being gay has effected aspects of my life. Details to include: The difference of how my mom treats me now. Looks and comments I get from people when I'm out with my girlfriend. How great it was when we went to the gay pride vigil thing and how we didn't get dirty looks from anyone and they thought it was cute when Tashaa put her sweatshirt around me. How sometimes I have to hide that fact about me depending on where I am or who I'm with. How my mom lies to the family about me..

c. So What? --
my epiphanies so far: Being a homosexual in today's society is a very hard thing to do. Despite all the looks and comments and hate I need to make it through it all and tell myself that.. it will get better. Give things time and people may learn to love, accept, and maybe stop all the hate. I'm still a normal person, I'm just like everyone else, there's nothing wrong with me.

d. My Belief Statement: I believe that there is nothing wrong with me and things will get better for all the gay people out there.

e. Possible Title:

2. Idea- Why I love Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street

3. Idea- How music is a HUGE part of my life and it practically is my life

4. Idea- How I've wanted to be in a band since, like, 7th grade

5. Idea- Were The World Mine...

Poetry

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

 

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.

Quotations

"The wastebasket is the writer's best friend." -Isaac Bashevis Singer

"A true friend is someone who thinks you are a good egg even though he knows you are slightly cracked." -Bernard Meltzer

An Idealist/Creative Enthusiast's Song Lyrics

1. "Raised By Wolves" by Falling In Reverse
http://www.cleanvideosearch.com/media/action/yt/watch?videoId=PK5D3G9e-X4

I was lost now I'm found
I'm sustained by the sound
Of the angels singing me to sleep
While my feet are leaving the ground
Am I dead? Or am I dreaming instead?
A cornucopia of opiates have flooded my head

I'm insane, I am smart
All it takes, is a spark, to ignite my bad intentions
And do what I do best to your heart *2Don't be fooled, I was raised by the wolves
Now the moon hangs in full, so you know I won't
Play by the rules

I will never spill
Spill my blood for you
You have let me down
One too many times

Someway, somehow, we've fallen out
Caught in between my enemies
No way not now, I won't back down
I draw the line at you and me
You're what I started, now disregarded
One day they'll see, it was always me  *1
Due to mistakes, I have made to the state
I am trapped inside a Dillinger
Diligently thinking of ways to get out of this god awful place
I have learned that my fate is something I can't escape so

Sound the alarm, what I've said from the start
Is I'll never let your system break me down or tear me apart
Don't be fooled, I was raised by the wolves
Now the moon hangs in full, so you know I won't
Play by the rules

I will never spill
Spill my blood for you
You have let me down
One too many times

Someway, somehow, we've fallen out
Caught in between my enemies
No way not now, I won't back down
I draw the line at you and me
You're what I started, now disregarded
One day they'll see, it was always me *1
Oh, this is the end of you
This is where I draw the line
And I won't lose
This war is mine
Oh!

Spill my blood for you
One too many times

Someway, somehow, we've fallen out
Caught in between my enemies
No way not now, I won't back down
I draw the line at you and me
You're what I started, now disregarded
One day they'll see, it was always me

One day they'll see
It was always me

It was always me


*1

May not think things through, not thinking of, or ignoring, the consequences or needed details

*2Can get caught up in the moment and be impulsive

Using Temperaments To Profile Literary Characters

The Four Temperaments

NT (Intuition and Thinking), Rational - Technical, Competent, Ingenious, Skeptical, Innovative, Non-Conformist.  The personality types that share the Rational Temperament are ENTJ, INTJ, ENTP, and INTP.

NT Rational (ENTJ, INTJ, ENTP, and INTP)

Logical, pragmatic, and driven, rationals strive for competence and excellence in reaching their goals. They are the “why” temperament; ever skeptical, they constantly questions others and their environment.  They typically want to know the reason why something is done, and the reason needs to make sense (whether it is politically correct or not). 
Some more information on the NT Rational:

• Most uncommon of the Temperaments
• May be absent-minded but often shows flashes of brilliance
• Quick grasp of complex theories and systems
• Enjoys thinking and intellectual pursuits
• Often thinks about things that others don’t normally think about, such as the nature of the universe, religious issues, politics, philosophy, etc.  NT’s want to figure out how and why the world works.
• Are technical with their language and strive to be logical and exact when speaking to others
• Easily notice inconsistencies
• Natural non-conformist
• Great analyzers
• Naturally good with technology (NT’s were key in the birth and growth of the tech era and Internet)
• Skeptical
• Are naturally pragmatic, always asking “Is this necessary,” “How can this be improved,” “How does this work and how can it work better?”
• Can be very wise
• Natural brainstormers and problem-solvers
• Can be detached when involved with a project, undertaking, or thought
• Set high goals for themselves and are determined to achieve them.
• Strong suit in strategy
• Strive for efficiency
• Conceptualizers
• Systematic
• May have trouble adapting to conventions
• NTs are very cerebral and take great pride in staying cool in crisis, not letting their emotions control them - even if it’s a matter of great importance or great intensity
• Often labeled as being argumentive by other temperaments
• Value independence
• May bother those who are sensitive to arguments or criticism

NF (Intuition and Feeling), Idealist - Romantic, Empathetic, Authentic, Creative, Impassioned.  The personality types that share the Idealist Temperament are ENFJ, INFJ, ENFP, and INFP

NF Idealist (ENFJ, INFJ, ENFP, INFP)

Romantic, empathetic, authentic, creative, and impassioned, Idealists strive to be true to themselves while inspiring and bringing out the best in others.
Some information on the NF Idealist:

• Have a need to live up to their high ideals
• Empathetic
• Tend to glorify others and life in general
• Well-trusted and cultivated intuition
• Often interested in the spiritual, having a strong affinity for the mystical and what cannot be seen by the eye
• As kids, often show their elaborate imaginations
• Good with the use of words - if not when speaking, in writing
• Strongly believes in certain causes
• Romantic
• Wants deep, meaningful relationships
• May trust others more than they should, sometimes to the point of naivety
• Often enjoys reading (from fantasy to poetry, to creative short stories, to religious texts)
• Appreciates the arts and imagination
• Appreciates the uniqueness of themselves and others
• Natural conflict mediators with their strong insight and diplomatic nature

SJ (Sensing and Judging), Guardian - Dependable, Traditional, Loyal.  The personality types that share the Guardian Temperament are ESTJ, ISTJ, ESFJ, and ISFJ.

SJ Guardian (ESTJ, ISTJ, ESFJ, ISFJ)
Guardians are dependable, traditional, attentive, and loyal, striving for stability and structure, providing reliability to others.
More on the SJ Guardian:

• Cautious
• As kids typically followed the rules and strove to be “good” children and students
• Sound, consistent
• Doesn’t like to see things get wasted (whether it be food or free time, conserving and usefulness is on their mind). 
• Are often conservative in decision-making - whether financially, or even in what to do with their weekend.
• Decisive
• Strong sense of duty
• Feel obligated to perform the proper role and do so effectively (often giving up their free time to do so)
• Often family-oriented
• Relies and sticks by their principles
• Often become good authority figures
• Good with logistics and details
• While they may not willingly admit it, actually enjoys and needs to work - or at least being productive
• Revels in looking back on the past
• Strives to be respected (and typically are)
• Least likely of the temperaments to tolerate a messy living or work space

SP (Sensing and Perceiving), Artisan - Adventurous, Action-Oriented, Spontaneous.  The personality types that share the Artisan Temperament are ESTP, ISTP, ESFP, and ISFP.

SP Artisan (ESTP, ISTP, ESFP, ISFP)

Artisans are action-oriented and live in the moment.  They enjoy being spontaneous and strive for a range of experience and excitement.
More on the SP Artisan:

• Likes to engage the five senses
• Good at making things and working with their hands
• Generous
• Trust their impulses and instinct
• Active
• Opportunistic - in fact SP’s keep a keen and sharp lookout for anything that will give them an advantage.
• Can be cunning
• Good at negotiating and cutting deals
• Risk-taking
• As kids were always active and getting into things
• Lively
• Have a healthy aura about them
• Seek action
• Flexible
• Easygoing, chill attitude about most people and things
• Looks to develop skills
• Learns by “doing”
• Resourceful
• Quick thinking (naturally responsive)
• Keen senses
• Typically good at multitasking
• Values freedom

Using Personality Traits To Profile Literary Characters

Introversion and Extraversion

How We Get Our Energy

The first category tells us how we get our energy. 
E stands for extraversion.  E’s typically gain energy from their direct involvement with people and the outside world. I stands for introversion.  I’s typically gain energy when given the opportunity to spend time alone and think things through.

Extravert Characteristics

• Doesn’t mind being in large groups and often enjoys it
• Likes to know and associate with lots of people
• Prefers social interaction to time alone
• When confronted with a problem, typically likes to talk it out with others and get their point of view
• Known to speak before thinking
• Doesn’t typically have trouble thinking of something to say, and is typically at ease in doing so
• Doesn’t typically have problems meeting new people wherever they go
• May need to practice their listening skills
• Easily adapts to social situations
• Typically appreciates situations for what they are worth as they are happening

Introvert Characteristics

• Prefers one-on-one to large-group interaction
• Prefers to have a few close relationships
• Needs time alone to restore energy
• Typically good listeners
• More likely to think before speaking than extraverts are
• May be lost for words at times, not knowing what to say
• Enjoys reflecting
• May need to get time to self to take things in before fully appreciating them
• Dislikes crowds
• Reserved

Introverts can be too self-absorbed while extraverts may lack introspection.
I’s think about how the outward situation pertains to them and who they are, while E’s think about how they pertain to the outward situation.

Introverted doesn’t mean antisocial or socially awkward.  Some of the best speakers and “people persons” of all time have been introverts.  What makes them I’s is their need to be by themselves to recharge their batteries.  Given this opportunity, and especially when put in a situation that means something to them, some I’s can be very publicly engaging.

I’s shouldn’t try to be like E’s and E’s shouldn’t try to be like I’s.  I’s shouldn’t try to be overly talkative and try to be around people all the time.  It is better for them to utilize their good listening skills in order to say something sufficient and relevant each time they do talk.
 
Fact: Extraverts make up a higher percentage of the population than Introverts do.

Sensing and Intuition

How We Gather Information

This category tells us how we take in information and what we choose to attend to when perceiving the world.
S stands for sensing.  Those favoring S prefer to take in information in a direct, factual manner.  N stands for intuition.  Those favoring intuition take in information looking at the big picture, checking for underlying meaning and connections with the mind’s eye.  S’s naturally think about what already exists while N’s think about what could be.  N’s prefer generalizing, concepts, theories, and ideas, while S’s prefer facts and tangibles.  S’s have a firm grasp of reality, know how things are, and are realistic.  N’s take pride in their ability to imagine and think of ideas.

Sensor Characteristics

• Good with the concrete (what can be seen)
• Likes to think about what exists
• Realistic
• Typically has plenty of common sense
• Pays attention to and remembers details
• Takes in information in a step-by-step manner
• Prefers direct experience
• Pays attention to their surroundings

Intuitor Characteristics

• Good with the abstract
• Likes to think of what’s possible
• Has an active imagination
• Thinks outside the box
• Enjoys seeing things in different ways
• Likes to daydream
• May be difficult to understand
• Gathers information through intuitive jumps and inferences
• May have unexplainable hunches or a sixth sense
• Complex
• Gets motivated by their inspirations

Fact: Intuition is the least common of the eight possible preferences, only characterizing about 25% of the population.

Sensor: “I like to focus on the present and what exists in front of me.”

Intuitor: “I like to think about the future and what it could or may hold.”

When intuitiors take in information, they compare and apply that information to some type of larger, big picture context - thinking of underlying meanings, envisioning possibilities, and intuiting what these can tell us about the future.  Because of this, N’s often have strong vision, insight, and intuition. 

S’s prefer to think concretely.  While taking in information they look at the facts, empirical evidence, and past experiences.  They take the information literally and catch most of the nuances and details that N’s often miss.  Therefore S’s are often realistic, in touch with reality, and practical.

Thinking and Feeling

How We Make Decisions

This category tells us how we make decisions and judgments.

T stands for thinking.  Those favoring thinking prefer to make decisions objectively with their head, through logic.  F stands for feeling.  Those favoring feeling prefer to make decisions subjectively, with their heart, based on their values and emotion.  T’s value justice and fairness, while F’s value harmony and empathy.

Thinker Characteristics

• Wants truth and justice
• Hard-nosed, firm
• Decides with head
• Naturally skeptical
• Critical
• Blunt
• Looks at principles
• Objective

Feeler Characteristics

• Naturally sympathetic
• Strives for harmony
• Empathetic and forgiving
• Decides with heart
• Naturally trusts others
• Supportive
• Tactful
• Concerned with the feelings of others

Thinker: “There is a principle and outcome to everything.”

Feeler: “There is a human element to everything.”

Judging and Perceiving

How We Prefer To Live Our Life

The final category tells us how we choose to live our life and go about our daily activities - the kind of lifestyle we choose for ourselves.

            J stands for judging.  Those favoring judging prefer to plan things out and live in a structured manner.  P stands for perceiving.  Those favoring perceiving prefer to leave their options open and live in a flexible manner.  Judgers are organized schedulers who like to come to conclusions.  Perceivers are spontaneous improvisers who delay decision-making.

Judger Characteristics

• Likes to plan
• Organized
• Likes to come to conclusions
• Prepared
• Enjoys finishing things
• Relies on schedules, to-do lists, and deadlines
• Typically more serious-minded than perceivers
• Sees and sets boundaries
• Values a job well done
• Likes to know what to expect ahead of time
• Decisive

Perceiver Characteristics

• Likes options
• Places emphasis on having fun
• Spontaneous
• Delays decision-making
• Flexible
• Good with improvisation
• Adapts, goes with the flow
• Enjoys starting things
• Can work on many things at once
• Enjoys surprises
• Doesn’t like to commit because they never know what may come up

The perceiver’s idea of freedom is not being bound by limited possibilities and opportunities. The judger’s idea of freedom is being free from having the pressure to improvise due to chance.

My Personality Profile

ENFP: The Creative Enthusiast

ENFP’s are spontaneous, creative, and optimistic.
 "We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time."
ENFP’s love to get taken away by their imagination.  This imagination soars to great heights and knows no boundaries.  ENFP’s are good at expressing this, and it often captures and captivates others.
The ENFP is sought after, and helps open doors to the new: new experiences, possibilities, ideas and perspectives.
ENFP’s are very intriguing to others.  They have an independent nature and original minds, yet are people-friendly, and receptive to the needs of others.  But ENFP’s don’t typically stick around for long.  They are elusive, rarely committing to things, always adventuring, seeking new experiences.  ENFP’s’ enthusiasm coupled with their ingenuity, gift for ideas, and open nature make them fun and inspirational to be around.  Others naturally feel comfort around ENFP’s and often feel energized and enlightened after meeting with them.
Romantized, excitable, imaginative, and with a zest for meaningful adventure and experience, Wendy from Peter Pan is a good example of an ENFP.
ENFP’s have a nature about them that yearns to get the most out of life.  They enhance life, trying to get the most out of experiences and emotion.  They look for a good time, are good at creating a good time, and will press their limits in doing so.
ENFP’s typically have a spark about them.  Something that others feel but can’t explain.  They are truly independent individuals, often looked up to by others, often with their acquaintances walking away feeling better about themselves.  They have a laid-back, stylish, enjoyable demeanor that is often seen as being creatively cool and charismatic
"Mediocrity is the killer!"
In fiction ENFP’s are fun and venturesome, yet loyal; they are the kind of people you’d want to be friends with (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Corey from Boy Meets World).  They embody a romantized, excitable, imaginational zest for meanfingful adventure and experience (Wendy from Peter Pan, Tommy from Rugrats, Ferris Bueller).  As characters they are perceptive, expressive, and open-minded (Dharma from Dharma and Greg, Lady from Sex and the City).   
Singer/songwriter Alanis Morisette is a good representation of the deep, emotional, romantic side that sometimes shows through ENFP’s.
The 80s was a breath of fresh air for America.  The decadence of the late 70s brought in a need for new and creative modes of expression.  Life became colorful again.  An appreciation of the oddities and the different aspects of life arose.  The 80s was an upliftingly social, yet laid-back, open-minded era, probably reveled by ENFP’s.
“You can tell that ENFP’s really take life in, get what they can from it, and share it with others, and enjoy doing so.”
ENFP’s in fiction are typically funny, intriguing, imaginative, adventurous, and fun . . . often with a hint of mischief.   
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."
ENFP’s are of the Idealist temperament.  Idealists are Romantic, Empathetic, Authentic, Creative, and Impassioned.  Idealists strive to be true to themselves while inspiring and bringing out the best in others. The ENFP is likely to feel deeply about certain causes is a true chamption in abounding support for their cause.  The personality types that share the Idealist Temperament are ENFJ, INFJ, ENFP, and INFP.
ENFP’s and ENTP’s have the dominant function of Extraverted Intuition (Ne).  Extraverted Intuition involves looking at possibilities and meanings behind things. ENFP’s have an intuitively felt appreciation of the human condition, and can be fun-loving, yet insightful and generous catalysts to others.
ENFP's are known to do things at the drop of a dime with intense spontaneity.  They will commit themselves to experiential activities (such as visiting another country, or perhaps even living there for a year) that others only daydream of, or wish they could do, were they not so tied down. ENFP’s can get very excited and into things and love to joyfully tell others about their experiences. It’s a magical world to the ENFP and they love to share it with others. Also with strong intuition, the ENFP is often able to see things that others can't, and will willfully and often successfully bring others into their realm of realization with excitement.

More on the ENFP

• Able to stretch new limits for themselves and others
• Like to open up new worlds of ideas and realities
• Open-minded and rarely judgmental
• Enjoy being unique
• Wants to make their world alive with their vivid and colorful fantasies
• Minds tend to wander
• Prefers not to get tied down in a routine schedule. 
• Believe that variety is the spice of life.
• Need to express themselves
• More likely than most other types to give people second chances
• Have a broad, global view of life (ENFP’s rarely forget the big picture)
• Typically good with fashion, and has their own personal, original style
• Can be very good at telling people what they want to hear
• Restless
• Romantic
• Open-minded
• Need and want change
• Colorful

Strengths

• Typically gets along well with others and in general is well liked
• Persuasive
• Good imagination
• Good with language and use of words
• Creative
• (Intuitive)
• (Insightful)
• Has a cool, (charismatic) quality that brings people in
• Good at making people feel comfortable
• Original
• Open to possibilities
• (Versatile)
• Energetic

 

Weaknesses

• Can be forgetful or absentminded
• May procrastinate
• Can get caught up in the moment and be impulsive
• May wait too long to make a decision
• May despise being tied down to a schedule
• Doesn’t like to be told what to do or be held from creative expression
• May spend money on impulse and be big spenders
• Has trouble finishing projects
• May not think things through, not thinking of, or ignoring, the consequences or needed details
• May have a short attention span

Famous ENFP's

• Adam Sandler
• Cher
• Wayne Brady
• MC Hammer
• Bill Cosby
• Tammy Faye
• Dr. Seuss
• Dave Mathews
• Bono from U2
• Alanis Morissette
• Dave Arquette
• Oprah Winfrey
• Barack Obama
• Mike Huckabee

Fictional ENFP ’s

• Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
• Phoebe from Friends
• Annie Kinsella (The wife from Field of Dreams)
• John Keating (The teacher from The Dead Poets Society)
• Wendy from Peter Pan
• Dharma from Dharma and Greg
• Tommy from Rug Rats
• Ferris Bueller
• Bob from What About Bob
• Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker’s character from Sex and the City)
• Corey from Boy Meets World

NF Idealist (ENFJ, INFJ, ENFP, INFP)

Romantic, (empathetic), authentic, creative, and (impassioned), Idealists strive to be true to themselves while inspiring and bringing out the best in others.
Some information on the NF Idealist:

• Have a need to live up to their high ideals
• (Empathetic)
• Tend to glorify others and life in general
• Well-trusted and cultivated (intuition)
• Often interested in the spiritual, having a strong affinity for the mystical and what cannot be seen by the eye
• As kids, often show their elaborate imaginations
• Good with the use of words - if not when speaking, in writing
• Strongly believes in certain causes
• Romantic
• Wants deep, meaningful relationships
• May trust others more than they should, sometimes to the point of naivety
• Often enjoys reading (from fantasy to poetry, to creative short stories, to religious texts)
• Appreciates the arts and imagination
• Appreciates the uniqueness of themselves and others
• (Natural conflict mediators with their strong insight and diplomatic nature)

Careers That Match My Type:

• activist
• actor
• advertising
• artist
• choreographer
• clergy/religious worker
• computer programmer, systems analyst
• computer animation, computer specialist, software designer
• corporate trainer/training coordinator
• counselor
• dean of students
• dietitian/nutritionist
• entertainer
• journalist/writer/poet/novelist
• learning specialist
• marketing
• (mediator)
• mental health professional
• musician
• pediatrician
• psychiatrist
• psychologist
• public relations
• school counselor
• scientist
• tour guide
• tutor
• youth services director