Question

What does the quote “When you control a man's thinking, you do not have to worry about his actions.” by Carter G. Woodson mean?? And can you help me fix this essay that I’m writing and also with coming up with a better essay for the quote??

The purpose of this Pre-test Essay is to determine how well you can write an academic essay. Your essay should include (a) an introduction that includes a position statement (thesis), (b) at least three body paragraphs, and (c) a conclusion. An advanced proficiency level essay requires a central idea (thesis) directly related to the topic; has a clear organizational plan; develops points with evidence and support; is coherent and logical; and is free of frequent errors in grammar, mechanics, word choice and sentence structure.

Essay: Dr. Woodson is trying to convey to the audience that when you tell someone to do something repeatedly. They will immediately find their place with someone saying anything. We know what he is going to do. He will either engage in good or bad actions.

For example, back at home in New Rochelle, New York, I do the dishes and get the garbage from around the house without being told to do so. This is mostly the case because my brothers will forget most of the time and my parents can rely on me most times. When I know that the chores are supposed to be taken care of, I do them and get help when I need it. What this taught me was that it is how it pertains to why this is related to Woodson’s quote.


Another scenario of this quote and how it relates to my life is when I know I am supposed to do my homework, I get onto it, and I will take my time with my assignments and ask for help when I need it. If I am falling behind on an assignment or need more time, I would email my teachers to let them know so that they will understand where I am coming from, and I would have them look over it to see where I need progression especially when I am drafting an essay. I would take their advice but also dig deeper into it. Meaning that I will write more than what the teacher suggests but still getting some help from them by me asking them about the assignment and trying to make it better. Then I feel like I make a relationship with the teachers because I am going to get help from them most of the time when I am having a tough time understanding it.

A third and final example of Woodson’s quote that relates to me is when I am at certain extracurriculars like with sports such as Swimming and Tennis as well as musical activities like band. I feel like this case connects to Woodson’s quote because when I know I am supposed to be at a practice, a game, or a concert. The coach or instructor will know that I am going to come every time because I am mostly present. The coach but when I have an emergency in case, I cannot make that event. I would send them a message to let them know. So that way I will not be penalized for not being there.

This quote by Carter G. Woodson tells us repeatedly that if you want something you will keep wanting to have it. If you communicate, people have nothing to worry about. Finally, if you know what you are doing and you follow instructions then you are well cared for.

Answer 1

For ages, humans have been questioning whether one will be constrained if the cognitive process is limited by society. By the end of the American Civil War in the 1930s, Carter G. Woodson wrote a book, The Mis-Education of the Negro, in which he stated, "When you control a man's thinking, you do not have to worry about his actions." Woodson argues that if one allows their thinking to be controlled, then their action will be predictable and manipulatable, without the need of being told.

Step-by-step explanation:

First: (Not in this essay, general tip) Avoid using anything like "I" or "You"

It makes the academic essay seems informal and weak, but because this pre-test essay is not very formal with only one source of evidence, it's an exception.

Second Mistake: Don't be too rigid in writing.

Instead of starting with the thesis directly, have some kind of hook and some background information, like the example provided above.

Third Mistake: Avoid ambiguous words like "good or bad"

It's too general, and they do not make you sound like a mature writer.

Fourth Mistake: Too many simple sentences

Connect some phrases together with conjunctions -- the essay will be too dull otherwise.

Fifth Mistake: Writing in general

Connecting back to the second mistake, don't be so rigid! That means you don't have to follow a structure like: "This shows ... meaning ... which also shows ... another example is ... finally ... this shows..." Instead, try to connect all of your ideas together without these phrases.

Another suggestion, use professional words. Ex: Instead of saying that Woodson tells us, you can say that Woodson illustrates the importance of ...

Check your grammar with an online tool.

Sixth Mistake: So What?

In the conclusion, why does this quote matter? What background context made Woodson say that? How can this quote be applied to a bigger message?

Woodson wrote the book to illustrate the suppression of the education system on African Americans. If he says that one doesn't have to tell someone to achieve a purpose, how does that connect to his quote?

Hint: This means that certain systems in society will only continue to suppress the victims of injustice, to the point where the victims know to do something even if they are not told directly. For example, during the 1930s, although the educational system seems to be proclaiming fairness with the means of integration, African American Students were afraid to integrate, because the oppression from society was obvious -- just like what Woodson later emphasized, "If you make a man feel that he is inferior, you do not have to compel him to accept an inferior status, for he will seek it himself."