By taking what we understand and attaching it to things we don’t understand, we have accomplished the connection of an analogy. These enable us to gain a unique new way of looking at familiar terms. Essentially analogies can be about anything; however, some are more effective than others. In the example that a wiki is like the Earth, there are almost an infinite number of comparisons. The most significant of these similarities would include that anyone is capable of changing or destroying them, it is possible to create a home or distinctive space, and that both hold a wealth of different views, ideas, and opinions. [This introduction paragraph is kind of odd. You shouldn't be so explicit about the kind of arguments you are making, and the discussion of the "infinite number of comparisons" between the Earth and a wiki seems a little rushed. Why did you feel it needed to be mentioned at all? While not a bad introduction, it isn't striking in the least and is kind of dull]

Our earth is an astonishing place that provides us with countless opportunities. There are people in this world who strive to improve our Earth’s health, while others overlook its greatness and take it for granted. Our Earth, like a wiki, is extremely vulnerable to change. For example of a change for the better, those who appreciate the wiki’s purpose could post a blog to help people quit smoking, while on Earth an equivalent act would be to plant a tree. A wiki and Earth share similar characteristics in that they are both susceptible to change, and are at anyone’s disposal. Though what constitutes as [a] good or bad change is different in each case, the overall idea of change is enduring. Anyone can use wikis, as anyone can use Earth, yet we are all capable of destroying them.
We may never take the time to realize it, but each of us has our own niche on this planet we call home. What makes this idea so special is that home can mean something different to everyone. Just as we have a place we call home on this Earth, we also, believe it or not, have a virtual home on our wikis. For instance, our own English 15 course homepage has a precise site for our blog compilations. Each of us has created a user name attached to our own personal blog collection. If home is somewhere familiar, where you can be yourself and feel comfortable expressing your ideas, then our blogs would fit under that definition. Home is one of those terms with several different definitions; however our virtual wiki home undeniably shares numerous similarities to our home on Earth. [if you are going to mention that there are several defintions of home, you should maybe discuss some of these differing definitions]
With over six billion people living on our Earth, the wealth of knowledge is unimaginable. Thousands of cultures, races, ideas, and opinions have molded our Earth into a melting pot of variety. Every person is free to decide their own beliefs concerning certain issues [i think this makes your sentence a little confusing] and then given the opportunity to express them. This expression of feelings on Earth can also be clearly seen through a wiki. As discussed before, wikis can be sculpted in whatever way the user sees fit. Through this molding, limitless amounts of different ideas come together. In turn it creates a blend of opinions as it simultaneously opens our eyes to different views. This merging reveals the beauty as well as purpose of the wikis. Like the Earth, a wiki has the potential to create an intermingling forum of assorted ideas that broadens while [and] questions our own beliefs. [nice]
As we can see, these three similarities between a wiki and our Earth are undisputable [indisputable]. We all recognize our Earth in a specific way; however[,] once it is compared to a wiki, certain visions may change. Analogies are all about opening our eyes to different ways of seeing things and perceiving them in a different light. As we now acknowledge these diverse perceptions, it becomes clear how the wiki and our Earth can be used and changed by anyone, we established our own home in each, and how both contain a wealth of knowledge.

By taking what we understand and attaching it to things we don’t understand, we have accomplished the connection of analogy. These enable us to gain a unique new way of looking at familiar terms. Essentially analogies can be about anything; however some are more effective than others. In the example that a wiki is like the Earth, there are almost an infinite number of comparisons. The most significant of these similarities would include that anyone is capable of changing or destroying it, it’s possible to create a home or distinctive space, and that both hold a wealth of different views, ideas, and opinions.

Our earth is an astonishing place that provides us with countless opportunities. There are people in this world who strive to improve our Earth’s health, while others overlook its greatness and take it fir granted. Our Earth, like a wiki, is extremely vulnerable to change. For example, those who appreciate the wiki’s purpose could post a blog to help people quit smoking, while on Earth an equivalent act would be to plant a tree. A wiki and Earth share similar characteristics in that they are both susceptible to change and are at anyone’s disposal. Though what constitutes as good or bad change is different in each case, the overall idea of change is enduring. Anyone can use wikis, as anyone can use Earth, yet we are all capable of destroying them.
We may never take the time to realize it, but each of us has our own niche on this planet we call home. What makes this idea so special is that home can mean something different to everyone. Just as we have a place we call home on this Earth, we also, believe it or not, have a virtual home on our wikis. For instance, our own English 15 course homepage has its own specific site for our blogs. Each of us has created a user name attached to our own personal blog collection. If home is somewhere familiar you can go, where you feel comfortable, then that is what our blog collection is. Home is one of those terms with several different definitions; however our wiki home undeniably shares numerous similarities to our home on Earth.
With over six billion people living on our Earth, the wealth of knowledge is unimaginable. Thousands of cultures, races, ideas, and opinions have molded our Earth into a melting pot of variety. Every person is free to decide their own beliefs on certain issues and express them. This expression of feelings on Earth can vividly be seen on a wiki as well. As discussed before, wikis can be sculpted to whatever the user sees fit. Through this molding, limitless amounts of different ideas come together. This creates a blend of opinions as it simultaneously opens our eyes to different opinions. That is the beauty and purpose of the wikis. Like the Earth, it creates a culmination of mixing ideas that broadens while is also questions our own beliefs.
As we can see, these three similarities between a wiki and our Earth are undisputable. We all recognize our Earth in a specific way; however once it is compared to a wiki, certain visions may change. Analogies are all about opening our eyes to different ways of seeing things, and perceiving them in a different light. As we now acknowledge these diverse perceptions, it becomes clear how the wiki and our Earth can be used and changed by anyone, we established our own home in each, and how both contain a wealth of knowledge.

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Edited on 2005-10-15 11:28:00 by EschaTon

Additions:
By taking what we understand and attaching it to things we don’t understand, we have accomplished the connection of an analogy. These enable us to gain a unique new way of looking at familiar terms. Essentially analogies can be about anything; however, some are more effective than others. In the example that a wiki is like the Earth, there are almost an infinite number of comparisons. The most significant of these similarities would include that anyone is capable of changing or destroying them, it is possible to create a home or distinctive space, and that both hold a wealth of different views, ideas, and opinions. [This introduction paragraph is kind of odd. You shouldn't be so explicit about the kind of arguments you are making, and the discussion of the "infinite number of comparisons" between the Earth and a wiki seems a little rushed. Why did you feel it needed to be mentioned at all? While not a bad introduction, it isn't striking in the least and is kind of dull]
Our earth is an astonishing place that provides us with countless opportunities. There are people in this world who strive to improve our Earth’s health, while others overlook its greatness and take it for granted. Our Earth, like a wiki, is extremely vulnerable to change. For example of a change for the better, those who appreciate the wiki’s purpose could post a blog to help people quit smoking, while on Earth an equivalent act would be to plant a tree. A wiki and Earth share similar characteristics in that they are both susceptible to change, and are at anyone’s disposal. Though what constitutes as [a] good or bad change is different in each case, the overall idea of change is enduring. Anyone can use wikis, as anyone can use Earth, yet we are all capable of destroying them.
We may never take the time to realize it, but each of us has our own niche on this planet we call home. What makes this idea so special is that home can mean something different to everyone. Just as we have a place we call home on this Earth, we also, believe it or not, have a virtual home on our wikis. For instance, our own English 15 course homepage has a precise site for our blog compilations. Each of us has created a user name attached to our own personal blog collection. If home is somewhere familiar, where you can be yourself and feel comfortable expressing your ideas, then our blogs would fit under that definition. Home is one of those terms with several different definitions; however our virtual wiki home undeniably shares numerous similarities to our home on Earth. [if you are going to mention that there are several defintions of home, you should maybe discuss some of these differing definitions]
With over six billion people living on our Earth, the wealth of knowledge is unimaginable. Thousands of cultures, races, ideas, and opinions have molded our Earth into a melting pot of variety. Every person is free to decide their own beliefs concerning certain issues [i think this makes your sentence a little confusing] and then given the opportunity to express them. This expression of feelings on Earth can also be clearly seen through a wiki. As discussed before, wikis can be sculpted in whatever way the user sees fit. Through this molding, limitless amounts of different ideas come together. In turn it creates a blend of opinions as it simultaneously opens our eyes to different views. This merging reveals the beauty as well as purpose of the wikis. Like the Earth, a wiki has the potential to create an intermingling forum of assorted ideas that broadens while [and] questions our own beliefs. [nice]
As we can see, these three similarities between a wiki and our Earth are undisputable [indisputable]. We all recognize our Earth in a specific way; however[,] once it is compared to a wiki, certain visions may change. Analogies are all about opening our eyes to different ways of seeing things and perceiving them in a different light. As we now acknowledge these diverse perceptions, it becomes clear how the wiki and our Earth can be used and changed by anyone, we established our own home in each, and how both contain a wealth of knowledge.

Our earth is an astonishing place that provides us with countless opportunities. There are people in this world who strive to improve our Earth’s health, while others overlook its greatness and take it for granted. Our Earth, like a wiki, is extremely vulnerable to change. For example of a change for the better, those who appreciate the wiki’s purpose could post a blog to help people quit smoking, while on Earth an equivalent act would be to plant a tree. A wiki and Earth share similar characteristics in that they are both susceptible to change, and are at anyone’s disposal. Though what constitutes as good or bad change is different in each case, the overall idea of change is enduring. Anyone can use wikis, as anyone can use Earth, yet we are all capable of destroying them.
We may never take the time to realize it, but each of us has our own niche on this planet we call home. What makes this idea so special is that home can mean something different to everyone. Just as we have a place we call home on this Earth, we also, believe it or not, have a virtual home on our wikis. For instance, our own English 15 course homepage has a precise site for our blog compilations. Each of us has created a user name attached to our own personal blog collection. If home is somewhere familiar, where you can be yourself and feel comfortable expressing your ideas, then our blogs would fit under that definition. Home is one of those terms with several different definitions; however our virtual wiki home undeniably shares numerous similarities to our home on Earth.
With over six billion people living on our Earth, the wealth of knowledge is unimaginable. Thousands of cultures, races, ideas, and opinions have molded our Earth into a melting pot of variety. Every person is free to decide their own beliefs concerning certain issues and then given the opportunity to express them. This expression of feelings on Earth can also be clearly seen through a wiki. As discussed before, wikis can be sculpted in whatever way the user sees fit. Through this molding, limitless amounts of different ideas come together. In turn it creates a blend of opinions as it simultaneously opens our eyes to different views. This merging reveals the beauty as well as purpose of the wikis. Like the Earth, a wiki has the potential to create an intermingling forum of assorted ideas that broadens while questions our own beliefs.
As we can see, these three similarities between a wiki and our Earth are undisputable. We all recognize our Earth in a specific way; however once it is compared to a wiki, certain visions may change. Analogies are all about opening our eyes to different ways of seeing things and perceiving them in a different light. As we now acknowledge these diverse perceptions, it becomes clear how the wiki and our Earth can be used and changed by anyone, we established our own home in each, and how both contain a wealth of knowledge.

---

Edited on 2005-10-07 09:41:57 by MelissaMalski

Additions:
Analogy Argument (final draft)

By taking what we understand and attaching it to things we don’t understand, we have accomplished the connection of an analogy. These enable us to gain a unique new way of looking at familiar terms. Essentially analogies can be about anything; however, some are more effective than others. In the example that a wiki is like the Earth, there are almost an infinite number of comparisons. The most significant of these similarities would include that anyone is capable of changing or destroying them, it is possible to create a home or distinctive space, and that both hold a wealth of different views, ideas, and opinions.
Our earth is an astonishing place that provides us with countless opportunities. There are people in this world who strive to improve our Earth’s health, while others overlook its greatness and take it for granted. Our Earth, like a wiki, is extremely vulnerable to change. For example of a change for the better, those who appreciate the wiki’s purpose could post a blog to help people quit smoking, while on Earth an equivalent act would be to plant a tree. A wiki and Earth share similar characteristics in that they are both susceptible to change, and are at anyone’s disposal. Though what constitutes as good or bad change is different in each case, the overall idea of change is enduring. Anyone can use wikis, as anyone can use Earth, yet we are all capable of destroying them.
We may never take the time to realize it, but each of us has our own niche on this planet we call home. What makes this idea so special is that home can mean something different to everyone. Just as we have a place we call home on this Earth, we also, believe it or not, have a virtual home on our wikis. For instance, our own English 15 course homepage has a precise site for our blog compilations. Each of us has created a user name attached to our own personal blog collection. If home is somewhere familiar, where you can be yourself and feel comfortable expressing your ideas, then our blogs would fit under that definition. Home is one of those terms with several different definitions; however our virtual wiki home undeniably shares numerous similarities to our home on Earth.
With over six billion people living on our Earth, the wealth of knowledge is unimaginable. Thousands of cultures, races, ideas, and opinions have molded our Earth into a melting pot of variety. Every person is free to decide their own beliefs concerning certain issues and then given the opportunity to express them. This expression of feelings on Earth can also be clearly seen through a wiki. As discussed before, wikis can be sculpted in whatever way the user sees fit. Through this molding, limitless amounts of different ideas come together. In turn it creates a blend of opinions as it simultaneously opens our eyes to different views. This merging reveals the beauty as well as purpose of the wikis. Like the Earth, a wiki has the potential to create an intermingling forum of assorted ideas that broadens while questions our own beliefs.
As we can see, these three similarities between a wiki and our Earth are undisputable. We all recognize our Earth in a specific way; however once it is compared to a wiki, certain visions may change. Analogies are all about opening our eyes to different ways of seeing things and perceiving them in a different light. As we now acknowledge these diverse perceptions, it becomes clear how the wiki and our Earth can be used and changed by anyone, we established our own home in each, and how both contain a wealth of knowledge.