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Amanda Nesseth March 4, 2013 Uniquely Unoriginal Must all pieces be original? Is it clich to contain an underlying message that has been used many times before? Life Story by Brian Shields contains a message that has been used numerous times, but he conveys the message in a unique way. Although some may argue that Life Story is not original due to its classic message, the authors stylistic choice of using only popular euphemisms helps express the age old message in a new way. In this essay Shields renders a message of reflection and judgment on human values and outlooks throughout a typical life. Shields portrays his message by creating this essay using only well known euphemismsmany easily found on a car bumper. His use of only well known euphemisms consequently causes the reader to reflect on popular values. Life Story is a narrative takes the audience through a typical life. While in the young adult stage of said life, Shields writes, Party on board I brake for bong waterSex is only dirty when you do it right (Shields 339). The reader can plainly see that the values of young adults are well represented by a well-known acronym, YOLOyou only live once. As we further progress through this life the values change to more materialistic and egotistical, Born to shop The more people I meet, the more I like my cat. (Shields 340). At the end of the narrative the tone shifts toward being impartial and relaxation, Id rather be sailing Why be normal? (Shields 341). Shields stylistic choices are what make Life Story original. At one points Shields writes, Baby on board (340). Using such wide-spread euphemisms like this one Shields is able

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to evoke judgment on human values from the reader. This is because the reader understands that these are popular euphemisms representing common ideals. By stringing these euphemisms along Shields opens the readers eyes to the materialistic, selfish views of the average person. Had Shields not used common euphemisms I do not believe it would have had as much of an impact. The reality would not be there for the reader. The readers would have just nodded their head in agreement but not really thought anything of it. With it being written in the fashion that it was, the reader is forced to acknowledge these misshapen values, and subsequently make judgments based upon them. Some argue that because of using only euphemisms Life Story is very clich and would have taken little intelligence to write. However the order, and what euphemisms Shields uses creates an underlying message critiquing values that have become too common. Had he not used popular euphemisms the piece would not have the same effect. Had he put them in a nonsensical order, it would have had little to no effect. However the way he did use popular euphemisms in a rational order cleverly creates a unique spin on an old message. David Shieldss Life Story is original due to its stylistic choices. It may b e clich to use euphemisms, yet they do prove his point. His message may not be original, but his delivery is one of a kind. Altogether Life Story is a uniquely unoriginal piece.