During the first session of this course, one of the things that was discussed in our reading material in "The Bedford Guide for Academic Readers" was writing an introduction . The Bedford Guide suggests “starting with a story”, it advises that “often a simple anecdote can capture your readers' interest and thus be a good start” (2011, p. 429). Aaron's story is very powerful; as a parent, this touched my heart and immediately drew me into the rest of the story. The topic of this essay is when can we stop being meaningless cells and become a real living person. My personal opinion on this subject is that we have always been people; every moment from start to finish. The Bible tells us in Jeremiah 1:5: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have made you a prophet to the nations" (ESV). God is talking specifically about Jeremiah in this verse, but I firmly believe it applies to all of us. God knew us before we were born, how could he have known us if we were not alive and in fact people The essay raises several complex points, there is no definitive proof of personal identity, and many different people have many different beliefs about when this. actually starts and ends. Does it start once you're born? Is it something you have to have a specific level of ability to get? Is it something you might lose if you go below? of this ability. Smietana cites many people of different mindsets in the essay, the first of course being Susan Barg to be of the opinion that God knew what he was doing all along. she would agree (although not specifically stated) that life begins at conception. Robert D. Orr, director of and..... .middle of paper ......beliefs represented in his quotes. I don't think he ever really counter-argued anything, as his position on the subject was never clearly stated. I think the quotes used to support life from conception did a good job of refuting the position that it began at some point after, but I don't think he himself ever supported anything in the essay. I don't think this essay expands or complicates anything regarding my opinions because my opinions remain the same after reading it. God knew us before He even created us. Since God is the creator who gives us the ability to be people, we have been with him from the very beginning. Reading the essay, I felt that Bob Smietana, the author, was speaking as a journalist. Rather than expressing his own opinion, he presented opinions from both sides of the debate throughout the essay..