The Comparison of Chinese and Western Literature Essay

i will upload the instruction and rubric as a word document.
Before you whole writing, could you show me your thesis, topic sentence and main arguments to me? Please give the topic to me before 13th!! Thank you!!
Because I want to check it with my professor since she is a really tough grader…If she PASSes our idea, we can probably get an A, however, if she denies it, we need to come up with another idea...
If available please also give me some examples about the book/article/author you find, I can check it with my professor as well.
when i check with her, she probably will give some suggestions!
Thank you

Essay Rubric

The final essay is a critical comparison between Western and Chinese literature or literary thoughts/philosophy/theory. There must be meaningful and substantial engagement with Western and Chinese materials. Failure to do so might result in a failing essay.

All sources must be cited in MLA or Chicago Manual style. Failure to provide citations might result in a failing essay and/or plagiarism charges.

Plagiarism of any kind (copying off articles without citation, copying from classmates, having someone else write your essay) will result in an F for the entire course and disciplinary actions.

Thesis 35%

Ideal Thesis:

A clear, debatable thesis that reflects original critical and theoretical thinking and is defensible with logic and evidence. Your thesis should address the entirety of your core arguments in a specific way.

Low-Quality Thesis:

A thesis that does not include the entirety of your core arguments; a vague thesis that only conveys the generic idea of your argumentation without specificity; a thesis that does not reflect deep critical thinking (e.g. generic, vague observations that anyone can make: “China’s society problems are reflected in Lu Xun’s writing.” “Realism in this novel is achieved by depicting realistic characters and settings.”) 

Failing Thesis:

A thesis that is indefensible with logic and evidence (e.g. personal feelings, vague observation); a thesis without original thinking (e.g. merely summarizing someone’s article and argument).

Argumentation 40%

Ideal Argumentation:

Every sentence of your body arguments is directly related to supporting your thesis and advancing your argumentation. There is no sentence that is pointless and without a clear purpose. Arguments are supported by clear and properly cited evidence from academic sources. The evidence cited and provided are appropriately relevant and sufficient to advancing your arguments. There are no unnecessary quotations from other sources not immediately relevant to your arguments (e.g. quoting an entire paragraph from an article when only one sentence is sufficient to explain your point; providing a summary for the entire novel when your argument only concerns a small part of the novel). The logical reasoning process and evidence required to reach a conclusion are explained in a detailed and structured manner. Words are used accurately and precisely.  

Low-Quality Argumentation:

There are a significant number of sentences that do not push the arguments forward and are irrelevant to your arguments. The arguments are not supported by clearly cited evidence or reasoning that makes sense. The logical reasoning process is not precise or structured. There are unjustified logical leaps and jumps to conclusions. The reader cannot clearly see the logical process through which you arrive at your conclusions. The evidence cited are insufficient to support your arguments or not immediately relevant to your arguments. Words are used inaccurately and imprecisely.

Failing Argumentation:

The arguments are indefensible or not defended by logic and evidence. Evidence are not clearly cited. Evidence are not related to the arguments. The logical reasoning process required to arrive at your conclusions is not clearly documented or documented to a minimal extent.   

Structure 10%

You need an introduction paragraph with a thesis. You should have at least 3 body argument paragraphs. You need a conclusion paragraph. Missing any of these key components can result in a failing essay.

Grammar and Academic Conventions 15%

Your writing should be clear, direct, logical, and concise. There should be minimal grammatical and spelling errors. Words should be used accurately and precisely according to their English dictionary definitions. You should not be unnecessarily repetitive (e.g. “the Chinese culture at this point of Chinese history” “realism is a realistic way of writing” “this writing reflects Chinese cultural norms and Chinese culture”). Your English writing should be academic and professional. You will be penalized for unprofessionalism in your academic writing. 

Tips for professional academic writing:

-         You should refer to authors by their family names

-         You should discuss what happens in writings and shows in present tense

-         You should look up the definitions of complex and advanced words in an English dictionary if you are new to using them

-         If you are not using a word according to its definitions in an English dictionary, you must define how you are using it and justify why you are not using it according to the dictionary definitions.

-         Do not use words with different meanings interchangeably. “Feudal” cannot be used interchangeably with “premodern.” If you aren’t sure what “feudal” means, either discuss it with me or don’t use it. “Metaphor” and “symbol” do not mean the same thing.

-         No casual English (“I think” “I feel”)

-         Do not use abbreviations like don’t, won’t, didn’t

My mainly topic is:

The difference between the origin of Chinese and Western myths plays a critical role in the construction of the humanistic spirit between Chinese literature and Western literature. 

Kind of like:

◦         China – Traditional mythology

◦         It advocates the role of human beings and shows people’s unyielding spirit to the nature.  Attempts to benefit mankind by dominating nature

◦         Example: Nuwa - credited with creating mankind and repairing the Pillar of Heaven

◦         So, it makes the development of Chinese literature toward to

◦         Collectivism

◦         Western – Ancient Greek mythology

◦         Although the creation of Greek/Western mythological literature is dominated by God, people could find that it is not God who created human, it is the human who created God.

◦         Example: Nietzsche - Gay Science

◦         Nietzsche published the view of the death of God is extremely aggressively. He points out that it was man who killed God. I think his concern for man has entered a new era.

◦         He thinks the existing of the God denies of our life meaning, however, the death of God gives us a chance of life-affirming.

◦         So, it makes the development of Western literature toward to

◦         Individualism

More specific

◦         China – Collectivism

◦         Chinese contemporary literary writers are summarizing the humanities to collective needs, the pursuit of collective ideals

◦         Same example from traditional Chinese mythology

◦         Western – Individualism

◦         The literary creation under the influence of western nautical culture is more focused on individualism and heroism. Most of the people it emphasizes are more inclined to single person’s ideas and values.

◦         Still in the ancient Greek period of mythology, the Greek gods focused more on the multiple personalities.

◦         They have different personalities, showing not only the good side of people, but also the bad side of people. Even jealous and skeptical, fighting each other.

◦         In Greek mythology, Zeus and other gods have a” luxury” life on Olympus, instead of worrying about the suffering of the people like Chinese God. Zeus even wanted to destroy the humans.

This is all my topic I want to express

However, before you writing, can you show me your thesis, topic sentence and main arguments to me? Please give the topic to me before 13^th!! Thank you!!

I want to check it with my professor since she is a really tough grader…If available please also give me some examples about the book/article/author you find, I can check it with my professor as well.

This is some other requirement she want to us achieve

As stated in the syllabus, the essay should 9 pages (double-spaced, font 12 Times New Roman)

The final essay is a critical comparison between Chinese and Western literature or literary thoughts. (You need to compare the modern literature)