Analytical Writing: Significance of the Equal-Field System in Tang Dynasty China

1. Introduction Lsn 1

2. Syllabus Review • Objective • Texts • Grading • Schedule • Blocks 1 through 5 • Office hours • Academic honesty • Classroom conduct

3. ID & SIG • Identify and state the significance of… • Should be three sentences with an emphasis on the significance portion • Example: equal-field system • The equal-field system governed the allocation of agricultural land in China during the Tang Dynasty. Land was allotted to individuals and their families based on the land’s fertility and the recipient’s needs. The system ensured an equitable distribution of land and helped avoid the concentration of landed property that had caused social problems during the Han Dynasty.

4. Writing Requirement • 700 to 1,000 word analytical paper • Analytical writing • Thesis

5. Analytical Writing • GRE Analytical Writing Measure assesses the applicant's ability to • articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively • examine claims and accompanying evidence • support ideas with relevant reasons and examples • sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion • control the elements of standard written English

6. Thesis • “a position or proposition that a person ... advances and offers to maintain by argument” • Webster’s Dictionary

7. Writing Style • Put the thesis and proofs -- the “bottom line” -- in the first paragraph (BLUF = Bottom line up front). • Each paragraph addresses one main idea and that idea is clearly stated in the topic sentence. • Write paragraphs that average about 7 sentences in length. • Document using MLA or APA. • Use college-level sources. If your main source is wikipedia or some other .org source, you’re probably not using appropriate sources. • Do not use contractions.

8. Writing Style • Use quotations for impact (to cite an authority, to get exact wording, or to connect an important person with a particular thought). Put them in context. Do not have a whole sentence be a quotation. • Avoid the first person. • If you feel compelled to use them at all, use rhetorical questions sparingly. • Use the active voice. • Write for your audience, but, in general, keep it simple • Use short sentences (an average of 15 or fewer words). • Understand the words you use. • Use correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

9. Organization: “M1A1 Paper” • Intro… tell them what you’re going to tell them • Body… tell them • Conclusion… tell them what you told them

10. Example • Introduction • The University of Southern Mississippi is the best all-around university in the state. It has a diversity of majors that allows students to explore a range of academic disciplines. Its central location facilitates easy trips home for the weekend as well as opportunities to visit some of the Gulf South’s most culturally significant locations. It has a richness of student life where every student can find an extracurricular activity that meets his interest. These attributes make the University of Southern Mississippi the ideal choice for a wide variety of students.

11. Example • Para 2 • Majors • Para 3 • Location • Para 4 • Student life

12. Example • Conclusion • There is something for everyone at USM. Whether a student wants to major in dance or polymer science, he can get a quality education here. Hattiesburg is truly “the Hub City,” and USM’s location provides easy access to such places as the Gulf Coast, New Orleans, and Jackson. Finally, USM offers abundant student life opportunities ranging from fraternities and sororities to intercollegiate athletics to clubs. USM is the total package. It is the best all-around university in the state.

13. How to Succeed • Plan ahead/Prioritize • Come to class • Do the reading • Print out the slides (using “handouts” option; 6 per page) • Highlight the ID & SIGs on the slides • Take your class notes directly on the slides • Use the exam study guides to prepare for exams • Use me and the History Writing Lab for help with your papers • Use the “backward planning process” to help focus your paper preparation

14. Due Finalize Writing lab draft Works Cited Paras 4 and 5 Paras 2 and 3 Prep Day/Obtain all sources/Make outline Workshop/Finalize introduction Write draft introduction Determine proofs Write thesis Initial research Pick a subject Today Backward Planning Process

15. August 2008

16. Sample Notebook • A. Syllabus (key dates and info highlighted) • B. Calendar (key dates and your plan to accomplish the requirements) • C. Grade sheet and all graded work • D. Slides (printed six per page in handouts style, ID & SIGs highlighted, notes in the margins) • E. ID & SIGs (each lessons terms on notebook paper, your best effort at answering them done the night before with a couple lines left blank to fill in additional info during class) • F. Map study guide • G. Paper (first para, drafts, writing lab info, outline) • H. Subjective quiz study guide • H. Mid term study guide • I. Final exam study guide • J. World Civ Film Series Extra Credits • K. Miscellaneous

17. Other Tips for Success • Keep up with your notebook • Sit in the front 1/3 of the class • Attend every class • Show me your first para and paper drafts before they’re due • Show me your mid term and final exam study guides before the exam • Take notes in class on the slides • Give yourself a practice exam under “game day conditions” • Go to the Writing Lab • Have a buddy “grade” your first para and paper using the rubrics in the syllabus • Follow the following daily routine: • Study the ID & SIGs from the previous lesson (15 minutes) • Read the assigned pages (15 minutes) • Print out the slides and review them, highlight the ID & SIGs, and answer the ID & SIGs as homework (30 minutes)

18. Civilization • The highest cultural grouping of people and the broadest level of cultural identity people have short of that which distinguishes humans from other species. • Defined both by common objective elements, such as language, history, religion, customs, institutions, and by the subjective self-identification of people. • Samuel Huntington, “The Clash of Civilizations?”

19. Characteristics of a Civilization • Intensive agricultural techniques • Specialization of labor • Cities • A social hierarchy • Organized religion and education • Development of complex forms of economic exchange • Development of new technologies • Advanced development of the arts. (This can include writing.)

20. rivers agriculture populations cities specialization hierarchy

21. Agriculture Egyptian Shaduf Inca terrace farming

22. Specialization of Labor African baskets Egyptian Vasemaker

23. Cities Timbuktu Cahokia Mounds

24. Social Hierarchy Ancient Egypt Medieval Serfs

25. Religion Mosaic icon of Christ from Hagia Sophia 14th Century Mosque at Kilwa

26. Economic Exchange The Silk Road

27. New Technologies Bronze Age Metallurgy Greek Fire

28. Art Music and dance depicted on a Greek drinking cup Mona Lisa

29. Next Lesson • Mesopotamia