Week eight writing assignment
This “Assignment 2” writing assignment is a comparative essay focused on topics encountered in our
HUM 111 class. The project will be based on research but will reflect your views and interpretation of the
topic. This project is designed to help you stretch your mind and your abilities as an organized,
innovative, and critical thinker. If approached properly, it should also be fun!
Choose one (1) of the topics from the list of topic choices below. Read the topic carefully. Write a three
to four (3-4) page paper (750-1,000 words) that follows instructions and covers each part of the topic.
(The title page and References list do not get included in this word count) Establish a clear thesis about your topic as part of the introductory paragraph (often the thesis
is the last thing one determines after doing the basic research and outline; however it will be
placed in the first paragraph of your paper). This is a comparative essay. Comparison approached properly will require some critical
thinking on your part. Use a point-by-point approach for the essay. That means, if comparing
subject A with subject B, don’t do the first half of the essay on subject A and then the second half
on subject B–that will seem like two (2) separate essays and comparisons will tend to get lost.
Instead, you should be mentioning both subjects in most of your paragraphs as you compare
them throughout the essay. Comparisons will identify similarities as well as contrasts. Do not try to do everything on your two (2) subjects. You should end up narrowing your focus
to a few insights and issues about the subjects being compared. And, from those fairly specific
points of comparison, you will develop a thesis and glean some lessons. Follow closely the instructions below for your specific topic. Include a concluding paragraph at the end. This paragraph will, in some way, refer back to the
thesis established in your first paragraph, since now you have demonstrated and supported it. It
may be here that you also include your observations relating your study to the modern workplace
or society (see your topic). Try to finish with flair! Use at least three (3) good quality academic sources, with one (1) source being the class text. Confucius and Aristotle on Virtue. Write an essay comparing these two (2) ancient
thinkers on the concept of virtue or good ethical character and conduct. Stay focused on
the issue; keep any biographical or other information short or limited. As much as
possible, analyze their writings (in translation, of course), using Confucius’ Analects (at
http://classics.mit.edu/Confucius/analects.html ) and Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics (at
http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/nicomachaen.html ). Your paper should:
character and conduct, noting similarities and differences in specific ideas or emphasis.
b) Consider what your findings suggest about differences between ancient Chinese and ancient
Greek culture.
c) From this comparison, suggest ideas of virtue that can apply to ethics in a modern setting,
such as a diverse workplace.
