​Essay Paper

Essay Paper

Your Assignment: A 5-7 pg. Essay

This paper is based upon the assigned book, The Silk Road Journey with Xuanzang, and any sources you find helpful in establishing your point of view.

DOWNLOADABLE PDF FOR THE ASSIGNED BOOK BELOW

94.3 MBhttps://www.docdroid.net/UhDFjEb/the-silk-road-jou…94.3 MB

File Name: The Silk Road Journey With Xuanzang.pdf 94.3 MB

94.3 MBhttps://www.docdroid.net/UhDFjEb/the-silk-road-jou…94.3 MB

DOWNLOADABLE PDF FOR THE ASSIGNED BOOK ABOVE

Background

As you prepare for this paper, it will be helpful to look back on several assignments you have already completed:

In Chapter 2, you learned about the Hero’s Journey in world literature. I’d like to suggest that the Hero’s Journey can also apply to the lives of human beings. The author of The Silk Road Journey with Xuanzang suggests that his adventures – escaping China, traveling to India and in the process meeting foreign leaders, visiting Buddhist monuments, meeting a variety of peoples, gaining spiritual insights to Buddhism to take back to China from India, and ultimately meeting with the Chinese emperor upon his return to China.

For more information about Joseph Campbell and the concept of the Hero’s Journey, refer to the resources provided for your Chapter 2 assignment, and do a search of the internet. There’s a LOT of information about this concept out there, and you’ll want to hone in on the stages of the journey, as well as what it represents.

In your Chapter 8 Discussion Forum, you reflected on the Silk Road and its function in spreading not just trade goods but culture and religion as well. Xuanzang’s travels on the Silk Road reflects this phenomenon, and the variety of cultural and political exchange is insightful.

The Essay Question

Consider the following quotes by Joseph Campbell in his work on the Hero’s Journey:

  • A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a convincing victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.
  • A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something more massive than oneself.
  • Suddenly you’re ripped into being alive. And life is the pain, and life is suffering, and life endures horror but my God you’re alive and it’s spectacular.
  • We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.

Utilizing at least one (1) of these quotes (You can use as many of these quotes as you choose, but at least one of the quotes.), craft a 5-7-page essay discussing Xuanzang’s Silk Road journey in terms of the framework established by Joseph Campbell.

So, what exactly does this mean? You’ll need to read the book and to fully absorb the power of Xuanzang’s journey and the adventures he experienced along the way. Keep in mind the following as you construct your essay:

  • Xuanzang’s initial goals & what Xuanzang actually experienced on his travels;
  • the impact on China when Xuanzang returned home;
  • How did his adventure change history?
  • How did it change Xuanzang personally?
  • How did the nature of the Silk Road make this adventure possible?

In crafting this paper, there is not a “right or wrong” answer – I’m looking for you to present an opinion, to explore that opinion with specific facts that address all elements of the question, and to provide an analysis that supports your opinion.

What I’m Looking For

This prompt is designed to:

  • Avoid the temptation to use a pre-written paper obtained online or through other “helpful” sources;
  • Allow you to develop your ideas and analysis; and
  • Apply the ideas we’ve discussed in class to a new subject.

In grading your paper, I’ll be looking for:

  • Use of the sources provided in the prompt;
  • Use of sources and materials from the course, both lecture and text;
  • Originality – you should research the question to help form your ideas, but in the end, they need to be your ideas;
  • Your analysis – you need to have some ideas that you have developed by watching the video, reading the article, and then thinking about what those sources have told you. Then apply those insights as you address the question.

Nuts and Bolts for Writing Your Paper

  • 5-7 pages in length, double-spaced, 1” margins
    • Those 5-7 pages are of CONTENT; it does not include the title page, bibliography, footnotes, etc.
  • 12-point standard font (New York, Times, Times New Roman) – NOT a font that exaggerates the size of your text.
  • I recommend you use the MLA or Chicago standard for citing your sources; just be consistent throughout your paper.
  • Provide a Bibliography (also called “Works Cited”) and in-text citations as per MLA or Chicago style
  • A cover sheet for your paper is required
  • Proof-read your paper before handing it in
  • If writing is not your strong area, get help at the Writing Lab and ask them to show you where your writing is not good in terms of grammar or construction and how to fix it
  • Provide both analysis AND specific examples from the book and class resources
  • Your grade will be based upon the level of your analysis, the use of specific facts and examples, and the writing quality
  • In selecting the examples to use in your essay, choose the ones that speak to you most, and allow your voice/opinion come through.

CHECK FOR PLAGIARISM by looking at the percentage of text that is the same as other sources.

PLEASE AND THANK YOU!