UNDERSTANDING THE ASSIGNMENT: PROJECT PAPER – COMPARATIVE ESSAY

Write a 3-4 page essay (750-1,000 words) which adequately address the topic and requirements stated below.

Format your essay according to this formatting and writing standards document. This document includes examples of in-text citations and other great items!

STEP 1: TOPIC SELECTION

Select a topic from the list below and include this topic on your title page.

Ancient Male Rulers
Select any two (2) of these rulers: Ramses II, Shihuangdi, Constantine, Ashoka, Pericles, or Charlemagne. Select rulers from different cultures.

Ancient Female Rulers
Compare the Tang Empress Wu Zetian (also known as Empress Wu or as Wu Zhao; ruled China around 690-705 AD) with either the Pharaoh Cleopatra (ruled Egypt around 51-31 BC) or the Pharaoh Hatshepsut (ruled Egypt around 1478-1458 BC).

Sculptures of Ancient India and Greece
Compare Sculptures of Ancient India and Greece. Compare the way gods and humans were depicted in sculpture in ancient India and Greece, and identify the cultural values and ideals that these art works reflect in each case.

STEP 2: THESIS

In your first paragraph, establish a clear thesis about your chosen subjects that addresses:

• who or what you are comparing
• the dates covered for each
• 3-4 sentences on the reason for your choice

STEP 3: SIMILARITIES & DIFFERENCES

Help: When comparing subject A with subject B in a comparative essay you should be mentioning both subjects in your paragraph. Please do not 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.

Using reasonable and scholarly resources:

• compare 2 ways your subjects are similar
• compare 2 ways your subjects are different

STEP 4: CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

Help: Remember to compare subjects directly, versus separating your discussion about each.

Consider your findings on the similarities and differences mentioned earlier and what it might suggest about differences between the subjects’ cultures. Using reasonable and scholarly resources:

• compare 3 ways your subjects’ cultures are different

STEP 5: MODERN DAY EXAMPLES

Using reasonable and scholarly resources:

• suggest a modern day example of your first subject, and provide a rationale for your suggestion
• suggest a modern day example of your second subject, and provide a rationale for your suggestion

STEP 6: CONCLUSION

In a concluding paragraph, summarize 2 things you learned that in some way ties together with your original thesis.

STEP 7: REFERENCES & CITATIONS

Include a reference page that identifies at least 3 references. The class text may be included in the list of 3 or more.

In-text citations are required when paraphrasing or quoting another source. (i.e., STEPS 3, 4, and 5 above)

STEP 8: DOUBLE CHECK FORMATTING

Formatting and writing standards are part of your grade. Align your formatting to the standards document included at the top of this assignment.