Honors World Literature
Applying Indian Philosophy to Modern Issues —Essay
ELACC11-12W1: Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.

Read the background information in your World Masterpieces textbook on pages 190 and 200.
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Read the Writing Lesson on p. 219.
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Review Rig Veda, Upanishads , Sibi , and The Yoga of Knowledge in your textbook as well as the novel Siddhartha and notes from class.
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Use Cobb Digital Library databases available through the county to research the ideas of Dharma, Samsara,
Moksha, Karma, and the Eight-fold Path. Also find articles that pertain to the modern problem you think could be solved by applying those ideas.

1.
Go to www.harrisonhigh.org
2.
Under Academics, choose Media Center
3.
Under Online Resources, choose Cobb Digital Library
4.
You will be redirected to cobb.mackinvia.com a.
School: HARRISON HIGH SCHOOL, KENNESAW, GA b.
User Name: your student number c.
Password: read
5.
From the VIEW GROUPS tab, choose one of the groups that matches your research question. You may have to try several groups.
6.
Within the group you have chosen, search in any of the databases that pertain to your research question. You may have to try several databases.
7.
In the database, use key terms and Boolean searches (and, or, not) to find good information. You may have to try several search terms.
Print the articles you will cite in your essay. Include parenthetical documentation within your essay and a works cited page at the end of your essay.
Essay organization is easy if you use a simple pattern. You can use the following outline to organize your essay.
I.
INTRODUCTION
A.
Overview of modern issue
B.
Thesis statement/Claim
II.
BODY PARAGRAPH(S)
A.
Topic sentence which reveals a reason why a specific Indian philosophy would help
B.
Concrete example from real life
C.
Explanation of how example could improve under the Indian ideals
D.
Transition sentence
III.
CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH
A.
Statement of importance of solving modern issue
B.
Reason claim holds true

Essay EDITING

Look at the introduction . Does it set up the topic, give a little background, and transition into a well-developed thesis?
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Now make sure that each body paragraph development follows the purpose of the thesis. Identify the topic sentences for each paragraph, remembering that the topic sentence usually appears within the first three sentences.
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Do the topic sentences support the thesis? Are details germane to the topic sentences?
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Now read the conclusion . It should offer NO repetition of what is in the paper. The conclusion should work as the
“so what?” factor.

Has the author appropriately cited quotes, paraphrases, and ideas taken from sources ?

Does each quote use a proper lead-in ?

Are citations in the correct format, placed before the period following the end of the sentence?

The essay should NOT use any first person pronouns (I, me, my, myself, we, our, ourselves, us) or second person pronouns (you, your, yourself) except in direct quotes.
 Look for any use of the same words in close proximity. This is a violation of “WT = word territory .” Words are weakened when they are overused. Mark these!

Look for extra, unnecessary words . Help the writer cut out the fluff.

Watch for word choice . This is a FORMAL paper for an ACADEMIC audience. The language should reflect this.
(Example: “stuck up” = conceited, etc.) NO use of slang.
 Highlight any use of the word “ thing
” (anything, everything, things, stuff, alot, a lot) other than in direct quotes.
The writer will need to change these nebulous words.

Circle any contractions (other than those in direct quotes!). Write these out. (Ex: couldn’t = could not)

See if the writer has said “ this means that
” or “ what the quote says
” after a quote. Mark out these words to edit the sentence to what it DOES say without forcing on the reader “this says that”!
 Mark out “ there is/there are ” structures ANYWHERE (other than direct quotes). All this does is delay the subject.
 Circle ALL “ to be ” verbs. (See list below.) The writer will need to work to replace these verbs.

Are there any run-ons, fragments, or comma splices ? Are commas, semi-colons, and colons used correctly?
Eliminate “To Be” verbs:
 to be (is, am, are, was, were, be, been, being )
 to become (any variation of become )
 to seem (any variation of seem )
 look, smell, appear, prove, sound, remain, taste, grow, feel, exist
Look for passive voice (“to be” verb + past action verb).
To fix it, simply place the doer of the action in the subject of the sentence.