MOTIVATION
HAN DYNASTY
ROMAN EMPIRE
VENN DIAGRAM
 1ST PARAGRAPH
Introduction
Thesis
OPTION I.
 BODY X 3
1.Topic sentence should state the GROUP
2.Remainder of paragraph should individually
address documents.
3.Point of view should be addressed in each of the
three paragraphs.
 CONCLUSION
Restate thesis
OPTION II.
 Paragraph 1- INTRO AND THESIS (WHAT DO YOU WANT TO PROVE?)
Thesis:
Major points to be made in essay
 Paragraph 2- KEY ELEMENTS IN HAN ATTITUDES ABOUT TECHNOLOGY
List three to five important points. Make sure there is some connection to
the documents.
 PARAGRAPH 3- KEY ELEMENTS IN ROMAN ATTITUDES ABOUT
TECHNOLOGY
List three to five important points. Make sure there is some connection to
the documents.
 PARAGRAPH 4- WAY THAT HAN AND ROMAN ATTITUDES WERE ALIKE
AND DISSIMILAR
List at least two similarities and three differences, or visa versa.
 PARAGRAPH 5- CONCLUSION
Review the major points you have proven
SUBJECT
OCCASION
AUDIENCE
PURPOSE
SPEAKER
TONE
SUBJECT
OCCASION
AUDIENCE
PURPOSE
Han official is ordering local officials on how to
organize their officials and labor force with use of
technology in order to prevent disaster from floods
China, early 2nd century
Local Han officials
To make sure the government is maintaining public
works and controlling floods
To convey idea that technology is essential part of
empire and requires government intervention
SPEAKER
TONE
Han government official
Shows concern for people and property; gives the
impression that technology is there to aid the Chinese
SUBJECT
OCCASION
AUDIENCE
PURPOSE
Huan Guan is writing about the problems that lack of
technology and poor government policy is having on
the people
China, first century B.C.E.
Government officials
To advise the government that their policies (using
convict labor to make tools and monopoly on salt and
iron) has had devastating effects on the people
Also, to let the Han government know that it is their job to
rectify the situation and improve the available
technologies
SPEAKER
Huan Guan, Han government official
TONE
Critical of recent government policies
SUBJECT
OCCASION
Huan Tan is listing the progress of technology after the
emperor’s first invention.
China, about 20 C.E.
AUDIENCE
Educated, mostly upper class Chinese; government
PURPOSE
To show the benefits that technology has provided to
the Chinese people
SPEAKER
Huan Tan, upper-class Han philosopher
TONE
Shows appreciation for the benefits of technology.
Attitude that technology is a “gift” from enlightened
emperors.
SUBJECT
OCCASION
AUDIENCE
Stating how Tu Shih, a Han governor, cared for the
Chinese people and used technology to benefit them
China, about 200 C.E.
People who might be losing faith in the Han Dynasty
PURPOSE
To glorify the actions of the early Han dynasty and
show how effective their inventions were in minimizing
human labor
SPEAKER
Someone hired by the government (“government
sponsored”)
TONE
Shows appreciation for the accomplishments of the
Han dynasty; glorifies them
SUBJECT
Cicero is stating that the jobs of craftsmen and hired
workers that work with hands are “vulgar” and
unbecoming; says that gentlemen do not work with
their hands
OCCASION
ROME, 1st century B.C.E.
AUDIENCE
Other upper class men
PURPOSE
To distinguish between quality professions and vulgar
professions
SPEAKER
Cicero, upper class Roman political leader
TONE
Lacks respect for inventions and inventors (craftsmen);
technology is necessary, but not for enlightened minds
SUBJECT
OCCASION
AUDIENCE
Plutarch is explaining Gaius Gracchus’ road building
enterprises with special attention to their usefulness and
aesthetics
Roman Empire, 1st century C.E.
Other upper class men
PURPOSE
To show that the Roman upper class did appreciate
technology that benefitted the upper class (no mention
of how commoners benefitted; designed roads to
specifically help those with horses)
SPEAKER
Plutarch, Greek born Roman citizen
TONE
Shows appreciation for the usefulness and aesthetics of
Roman roads
Shows admiration for Gracchus’ hard work in road
building
SUBJECT
OCCASION
AUDIENCE
Seneca is stating that it takes someone nimble and sharp
to make inventions, but these craftsmen are not the
greatest minds of his day
Roman Empire, 1st century C.E.
Other upper class men
PURPOSE
To differentiate between those who work with hands and
those that work with minds
SPEAKER
Seneca, upper-class Roman philosopher and advisor to
emperor Nero
TONE
Lacks respect for craftsmen (degrades their
achievements and abilities)
Not concerned about hammers and tongs because as
an upperclassmen, he would never use them
SUBJECT
OCCASION
Frontinus praises Roman aqueducts and their uses in the
city of Rome. He describes its intelligent design and how
it benefits the public
Roman Empire, 1st century C.E.
AUDIENCE
Other Roman officials (so they can see that he is doing a
good job as water commissioner)
PURPOSE
To glorify Roman aqueducts and their numerous benefits;
to show Roman superiority over Egyptians and Greeks
SPEAKER
Frontinus, Roman general, governor of Britain, and water
commissioner
TONE
Shows pride for Roman aqueducts and appreciates their
practical and aesthetic nature
(keep in mind, he is the water commissioner for Rome –
his job and income depends on the aqueducts)