Analytical Essay
Order Description
What is the meaning of “enlightenment” in the Buddhist tradition, and how does one achieve it? Find two texts within this tradition which describe a journey. Use a comparison of these texts as a basis for your discussion of the spiritual journey within the context of this tradition. (One books that you must use as a source, is Siddhartha, a novel by Hermann Hesse).Your comparison must be supplemented by reference to other texts in the tradition (buddhism). Also use additional sources such as scholarly articles, books, websites, etc.

The emphasis of the analytical essay is on comparison and synthesis rather than on summary of research material. The best essays are ones that follow a real question to a satisfactory conclusion, and establish meaningful connections between texts and traditions.

Essay #4: Analytical Essay

For this assignment, you will produce an Analytical Essay on a primary text of your choice. The text should take the form of a piece of literature, artwork, film, music, or other cultural object or event. The purpose of this essay is to allow you to demonstrate your powers of observation, expression and analysis. As a result of your analysis, you will develop an argument and sustain that argument throughout the text using your powers of exposition and persuasion. For the first version of your essay (3-4 pages) you will write for an audience of your peers, in an informal tone using colloquial language. For the second version of this essay (4-5 pages) you will write for an audience of academics in a formal tone using tropes and schema. You may provide additional support by using outside sources as needed, but remember all outside sources must be properly documented using MLA format.

Major Components:

1. Background Information and/or Description: Provide any background information your reader should know to understand what follows and describe any aspects of the piece of literature, artwork, film, music, or other cultural object or event that are relevant to your argument.

2. Argument: Develop and state your opinion about the piece of literature, artwork, film, music, or other cultural object or event. Remember: your thesis should be clearly supported by your analysis.

3. Analysis: Break down the piece of literature, artwork, film, music, or other cultural object or event into its component parts. Evaluate the parts as they relate to the whole and explain how an understanding of these individual parts provides a greater understanding of the piece of literature, artwork, film, music, or other cultural object or event (and, therefore, supports your argument).

No cover page is needed