chinese prose essay

The test will comprise one essay question. The question will ask you to compare how narratives from any two of the following text groups make use of strange events or unconventional behaviors to explore broader ethical issues. The question may focus on a particular problem or issue relating to this. Your answer should consider how narratives deploy specific literary techniques to guide readers towards particular interpretations of the strange.

Prepare by closely re-reading all sections of at least two text groups.

Base your answer on close analysis of the focus texts, including brief quotations directly relevant to your argument.

Present a coherent, insightful, balanced, nuanced, well-structured, and well-substantiated argument directly addressing the question. Clearly connect the various components of your argument. Frame your argument with an introduction and a conclusion.

Balance breadth and detail: concisely cover a range of important points, rather than focusing on just one or two points.

Account for complexities, different possible interpretations, and evidence for and against a particular viewpoint.

Account for both “content” (what a text “says”) and “form” (the way it says it).

Account for the text’s historical context where possible and relevant: time and circumstances of production; previous or contemporary approaches to similar subject matter; likely purpose and audience, etc.

1. Shishuo xinyu, Ch. 23 “The free and unrestrained” [discuss in some detail at least three sections; briefly mention others]

2. Soushen ji, Chs. 4, 15 [discuss in some detail at least three sections; briefly mention others]

3.Tang stories: “The courtesan Li Wa”; “The story of Yingying”; “An account of the Governor of the Southern Branch” [discuss in some detail at least

one story; briefly mention one or more others]