In Dialogue with Humanity

Reflective Journal
(two, 12% each; 500-700 English words; 600-800 in Chinese)

1) Choose a topic from the question list. If you pick a topic not on the list, you are
recommended, though not required, to consult the instructor before writing.
2) Formulate your view on this topic and argue for your view.
3) Your reflective journal needs a good, informative title, instead of “Humanity
Reflective Journal” or “Question 4”.
4) Part I: 4% (All in the short, very first paragraph)
a. Pick a topic, very briefly state what the topic is about (one sentence)
i. Good Example: “Some people think that it is Zhuangzi’s view that
knowledge of the world is impossible.”
ii. Bad Example: “Plato and Aristotle disagree on whether forms are real.”
(Misunderstanding the debate. It is not about whether forms are real, but
about whether they have independent existence.)
b. Precisely state your view on the topic (one sentence Thesis Statement)
i. Good Example: “In this essay, I argue that Zhuangzi leaves ample room
for people to have knowledge about ....” (Clearly marked it as the thesis
statement. Carefuly qualified your position as only claiming that
Zhuangzi leaves room for a certain kind of knowledge, or knowledge in
certain areas.)
ii. Bad Example: “I will introduce Zhuangzi’s view on knowledge. I think
it is different from that of Confucius” (Not clearly marked out as the
thesis statement, hence potentially burried among all other sentences
which represent what “you think”. Not sufficiently informative on what
exactly about his view on knowledge you will discuss, or in which
aspects it differs from that of Confucius.)
c. Suscinctly summarise the argumentation in support of your view (typically one
sentence). The actual argumentation will take place in Part III. But the reader
should be informed about your strategy at the beginning.
i. Good Example: “I hold this view on teaching out-dated theories because
the function of education is the formation of an accurate worldview; and
those who object to teaching more advanced theories due to pedagogical
difficulties rely on the mistaken assumption that what teachers are able
to teach and students able to take in do not change.” (Clearly and briefly
summarising the two arguments that will be developed in Part III
below.)
ii. Bad Example: “I will discuss this question from the perspective of
pedagogical difficulties.” (This is only a forecast, but not a summary, of
your argumentation below. It is insufficiently informative about what
you believe.)

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5) Part II: 4% (The text for Part II can mix with that for Part III. But it must be very clear
to the reader whether each sentence is explaining other authors’ views or expressing
your own view.)
a. Elaborate on the existing debate on your chosen topic in a way that both does
justice to them and properly highlights parts of them that are useful for your
own argument below. In addition to elaborating on your own view, you should
also represent the opposing view and arguments fairly, so that the reader can
appreciate why the opposing view is also reasonable and appealing.
i. You are not showing off your knowledge about the topic, but preparing
for your argumentation in Part III, so that readers can more easily
understand your points in Part III. Include only things that will become
useful to your argumentation in Part III.
ii. Represent other people, especially your opponents, fairly. Ideally, you
would want your opponent reading this part thinking, “Yes, this is
exactly what I want to say. Thank you. I wish I have expressed myself
in these words.”
b. Your knowledge of the assigned readings and discussions in class are assumed.
Evidence of your ignorance of what has been said in them will be taken as
evidence of low level of understanding of the issues, hence a reason to
downgrade your essay.
i. This means, whereas you are not required to discuss the readings or the
lectures/tutorials, you nevertheless must have good understanding of
them.

6) Part III: 4% for arguing rigorously for your own view on the topic.
a. This is the creative part of your essay.
b. Your creativity should be focused around the Thesis you stated in Part I.
Remember the only purpose of your essay is to help the reader see why your
Thesis is correct. Avoid doing anything else.
c. Your creativity should also be based on a sound appreciation of existing
debates. You are not starting a separate conversation, talking to yourself. You
are participating in an existing debate represented by the assigned readings and
others.
d. Be constantly aware of your opponent and think about the following questions.
i. For each step important to my argument, who would be my reasonable
opponents?
ii. What would my opponent say in response?
iii. Why am I right and my opponents mistaken?
iv. Am I simply assuming, instead of arguing for, what is being contested
by my opponent?

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Citation and Reference
7) Label the source of each idea/work that you quote, paraphrase or summarise by
putting down the name of the creater of the idea right within or next to the sentence
using that idea/work. (please refer to the course material named “Citation Style” for
more details)
8) Include a list of references you have cited in your writing. But do not include items
you have only read, but the idea of which you have not actually used.
9) Using or quoting other people’s works or ideas is a general practice in academic
writing. But quoting and using them without properly naming the source is an act of
plagiarism. (Penalties range from point deductions up to F for the course, or even
dismissal from the University for repeated violation.)
10)Be selective about the source you quote. Choose only the best sources.

Submission
11)Submit your essay on Blackboard.
12)Font: Times New Roman 12 (English) or 宋体四号字（中文）; Spacing: 1.5 lines.
13)Citation: for the citation of textbook (English and Chinese) and the citation of external
sources (Chinese), see the files on Blackboard-content. To cite external sources in
English, please follow Chicago style:
https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide/citation-guide-1.html
14)The deadline is the scheduled start of the tutorial which discusses the reading you
deal with in your essay. For each 24hr period, 2% will be deducted. Journals would
not be accepted if you submit three or more days after deadline.
15)If you encounter problems with Blackboard, you can email the essay to the instructor
to prove time of writing, then submit exactly the same text to Blackboard later on.
a. If there is any change to the text, however, it is considered a separate
submission.
16)Your marks will be based on the part of the text within word limit.
17)Submit an MS-Word file. Save your work with a name of “Student ID-RJ-1.doc”
(replacing “Student ID” with your real ID). Put your full name in the end of the essay.
18)If you submit more than one version, the instructor reserves the right to pick any one
to mark.