What looks better, flows better in my essay on China

[웃 910]

Option A:

Conclusion

China's educational system has been greatly influenced by the culture of the people who reigned over the country. As such, Chinese people were extremely receptive to changes. They conformed to whatever they thought would raise their standards of living. The Western style probably has had the greatest impact because their system has been in use up to contemporary times. Yet, in spite of the changes, China still maintains and highly acknowledges its ancestry as shown in their devotion to the Confucian teachings. In regards to the Chinese educational system, the format has no doubt improved drastically. Lots of discussion and conversation can be sparked about these betterments. Arguing to the contrary would be senseless for their is no question about it that China's educational passage into modernity was a path well paved:

"In this manner we will not forget what we have learned thoroughly, and we will review and reflect daily on what has not yet been fully digested until it becomes a part of ourselves. Eventually, mind and reason will become one, and a profound tranquillity will be achieved amidst constant changes and movements. There will be a convergence of the self and the Way, and virtues will be reflected naturally in our discourse and writings, which will become models for our contemporaries as well as for posterity" (Ebrey 196).

Option B:

Conclusion

China's educational system has been greatly influenced by the culture of the people who reigned over the country. As such, Chinese people were extremely receptive to changes. They conformed to whatever they thought would raise their standards of living. The Western style probably has had the greatest impact because their system has been in use up to contemporary times. Yet, in spite of the changes, China still maintains and highly acknowledges its ancestry as shown in their devotion to the Confucian teachings:

"In this manner we will not forget what we have learned thoroughly, and we will review and reflect daily on what has not yet been fully digested until it becomes a part of ourselves. Eventually, mind and reason will become one, and a profound tranquillity will be achieved amidst constant changes and movements. There will be a convergence of the self and the Way, and virtues will be reflected naturally in our discourse and writings, which will become models for our contemporaries as well as for posterity" (Ebrey 196).

In regards to the Chinese educational system, the format has no doubt improved drastically. Lots of discussion and conversation can be sparked about these betterments. Arguing to the contrary would be senseless for their is no question about it that China's educational passage into modernity was a path well paved.

PS: I like option A much better but I am not sure about ending my essay with a block quote?

Edited August 7, 2008 by thegreatgate

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I'm no English major but I like A, and don't really see a problem ending with a blockquote.

But, I defer to the experts.

[almaty 19]

same here.."A"

[antda 13]

Hi TheGreatGate,

In my opinion, I think you should go with "Option A" (non-quote/quote), as appearance-wise there seems to be more of a flow when you don't break it up like in option b (non-quote/quote/non-quote). Also, when you end it with a quote, it further supports what you own statements, by creating a greater impact to make the reader further think more about what you said in your own words. And yes, it's perfectly ok to end an essay with a quote. As long as all the quotes are cited/given credit to in your essay, you'll be ok there.

Good luck on your essay and on your immigration journey.

Ant (A former Volunteer Part-Time English Tutor/Teacher...)

Option A:

Conclusion

China's educational system has been greatly influenced by the culture of the people who reigned over the country. As such, Chinese people were extremely receptive to changes. They conformed to whatever they thought would raise their standards of living. The Western style probably has had the greatest impact because their system has been in use up to contemporary times. Yet, in spite of the changes, China still maintains and highly acknowledges its ancestry as shown in their devotion to the Confucian teachings. In regards to the Chinese educational system, the format has no doubt improved drastically. Lots of discussion and conversation can be sparked about these betterments. Arguing to the contrary would be senseless for their is no question about it that China's educational passage into modernity was a path well paved:

"In this manner we will not forget what we have learned thoroughly, and we will review and reflect daily on what has not yet been fully digested until it becomes a part of ourselves. Eventually, mind and reason will become one, and a profound tranquillity will be achieved amidst constant changes and movements. There will be a convergence of the self and the Way, and virtues will be reflected naturally in our discourse and writings, which will become models for our contemporaries as well as for posterity" (Ebrey 196).

Option B:

Conclusion

China's educational system has been greatly influenced by the culture of the people who reigned over the country. As such, Chinese people were extremely receptive to changes. They conformed to whatever they thought would raise their standards of living. The Western style probably has had the greatest impact because their system has been in use up to contemporary times. Yet, in spite of the changes, China still maintains and highly acknowledges its ancestry as shown in their devotion to the Confucian teachings:

"In this manner we will not forget what we have learned thoroughly, and we will review and reflect daily on what has not yet been fully digested until it becomes a part of ourselves. Eventually, mind and reason will become one, and a profound tranquillity will be achieved amidst constant changes and movements. There will be a convergence of the self and the Way, and virtues will be reflected naturally in our discourse and writings, which will become models for our contemporaries as well as for posterity" (Ebrey 196).

In regards to the Chinese educational system, the format has no doubt improved drastically. Lots of discussion and conversation can be sparked about these betterments. Arguing to the contrary would be senseless for their is no question about it that China's educational passage into modernity was a path well paved.

PS: I like option A much better but I am not sure about ending my essay with a block quote?

Edited August 14, 2008 by AntandD

[Empress of Groovy 373]

I wouldn't end a research essay with a three-sentence quote. In a sense, you're using someone else's words to sum up/conclude your paper. I think it will be more effective if you include the quoted material earlier in the conclusion section, and then, in your own words, connect this quote to your concluding remarks and explain how it supports your conclusion.

I see I'm in the minority here, but I'm kinda old-school!

[*julez* 124]

I wouldn't end a research essay with a three-sentence quote. In a sense, you're using someone else's words to sum up/conclude your paper. I think it will be more effective if you include the quoted material earlier in the conclusion section, and then, in your own words, connect this quote to your concluding remarks and explain how it supports your conclusion.

I see I'm in the minority here, but I'm kinda old-school!

And yet, still so stylish!

I do agree with you assessment of the essays here. It's always best to conclude with your own words.

Edited August 14, 2008 by *julez*

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I would recommend indeed that you end with your own reflection rather than the quote. Does this class allow for creative writing? for non-APA formats? If so, you can always put the quotes in text boxes throughout.

Is this comparative education? I loved this class!

Oh, and you are a good writer~ keep that up!