FEUDALISM VERSUS THE CASTE SYSTEM; COMPARISON AND CONTRAST ESSAY

Some form of social stratification has always existed in human societies and efforts to produce a classless society have proved to be a pipe dream. In the modern day, the divisions between classes are determined through education, family background and profession, and social mobility enables people to better their situation. Yet this has not always been the case: in Feudal Europe for instance, the social classes were pretty much fixed and in India, they were set in stone so to speak. The Feudal system has long since disappeared but the caste system lingers on. These two rigid forms of social stratification have a lot in common despite their differences. Do your research and write an essay in which you compare and contrast the two systems.

Familiarize yourself with the topic

·         “Feudalism in Europe” http://www.slideshare.net/dewert/132-feudalism-in-europe?qid=c2a85480-31df-462e-bad0-e65b9e3b8a30&v=qf1&b=&from_search=2

·         “The Caste system of India” http://www.slideshare.net/lauriegreene7/the-caste-system-of-india?qid=5a419057-710d-4dc7-a2f8-8a381f2ea620&v=qf1&b=&from_search=1

Power point presentations

·         “Feudalism in the Middle Ages” http://prezi.com/hsjtoyl2o_fx/feudalism-in-the-middle-ages/ 

·           “The Caste System” http://prezi.com/6wdxpmeumrlp/the-caste-system/

Reading material to annotate

·         “The History of the Caste System in India” https://www.mtholyoke.edu/~epandit/page2.html

·         “The Caste System” http://www.ushistory.org/civ/8b.asp

·         “Feudalism” http://www.lordsandladies.org/feudalism.htm

·          

Videos to watch

• “Feudalism in Medieval Europe – Part I” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Riz5HdoHRE
• “Feudalism – Part II” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vCxXKS1gNo
• “Feudalism – Part III” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab3VwpVkgSc
• “The Caste System and Anchient Indian Society” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERxLSURibeQ
• “Castes in India: Their Mechanism, Genesis and Development” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bt9MLBa11bo (This is a very scholarly and serious lecture)   Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/ 

THE EGYPTIAN PYRAMIDS VERSUS THE CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICAN PYRAMIDS; COMPARISON AND CONTRAST ESSAY

When we refer to pyramids, what immediately comes to mind is the wonderful pyramids of Giza. However, far more pyramids were, in fact, built in the Americas. Which ancient civilizations built pyramids and how were they different from the Egyptian pyramids? Were they used for the same purposes or not; how did they feature in the social and political life of the time; in short, what functions did they serve? To answer these questions, you will need to travel back in time and do some research. It is suggested that you spread your research out over a few days for maximum benefit. When you are done, write a comparison and contrast essay

Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

Reading material to annotate and videos to make notes on

·         “Pyramids in Latin America – Ancient History” http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/pyramids-in-latin-america (Make sure to watch the videos and make notes as well)

·         Chichen Itza:El Castillo, pyramid of Kukulkan” http://www.world-mysteries.com/chichen_kukulcan.htm (Make sure to watch the video and make notes)

·         “Egyptian Pyramids” http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/the-egyptian-pyramids (Make sure to watch the videos and make notes)

Virtual tours:

·         “The great pyramids of Giza” http://www.airpano.com/360Degree-VirtualTour.php?3D=Egypt-Cairo-Pyramids

·         “Maya pyramids – Chichen Itza, Mexico” http://www.airpano.com/360Degree-VirtualTour.php?3D=Chichen-Itza-Mexico

·         “Maya pyramids – Tikal, Guatemala” http://www.airpano.com/360Degree-VirtualTour.php?3D=Tikal-Guatemala
Documentaries to watch and make notes on:

·         “Secrets of the Egyptian pyramids” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcKahraBiBY

·         Mystery of the Maya http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/mystery-of-the-maya/

·         Mexican pyramids  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HopKnewx1zc

WHERE TO GO DURING YOUR VACATION? VIRTUAL TOUR ASSISTED DESCRIPTION OR COMPARISON CONTRAST ESSAY / PARAGRAPH

You are going on holiday with three friends and each of you wants to go somewhere different. Persuade them that your choice is best. In order to do this, use comparison and contrast structures. State your choice clearly in the thesis statement and then go on to compare your choice to the other three to prove you are right.
Procedure:
Try out the vitual tours. As you watch, make notes on the facts and your impressions. Remember to make use of all the opportunities to enjoy the virtual tour by zooming in and out, clicking the helicopter for an arial view and the like. When you have made your choice, write your essay.

Ireland

·         “Historical Sites Ireland – Virtual Tours” http://www.virtualvisittours.com/category/historical-sites-ireland/  

Mexico

·         “Cancun, Mexico – Arial panorama” http://www.airpano.com/360Degree-VirtualTour.php?3D=Cancun-Mexico

Montenegro

·         “Montenegro – Kotor bay” http://www.airpano.com/360Degree-VirtualTour.php?3D=montenegro-virtual-tour

The isle of Capri – Italy

·         “Virtual travel to isle of Capri – Italy” http://www.italyguides.it/en/campania/isle-of-capri

VOCABULARY: WHICH TYPE OF WORD TO CHOOSE

Choice of vocabulary is a bit of a headache for students who feel they have to incorporate every new word they learn in their writing. Yet is this the right approach? Watch the following TED video and find out.

“The power of simple words” - Terin Izil

http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-power-of-simple-words

PUNCTUATION AND WORD CHOICE

Correct use of punctuation and choice of vocabulary are sources of concern for students of English; the rules concerning the correct use of commas prove especially elusive. Another source of confusion is how to incorporate all the complex vocabulary that is learnt into writing. Both issues are successfully dealt with in the following TED writing lesson.

Be a better writer in 15 minutes: 4 TED-Ed lessons on grammar and word choice

* http://blog.ed.ted.com/2014/05/29/be-a-better-writer-in-15-minutes-4-ted-ed-lessons-on-grammar-and-word-choice
* How to use a semicolon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th-zyfvwDdI&index=177&list=PLJicmE8fK0EiEzttYMD1zYkT-SmNf323z

DESCRIPTION OF A PLACE; VIRTUAL TOUR ASSISTED WRITING ACTIVITY

Access the website the link to which is below and select a virtual tour. Follow the directions to drag and click and get a panoramic view of the place. Then imagine you have been asked to write a text to go with the video. This activity will provide practice with the present tenses, prepositions of place, adjective clauses and connectors as well as enabling you to enjoy yourself while writing.

http://www.airpano.com/List-Aerial-Panoramas.php

Procedure; First Alternative:
1. Go to the site and view the virtual tour of a the country of your choice
2. As you do so, make notes on the adjectives you can use to describe the place as well as your feelings and impressions.
3. When the tour is completed, use the notes you made to write

Procedure; Second alternative:
1. Follow the procedure above but repeat it for a second place as well.
2. Then select the one most suited to your family and justify your choice. To do so, you will need to use comparison contrast, argumentative and cause and effect structures

DESCRIBE A BUILDING OR A HOUSE; ‘VIRTUAL TOUR’ ASSISTED WRITING TASK

This is a description of a house with a twist: the link below will give you access to virtual tours of a series of houses. Select your favorite, take the virtual tour and write a description. Imagine the estate agents have employed you have asked you to write the accompanying text. This activity will provide practice with the present tenses, prepositions of place, adjective clauses and connectors as well as enabling you to enjoy yourself while writing.

http://gestson.com/pages/virtual-tour-gallery-140172


Procedure; First Alternative:
1. Go to the site and view the virtual tour of a the house of your choice
2. As you do so, make notes on the adjectives you can use to describe the house as well as your feelings and impressions.
3. When the tour is completed, use the notes you made to write

Procedure; Second alternative:
1. Follow the procedure above but repeat it for a second house as well.
2. Then select the one most suited to your family and justify your choice. To do so, you will need to use comparison contrast, argumentative and cause and effect structures