Marx and Kuyper Paper
You are reading these two works. You have the assignment that you need to complete it (I’m including it below as well)
You should read these two works PRIOR to begin writing the paper. And trying to figure out Creation/Fall/Redemption.
When you are taking notes, WRITE DOWN PAGE NUMBERS IN YOUR NOTES. You need to have citations for your summaries even if there are no quotes allowed.
I. How to Read the Works and Take Notes
Here’s a very rudimentary reading guide for understanding the two works:
Marx:
Start with Chapter I (not all the prefaces, etc). What does Marx say all of history revolves around? What is the basic conflict that has driven history through the ages? What is at the heart of it—what causes the conflict? What does that mean about how Marx views human nature? How does Marx see the current (19th century) economic and political structures? What are the names of the two groups he sees at the heart of the current conflict—what do they represent?
Chapter II goes more into how Marx believes his ideas can solve this problem. How? That is the key thing to get out of chapter 2. How does this reflect the ideas from chapter 1? Why will his ideas make conflict that has driven history to this point unnecessary in the future? Chapter IV — read this as his summary.
Kuyper
This may seem simple approach to take notes while reading, but it works:
First, read the table of contents and write down every chapter and title—what do you tell from titles of the chapters?
Second: Every chapter is divided into subheadings in bold. Write down that subheading. After you are done reading each subheading, write a brief 3 sentence summary of the argument in that section. Then do the same for the next subheading. Leave spaces in your notes between each subheading.
Third: Go back and write out in your own words what Kuyper was arguing in that chapter.
So—for example:
Start with Chapter 1: Facing the Reality of Poverty
==there are a few pages before the first subheading—what is Kuyper noting here—what’s the main point he’s getting across. (write page numbers)
-Then the first subheading is “We Have Been Too Slow To Act” — read it thoroughly before taking notes. Then when done, summarize what the main point is here (you obviously have a clue with the subheading—but HOW does he prove it with what arguments). SO here—why have we been too slow to act? What led to that?
-Second subheading is “The Relationship of Christianity to the Problem of Poverty” — Read the section and then what does he say the relationship of Christianity is to the problem of poverty?!? Put it in your own words. Do this for EVERY section like this and you’ll have a good idea of what the works’ main argument is.
II. Writing the Paper
You have the prompt and guidelines for the paper in the syllabus and email. But I will also post it here
(and below)
Assignment: Worldview analysis of nearly any perspective whether secular or religious, as discussed in class, can be broken down into Creation, Fall, Redemption. “Creation”: what are the ultimate origin of the world?, what is human nature?, where did we come from? “Fall” – what went wrong? What caused evil and suffering? What is the root cause of what went wrong? and “Redemption” — what is the solution to fix what went wrong. What is the hope that this worldview offers for fixing society and the world? for every worldview.
In this essay, compare and contrast how Marx (Communist Manifesto) and Kuyper (Problem of
Poverty) address the issue of poverty in human society using the analytical technique of Creation, Fall, Redemption above. In other words, for both Kuyper and Marx, examine what each of them would define as Creation, Fall and Redemption in regards to the issue of poverty. Use specific references (but not quotes) from the two works in how you examine their arguments. So, for example:
Creation: what is human nature, what defines what we are, etc. using specific references to the works in defining it. How does this relate to how the authors structure their arguments regarding poverty in the world?
Fall: What causes poverty—what are the of poverty? What went wrong to bring about the situation of poverty the authors address.
Redemption: What is the fix to address the problem of poverty? What is the hope and solution to address this issue?
Remember, read over syllabus for details regarding grammar and style and other requirements.
If you need help in how to write a compare and contrast paper (transitions, words to use, etc) This may help: https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/comparing-and-contrasting/ or https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/how-write-comparative-analysis
III. Formatting and Citing your paper
A. Formatting Paper
Your paper should focus upon this and engage their ideas. You must define and use the key terms the author uses in making their argument. It must NOT be a “book report” merely summarizing the books. Rather, formulate a clear thesis and well-constructed argument. This paper should be an analysis of these works and not a research paper where you should go to any outside sources. If you reference or summarize information from the introduction/preface/commentary in these books, then be sure to reference it in an endnote.
This assignment is not a research paper but intended to be your own engagement with the two sources around a common prompt. In short, you must struggle and examine the sources on your own rather than see what other people think about these topics. Thus, you are not to research on the internet or elsewhere what they mean—it is for you to struggle with these ideas. You may have to re-read the sources (like Susie) several times in order to understand the arguments fully.
You MUST read the links under Academic Honesty later in this syllabus prior to beginning this assignment. You will be held accountable for knowing how to paraphrase correctly and what plagiarism means when writing this paper. Handing in this paper means that you have read and gone through the links about how to summarize and paraphrase. Thus, there is no excuse regarding what plagiarism means.
This paper will be at least 6 pages long. All papers will be double spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, regular margins. All papers must be stapled and should be printed on both sides of a paper. ONLY put your name at top of first page of the paper—that’s it. In other words, no date, title, class, etc. that takes up room. No messing with these to “expand” your paper—points will be deducted for failing to follow these guidelines. Put page numbers in the paper in top right.
You will be graded on: (In edu-speak—this is my “rubric”)
1) Writer with clear grammar and style
2) Demonstration of strong, clear thesis supported through out the paper
3) Strength of evidence and argument
Proper use of grammar and style is expected. Use the check sheet at the back of the syllabus. For each instance where the required format is not followed (e.g. page numbers, bibliographic format, spelling, and other grammar issues like contractions, etc—particularly those noted in the style sheet attached to the end of this syllabus and below), two points will be deducted from the total grade.
Use Microsoft Word.
Use a single space between paragraphs; do not use first person; put page numbers at top right hand corner; do not use contractions
B. Citations—Turabian/Chicago
The first time you cite, you put in the entire information as listed for the entry for a book.
The second time you cite a section, since we only have two works by Marx and Kuyper, you only need to do this (I’m modifying what’s in that handout) — just type after the endnote number “Marx, 28.” (or whatever page number you use.
That’s it.
Use Turabian Style of formatting for citations. See here for guidelines: http://www.library.georgetown.edu/tutorials/research-guides/turabian-footnote-guide
Guide to insert endnotes (same as footnotes but put at end of paper) using MS word, be sure to look at : http://www.wikihow.com/Add-a-Footnote-to-Microsoft-Word GO TO THIS LINK AND READ IT!
Endnotes do NOT count in page count. You should have 6 full pages before your endnotes begin.
Notes using Turabian/Chicago:
1) Select Arabian Numerals in MS Word (e.g. 1, 2, 3, …) it defaults to Roman numerals. Do not use Roman numerals.
2) Be sure to use correct format for subsequent references. (e.g. “Marx, 28”) 3) Be sure to use endnotes (not footnotes).
C. Proofreading the paper
You need to proofread carefully. Finish it a week before it is due. Let it sit and then come back to it.
Follow guidelines below. Some notes on things I’m especially focused upon
-AVOID PASSIVE VOICE and use of “To Be” verb as much as possible. “The ball was kicked by the child” is passive. Active it would become “The child kicked the ball” See how much more clear that writing is? The subject is doing the action referred to in the verb.
-NO QUOTATIONS
-NO CONTRACTIONS
-TENSES When writing about Marx’s ideas and Kuyper’s ideas in the books, USE PRESENT TENSE for explaining authors’ arguments. So, for example, you would write “Marx argues that the “ – with present tense like he’s still alive. Any time you are referencing one of their writings and arguments—it is in present tense. That said, you need to use past tense when discussing things that occurred in the past — when you are referencing the Industrial Revolution—that’s in the past. Use past tense.
-NO FIRST PERSON — I, We, Our, etc. The whole paper is your opinion. In your first draft, you can put in “I” if you want, but then take it out for the final draft. It makes your writing more effective and persuasive. So, instead of, “I believe that Kuyper argues…” just write “Kuyper argues”. Voila! -NO colloquialisms…phrases and words that read like you are speaking. Check Sheet for Paper:
______ 1. Do not use contractions in formal writing ______ 2. Do not use quotations.
______ 3. Keep your writing impersonal; do not use first person pronouns. Do not write, “I agree with” or “We have seen that . . . .”
______ 4. Capitalize when referring to a specific only
______ 5. I have purged my writing of sentence fragments and comma splices.
______ 6. A preposition is not a good word to end a sentence with.
______ 7. And do not begin or end a sentence with a conjunction.
______ 8. BE SURE YOUR NAME IS ON THE PAPER
______ 9. I have proofread and proofread and proofread the final draft to remove every single spelling error I humanly can.
_____ 10. Do not say “He felt the strategy was wrong,” but rather, “He thought,” or “He believed.” One “feels” with one of the senses.
_____ 11. Do not say “Since he opposed the strategy,” but “Because he opposed.” “Since” connotes passage of time.
_____ 12. This is NOT a novel…Moby Dick is a novel….these are essays or works, etc. _____ 13. Although passive voice is appropriate in certain places, until you can identify passive voice, write in the active voice. An example of passive voice would be: “The ball was kicked by the child.” To make the sentence active, one would write: “The child kicked the ball.”
_____ 14. Avoid clichés like the plague – they’re old hat.
_____ 15. Avoid verbosity and $20 words. Your writing should be clear and concise. _____ 16. Be consistent in using the same tense in a sentence. Usually historical narrative is written in the past tense. Reviews are written in present tense when talking about the author’s arguments, however.
_____ 17. Avoid colloquialisms, you know what I mean.