China Studies Wiki - User contributions [en]

Talk:17th Century China and Europe

2013-04-16T05:40:47Z

Oprah wind fury: Created page with "Great presentation Oprah wind fury(talk) 23:40, 15 April 2013 (MST)"

Great presentation [[User:Oprah wind fury| Oprah wind fury]]([[User:Oprah wind fury|talk]]) 23:40, 15 April 2013 (MST)

Talk:Footbinding

2013-04-16T05:39:57Z

Oprah wind fury:

Great pictures! However, some of the pictures overlap. Maybe you should adjust the alignment.[[User:Jimmerica]] 13:13, 18 April 2012 (UTC)

Yeah, great pics.. but maybe organize the photo so they arent all over the place, same with the text. [[User:Kovenor|Kovenor]] 21:43, 18 April 2012 (UTC)

The page never quite looks the same way twice. Perhaps some more writing? Maybe if all the pictures are lined up on the same side? The first part says no one is sure when this practice began, the last picture says it was in the Song. Be consistent...[[User:Dekeo|Dekeo]] 20:47, 20 April 2012 (UTC)

And, more sources, especially for the pictures.[[User:Dekeo|Dekeo]] 20:48, 20 April 2012 (UTC)

These pictures freak me out. You need more sources but the ones you have are good. [[User:Oprah wind fury| Oprah wind fury]]([[User:Oprah wind fury|talk]]) 23:39, 15 April 2013 (MST)

Talk:Buddhism

2013-04-16T05:36:43Z

Oprah wind fury: /* Better organization */

Loren- Your page has a lot of good information and pictures. Great Job! [[User:Leo1299|Leo1299]] ([[User talk:Leo1299|talk]]) 06:41, 16 April 2013 (CEST)
=Format=
You may want to break up your paper into categories and separate them by lines. Then, add a 'content' box towards the beginning of your document thus allowing readers to more easily navigate your page. [[Jimmerica]] 02:22, 3 March 2012 (UTC)

=Photos=
It would be nice if you could add photos. They would make your article more interesting and easier to understand. However, make sure you avoid violating any copyright issues. [[User:Jimmerica|Jimmerica]] 02:24, 3 March 2012 (UTC)

= Content =
So far, this is just a description of how Buddhism came to be. Where is your argument? Also, you might want to consider the way you write some of the lists. For example, under the heading "Four Noble Truths" you have a whole lot more than 4 things listed. The Four Noble Truths are usually listed as:
* 1- Life is suffering.
* 2- Suffering is caused by attachments.
* 3- Suffering can be overcome.
* 4- Suffering can be overcome by following the Eight-fold path.
(Or some closely written variation of this.)

If you want to add a little explanation about one of the items, remove the asterisk in front of your comment. That way, it doesn't look like the comment is one of the "Truths".

Don't forget the citations and references!

Also, make sure you proof read the final article. Try reading it out loud, it's a good way to catch the mistakes that need correcting before the Teacher does! [[User:Dekeo|Dekeo]] 09:47, 4 March 2012 (UTC)

You need a thesis, maybe you could make the statement that Buddhism is a great religion, or maybe that it is a confusing religion, but a great philosophy. What ever you choose, just make sure that the rest of your paper backs it up. [[User:Linksys|Linksys]] 18:06, 4 March 2012 (UTC)

Some of your sentences are very fragmented. In order to create a better flow in your paper,elaborate on these fragments. [[User:Linksys|Linksys]] 05:04, 5 March 2012 (UTC)

== Better organization ==
You got a lot of great information which I also found very informative, however the use of pictures would have helped get a better idea of your exploitation. Also restructuring you paragraphs would give for a better presentation.

Great page with lots of information... only thing I noticed was the pictures didnt have links to the originals :) [[User:Kovenor|Kovenor]] 21:40, 18 April 2012 (UTC)

I would just look into the wording used sometimes, it is a little confusing. Otherwise I like the first person used, the sources, and the pictures.
[[User:Oprah wind fury| Oprah wind fury]]([[User:Oprah wind fury|talk]]) 23:26, 15 April 2013 (MST)

Talk:Buddhism

2013-04-16T05:36:31Z

Oprah wind fury:

Talk:Liao Dynasty 907-1125 CE

2013-04-16T05:34:55Z

Oprah wind fury: Created page with "This article is great, not a whole lot to suggest. Sources are academic, length is good, pictures are appropriate. Oprah wind fury([[User:Oprah wind ..."

This article is great, not a whole lot to suggest. Sources are academic, length is good, pictures are appropriate.
[[User:Oprah wind fury| Oprah wind fury]]([[User:Oprah wind fury|talk]]) 23:34, 15 April 2013 (MST)

Talk:Southern Song Dynasty 1127-1279 CE

2013-04-16T05:33:18Z

Oprah wind fury: Created page with "great sources but the article might be a little too short. Oprah wind fury(talk) 23:26, 15 April 2013 (MST)"

great sources but the article might be a little too short.
[[User:Oprah wind fury| Oprah wind fury]]([[User:Oprah wind fury|talk]]) 23:26, 15 April 2013 (MST)

Talk:The Forbidden City

2013-04-16T05:32:29Z

Oprah wind fury:

Cool topic, but as of right now you don't have any substance [[User:Jimmerica]][[Special:Contributions/161.28.254.203|161.28.254.203]] 21:03, 18 April 2012 (UTC)

Sources??? [[User:Dekeo|Dekeo]] 20:37, 20 April 2012 (UTC)

Add more academic sources. Youtube is not generally an academic source. [[User:Oprah wind fury| Oprah wind fury]]([[User:Oprah wind fury|talk]]) 23:32, 15 April 2013 (MST)

Talk:Terra Cotta Army

2013-04-16T05:31:05Z

Oprah wind fury:

=New comments in 2013=
Dear Bill, please start by uploading your powerpoint presentation and then revise the existing article. Now it is still too short. The final version should be 7 pages. You need not only to describe things, but also switch to the commentator role (maybe indicated by "Contemporary Commentator" and then evaluate and discuss the topic from different angles, put it into context, criticize etc.). If you want to write less, you can integrate more pictures. Please make sure to indicate your source after each sentence or, if there is a whole paragraph with the same source, after each paragraph. You can indicate it like "Smith 2009:345" and in the final section "References" write the long version "Smith, Jared, Confucius revisted, Yale University Press 2009, 415 pp." In the edit mode, section headers are indicated with "=" and sub section headers with "==". In the edit mode, paragraphs need to be marked with 2 line feeds ("Enter" key). 1 Line feed will not show up as a paragraph. For additional editing tips, including how to indicate sources and how to find copyright free pictures, please refer to [http://wiki.vm.rub.de/uvu/index.php/uvu:Community_Portal]. Good luck with your composition! Best, [[User:Root|Root]] ([[User talk:Root|talk]]) 13:36, 25 February 2013 (CET)

I like all the information you have, and all the pictures. Looks good! [[User:Leo1299|Leo1299]] ([[User talk:Leo1299|talk]]) 07:01, 16 April 2013 (CEST)
I really like your article Bill, I think organizing things a little differently might help, but excellent material and pictures :). [[User:ThaHamburglar|ThaHamburglar]]

==There seems to be a lot of question about what is actually there (tomb) and what is legend or hear say. Clarifying material?[[User:Anonymous5|Anonymous5]] ([[User talk:Anonymous5|talk]]) 21:16, 27 February 2013 (CET)==

=References=
You should add your references using MLA format. [[Jimmerica|Jimmerica]] 02:27, 3 March 2012 (UTC)

=Content=
If you are looking for more content, I think it may be interesting to read more about the production process- what terra cotta is, how it is made, and how each soldier was assembled. Also, what kept this artwork preserved for such a long period of time. [[Jimmerica|Jimmerica]] 02:28, 3 March 2012 (UTC)

Thanks for your feedback, I just added the information on how the soldiers were made.[[chris1|chris1]]

Another comment on Content, where is your argument? So far, this is just a description of what happened. And, be sure to proofread this. You have some punctuation issues and many of your sentences don't make sense, the way they are written. Try reading it out loud, I think you'll see what I mean. [[User:Dekeo|Dekeo]] 09:21, 4 March 2012 (UTC)

Great! I just made some grammar corrections.[[chris1|chris1]]

Add the video you found on youtube. Also, I can see your statement on the top that this is one of the greatest discoveries, but where is the content to support that strong statement? Be more descriptive in the size of the army and where it is kept. It would be good to describe the surrounding area or that there are possibly more armies and the tomb of Qin on that land. [[User:Linksys|Linksys]] 17:59, 4 March 2012 (UTC)

Yes, I just added more information on the rest of area around the emperors tomb.[[chris1|chris1]]

And say why they haven't uncovered the rest of the burial place.[[User:Linksys|Linksys]] 18:00, 4 March 2012 (UTC)

No link to the original source to the pictures.. and maybe add one more reference? [[User:Kovenor|Kovenor]] 21:42, 18 April 2012 (UTC)

I think adding some more academic sources would be a good addition to the article. The information is good though. [[User:Oprah wind fury| Oprah wind fury]]([[User:Oprah wind fury|talk]]) 23:30, 15 April 2013 (MST)

Talk:Ming Dynasty

2013-04-16T05:29:23Z

Oprah wind fury:

It seems like it might be a little short. But it looks good. [[User:Leo1299|Leo1299]] ([[User talk:Leo1299|talk]]) 06:48, 16 April 2013 (CEST)

The pictures are too big. I probably wouldn't make them bigger than 300px. [[User:Oprah wind fury| Oprah wind fury]]([[User:Oprah wind fury|talk]]) 23:29, 15 April 2013 (MST)

Talk:Jin and Yuan Dynasties

2013-04-16T05:28:18Z

Oprah wind fury:

I really like your article Colby, the information is really solid and your pictures are great. You could use a few more pictures though my good sir. [[User:Pokemon Trainer Red|Pokemon Trainer Red]]

It looks like you have a lot of good information, could maybe use a couple more pictures. [[User:Leo1299|Leo1299]] ([[User talk:Leo1299|talk]]) 06:50, 16 April 2013 (CEST)

You still need some references for the article. That is really important to back up what you are saying.
[[User:Oprah wind fury| Oprah wind fury]]([[User:Oprah wind fury|talk]]) 23:26, 15 April 2013 (MST)

Talk:Ming Dynasty

2013-04-16T05:23:18Z

Oprah wind fury:

Talk:Empresses

2013-02-28T09:01:02Z

Oprah wind fury:

Dear Mallory, that looks good! I especially like how you linked the pptx and got the picture. [[User:Root|Root]] ([[User talk:Root|talk]]) 18:50, 26 February 2013 (CET)

== How were the Empresses treated as compared to the concubines who held power in China?[[User:Anonymous5|Anonymous5]] ([[User talk:Anonymous5|talk]]) 21:36, 27 February 2013 (CET)

It may be too short but it looks like the professor is happy with it so at this point maybe you are fine? Other than that it is great. [[User:Oprah wind fury| Oprah wind fury]] ([[User talk:Oprah wind fury|talk]]) 02:00, 28 February 2013 (MST)

Talk:Han Fei Tzu

2013-02-28T08:57:47Z

Oprah wind fury: Created page with "Add some pictures and more text for each section. Each section is pretty bare at this point. Oprah wind fury (talk) 01:5..."

Add some pictures and more text for each section. Each section is pretty bare at this point.[[User:Oprah wind fury| Oprah wind fury]] ([[User talk:Oprah wind fury|talk]]) 01:57, 28 February 2013 (MST)

Talk:Mozi

2013-02-28T08:45:30Z

Oprah wind fury:

=New comments in 2013=
Dear Grant, this is a good start, but still too short. The final version should be 7 pages. You need to stick to the 1st person narrative ("I", "me" etc.) and not only describe things, but also switch to the commentator role (maybe indicated by "Contemporary Commentator" and then evaluate and discuss the topic from different angles, put it into context, criticize etc.). If you want to write less, you can integrate more pictures. Please make sure to indicate your source after each sentence or, if there is a whole paragraph with the same source, after each paragraph. You can indicate it like "Smith 2009:345" and in the final section "References" write the long version "Smith, Jared, Confucius revisted, Yale University Press 2009, 415 pp." In the edit mode, section headers are indicated with "=" and sub section headers with "==". In the edit mode, paragraphs need to be marked with 2 line feeds ("Enter" key). 1 Line feed will not show up as a paragraph. For additional editing tips, including how to indicate sources and how to find copyright free pictures, please refer to [http://wiki.vm.rub.de/uvu/index.php/uvu:Community_Portal]. Good luck with your composition! Best, [[User:Root|Root]] ([[User talk:Root|talk]]) 13:25, 25 February 2013 (CET)

At this point it does not look much like a proper wiki article. Maybe add some pictures and change the format to be more appropriate.[[User:Oprah wind fury| Oprah wind fury]] ([[User talk:Oprah wind fury|talk]]) 01:45, 28 February 2013 (MST)

Talk:Shang Dynasty

2013-02-27T23:29:50Z

Oprah wind fury:

What's this? [[Special:Contributions/161.28.159.133|161.28.159.133]] 22:36, 17 February 2012 (UTC)

Weak sauce. Too short. [[User:Oprah wind fury| Oprah wind fury]] ([[User talk:Oprah wind fury|talk]]) 15:29, 27 February 2013 (MST)

Talk:Zhuangzi

2013-02-27T23:28:23Z

Oprah wind fury:

Please still add the references. Thanks! [[User:Root|Root]] 21:16, 16 April 2012 (UTC)

I think some headings would have made you page a bit more organized and clear. [[User:mongol]]

I think you did a great job on the narrative. It feels very natural.[[User:Oprah wind fury| Oprah wind fury]] ([[User talk:Oprah wind fury|talk]]) 15:27, 27 February 2013 (MST)

Talk:Later Han Dynasty

2013-02-27T23:25:35Z

Oprah wind fury: /* New comments in 2013 */

=New comments in 2013=
Dear Colby, please start by uploading your powerpoint presentation and then revise the existing article. The final version should be 7 pages. You need to stick to the 1st person narrative ("I", "me" etc.) and not only describe things, but also switch to the commentator role (maybe indicated by "Contemporary Commentator" and then evaluate and discuss the topic from different angles, put it into context, criticize etc.). If you want to write less, you can integrate more pictures. Please make sure to indicate your source after each sentence or, if there is a whole paragraph with the same source, after each paragraph. You can indicate it like "Smith 2009:345" and in the final section "References" write the long version "Smith, Jared, Confucius revisted, Yale University Press 2009, 415 pp." In the edit mode, section headers are indicated with "=" and sub section headers with "==". In the edit mode, paragraphs need to be marked with 2 line feeds ("Enter" key). 1 Line feed will not show up as a paragraph. For additional editing tips, including how to indicate sources and how to find copyright free pictures, please refer to [http://wiki.vm.rub.de/uvu/index.php/uvu:Community_Portal]. Good luck with your composition! Best, [[User:Root|Root]] ([[User talk:Root|talk]]) 13:40, 25 February 2013 (CET)

It is blank... Refer to above comment for guidance. [[User:Oprah wind fury| Oprah wind fury]] ([[User talk:Oprah wind fury|talk]]) 15:12, 27 February 2013 (MST)

Talk:Book burning in Qin Dynasty

2013-02-27T23:24:11Z

Oprah wind fury: /* New comments in 2013 */

=New comments in 2013=
Dear Christopher, please start by uploading your powerpoint presentation and then extend the existing article. Now it is still too short. The final version should be 7 pages. You need to stick to the 1st person narrative ("I", "me" etc.) and not only describe things, but also switch to the commentator role (maybe indicated by "Contemporary Commentator" and then evaluate and discuss the topic from different angles, put it into context, criticize etc.). If you want to write less, you can integrate more pictures. Please make sure to indicate your source after each sentence or, if there is a whole paragraph with the same source, after each paragraph. You can indicate it like "Smith 2009:345" and in the final section "References" write the long version "Smith, Jared, Confucius revisted, Yale University Press 2009, 415 pp." In the edit mode, section headers are indicated with "=" and sub section headers with "==". In the edit mode, paragraphs need to be marked with 2 line feeds ("Enter" key). 1 Line feed will not show up as a paragraph. For additional editing tips, including how to indicate sources and how to find copyright free pictures, please refer to [http://wiki.vm.rub.de/uvu/index.php/uvu:Community_Portal]. Good luck with your composition! Best, [[User:Root|Root]] ([[User talk:Root|talk]]) 13:34, 25 February 2013 (CET)

The beginning still needs to be done in first person. I like the commentary that you provide through the perspective of QinShiHuang.[[User:Oprah wind fury| Oprah wind fury]] ([[User talk:Oprah wind fury|talk]]) 15:12, 27 February 2013 (MST)

Talk:Han Feizi

2013-02-27T23:22:08Z

Oprah wind fury: /* New comments in 2013 */

=New comments in 2013=
Dear Raleigh, please start by uploading your powerpoint presentation and then revise the existing article. Now it is still too short. The final version should be 7 pages. You need to stick to the 1st person narrative ("I", "me" etc.) and not only describe things, but also switch to the commentator role (maybe indicated by "Contemporary Commentator" and then evaluate and discuss the topic from different angles, put it into context, criticize etc.). If you want to write less, you can integrate more pictures. Please make sure to indicate your source after each sentence or, if there is a whole paragraph with the same source, after each paragraph. You can indicate it like "Smith 2009:345" and in the final section "References" write the long version "Smith, Jared, Confucius revisted, Yale University Press 2009, 415 pp." In the edit mode, section headers are indicated with "=" and sub section headers with "==". In the edit mode, paragraphs need to be marked with 2 line feeds ("Enter" key). 1 Line feed will not show up as a paragraph. For additional editing tips, including how to indicate sources and how to find copyright free pictures, please refer to [http://wiki.vm.rub.de/uvu/index.php/uvu:Community_Portal]. Good luck with your composition! Best, [[User:Root|Root]] ([[User talk:Root|talk]]) 13:33, 25 February 2013 (CET)

==There does not seem to be much at all about Han Feizi's life except for the Legalism teachings. Do we know anything about him?[[User:Anonymous5|Anonymous5]] ([[User talk:Anonymous5|talk]]) 21:20, 27 February 2013 (CET)==

Change it to the first person like you did on your powerpoint presentation. That alone should give you a significant boost to your content. I agree that you need to add more about the individual.[[User:Oprah wind fury| Oprah wind fury]] ([[User talk:Oprah wind fury|talk]]) 15:12, 27 February 2013 (MST)

Talk:Qin Shihuangdi

2013-02-27T23:20:07Z

Oprah wind fury: /* New comments in 2013 */

=New comments in 2013=
Dear Emmanuel, I have uploaded your powerpoint presentation. Please revise the existing article. Now it is still too short. The final version should be 7 pages. You need to stick to the 1st person narrative ("I", "me" etc.) and not only describe things, but also switch to the commentator role (maybe indicated by "Contemporary Commentator" and then evaluate and discuss the topic from different angles, put it into context, criticize etc.). If you want to write less, you can integrate more pictures. Please make sure to indicate your source after each sentence or, if there is a whole paragraph with the same source, after each paragraph. You can indicate it like "Smith 2009:345" and in the final section "References" write the long version "Smith, Jared, Confucius revisted, Yale University Press 2009, 415 pp." In the edit mode, section headers are indicated with "=" and sub section headers with "==". In the edit mode, paragraphs need to be marked with 2 line feeds ("Enter" key). 1 Line feed will not show up as a paragraph. For additional editing tips, including how to indicate sources and how to find copyright free pictures, please refer to [http://wiki.vm.rub.de/uvu/index.php/uvu:Community_Portal]. Good luck with your composition! Best, [[User:Root|Root]] ([[User talk:Root|talk]]) 13:31, 25 February 2013 (CET)

== Long poem. I really don't like first person as it is really hard to keep going and not revert to third person at times. Content is good but choppy at times and needs filling out in places.[[User:Anonymous5|Anonymous5]] ([[User talk:Anonymous5|talk]]) 21:32, 27 February 2013 (CET)

I kind of liked the poem at the beginning. It is a little different approach. I agree that the content is good but a little choppy. You have done well though for using the first person throughout.[[User:Oprah wind fury| Oprah wind fury]] ([[User talk:Oprah wind fury|talk]]) 15:19, 27 February 2013 (MST)

=Old comments=
I'm sorry Professor, There is just no way I'm going to have this done by midnight. I just saved my most recent update and I will continue to work on this until I finish, but that will be some time after midnight, I'm afraid. I'll take whatever late penalty you feel is fair. I knew the deadline. I have no one but myself to blame for finishing late.[[User:Licia K|Licia K]] 07:04, 5 March 2012 (UTC)

= Scope =
I know, it's just a start. More pictures, words and citations will be added.[[User:Licia K|Licia K]] 05:33, 6 February 2012 (UTC)
:This is not even a start, it is just a stub. Can anybody help Licia with it? [[Special:Contributions/161.28.159.52|161.28.159.52]] 22:37, 24 February 2012 (UTC)
::Who is IP 161.28.159.52? Please login with your user name first! [[Special:Contributions/161.28.159.52|161.28.159.52]] 22:38, 24 February 2012 (UTC)

=Content=
Where is all that great information from your presentation? I feel that becoming a ruler at such a young age and accomplishing so much in such short time, a timeline of some sort would be very useful in putting Qin Shihuangdi's life in perpective. [[Jimmerica|Jimmerica]] 02:33, 3 March 2012 (UTC)
: I'm working on it- slowly, but I will get back to this article. Good idea about a time line- we'll have to see how it works out. [[User:Licia K|Licia K]] 09:12, 4 March 2012 (UTC)

Also, you should look into uploading the powerpoint, Then you could use different pictures in the article. And, don't forget to proof read the final article. But, definitely, finish writing this. You started almost a month ago and should be further along than you are- especially since the paper is due in less than 24 hours! [[User:Dekeo|Dekeo]] 09:53, 4 March 2012 (UTC)

If you put it in the perspective of Qin, you still need to address the faults of the Emperor, such as killing of philosophers, and the book burnings. [[User:Linksys|Linksys]] 17:48, 4 March 2012 (UTC)

The dates when Qin unified China are informative, but they do need to be tied into the rest of the page. Put it in a sentence or paragraph about his conquerings, this will help it make sense. [[User:Linksys|Linksys]] 05:09, 5 March 2012 (UTC)

= Credits =
*You have quoted from one of my books. Why don't you mention the sources? [[Special:Contributions/161.28.159.52|161.28.159.52]] 22:38, 24 February 2012 (UTC)
* Cite! Cite! Cite! [[User:Dekeo|Dekeo]] 09:53, 4 March 2012 (UTC)
After you get more content, you should add your references using MLA format. [[Jimmerica|Jimmerica]] 02:33, 3 March 2012 (UTC)
: Yup. It's in the works. I'm looking for better sources for the pictures (you know, free of copy-write issues.) [[User:Licia K|Licia K]] 09:12, 4 March 2012 (UTC)

== Wiki format? ==
I though that the information you had was good, but the format you used had no organized structure. The use of actual paragraphs would have been good and pictures to help get a better idea of what you are describing.
: I'm still working on this page.[[User:Licia K|Licia K]] 07:04, 5 March 2012 (UTC)

Talk:Xunzi

2013-02-27T23:17:59Z

Oprah wind fury: /* New comments in 2013 */

=New comments in 2013=
Dear Daniel, please start by uploading your powerpoint presentation and then revise the existing article. Now it is still too short. The final version should be 7 pages. You need to stick to the 1st person narrative ("I", "me" etc.) and not only describe things, but also switch to the commentator role (maybe indicated by "Contemporary Commentator" and then evaluate and discuss the topic from different angles, put it into context, criticize etc.). If you want to write less, you can integrate more pictures. Please make sure to indicate your source after each sentence or, if there is a whole paragraph with the same source, after each paragraph. You can indicate it like "Smith 2009:345" and in the final section "References" write the long version "Smith, Jared, Confucius revisted, Yale University Press 2009, 415 pp." In the edit mode, section headers are indicated with "=" and sub section headers with "==". In the edit mode, paragraphs need to be marked with 2 line feeds ("Enter" key). 1 Line feed will not show up as a paragraph. For additional editing tips, including how to indicate sources and how to find copyright free pictures, please refer to [http://wiki.vm.rub.de/uvu/index.php/uvu:Community_Portal]. Good luck with your composition! Best, [[User:Root|Root]] ([[User talk:Root|talk]]) 13:30, 25 February 2013 (CET)

The length is still too short. Work on the first person narrative. More pictures might help the length and feel of the article.[[User:Oprah wind fury| Oprah wind fury]] ([[User talk:Oprah wind fury|talk]]) 15:12, 27 February 2013 (MST)

Talk:Mencius

2013-02-27T23:16:15Z

Oprah wind fury: /* New comments in 2013 */

=New comments in 2013=
Dear Bill, this is a good start, but still too short. The final version should be 7 pages. You need to stick to the 1st person narrative ("I", "me" etc.) and not only describe things, but also switch to the commentator role (maybe indicated by "Contemporary Commentator" and then evaluate and discuss the topic from different angles, put it into context, criticize etc.). If you want to write less, you can integrate more pictures. Please make sure to indicate your source after each sentence or, if there is a whole paragraph with the same source, after each paragraph. You can indicate it like "Smith 2009:345" and in the final section "References" write the long version "Smith, Jared, Confucius revisted, Yale University Press 2009, 415 pp." In the edit mode, section headers are indicated with "=" and sub section headers with "==". In the edit mode, paragraphs need to be marked with 2 line feeds ("Enter" key). 1 Line feed will not show up as a paragraph. For additional editing tips, including how to indicate sources and how to find copyright free pictures, please refer to [http://wiki.vm.rub.de/uvu/index.php/uvu:Community_Portal]. Good luck with your composition! Best, [[User:Root|Root]] ([[User talk:Root|talk]]) 13:25, 25 February 2013 (CET)

==Did Mencius feel that he succeeded? It seems like everything he taught was ignored by these kings and rulers.[[User:Anonymous5|Anonymous5]] ([[User talk:Anonymous5|talk]]) 21:25, 27 February 2013 (CET)

I just want you to know that I used your page as a starting point for the code and format of mine. You are ahead of the curve. Look into working in the first person narrative into the article[[User:Oprah wind fury| Oprah wind fury]] ([[User talk:Oprah wind fury|talk]]) 15:12, 27 February 2013 (MST)

=Old comments=
Dear Delon, please paste your reading in turn notes here. [[User:Root|Root]] 00:03, 5 March 2012 (UTC)

=comment=
My eyes hit a wall of text and now are bruised. --[[User:Checksum|Checksum]] 06:23, 19 April 2012 (UTC)

== Comment 2 ==
I already read too much stuff with no pictures and this has just killed my left eye (right one already dead). --[[User:Meh|Meh]] 06:43, 19 April 2012 (UTC)

Talk:The Warring States Period

2013-02-27T23:14:00Z

Oprah wind fury:

== I would like to see how some of the ideologies mentioned affected the warring states rather than just listing them. This leaves a lot of loose ends for the reader to track down.[[User:Anonymous5|Anonymous5]] ([[User talk:Anonymous5|talk]]) 21:29, 27 February 2013 (CET)

Your presentation of information is nice. It does not look like it is long enough though and I'm not sure if you are still supposed to use the first person since your paper is about a period. I would email the professor about that. [[User:Oprah wind fury| Oprah wind fury]] ([[User talk:Oprah wind fury|talk]]) 15:12, 27 February 2013 (MST)

Talk:The Warring States Period

2013-02-27T23:13:00Z

Oprah wind fury:

== I would like to see how some of the ideologies mentioned affected the warring states rather than just listing them. This leaves a lot of loose ends for the reader to track down.[[User:Anonymous5|Anonymous5]] ([[User talk:Anonymous5|talk]]) 21:29, 27 February 2013 (CET)

Your presentation of information is nice. It does not look like it is long enough though and I'm not sure if you are still supposed to use the first person since your paper is about a period. I would email the professor about that. User:Oprah wind fury|Oprah wind fury]] ([[User talk:Oprah wind fury|talk]]) 15:12, 27 February 2013 (MST)

Talk:Confucius

2013-02-27T23:10:26Z

Oprah wind fury: /* New comments in Spring 2013 */

=New comments in Spring 2013=
Dear Tara and Loren, you write this article together. Please contact each other and work well together. Loren is more concentrating on the historical part and Tara more on the literary aspect of Confucius. [[User:Root|Root]] ([[User talk:Root|talk]]) 19:55, 26 February 2013 (CET)

*Dear Loren, this is a good start, but still too short. The final version should be 7 pages. If you want to write less, you can integrate more pictures. Please make sure to indicate your source after each sentence or, if there is a whole paragraph with the same source, after each paragraph. You can indicate it like "Smith 2009:345" and in the final section "References" write the long version "Smith, Jared, Confucius revisted, Yale University Press 2009, 415 pp." In the edit mode, section headers are indicated with "=" and sub section headers with "==". In the edit mode, paragraphs need to be marked with 2 line feeds ("Enter" key). 1 Line feed will not show up as a paragraph. For additional editing tips, including how to indicate sources and how to find copyright free pictures, please refer to [http://wiki.vm.rub.de/uvu/index.php/uvu:Community_Portal]. Good luck with your composition! Best, [[User:Root|Root]] ([[User talk:Root|talk]]) 13:16, 25 February 2013 (CET)
*Please look at the spelling error in your file name "Cunfucius.ppt". Also, the file is not complete, since it was larger than allowed. I will split it into 2 files and upload it again, as well as get rid of the side "Kong Fuzi". Please integrate your findings in the existing article. I am looking forward your midterm paper. Thank you! [[User:Root|Root]] ([[User talk:Root|talk]]) 22:00, 19 February 2013 (CET)
*Please work also on the travels of Confucius and talk about the possibility that they were made up by Mencius and why.
*Please look again through the powerpoint presentation for consistency of referring to Confucius as "I" and not as "He".
You can also explain on the slide with the names, from when on these names were used. And you can indicate (in the mid-term paper), that the use of "Kongzi" in a text helps us to date it, because dating is crucial for seeing what might be authentic and what was made up later, especially during the Han times, when they started a Confucius cult.
*Please also explain (at least in the paper) the different versions of the Analects and distinguish between the historical person Zhong Ni and the later made up sage "Kong Fuzi".
*These are just a few ideas I had when I looked at your revised presentation.
*There are also some pictures, who are not visible in my version of your ppt. It looks like you embedded them with Quicktime, but not everybody has it. So you may want to send me the pictures one by one and I can help you to input them in the presentation again the normal way (in Powerpoint using "Insert" "Graphic").[[User:Root|Root]] ([[User talk:Root|talk]]) 22:13, 19 February 2013 (CET)

I like that you have as many sources as you do, it makes the article more credible. I would do some more proof reading to make sure the wording is more coherent.[[User:Oprah wind fury|Oprah wind fury]] ([[User talk:Oprah wind fury|talk]]) 15:09, 27 February 2013 (MST)

It would be good to proofread the paragraphs; there are a few grammatical errors that appear in the article. Maybe not accurate, but I remember hearing the concept of "Wen" when I've heard others discuss Confucius, which was literary studies and the moral value of such an idea; it might be a good thing to research and add to the page. [[User:Cappuccino|Cappuccino]] ([[User talk:Cappuccino|talk]]) 08:01, 26 February 2013 (CET)

=old comments=
Hey, it's a start...[[User:Licia K|Licia K]] 05:13, 6 February 2012 (UTC)

Dear Licia, please paste your reading in turn notes here and upload your ppt. Please make sure to include the sources, also of images. See the section on images in our [http://wiki.vm.rub.de/uvu/index.php/uvu:Community_Portal#How_to_upload_and_integrate_media_like_pictures.2C_powerpoint_presentations_etc. instructions]. Thanks! [[User:Root|Root]] 00:00, 5 March 2012 (UTC)

== I only did the presentation in the Classical Literature class. Since this article is also listed in the Traditional History class, (where the teacher did the presentation, but did not post any notes) I didn't upload the literature ppt. (I posted this in the History class section also, because, you can't have China history without Confucius! Someone had to post some sort of article about him, so I volunteered).[[User:Licia K|Licia K]] 03:33, 14 June 2012 (UTC)

Great pic! I think it could use a reference or two. [[User:Jimmerica]] 11:13, 18 April 2012 (UTC)

Use the thumbnail adjustment on that picture. [[User:Alchemist1330]]

===Comment 4===
I though when the topic is a person it must be in first person? If not please ignore this. Also, the pictures kind of cut through your text. --[[User:Meh|Meh]] 06:40, 19 April 2012 (UTC)

== Didn't you notice? It says, at the start, that he is never supposed to have spoken of himself in first person. That is why, even though he is "speaking of himself" it is written in third person. That is also why it says, at the end, that he should maybe start to speak of himself in first person.[[User:Dekeo|Dekeo]] 20:32, 20 April 2012 (UTC)

== Writing a paper in first person is very difficult and makes for a hard to read page. I would much prefer to read a third person narrative on a persons life. This is good though and gives a lot of information on Confucious' life and teachings.[[User:Anonymous5|Anonymous5]] ([[User talk:Anonymous5|talk]]) 21:13, 27 February 2013 (CET) ==

Confucius

2013-02-27T23:04:50Z

Oprah wind fury: /* My life */

[[File:424px-Konfuzius-1770.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Confucius. Unknown Artist. Click [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Konfuzius-1770.jpg] for original source.]]

== My life ==

My life has become more symbolic than fact. It has been said by scholar Ming Dong Gu, quoting scholar Brayn W. Van Norden,that "Since his death over two millennia ago, Confucius has ceased to be a historical figure. Indeed, as Van Norden puts it, he has become “a symbol for a variety of different (and often contrasting) things: meritocracy, aristocracy, traditionalism, rationalism, aestheticism, ‘feudalism,’ secularism, wisdom, ignorance, Chinese culture, virtue, hypocrisy, and ‘the Orient.’(Gu 34)” So little is known about me as a person, it is easy to see why I have become such a symbol. My words were recorded by others, allowing them to be open to such symbolic interpretations.

There are no known documents of which I have been authenticated as the author of. Therefore, many believe that most of the documents attributed to me were written by my disciples, which means that all the writing we have about my life is questionable. Furthermore, documentation about my life is very minimal. Most of the documents are about my teachings. Many of your modern scholars have theories about my life, ranging from the fantastic to the simple. Some claim that I was even born to royalty, while others say I was really a malicious individual.

[[File:1xarzhou.jpg|400px|thumb|left|Zhou Dynasty States. Map by depts.washington.edu. Click [http://depts.washington.edu/chinaciv/1xarzhou.htm] for original source.]]
Most scholars agree that I was born in the small town of Zou in the ancient state of Lu (near modern day Qufu in what is now the Chinese Province of Shandong)(Creel, 25). It is said that I was born in answer to my parent's prayers and so I was given the surname Kong (which means literally an utterance of thankfulness when prayers have been answered). My family given name was Kong Qiu, and my courtesy name was Zhongni (Riegel). Throughout the ages I have been given a number of other names and titles which include: Kong Fuzi (or Master Kong), The Great Sage, and The First Teacher of China. Most modern day Chinese call me Kongzi, which is another way of saying "Master Kong". By the 1500's Kong Fuzi was Latinized and became Confucius, which is what English speakers call me today (Phan, 170).

I might have been a descendant of royalty from the the Shang Dynasty, and my grandfather and his family were forced to leave their home in the state of Song and migrated to Lu, where they were demoted to the Shi (warrior) class. My father (Kong He) was a magistrate and soldier for the state of Lu. When I was about three years old, my father died, which led my family into humble conditions. I supposedly said that ‘being of humble station when young so that I was able to handle many menial things’ (Lunyu, 9: 6) which led some scholars to think I took on jobs such as cow herding and shepherding. If it was not for the dedication of my mother, I probably would not have received an adequate education (Yao, 23).

At the age of 22, I started the first private school in China, teaching a philosophy of ideal personal conduct, benevolence, and justice by law. When I was about fifty, I became the magistrate of the Zhongdu district. After having much success as a magistrate I advanced to the position of "Minister for Construction" and later to become apart of the "Chief Justice." There is also debate on whether I served as "Acting Prime Minister" for a short while (Yao, 24).

A common falsehood told about my life is that after leaving that position, I spent the last 13 years of my life traveling around China, teaching my philosophies (Yao, 24). However, this is a fictional tale made up by Mencius (one of my later disciples) who was looking to better his own position. No matter what the truth about my life was, I had and have many followers. It was my disciples who later wrote down the things I taught. These teachings later became known as the 5 great classics of China along with the Analects and other books.

In the Analects, it claims that I said, “At fifteen I was intent on learning; by thirty I was standing straight; by forty I was no longer confused; by fifty I knew heaven's commands; by sixty I was attuned; and at seventy, I could follow my heart's desires without transgressing what was right.” (Ebrey, p46)

I lived between the years 551-479 BC, according to your modern calendar. I never wanted to become a philosopher. My ambitions were to "transform government" (Yao, 24). I died thinking I had failed in my life goals. I had no idea that I had started, what would prove to be, a nationwide movement that would change China forever.

[[File:682px-Confucius Monument.JPG|250px|thumb|right|Confucius statue in Rizal Park, Manila, Philippines. Photo by Elmer B. Domingo. Click [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Confucius_Monument.JPG] for original source.]]

== After My Death ==

I never had thought that I would become famous after I died. They even rebuilt my home as a temple and carved statues of me as if I was some of kind of Diety![[File:Dacheng_Hall_photo_by_Gisling.JPG‎|200px|thumb|left|Dacheng Hall at Kong Miao (the Confucian Temple) in Qufu. photo by Gisling‎. Click [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dacheng_Hall.JPG here] for original source.]] My teachings, or those teachings attributed to me, have been the basis for most of China's governments since the Han dynasty! In my life, I felt that few political leaders would listen to me. It was only until after I died that they began to pay attention.

Because I personally never wrote any of my thoughts or teachings, after my death my disciples compiled my works into what is now called the Analects. The problem with this is that many works that I had no part in have been attributed to me. Early 20th century Chinese studies professor Homer H. Dubs said “…[T]he real teaching of Confucius became distorted anew each time a new Confucian philosophy appeared. Many sayings were put into his mouth which he never could have uttered…(Dubs 30)” And so such things make it difficult to tell what was from me or attributed to me after my death. Often times my name was used to validate someone else's philosophies.

[[‎File:1280px-Confucius temple Kaohsiung amk.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Confucius Temple at the Lotus Lake in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Photo by AngMoKio‎. Click [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Confucius_temple_Kaohsiung_amk.jpg] for original source.]]

As the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.E.-220 C.E.) approached my philosophies were gaining more and more popularity, and soon began to be established throughout the empire. The first Han Emperor Gaozu, eventually took a liking to the confucian scholars and believed that Confucianism was better than Legalism (which was prevalent in the former Qin Dynasty) when it came to ruling an empire. Gaozu employed some of these confucian scholars to set up many of the rituals and regulations in court. However, it was not until the Han Emperor Wudi (156-87 B.C.E.) that confucianism began to be strongly established (Ebrey, 77).

Inspired by my doctrines, Wudi "developed a state educational system to train potential officials in the Confucian classics" (Ebrey, 77). After developing this educational system, he established an "imperial academy" that was run by scholars who were each specialized in one of the Five Classics. Soon, everyone began to expect all officials to be adequately literate in the Five Classics and to conduct themselves morally and respectfully. The honor and respect that came with being an official at this time created a craze among the Chinese people to study and practice my philosophies in a competitive manner, so as to gain a higher rank in government (Ebrey, 77-8). While Confucianism exploded in China, it gradually began to spread to other countries just outside its borders, such as: Japan, Korea, and Taiwan (Fisher, 198).

== The Analects ==

[[File:1280px-analects.JPEG|400px|thumb|right| Illustrated Copy of The Analects. Click [http://history.cultural-china.com/en/173History10764.html] for original source.]]

Along with the Five Classics, is a book called the ''Lunyu'', or, as it is called in your language, ''The Analects''. It is supposed to be a collection of my teachings, as recorded by my disciples. (I, myself, left no written record of my teachings.) It is probable that some of my disciples who added to this collection, added their own ideas to my teachings and thus passed them off as my words. This book is a collection of short sayings and teachings; many of them have become proverbs in the years since it was written. Gu states that the ''Analects'' are a series of questions posed to me by my students and how I answered. Because of this nature, the ''Analects'' are open in nature. Gu adds that this openness allows for a multitude of interpretations and proof that the ''Analects'' are penned by multiple authors. “The sayings and conversations were not written down by a single hand... (Gu 37)” Gu says, causing the ''Analects'' to become "text for all readers, Confucius is inevitably everyone’s Confucius because he will appear, albeit ever slightly, as a different image in every reader’s mind. (Gu 46)” The open nature of the ''Analects'' allows anyone to interpret them as they will.

Most scholars believe that the Analects were compiled some time between the death of Confucius(ca 479 B.C.E.) and the Han Dynasty(206 B.C.E. - 220 C.E.). However, during the Han Dynasty, there were different versions of the Analects floating around; mainly the Lu, Qi, and Old text version. None of these three versions were exactly the same. Some had additional chapters and verses while others had completely different organizations of the chapters. It wasn't until around 5 B.C.E. that the Han Emperor, Zhang Yu, took the Lu version and added to it some of the Qi version and it later became known as the "Zhang Hou Lun," which is the version known as the analects today. It was during this time that Zhong Ni most likely became known as Kong Fuzi (Gardener, 15-16).

The European Graduate School states “The Analects give us most of what we know about Confucius and while Confucius claimed to be a mere transmitter, scholars agree that he in fact did much more than transmit and in fact it is his interpretations, expansions and departures that honored him with such a lasting reputation.(EGS)” The teachings found in this work have provided a basis for millions of peoples beliefs and practices through out the world. The ''Analects'' provide most of what is known about me. This has allowed for many variations of me to emerge.

It is Sima Qian who first recorded that I wrote all the five classics in his great history (written, I might add, nearly 400 years after I lived!). I wonder if he thought he was being respectful- or perhaps he really believed I wrote them all? In any event, since then I have been credited with far more wisdom than I ever held. Again, as Dubs has said, many things people claim I have written were truly written by others. The classics were written much before my time. In fact, I am also found to be quoting from the Books. I especially enjoy the works from the Book of Poetry.

[[File:1280px-Analects.JPG|400px|thumb|left|Chinese publication of the Analects. photo by Bjoertvedt‎. Click [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a0/Analects.JPG/1280px-Analects.JPG] for original source.]]

For example:

“The Master said, 'In the Book of Poetry are three hundred pieces, but the design of them all may be embraced in one sentence - 'Having no depraved thoughts.’ Confucius. The Analects. ca. 500 B.C.E.

'It is said in the Book of Poetry, 'As you cut and then file, as you carve and then polish.' - The meaning is the same, I apprehend, as that which you have just expressed.' The Master said, 'With one like Ci, I can begin to talk about the odes. I told him one point, and he knew its proper sequence.’ Confucius. The Analects. ca. 500 B.C.E

The main focus of the ''Analects'' is on proper living through Li and Ren. These are defined as follows bu Homer H. Dubs.

Li: "...included matters of politeness, court etiquette, religious ritual, governmental practices and the state constitution, codes of conduct, and ethical principles. Perhaps the best interpretation is that a man of li lives in accordance with the highest code of conduct that can be expected of a true gentleman in a very broad sense. It is also more than mere con-formity to a code, for Confucius required it to be heartfelt and sincere…(Dubs 33-4)”

Ren: “...was a newer conception, possibly original with Confucius. He found this word used by the great founder of the state of Lu, the Duke of Jou. This duke once described himself as a man of ren-meaning thereby that he was a lord who was graciously kindly to his subordinates. This virtue Confucius took as fundamental. He broadened it to mean love for others and once equated it with the ordinary word for love (An. XII, xxii). Today this word is often translated by such terms as ‘human-heartedness’ or by some other term than ‘love.’(Dubs 34)”

By living these correct principles, I believe that it is possible for a person to become happy while bringing happiness to those around them. These qualities where especially needed for rulers, who also need to follow de, or rites and rituals to bring peace to the people. These where some of the basic things I taught during my lifetime that my students then recorded in the ''Analects.''

== My Teachings ==

I never claimed to have any of my own teachings. I simply was sharing ancient knowledge that had been forgotten (Yao, 26). During my life in China, everyone was at war, and I saw many troubling things in humanity. This caused me to think and talk a lot about the proper way human beings should live their lives. I believed that if people acted according to these ancient principles, the wars and chaos would end (Ebrey, 42-3).

[[File:Confucius_The_teaching_Confucius_Portait_by_Wu_Daozi_Tang_Dynasty.jpg|250px|thumb|right|"The teaching Confucius" portrait by Wu Daozi. Photo of portrait by Louis le Grand. Click [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Confucius_Tang_Dynasty.jpg here] for original source.]]

The Ancient principles I taught include:

*The Golden Rule: “Do not unto others what you would not have done unto you” (Analects 15:23).
"Tzu-kung said, 'What I do not want others to do to me, I have no desire to do to others.' The Master said, 'Oh Ssu! You have not quite got to that point yet.'(Analects 5:11)"

*Filial Piety: This was a principle of hierarchical, mutual respect. It included five bonds: ruler to subject, father to son, husband to wife, elder brother to younger brother, and friend to friend (Runes, 338).
"Meng I Tzu asked about the treatment of parents. The Master said, 'Never disobey!' When Fan Ch'ih was driving his carriage for him, the Master said, 'Meng asked me about the treatment of parents and I said, Never disobey!' Fan Ch'ih said, 'In what sense did you mean it?' The Master said, 'While they are alive, serve them according to the ritual. When they die, bury them according to ritual and sacrifice to them according to ritual.'(Analects 2:5)"

*Ren or humanism: This was concern for the welfare of others or simply being humane (Runes, 338).
"One cultivates oneself so as to help other people. (Analects 14:45)"

*Zhong or Loyalty: This principle was mainly for loyalty towards a ruler. However, if the ruler does not follow the virtue of Ren, the people are not obligated to be loyal (Runes, 338).
"Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles. Then no friends would not be like yourself (all friends would be as loyal as yourself). If you make a mistake, do not be afraid to correct it. (Analects 1)"

*Li: This principle has many aspects. It is considered ancient ceremonial rites, but also acts as the basic rules of conduct in your everyday life (Ivanhoe, 1).
"Tzu-lu said, 'If the prince of Wei were waiting for you to come and administer his country for him, what would be your first measure?' The Master said, 'It would certainly be to correct language.' Tzu-lu said, 'Can I have heard you aright? Surely what you say has nothing to do with the matter. Why should language be corrected?' The Master said, 'Yu! How boorish you are! A gentleman, when things he does not understand are mentioned, should maintain an attitude of reserve. If language is incorrect, then what is said does not concord with what was meant; and if what is said does not concord with what was meant, what is to be done cannot be effected. If what is to be done cannot be effected, then rites and music will not flourish. If rites and music do not flourish, then mutilations and lesser punishments will go astray And if mutilations and lesser punishments go astray, then the people have nowhere to put hand or foot. Therefore the gentleman uses only such language as is proper for speech, and only speaks of what it would be proper to carry into effect. The gentleman, in what he says, leaves nothing to mere chance.'(Analects 13:3)"

*Junzi or Gentleman: The idea behind this principle is that anyone (regardless of social class) can become a Junzi if they conduct themselves morally and respectfully (Ivanhoe, 2).

"Tsai Yu asked saying, 'I take it a Good Man, even he were told that another Good Man were at the bottom of a well, would go to join him?' The Master said, 'Why would you think so? A gentleman can be broken but cannot be dented; may be deceived, but cannot be led astray.'(Analects 6:24)"

Most of my teachings focused on how peace can be obtained. Because of the tribulation I saw during my lifetime, I wanted to see peace for all. This is why so much of my teaching focused on being basically a good human. This is done through kindness and rituals. We need to treat each other as we want to be treated. We as humans truly must be concerned with the welfare of each other. All I really ask is that we treat each other as we wish to be treated. These are just a few examples of my Teachings, as I often taught based on my students needs and questions. This results in many ideas and teachings in ''The Analects'' (Beck).

==Creation and Versions of ''The Analects''==
Because I had so many students and followers, many versions of my teachings arose. Like I said before, I tailored my words to each student, and by doing so I caused many different thoughts to happen and be written down(Beck).At first there was no canonized version of ''The Analects'' because everyone just wrote as they saw fit and how they interpreted my sayings. Chapters in the Analects are grouped by individual themes instead of any real order, then the chapters are not arranged in any sort of way so as to carry a continuous stream of thought or idea. In fact, the sequence of the chapters could be said to be completely random, with the themes of adjacent chapters completely unrelated to each other. Themes recur repeatedly in different chapters, sometimes in the same wording or with small variations. This has led some to believe that the book was not written by a single individual, but was the collective effort of many. It is likely that the final editors of the Analects were likely disciples of Zengzi, one of my students.(www.cultural-china.com)

A version of ''The Analects,'' written on bamboo strips from before 55 BCE, was discovered in a tomb at Dingzhou/Dingxian in Hebei province in 1973 and published in 1997. Although fragmentary, the version could shed considerable light on the textual tradition of ''The Analects.''
Towards the late Western Han Dynasty, Zhang Yu, who was a teacher of Emperor Cheng, combined the Lu and Qi versions of Analects but kept to the number of chapters in the Lu Analects. Zhang's version then came to be known as the Marquis Zhang Analects, which is largely the version known today.(www.cultural-china.com)

[[File:versions.jpeg|250px|thumb|left|"Variations of ''The Analects''" Click [http://history.cultural-china.com/en/173H495H13120.html here] for original source.]]

Many scholars believe that the text was written and compiled within a century after my death (d.473 BC), causing it to be mainly by my first- and second- generation pupils. According to this traditional account, the work would have been written and completed sometime during the Warring States period (476 BC-221 BC). It is also believed that by the early Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) the book was widely known and transmitted throughout China in a somewhat complete version. Because no texts dated earlier than about 50 BC have been discovered, and because ''The Analects'' was not referred to by name in any existing source before the early Han dynasty, some scholars have proposed dates as late as 140 BCE for the text's compilation.(Els 21-23)

No matter how early ''The Analects'' existed, the complete form became finalized during the Han dynasty. According to the Han dynasty scholar Liu Xiang, there were two versions of the Analects that existed at the beginning of the Han dynasty: the "Lu version" and the "Qi version". The Lu version contained twenty chapters, and the Qi version contained twenty-two chapters. Of the twenty chapters that both versions had in common, the Lu version had more passages. Each version had its own masters and students, its own teachings. (Gardner 52-23)

Emperor Jing of Han (157-141 BC), discovered a third version (the "old text version") hidden in a wall of the home then believed to be mine. The home was in the process of being destroyed by King Gong of Lu (153-128 BC) in order to expand his palace. The new version did not contain the two extra chapters found in the Qi version, but rather it broke one chapter found in the Lu and Qi versions in two, so it had twenty-one chapters. There where other differences as well, such as the order of the chapters(Gardner 52-53). The "old text version" got its name because it was written in a earlier character system that not used since the Warring States period(Els 20). According to the Han dynasty scholar Huan Tan, the "old text version" had four hundred characters different from the Lu version, and it seriously differed from the Lu version in twenty-seven places. Of these twenty-seven differences, the Lu only agrees with the old text version in two places(Whaley 24).
[[File:ver1.jpeg|250px|thumb|left|"Modern Variation of ''The Analects''" Click [http://ecimages.kobobooks.com/Image.ashx?imageID=oghMHGfImUGS-k_9FwMRJg&Type=Full here] for original source.]]

Over a century later, a scholar of ''The Analects'' for Emperor Cheng of Han, Zhang Yu, synthesized the Lu and Qi versions by taking the Lu version as authoritative and selectively adding sections from the Qi. This ened up producing a composite text of ''The Analects'' known as the "Zhang Hou Lun". This text soon was recognized by Zhang Yu's contemporaries and by Han scholars as superior to either individual version. This combined version is the text that is recognized as the Analects today(Gardner 15-6). There are no remaining complete copies of either the Lu version, the Qi version, or the "old text version" (Els 20).[[File:ver 3.jpeg|250px|thumb|right|"Modern Variation of ''The Analects''" Click [http://img.alibaba.com/wsphoto/v0/489809236/Confucius-Lun-Yu-China-s-ancient-art-The-Analects-of-Confucius-History-of-Ancient-China-chinese.jpg here] for original source.]]

The oldest existing copy of ''The Analects'' known to scholars was found in the "Stone Classics of the Xinping Era", a copy of the Confucian classics written in stone. They are believed to have been written in the old Eastern Han dynasty capital of Luoyang around 175 AD. These were discovered in the late 20th Century. Archaeologists have since discovered two handwritten copies of ''The Analects'' that were written around 50 BCE, during the Western Han dynasty. They are known as the "Dingzhou Analects", and the "Pyongyang Analects", after the location of the tombs in which they were found. The Dingzhou Analects were discovered in 1973, but no transcription of its contents was published until 1997. The Pyongyang Analects were discovered in 1992, but their Academic access has been highly restricted, and no academic study on it was published until 2009(Els 1-2).

All of these variations of the ''Analects'' have lead to what is commonly used now. The important part of ''The Analects'' is how individual its teachings are and how it effects each of its students. In today' world there are even more variations emerging in response to changes in society. There is a surge of new translations and interpretations.

== My Teaching Philosophy ==

I never turned away a student. I am willing to teach whoever is willing to learn and has a willing heart. I always considered myself a teacher and worked as diligently as I could to instruct my students. I have said:
"...From the very poorest upwards - beginning even with the man who could bring no better present than a bundle of dried flesh - none has ever come to me without receiving instruction.(Analects 7:7)"

This is in part because of how I taught. If you look at my words, often they were taught in the form of a question or in statements that inspire thought. The main requirement to study is a desire to learn, although I did accept pay or gifts in order to live and survive(Beck). I never set myself up as a man of wisdom. No matter how humble the student may have been, I was ready and willing to discuss the issue on its own terms; thus anyone in the world could become a fellow learner with me because of my openness(Beck). "But if even a simple peasant comes in all sincerity and asks me a question, I am ready to thrash the matter out,with all its pros and cons, to the very end.(Analects 9:7)"
[[File:woodblock.JPEG|250px|thumb|right|"Woodblock print of Confucius teaching at the Apricot Tree Forum" Click [http://www.silkqin.com/04qart/16xltq/034xt.htm here] for original source.]]

My teaching style was always meant to inspire and cultivate thought. That is why I was was willing to teach all those possible. But the student had to be willing to learn. I will not teach a lazy student. "I do not enlighten those who are not eager to learn,nor arouse those who are not anxious, to give an explanation themselves.If I have presented one corner of the square and they cannot come back to me with the other three, I should not go over the points again. (Analects 7:8)" If a student was unwilling to learn, what was the point of teaching them? No one would gain a higher knowledge through this(Beck). "No matter how much one knows, there is always more to learn; and no matter how advanced one becomes, there is always room for improvement.(Beck)" Knowledge is to be sought after continually and wholeheartedly. One must always be seeking to improve their knowledge. I have often said "Learn as if you were following someone you could not catch up to, as though it were someone you were frightened of losing.(Analects 8:17)"

Knowing my students individually was also important to my teaching style. Once I understood the character of my students, then I was able to individualize their teaching for the good of each person. For example, Zilu and Ran Qiu both became important in government; yet they had to be handled them in opposite ways if each was to improve. Zilu once asked whether one should put a maxim into practice as soon as he heard it. I pointed out that Zilu's father and elder brother were still alive, and he asked me how could he apply it immediately. Yet when Ran Qiu asked exactly the same question, Confucius told him that one should immediately put it into practice. A third student who had heard both conversations became confused and asked for an explanation(Beck). My answer? "Qiu is retiring and slow; so I urged him on. Yu tends to be fanatical; so I held him back.(Analects 11:21)"

== References ==

Ebrey, Patrica Buckley. "The Cambridge Illustrated History of China". New York, Cambridge University Press, 2010, 2d ed.

Riegel, Jeffrey, "Confucius", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2012 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL = <http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2012/entries/confucius/>. Accessed April 18, 2012

Dubs, Homer H. “Confucius: His Life and Teaching.” '' Philosophy.'' Jan. 1951: pp. 30-36. Print.

Ming Dong, Gu. "Everyone's Confucius, All Readers' Analects." ''Journal Of Chinese Philosophy'' 37.1 (2010): 34-47. Academic Search Premier. Web. 12 Feb. 2013.

“Confucius- Biography.” ''The European Graduate School.'' EGS. n.d. Web. 9 Feb. 2013 URL= <http://www.egs.edu/library/confucius/biography/>

Chin, Ann-ping. "The authentic Confucius: A life of thought and politics." New York: Scribner, 2007. Print.

Creel, Herrlee Glessner. "Confucius: The man and the myth." New York: John Day Company, 1949. Print.

Phan, Peter. "Catholicism and Confucianism: An Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue." New York: Oxford University Press, 2012. Print.

Beck, Sanderson. "How Confucius Taught." '' CONFUCIUS AND SOCRATES Teaching Wisdom. '' WPC, 2006. 26 Feb. 2013. Web URL=<http://www.san.beck.org/CONFUCIUS3-How.html>

Ivanhoe, Philip. "Readings In Classical Chinese Philosophy." New York: Seven Bridges Press, 2001. Print.

Yao, Xinzhong. "An introduction to Confucianism." New York: Cambridge University Press, 2000. Print.

Legge, James. THE CHINESE CLASSICS (CONFUCIAN ANALECTS). 2002. Project Gutenburg. Web. 26 Feb 2013. URL = <http://www.gutenberg.org/catalog/world/readfile?fk_files=1451946&pageno=1>.

Gardner, Daniel K. Zhu Xi's Reading of the Analects: Canon, Commentary, and the Classical Tradition. New York: Columbia University Press. 2003. Print.

Els, Paul van. "Confucius' sayings entombed: On Two Han Dynasty Analects Manuscripts". Analects Studies. Leiden: Brill. 2012. Web. 27 Feb 2013

Waley, Arthur. "Terms". In The Analects of Confucius. Trans. Arthur Waley. New York: Vintage Books. 1938.

"History and Versions of the Analects of Confucius." Cultural China. 2010. Web. 27 Feb 2013. URL= <http://history.cultural-china.com/en/173H495H13120.html>

Runes, Dagobert D. "Dictionary of Philosophy." New York: Kessinger Publishing, 2006. Print

Fisher, Mary Pat. "Living Religions: Eastern Traditions." New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc., 2003. Print.

== Powerpoint presentations for classroom use ==

*Confucius_by_Loren_S.pptx ([[Media:Confucius1.ppt]] and [[Media:Confucius2.ppt]])
*Confucius_by_Tara_F.pptx ([[Media:Confucius and the Analects.pptx]])