Introduction To Analytical Writing

To demonstrate my ability to write analytically I have chosen pieces from the five seminars our class held based on the book, “Three Cup of Tea,” by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. The book is about a man who’s unexpected turn in his life’s path leads him to the remote Karakoram mountains in Pakistan where he eventually build schools for the children there.

The purpose of a seminar is to bring learners together to discuss and exchange ideas about the chosen material. To prepare for these seminars we were asked to pick specific passages and quotes in the book that were important to us or held specific value.An example of a quote that struck me,

Mouzafer and the korphe men were Shiite Muslims, along with Skardu residents Ghulam Parvi, and Makhmal the mason, Apo Razak, a refugee from Indian-occupied Kashmir, was a Sunni, as was Suleman. And the fiercely dignified body guard Faisal Baig belonged to the Islmaeli sect.” We all sat there laughing and sipping tea peacefully,”Mortensons says. “An infidel and representatives from three warring sects of Islam. And I thought if we can get along this well, we can accomplish anything. The British policy was ‘divide and conquer.’ But I say ‘unite and conquer”(Mortenson 189).

In doing this it is important to be able to understand what the author is saying, what it means and why it is important. These ideas, thoughts and meanings you choose are what you will share with your group and hopefully, together create some thought provoking conversations and critical thinking about the subject matter.