Essay – Compare and contrast wedding traditions

PART 1: Choosing your topic area:

Write your answers to the questions in the boxes provided. You may find that some answers overlap. Try to answer as many questions as possible. Your answers should reflect some depth/breadth of knowledge on your topic area, and should be precise.

Fill out the Google doc link and make sure there are no other students working on the same topic.
Link:

Write your topic here:
Wedding traditions

What two cultures are you comparing?

American culture
Chinese culture

⦁ Identification of the topic
⦁ What is the significance of the topic? Why is your topic important?
⦁ Why did you choose this topic?
⦁ What do you want the readers to learn about this topic?
⦁ Does this topic have an impact on the environment/human life-style/society/health of people/animals?

Weddings are ceremonies that signify the start of a marriage. Weddings are essential since they form the basis of a family, which is the basic unit of society. Despite the different portrayal of marriage in different cultures, it involves exchanging vows between a bride and a groom and an initiation into family life. Interestingly, marriage customs can be subjected to change concerning human society development and civilization of human beings. Notably, weddings portray the start of marriage between persons. Moreover, marriage is perceived as an indispensable and vital aspect of an individual’s life since time in the past. Therefore wedding traditions are different and similar in various ways in the USA and China.

⦁ Identification of the audience

In this part, think of a magazine/ newspaper/blog/ etc. you would like to publish this writing (write the name).
Consider the age, gender, language, culture, level of education, economic class, geographic location, and/or other circumstances of your audience.

⦁ Who would you like to read your paper?
⦁ Why do you want to address this group?
⦁ Are there any cultural sensitivities you should consider?
⦁ How much does your audience already know about the topic?
⦁ Who do you want to read your paper?

With the rise of divorce rates in American society, weddings are considered insignificant among newlyweds in America. Through comparing wedding ceremonies of American to Chinese culture, the American society can learn the significance of these ceremonies. Although Chinese weddings are not extravagant, they are highly traditional by observing the culture with patience highlighted. For instance, newlyweds are the last to leave the ceremony, with modern practices like honeymoons being frowned upon. Besides, most American weddings are lavish, featuring luxurious cars, fancy dressing, and a high budget. Despite the differences, marriage in different cultures is considered the start of marriage between a bride and a groom as an indispensable and vital aspect of an individual’s life. Therefore, American society should read about the difference between American and Chinese weddings.

⦁ Purpose –These questions will help you find a thesis statement:
⦁ What is your aim/purpose in writing about this topic and what is your position? Why do you want to compare these two cultures?
⦁ What is your point of view about this topic?
⦁ What is the message you want to convey to your audience?
⦁ Who would you want to influence with your writing? (e.g. people who drive, newlywed couples, parents of teenagers, fathers, etc.)

Wedding ceremonies in different cultures worldwide have the primary purpose of joining two people together, and both commit their lives together irrespective of what the future holds. Remarkably, marriage through weddings is socially recognized with implicitness of procreation, cultural identity, sexual relations, and permanent relationships. In contemporary times, marriages signified with wedding ceremonies play significant roles in the lives of spouses. Besides, marriage is an institution for enculturation and care for children, creating a channel through which spouses meet their needs and regulating sexual behaviors. However, in the past, marriages were used to signify strong relationships between families, honor, and social classes. In essence, marriage is an important institution that should be respected and honored.

PART 3: Choosing an article/articles:

Find two article about your topic. One for each culture/country. Use the reliable source checklist.

⦁ Selecting articles about your choice of topic area
⦁ Did you use the Library online database while searching for an article?
⦁ Did you use a search engine (e.g. Google) to find an article?
⦁ What is the significance of this article? Why did you choose this article?
⦁ Is this article from a reliable source?
⦁ Who is the author? What information did you find about the author?