: Because humans often have blind spots regarding their own flaws, only an honest "admonishing friend" can provide the deep truths necessary for self-growth.
: In ancient Chinese political texts (e.g., the Annals of Master Yan ), a lower-ranking official would admonish a ruler. This was dangerous because it threatened the "face" of a more powerful person. admonisher
: Admonishment is a "paradoxical pragmatic behavior". : Because humans often have blind spots regarding
: For Astell, a "true friend" is essentially an admonisher. : Admonishment is a "paradoxical pragmatic behavior"
: Define the act of admonishing and present your thesis (e.g., admonishment as an act of love vs. an act of political duty).
Regardless of the angle you choose, a professional paper should follow this standard structure:
: The journal Pragmatics offers a detailed study on Ancient Chinese Admonishment . 3. Structural Guidelines for Your Paper