Dr. Afxendiou Sachem North High School THEMATIC ESSAY

The Question Choose two religions from your study of global history and geography. For each religion:  Describe two basic beliefs of the religion.  Explain how each religion affected society. WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO WRITE ABOUT?

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH – 4 points RUBRIC: Names the religions to be discussed Introduces the key beliefs Introduces the effects Is well written WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO INCLUDE IN YOUR INTRODUCTION?

HOW MANY POINTS DOES THIS INTRODUCTION GET? Two religions that had a major effect on society were Buddhism and Hinduism. Hindus firmly believed in the caste system and that the only way to move up was through reincarnation. Buddhists on the other hand believed all souls were equal and that the only way to achieve Nirvana was through meditation.

HOW MANY POINTS DOES THIS INTRODUCTION GET? Religion, in some societies, aided in shaping culture and government. Prime examples of this are Confucianism and Islam and how they affected the world.

HOW MANY POINTS DOES THIS INTRODUCTION GET? Almost all basic beliefs affected society in some way. Two beliefs that affected society were Hinduism and Confucianism. These beliefs have a different way of life.

HOW MANY POINTS DOES THIS INTRODUCTION GET? The two belief systems, Buddhism and Confucianism have key beliefs that affected society in different ways. Buddhism had the key beliefs of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. These affected society because Buddhism challenged the caste system in India. Confucianism had the key beliefs of filial piety and the Five Relationships. Confucianism affected society because the civil service exams were based on its teachings and results were based on how well you knew Confucianism.

Body Paragraphs (18 points) Minimum of 2 paragraphs (one point per paragraph, maximum of 4 points) Each paragraph has a topic sentence (one point per paragraph, maximum of 4 points) Each topic has at least three supporting sentences of facts (6 points) Are well written (one point per paragraph, maximum of 4 points)

Minimum of 2 paragraphs (one point per paragraph, maximum of 4 points) If you wrote only 2 paragraphs, to get the full 4 points you had to either A) Write one paragraph on each religion discussing both, key beliefs and one effect B) Write one paragraph on the beliefs of the two religions and one paragraph on the effect each religion had on its society

Each paragraph has a topic sentence (1 point per paragraph, max. 4 points) If you wrote two paragraphs that fit the description in the previous slide then you may get the full points.

Does this paragraph have a topic sentence? Hinduism is a religion that believes in reincarnation, karma and moksha. Reincarnation is the cycle one person goes through when they pass away. If a person is born as a peasant in the caste system but has good karma, when they die they will be placed higher in the caste system when they return to earth. If a person has bad kharma they will be placed lower in the caste system. This cycle will go on until a person reaches moksha and unites with Brahman.

Does this paragraph have a topic sentence? Hinduism has many key beliefs. Hinduism has no founder and is the main religion in India today. Hinduism believes in the caste system. In Hinduism the goal is to become one with the Brahmin. Hinduism believes that if you have good karma and you make your way to the top of the caste system through the cycle of rebirth, you will achieve moksha. Moksha is the ultimate goal of Hinduism. HOW CAN WE FIX THIS PARAGRAPH?

How is this paragraph? Hinduism affected society in a variety of ways. The main way in which Hinduism affected society was through the caste system. The caste system is a major part of life in India. It determines what your job is, who you will marry and where you live. The caste system is a very strict social class system and it is based on birth.

Conclusion (2 points) Summarizes what was said in the essay BUT is not the same as the introduction Is well written WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE CONCLUSION?

Is this an acceptable conclusion? Christianity and Hinduism are two religions that have many followers today. All in all, Christianity and Hinduism had many key beliefs and they affected society in a variety of ways.

Is this an acceptable conclusion? In sum, Legalism and Daoism had many key beliefs. Legalists believe that people are naturally evil, as well as in guilt by association. Legalists affected their society by imposing strict laws and harsh punishments in an attempt to keep people in order. Daoists believe in the Dao and yin and yang. Daoists reject the emperor and his laws as unnatural.

Is this an acceptable conclusion? In conclusion, Buddhism and Confucianism both had key beliefs that affected society in different ways. Buddhism’s key beliefs affected social classes and Confucianism’s key beleifs affected society with civil service exams.

How do you raise your grade? RE-WRITE!!! 1. Read my comments. 2. Read the rubric. 3. Try to earn one point at a time. 4. Even if you rewrite and gain 1 more point, your grade may go up.

Re-write rules. 1. All re-writing must be done in school, during extra help 9 th period or during your lunch period. 2. No re-write will be accepted without the original essay. 3. Original essay must be stapled to the back of the new essay. PAY ATTENTION TO THE RULES. THEY WILL BE ENFORCED!