1. Ms. Carr North Syracuse Junior High THEMATIC ESSAY

2. 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?

3. INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH – 4 points RUBRIC: Introduces religion and 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?

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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?

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. Re-write rules. 1.All re-writing must be done in school, stay after to re-write. 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!