WORLD RELIGION DBQ Essay Writing Tips and How-To

ESSAY TOPIC Step One: Read the Essay Question, then brainstorm how you would approach the essay with no further information. Step One: Read the Essay Question, then brainstorm how you would approach the essay with no further information. Question/Task: Compare/Contrast any TWO of the Major World Religions Question/Task: Compare/Contrast any TWO of the Major World Religions Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam

STEP TWO Read/Analyze each document carefully, taking notes as you read and answering the questions below each document to assist your analysis. Read/Analyze each document carefully, taking notes as you read and answering the questions below each document to assist your analysis.

STEP 3 Finalize which religions you will compare/contrast Finalize which religions you will compare/contrast Decide which documents will be useful to you in your essay. Decide which documents will be useful to you in your essay. Formulate a thesis Formulate a thesis Begin writing! Begin writing!

OUTLINE I. Intro I. Intro 4-6 sentences with thesis statement at then end. 4-6 sentences with thesis statement at then end. Thesis is one sentence which directly answers the question and informs the reader what your essay will be about. Thesis is one sentence which directly answers the question and informs the reader what your essay will be about. Do NOT say “This essay will be about…” or anything similar to that Do NOT say “This essay will be about…” or anything similar to that Your intro should give historical context, background and basic information which will be explained in greater detail in the body paragraphs. Your intro should give historical context, background and basic information which will be explained in greater detail in the body paragraphs. Do NOT use quotes or documents in the Intro – save the good stuff for the body! Do NOT use quotes or documents in the Intro – save the good stuff for the body! Do NOT begin with a clever question. Do NOT begin with a clever question.

BODY PARAGRAPHS 2-3 Body Paragraphs 2-3 Body Paragraphs 8-12 sentences comparing and contrasting two of the World Religions sentences comparing and contrasting two of the World Religions. Incorporate a minimum of 3 Documents to prove your point. Incorporate a minimum of 3 Documents to prove your point. How to use and cite documents correctly: How to use and cite documents correctly: 1. Begin by introducing the Source (author, text, book, speech, year, etc…) 1. Begin by introducing the Source (author, text, book, speech, year, etc…) 2. The use the quote or paraphrase. At the end of the sentence in parentheses cite the document number (Document 1). 2. The use the quote or paraphrase. At the end of the sentence in parentheses cite the document number (Document 1). 3. Comment about the document you just quoted. 3. Comment about the document you just quoted.

USING DOCUMENTS EXAMPLE Example One: Example One: A common theme between Christianity and Judaism is the belief in God’s law as handed down to prophets such as Moses. The Jewish Torah and the Christian Bible include a series of these laws such as the Ten Commandments which include “Thou shalt have no other God and Thou shalt not covet” (document 1). This similarity often forgotten in the modern teachings of these religions in both Christian Church’s and Jewish Synagogues sets an important foundation for moral guidance. A common theme between Christianity and Judaism is the belief in God’s law as handed down to prophets such as Moses. The Jewish Torah and the Christian Bible include a series of these laws such as the Ten Commandments which include “Thou shalt have no other God and Thou shalt not covet” (document 1). This similarity often forgotten in the modern teachings of these religions in both Christian Church’s and Jewish Synagogues sets an important foundation for moral guidance. Example Two: Example Two: Excerpts from the Bhagavad Gita eloquently illustrate the Hindu and Buddhist concept of reincarnation. In a conversation between Krishna, a popular Hindu God and Arjuna, a warrior about to go into battle, the God tells Arjuna, “…the embodied self. Casting off old bodies, goes on to others and new ones” (doc. 2). Even though this example is of a Hindu text, both Buddhists and Hindus share this principle assertion in the soul having lived many lives. Excerpts from the Bhagavad Gita eloquently illustrate the Hindu and Buddhist concept of reincarnation. In a conversation between Krishna, a popular Hindu God and Arjuna, a warrior about to go into battle, the God tells Arjuna, “…the embodied self. Casting off old bodies, goes on to others and new ones” (doc. 2). Even though this example is of a Hindu text, both Buddhists and Hindus share this principle assertion in the soul having lived many lives.

CONCLUSION Conclusion Conclusion 4-6 sentences summarizing main points and restating thesis at the end. No new information should be presented here. 4-6 sentences summarizing main points and restating thesis at the end. No new information should be presented here.

DO NOTS Do NOT use abbreviations Do NOT use abbreviations Do NOT use contractions (can’t, won’t, etc…) Do NOT use contractions (can’t, won’t, etc…) Do NOT use slang language Do NOT use slang language Do NOT use anything other than 3 rd person Do NOT use anything other than 3 rd person Do NOT use a flowery opening sentence or question. Do NOT use a flowery opening sentence or question. Do NOT introduce a document passage by saying “In Document 2…” Do NOT introduce a document passage by saying “In Document 2…” Instead use the author, title or person. See example below Instead use the author, title or person. See example below