Name __________________________________________
Instructor _______________________________________
Social Studies Period __________
Date ___________________________________________
Religion Writing Assignment: Pre-Write and Planning
Directions: To assess your knowledge on the framework we are using to look at religion this
school year, you will use your creativity and informative writing skills to compose a multiparagraph essay on fictional polytheistic religion.
You are a famous anthropologist that specializes in the religion of ancient civilizations. While
researching in North Africa and Southwest Asia, you uncover artifacts regarding an ancient,
undiscovered faith that existed over 5,000 years ago. Discovering information on this religion
has been your life’s work. After years of research, you are now ready to present information
on this religion to the world.
Pre-Write/Planning
Before you begin writing about this fictional religion, you must plan out the characteristics and
beliefs behind the faith. Again, we will be using the framework we’ve established in class to
accomplish this goal. Your informative piece must include the following:
6 Characteristics
1) Deities – Remember, this is a
polytheistic religion. Who are the deities and
what are they gods/goddesses of?
2) Followers – How many followers were
there? What were the followers called? Were
there different groups of followers?
3) Scripture – What was the holy writing
called? What did it look like? Why was it
important?
4) Clergy – Who are the religious leaders?
What were they called? Are there any special
requirements to be a part of this?
5) Individual/Group Worship – What does
prayer look like? What does group worship
look like? What are the special holidays and
what goes on during these days?
6) Holy places – Where was this religion
practiced (remember: this is based out of SW
Asia & N Africa)? What were the local places
of worship called? What did they look like?
BIG Questions
1) How did we get here? – What is the belief
in the creation of the Universe and all life in
it?
2) How should we act? – What are the
beliefs on right and wrong and how are they
taught? Are there rules on how to dress, eat,
etc.? If so, what are they?
3) What happens after we die? – What is
the belief on what happens after death? Is
there “something” after? If so, what?
Directions: Use the organizer below to brainstorm some ideas about your religion. Be creative
and detailed.
6 Characteristics
Characteristic
Brainstorming
1) Deities – Remember,
this is a polytheistic
religion. Who are the
deities and what are they
gods/goddesses of?
2) Followers – How many
followers were there?
What were the followers
called? Were there
different groups of
followers?
3) Scripture – What was
the holy writing called?
What did it look like? Why
was it important?
4) Clergy – Who are the
religious leaders? What
were they called? Are
there any special
requirements to be a part
of this?
5) Individual/Group
Worship – What does
prayer look like? What
does group worship look
like? What are the special
holidays and what goes on
during these days?
6) Holy places – Where
was this religion practiced
(remember: this is based
out of SW Asia & N
Africa)? What were the
local places of worship
called? What did they look
like?
BIG Questions
BIG Questions
1) How did we get here?
– What is the belief in the
creation of the Universe
and all life in it?
2) How should we act? –
What are the beliefs on
right and wrong and how
are they taught? Are there
rules on how to dress, eat,
etc.? If so, what are they?
3) What happens after we
die? – What is the belief
on what happens after
death? Is there
“something” after? If so,
what?
Brainstorming