THEMATIC ESSAY
Dr. Afxendiou
Sachem North High School
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.
All re-writing must be done in school, during extra help
9th 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.
1.
PAY ATTENTION TO THE RULES.
THEY WILL BE ENFORCED!