THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION

Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several

paragraphs addressing the task

below, and a conclusion.

Theme: Belief Systems—Movements

Belief systems are an established, orderly way that groups or individuals look at religious faith or philosophical principles. Some belief systems have spread outside their places of origin. The diffusion of these belief systems has affected other societies and regions in various ways.

Task:

Select two belief systems that have spread outside their place of origin and for each :

• Discuss a central principle of this belief system

• Discuss how this belief system spread to another region

• Discuss an effect of the spread of this belief system on a society or

region

June 2015

You may use any belief system from your study of global history and

geography. Some suggestions you might wish to consider include:

Buddhism, Confucianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and

communism.

Additional Tips:

• You are not limited to these suggestions.

• Do not use the United States as a region to which a belief system has spread.

• Guidelines:

• In your essay, be sure to

• • Develop all aspects of the task

• • Support the theme with relevant facts, examples, and details

• • Use a logical and clear plan of organization, including an introduction and a conclusion that

• are beyond a restatement of the theme

June 2015

Tip #1: Depth and Analysis

• Do you remember when someone in your past told you that "it's not quantity, it's quality"? They lied. It's both which you need. You could answer a thematic essay in two sentences and be sort of correct ... but that doesn't mean you will get a good grade! You need to offer details ... DETAILS

Tip #2: Choose what you can write a

lot about! •

• I know it sounds obvious, but you really need to write about a topic you know very well. After the question, the Regents will offer you different options as to what you can write about (though you are not limited to their choices).

Tip #3: Answer every bullet equally!

•

• The question will give you 2-3 bullets to answer. If you write 10 pages on one bullet, and nothing on the others ... that's bad! Don't forget to answer every part.

Tip #4: Be Careful!

NOTE: You CAN NOT write about US History. For crying out loud!! Martin Luther was NOT Martin Luther King, Jr. Make sure you read the bold words under the question!

Tip # 5

Your essay must have an introduction and a conclusion!!

Sample Introduction

• Belief systems are established ways that people look at religious faith and philosophical priniciples. Two major beliefs systems that spread to other areas of the world are Christianity and Judaism. Through cultural diffusion, these two religions have had a great impact on many different areas of the world.

Copy Chart (Organize your thoughts)

Religion #1

Religion #2

1or 2 Major beliefs

How/Where the religion spread.

Impact of religion to new area of the world.

Sample Body Paragraph

One belief system that has spread outside of its place of origin is_______. One central principle of –(name of religion) is ----------------------------------. Another aspect/principle is-----------------------. (name of religion) began in -------------------- and spread to ----------------.Because –(name of religion)---- spread to -------------------------------it impacted/effected the region by-------------------.

Conclusion

• A conclusion borrows some material from the theme, and also repeats what was first stated in the introduction and proven in the body paragraphs.

How to Write an Effective Conclusion

• Step #1 Restate your theme.

• Step #2 Restate the subject(s)/topic(s) you have discussed in your body paragraph(s).

• Step #3 Give the reader one example from each of the tasks you completed in your body paragraphs.

• Step #4 Write a closing sentence that relates the importance to world history and/or people as it relates to the theme.

• TIP: The conclusion should start narrow and end broad (relate to world today, or people, or civilization as a whole)