Comparing/Contrasting Religions

Write a formal essay using the seven rubrics developed by Young (The World’s Religions) for comparing/contrasting religions, first introduced on pp. 15-16.  (Note:  the “seven comparative rubrics” are the seven questions Young poses as he studies each religion.) 

What does it mean to be human?

What is the Basic Human Problem?

What is the Cause of the Problem?

What is the End Goal of Transformation?

What are the Means of Transformation?

What is the Nature of Reality?

What is the Sacred, and How May the Sacred be Known?

This essay is to compare/contrast the worldviews of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The essay should be approximately 5 to 6 typed, double-spaced pages in length and must follow the guidelines for formal essays noted below. Although this is not a formal research paper (i.e., the essay is expected to reflect the required readings/videos only), the student is expected to document statements where appropriate, using MLA or APA style.

Writing Standard and Grading Rubric

1. Ideas/Content

· addresses the writing prompt/assignment

· insightful, creative, original, and comprehensive

· reflects critical thinking

· Organization

· logical and coherent

· proceeds from a sharply focused thesis

· contains an introduction and a conclusion

· Balance

· acknowledges/presents conflicting viewpoints fairly

· Assertions

· supports major points with strong arguments and/or reliable authorities (citations)

· Writing Style

· clear, concise, and energetic

· smooth transitions between paragraphs and major ideas

· variety of sentence style and length

· rich vocabulary and appropriate word choice

· academic tone

· Mechanics

· correct grammar, syntax, punctuation, and spelling

· correct form (MLA or APA style)

Special notes

1. Use inclusive language.

2. Write in the third person; first person singular is permissible if used appropriately (e.g., when the student is stating her/his personal position).

3. Do not use contractions or non-standard abbreviations.

4. Avoid the imperative mood.

5. Use a standard font of readable size (e.g., Times New Roman, 12 point)

6. Use a one-inch margin for all margins. Do not justify the right margin.

7. Double space the paper. Do not triple space between paragraphs or after the title or headings.

8. When appropriate, the use of headings for subdivisions is encouraged.

9. Number the pages consecutively, except for the first page, in the upper right-hand corner (i.e., last name followed by a space followed by the page number in Arabic numerals).

10. If you use endnotes, include the Notes page as a separate page before the Works Cited page.