The following links will help you gather information on the world religion you are researching.  If you scroll down to the bottom of the page you will find a copy of the assignment and essay outline.

RESEARCH ESSAY ASSIGNMENT

ASSIGNMENT:  You will choose a major world religion from the list below and spend the next few weeks researching your topic.  You will use all of the research you gather to write a research essay.  All of the researching and writing will be done in class.  However, you are more than welcome to do extra research outside of class.  You will be using books, encyclopedias, and the Internet to gather all of your research information.

STEP ONE:  CHOOSING A WORLD RELIGION

STEP TWO:  RESEARCHING

1. You will be given forms that you will use to take notes as you research through books, encyclopedias, and on the Internet.  These forms will be worth a lot of points for your unit folder grade.  Be careful not to loose them.
2. You will need to find information on the following topics:

& History/Background of your religion

& The country where the religion originated

& Influential people in the religion

& Practices of the religion

& Traditions and holidays of the religion

3. In order to research on the Internet, you will need to return an Acceptable Use Policy signed by you and your parent.

STEP THREE:  WRITING

We will be writing the essay together in class.  You will be required to follow the outline structure given to you.

STEP FOUR:  PRESENTING

After we have finished the essays, you will present the information you learned to the class in the form of an oral presentation.  We will discuss the format, time limit, and grading procedures for this later.

MASTER OUTLINE FOR RESEARCH ESSAY

I.  Introduction Paragraph

1. Catchy opening (5-6 sentences long)
2. Thesis statement:  In order to better understand    (religion)   , the historical background, country of origin, influential people, practices, and traditions of     (religion)     must be considered.

II.  Topic sentence:  The history and place of origin of    (religion)    is important in understanding its development and presence in our world. 

1. Fact sentence #1:  When did the religion begin to be practiced?
2. Detail/Explanation sentence about fact #1
3. Fact #2:  How did it begin?
4. Detail/Explanation sentence about fact #2
5. Fact #3:  Where (what country) did this religion begin?
6. Detail/Explanation sentence about fact #3 (maybe talk about where it is present today)
7. Fact #4:  Quote about the history or place of origin
8. Detail/Explanation sentence about the quote

III. Topic sentence:  There are many people who have influenced the growth of    (religion).

1. Fact sentence #1:  Mention 1 influential person.
2. Detail/Explanation about fact #1
3. Fact #2:  Discuss another influential person.
4. Detail/Explanation about fact #2
5. Fact #3:  Discuss the leaders of the religion.  Do they have priests, pastors, monks, clergymen, etc.?
6. Detail/Explanation about fact #3
7. Fact #4:  Quote about the influential people.
8. Detail/Explanation about quote/fact #4

  IV. Topic sentence:  There are certain activities that    (people of the religion)    practice.

1. Fact #1: Give one of their practices.
2. Detail/Explanation about fact #1
3. Fact #2: Give another one of their practices.
4. Detail/Explanation about fact #2
5. Fact #3: Give another one of their practices.
6. Detail/Explanation about fact #3
7. Fact #4: Give another one of their practices or a quote about their practices.
8. Detail/Explanation about fact #4

  V. Topic sentence:  There are specific holidays and traditions that     (people of the religion)     )    observe and practice.

1. Fact #1:  Discuss one of the holidays.
2. Detail/Explanation about fact #1
3. Fact #2:  Discuss a different holiday.
4. Detail/Explanation about fact #2
5. Fact #3:  Discuss a different holiday.
6. Detail/Explanation about fact #3
7. Fact #4: Quote about a holiday.
8. Detail/Explanation about fact #4

  VI. Conclusion topic sentence:                , there are many components to    (religion)   .

1. Discuss something you found to be the most interesting, unique, or surprising thing you learned about the religion you researched.
2. Explain/Give more detail about sentence A.
3. Discuss something you think would be difficult for you to practice or believe about this religion. 
4. Detail/Explanation about sentence C.
5. Final concluding sentence (final thought/last comment-make it powerful!)