by First of all, let’s clearly define what a religious essay is. First of all, the essay in religious studies is a short piece of writing focused on the topics of philosophy, religion, sociology, or literature. The document contains the author’s points of view, some background info, as well as generalizations of the chosen topic. An essay on religion that deserves an A+ must be well-structured, coherent, clear, reasoned, as well as based on in-depth research. Below, we offer some of the simplest tips and tricks on how to craft a quality piece like a pro.
Mind the Structure
The correct structure of the essay on the topic in the field of religion is the key to the desired grade.
- Begin with the intro of the essay. It is recommended to include some hooking and controversial argument in order to attract your readers. Feel free to put forward some background information in the opening paragraph to inform your readers on the topic. Before you decide to include any sort of information here, ensure that it actually fits into the context. Your thesis statement is the core of your essay and should be provided at the end of the introductory paragraph.
- Substantiate the thesis statement. You can do that by including and developing your line of reasoning. At this point, the author must be apt, informative, and clear. It is recommended to choose 3-5 sound and solid arguments that are suitable to the religious discourse. List all the examples so that they appear in a logical order – from the weakest to the strongest point. Thus, your readers won’t feel lost in the process of reading and stay interested in the text until the last dot.
- One of the main reasons why your conclusion matters is that your readers, at times, tend to skip all the rest and start with the concluding part to see if it appeals to them. In other words, your final paragraph must be as concise and hooking as your introduction. In your conclusion, you have to list your key points and reiterate your thesis.
Choose the Topic You’re Passionate About
The key to writing an interesting essay on religion is picking an inspiring topic. Since this field of study is an interdisciplinary niche that is related to loads of areas like history, philosophy, and anthropology, you will have a wide range of options to write about.
One of the best ways to choose the topic that rocks is by conducting in-depth research. The more you research, the more subjects you will find that inspire you. Besides, you will find a lot of trusted resources where you can take information on the chosen topic from.
To help you choose an attractive topic in religious studies, we’ve listed some of the topics that you’re welcome to discuss in your academic work:
- A comparison of Judaism and Christianity
- Why do you think God really exists?
- The key principles of Buddhism
- Countries where people believe in multiple gods
If you do some extra research online, you will find more lists of topics suitable for a religion essay.
Research Thoroughly & Brainstorm Ideas
A lot of students assigned with the task to write an essay in religious studies have found themselves in the situation of having zero ideas to write about. No need to worry! If you’re one of them, it’s time to google the assigned topic in order to scan materials available on the web. In the process, you will find relevant sources, become aware of the latest discoveries in the field, pin essential information, as well as combine all the materials in your piece. If you don’t know where your research session should start, check the websites like Early Church Texts where the primary texts of the church from the 1st to the 5th century are available. At the same time, you’re welcome to use Theological Perspectives of the Reformation which contains primary texts and translations of these primary texts. Buddhist eLibrary is at your service if you’re on the lookout for digital Buddhist educational materials.
Browse all the trusted sources to gather important information and start brainstorming. Thus, you will be able to benefit from the information available online and in printed resources more effectively.
Use Appropriate Terms
Every type of essay requires you to include appropriate terms. The point here is that terminology that you use may affect the general quality of your work. At the same time, if you fail to use religious terms, your professor may believe that you lack expertise in the niche.
To make sure your vocabulary includes all necessary terms, make certain to read as much as possible. The more religious resources you browse, the more terminology you will have in mind.
Finally, when writing an essay on religious studies, ensure to keep in mind that various religions tend to originate in cultures where people speak different languages. For that reason, you have to get the names of rituals and historical figures right. Find out how each is spelled correctly and never make assumptions about what this or that term means.
