Ms.

Cannistraci
Date:______

Name:_______________

You must complete one of the following essays on belief systems. You may
choose whichever one you wish. When you answer the essay please circle the
essay you chose to answer.
Please remember to review the rubric.

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

A belief system is an established, orderly way that groups or individuals look at
religious faith or philosophical principles. These systems have often affected
politics, society, and the economy in the nations or regions in which they are
practiced.
Task:
Select two belief systems from your study of global history and for each
Explain one major idea of the belief system
Discuss the effects the belief system has had on the politics, society, and/or
the economy of a specific nation or region
You may use any belief systems from your study of global history. Some
suggestions you
might wish to consider include Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Daoism,
Hinduism,
Islam, and Judaism.
You are not limited to these suggestions.
Do not use the United States as the specific nation or region in your response.
THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION

Theme: Belief Systems

The world has many different belief systems. Each is distinctive, but all greatly
influenced the lives of their followers and the society in which the belief system
was practiced.

Task:
Choose two major belief systems and for each
Explain key beliefs and/or practices
Discuss an influence the belief system had on the lives of its followers or the
society in which it was practiced
You may use any example from your study of global history. Some suggestions
you might
wish to consider include animism, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Daoism,
Islam,
Judaism, legalism, and Shinto.
You are not limited to these suggestions.
Do not use the United States as the focus of your answer.

Revised Generic Scoring Rubric - Appendix A

Appendix A: Revised Thematic Essay Generic Scoring Rubric (February 2004)
Score of 5:

Thoroughly develops all aspects of the task evenly and in depth

Is more analytical than descriptive (analyzes, evaluates, and/or creates* information)
Richly supports the theme with many relevant facts, examples, and details
Demonstrates a logical and clear plan of organization; includes an introduction and a
conclusion that are beyond a restatement of the theme

Score of 4:

Develops all aspects of the task but may do so somewhat unevenly

Is both descriptive and analytical (applies, analyzes, evaluates, and/or creates
information)
Supports the theme with relevant facts, examples, and details
Demonstrates a logical and clear plan of organization; includes an introduction and a
conclusion that are beyond a restatement of the theme

Score of 3:

Develops all aspects of the task with little depth or develops most aspects of the task in
some depth
Is more descriptive than analytical (applies, may analyze, and/or evaluate information)
Includes some relevant facts, examples, and details; may include some minor
inaccuracies

Demonstrates a satisfactory plan of organization; includes an introduction and a

conclusion that may be a restatement of the theme

Score of 2:

Minimally develops all aspects of the task or develops some aspects of the task in some
depth
Is primarily descriptive; may include faulty, weak, or isolated application or analysis
Includes few relevant facts, examples, and details; may include some inaccuracies
Demonstrates a general plan of organization; may lack focus; may contain digressions;
may not clearly identify which aspect of the task is being addressed; may lack an
introduction and/or a conclusion

Score of 1:

Minimally develops some aspects of the task

Is descriptive; may lack understanding, application, or analysis
Includes few relevant facts, examples, or details; may include inaccuracies
May demonstrate a weakness in organization; may lack focus; may contain digressions;
may not clearly identify which aspect of the task is being addressed; may lack an
introduction and/or a conclusion

Score of 0:

Fails to develop the task or may only refer to the theme in a general way; OR includes no
relevant facts, examples, or details; OR includes only the theme, task, or suggestions as
copied from the test booklet; OR is illegible; OR is a blank paper

* The term create as used by Anderson/Krathwohl, et al. in their 2001 revision of Blooms
Taxonomy of Educational Objectives refers to the highest level of the cognitive domain. This
usage of create is similar to Blooms use of the term synthesis. Creating implies an insightful
reorganization of information into a new pattern or whole. While a level 5 paper will contain
analysis and/or evaluation of information, a very strong paper may also include examples of
creating information as defined by Anderson and Krathwohl.

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