Name
Monotheistic Religions Paragraph Assignment
DUE: Thursday, April 20th Period 3 & Friday, April 21st Periods 4, 5, and 7
LAB TIME: You will type the paragraph in class on April 20th periods 3 & 4, April 21st 5 & 7
Learning Objective: Demonstrate your understanding of the similarities and
differences among monotheistic world religions in a well-written paragraph. In your
well written paragraph, include a topic sentence, claim, evidence, commentary, and a
concluding sentence.
Sources for information to include in the paragraph:
•
•
•
•
Religions Comparison Chart
Venn Diagram of religion comparison
Other notes on Islam, Judaism & Christianity (My Life, My Religion Series).
Other knowledge learned about the religions in class
Prompt. We have been studying three of the world’s major monotheistic religions.
Using the sources of information above choose two religions to compare and contrast in
an argumentative paragraph. In your opinion are there more similarities than differences
or more differences than similarities? Explain your reasoning.
a. Christianity & Islam
b. Islam & Judaism
c. Judaism & Christianity
HONORS OR TO GET AN A: In your well written paragraph, complete the same task using all three
religions. Use the Venn Diagram with 3 circles.
Steps to completing this assignment:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Venn Diagram
Paragraph Planner
Rough Draft
Edit
Type Final Draft
What you need to turn in, in this order, with the final draft on top:
1.
2.
3.
4.
final draft of paragraph (top page)
final draft checklist/peer editing form & self-editing/revision form (same page)
paragraph planner
Venn diagram brainstorm
Please staple the papers together in the order above!
Name
Paragraph Planner ~ Comparing Two Religions
Topic Sentence – Here is a boring topic sentence. See if you can write a better one.
The monotheistic religions ______
_ and ________________ are both similar and different.
Write down your Point of Comparison #1 – for example: prayer, celebrations or rituals, rules about food, day of
worship, beliefs, etc.
Point of Comparison #1 – How are they the same?
Point of Comparison #1 – How are they different?
Write down your Point of Comparison #2 – for example: prayer, celebrations or rituals, rules about food, day of
worship, beliefs, etc.
Point of Comparison #2 – How are they the same?
Point of Comparison #2 – How are they different?
Write down your Point of Comparison #3 – for example: prayer, celebrations or rituals, rules about food, day of
worship, beliefs, etc.
Point of Comparison #3 – How are they the same?
Point of Comparison #3 – How are they different?
commentary sentence – Write at least one commentary sentence about the topic that gives your opinion.
Concluding Sentence – Here is a boring concluding sentence. See if you can write a better one.
It is clear that the religions of _______________ and _________________ are more similar than different.
Name
Paragraph Planner ~ Comparing Two Religions
Topic Sentence – Here is a boring topic sentence. See if you can write a better one.
The monotheistic religions __
Islam_ and ___Christianity__________ are both similar and different.
Write down your Point of Comparison #1 – for example: prayer, celebrations or rituals, rules about food, day of
worship, beliefs, etc.
Place of Worship
Point of Comparison #1 – How are they the same?
Point of Comparison #1 – How are they different?
Both Islam and Christianity
have a place for their followers to go
to worship God.
Conversely, Muslims worship
in a mosque and Christians worship in
a church.
Write down your Point of Comparison #2 – for example: prayer, celebrations or rituals, rules about food, day of
worship, beliefs, etc.
Prayer
Point of Comparison #2 – How are they the same?
Prayer is important to both
Christianity and Islam.
Point of Comparison #2 – How are they different?
Christians can pray at any time,
Muslims have to pray 5 times a
day.
Write down your Point of Comparison #3 – for example: prayer, celebrations or rituals, rules about food, day of
worship, beliefs, etc.
Belief about Jesus
Point of Comparison #3 – How are they the same?
Both Christians and Muslims
believe that Jesus existed.
Point of Comparison #3 – How are they different?
Christians believe Jesus was Gods
Son and Muslims believe he was a
prophet.
commentary sentence – Write at least one commentary sentence about the topic that gives your opinion.
Both Christians and Muslims believe their religion is the one true religion.
Concluding Sentence – Here is a boring concluding sentence. See if you can write a better one.
It is clear that the religions of ___Christianity___ and _______Islam______ are more similar than different.
Name
Paragraph Planner ~ Honors Three Religions
Topic Sentence – Here is a boring topic sentence. See if you can write a better one.
The monotheistic religions _____________, ______________ and ________________ are both similar and different.
Write down your Point of Comparison #1 – for example: prayer, celebrations or rituals, rules about food, day of
worship, beliefs, etc.
Point of Comparison #1 – How are they the same?
Point of Comparison #1 – How are they different?
Write down your Point of Comparison #2 – for example: prayer, celebrations or rituals, rules about food, day of
worship, beliefs, etc.
Point of Comparison #2 – How are they the same?
Point of Comparison #2 – How are they different?
Write down your Point of Comparison #3 – for example: prayer, celebrations or rituals, rules about food, day of
worship, beliefs, etc.
Point of Comparison #3 – How are they the same?
Point of Comparison #3 – How are they different?
commentary sentence – Write at least one commentary sentence about the topic that gives your opinion.
Concluding Sentence – Here is a boring concluding sentence. See if you can write a better one.
It is clear that the religions of ________________, ________________ and __________________ are more similar than
different.
Venn Diagram brainstorming for paragraph about 2 religions
Religion #1___________________
similarities
Religion #2____________________
HONORS
Venn Diagram brainstorming for paragraph about 3 religions
Christianity
Judaism
Islam
Writer’s Name
Peer Editing for Monotheistic Religions Paragraph
Peer Editor’s name________________________________________
Dear Peer Editor,
Please read my paragraph carefully and do the following:
• highlight any errors you notice, such as misspelled words, incorrect punctuation, etc.
• answer these questions:
1. What was most interesting in the paragraph?
2. What was confusing or unclear?
3. What could be added or changed to improve the paragraph?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Self-Editing Checklist
Now that you’ve gotten some feedback on your paragraph, go through the revision steps listed below.
By checking next to the number, you are promising that you have done that step. If a question is asked,
make sure to write down an answer!
_____1. Read the paragraph out loud and listen for awkward or incorrect sentences. Mark any that
you find so you will remember to fix them in your final draft.
_____2. Read the paragraph silently and look for errors – highlight any errors you find.
_____3. Highlight the first word of each sentence in the paragraph. Are they all capitalized?
_____4. How many sentences are in your paragraph? __________ You should have at least 8!
Check to make sure that you have all of the following:
_____ a topic sentence
_____ at least five concrete detail sentences
_____ at least one commentary sentence
_____ a concluding sentence
_____5. Remember – for a sentence to be complete and correct, it needs to express a complete
thought that stands on its own. If it doesn’t make sense on its own, it’s probably a fragment.
If it includes more than one “and,” you probably need to break it into two sentences.
_____6. Write down at least two ideas for concrete details or commentary you can add to your final
draft to make your paragraph more interesting to read:
(1)
(2)
Final Draft Checklist
Name
By putting your initials next to each item, you are promising that you have done that step
before printing and turning in your final draft.
Your final draft should look like this
Student 1
Susie Student
Mrs. Baugh
 This is a proper heading and it’s only on page 1
World Studies
February 11, 2011
This is a proper title format
The Title of My Paragraph
MLA Format Checklist: (TYPE ON GOOGLE CLASSROOM).
________ Times New Roman 12 pt. font
(Times New Roman 12 pt. font looks like this)
________ 1 inch margins (to do this, go to File, Page Set-up, type 1 into each of the boxes and press submit)
________ Last name and page number ½ inch from top of page in upper right corner (to do this, go to Insert,
Header, click Right Align (ctrl + shift + R), type your last name then go to Insert, Page Number
select the first option)
________ Double-spaced (to do this, click “Line Spacing” and choose double)
________ Heading (on Page 1 only – see above)
Writer’s name
Teacher’s name
Class name
Date
________ Title is centered (12 pt. font, no bold, no underline, no italics, no quotation marks)
________ No contractions used (for example, don’t should be written as do not, I’m should be written as I am, etc.)
________ BEFORE YOU SUMBIT IT, run a Spell Check (go to Tools, Spelling)
________ BEFORE YOU SUMBIT IT, read it out loud one more time – look for errors, listen for incorrect or
incomplete sentences
Name
Scoring Guide – Religions compare/contrast Paragraph
Ideas & Content:
6
5
4
3
2
1
5/6 The purpose and main idea is clear and interesting; ideas are developed and supported by
rich, specific detail. Supporting detail is balanced, in-depth and carefully chosen to suit
audience & purpose. It shares insight/understanding and holds the reader’s attention.
4
The purpose and main idea is clear; ideas are developed and supported by suitable detail.
Supporting detail is focused, specific and shows some awareness of audience & purpose. It
shares insight/understanding.
3
The purpose & main idea is clear; ideas are supported by detail. Supporting detail may be limited,
too general or off the topic. Supporting detail may be present but not explained.
2/1
The main idea is not clear. Writing is too short, off topic, or overly repetitive.
Conventions:
6
5
4
3
2
1
5/6 The writing demonstrates a wide range of standard writing conventions. Difficult words are
spelled correctly, all end marks & capitalizations are correct. A few minor punctuation errors lead to very
little need for editing and do not impede readability. No run-ons, fragments, or comma splices.
4
The writing demonstrates control of standard writing conventions. Errors are so few that they do
not interfere with readability. Sentences end with correct end marks; other punctuation errors are
minor. Common words are spelled correctly. There is a moderate to little need for editing. Few, if
any, run-ons, fragments, or comma splices.
3
The writing is too simple to show benchmark writing skills. Punctuation, spelling and capitalization
errors impede readability and are distracting. Common words are spelled incorrectly. Some
run-ons, fragments, or comma splices.
2/1
So many basic errors that the reader has a hard time figuring out what the writer is trying to say.
Paragraph Organization:
6
5
4
3
2
1
5/6 The reader can follow the writing easily; ideas and details are placed in an order that enhances
readability. It has an inviting topic sentence and satisfying ending; uses a smooth and
effective combination of concrete detail & commentary sentences; uses transitions.
4
The reader can follow the writing; ideas and details are placed in an order that makes sense. The
paragraph may follow a formula. It has a beginning and ending (one sentence each), uses an effective
combination of concrete detail & commentary sentences.
3
The reader can follow the writing most of the time, but some parts may be a little unclear;
ideas and details may occasionally seem out of place. It may be missing a topic or concluding sentences,
or they may be obvious or clumsy.
2/1 The reader is often confused. Ideas and details are not in an order that makes sense. Concrete detail
and/or commentary sentences are misused or not there. Topic sentence and/or conclusion may be too short
or not there.
______ Ideas and Content ~ 10 points possible
______ Correct MLA formatting ~ 5 points possible
______ Conventions ~ 5 points possible
______ Writing process steps ~ 5 points possible
______ Paragraph Organization ~ 5 points possible
1 point each for brainstorming, paragraph planner, first draft
with editing marks, editing/revision sheet & final draft checklist
TOTAL __________________ of 30 points possible 27-30 = A
24-26 = B
21-23 = C
Name
Paragraph Planner ~ Comparing Two Religions
Topic Sentence – Here is a boring topic sentence. See if you can write a better one.
The monotheistic religions _____________ and ________________ are both similar and different.
Write down your Point of Comparison #1 – for example: prayer, celebrations or rituals, rules about food, day of
worship, beliefs, etc.
Point of Comparison #1 – How are they the same?
Point of Comparison #1 – How are they different?
Write down your Point of Comparison #2 – for example: prayer, celebrations or rituals, rules about food, day of
worship, beliefs, etc.
Point of Comparison #2 – How are they the same?
Point of Comparison #2 – How are they different?
Write down your Point of Comparison #3 – for example: prayer, celebrations or rituals, rules about food, day of
worship, beliefs, etc.
Point of Comparison #3 – How are they the same?
Point of Comparison #3 – How are they different?
commentary sentence – Write at least one commentary sentence about the topic that gives your opinion.
Concluding Sentence – Here is a boring concluding sentence. See if you can write a better one.
It is clear that the religions of ________________ and __________________ are more similar than different