World Religions: RELN 1100 Dr. Tauscher 1 “How to Write Your Homework” In writing your homework, it is imperative that you use proper grammar, spelling, and composition form. Once you choose the homework question you will answer, you may wish to outline the answer that you will give. In your outline, first provide your yes or no answer restating the question. Then, provide all the existing reasons for your answer and all the evidence/examples that support each reason. Once you have listed all of these, arrange the answer from strongest to weakest. Since you only have 2-3 pages to answer the selected question, you will want to be very concise (short and to the point) in answering that question. If you have space issues, you will want to be sure to provide the strongest reasons for your answer and the most solid supporting examples/evidence. Remember, your goal is not only to answer the question, but convince the reader that your answer is correct. Now, it is time to write your answer. Be sure to begin by providing the number and topic of the question you are answering. (See Example: Question 5: The Significance of Goddesses to Hinduism) Next, you will want to write your First Paragraph beginning with a Topic Sentence which both answers the question and summarizes your argument. The Body of the first paragraph then summarizes the examples/evidence you will provide in support of your answer and argument summary provided in the first sentence. The last sentence (Concluding Sentence) of your first sentence then summarizes the most important aspects of the argument and examples which you gave in the first paragraph. (See example below.) Next, you write the Body of your paper. It is just a more detailed rendition of the evidence that you just set-forth in the introductory paragraph. Each paragraph will focus on a different set of evidence that you listed in paragraph 1. Note that each paragraph in the body must have a Topic Sentence, a Body (setting forth how your original argument is supported by this particular evidence/set of evidence), and Concluding Sentence (which sets-forth the conclusion you wish the reader to draw from the topic sentence and body of this particular paragraph). World Religions: RELN 1100 Dr. Tauscher 2 Finally, when you have finished the Body of your Paper, you are going to write one final paragraph (the Concluding Paragraph) to bring it all together. The Concluding Paragraph largely mirrors your Opening Paragraph – but now informed by the hard work you’ve put in drafting the arguments and evidence in the paragraphs of the Body. As usual, you will start with a Topic Sentence, but it will be your most important sentence in the whole paper. It must not only summarize your argument, but do it in a manner that convinces the reader that your argument is correct. Then, write the Body of the paragraph summariz.

1. World Religions: RELN 1100
Dr. Tauscher
1
“How to Write Your Homework”
In writing your homework, it is imperative that you use
proper grammar,
spelling, and composition form. Once you choose the
homework question you
will answer, you may wish to outline the answer that you will
give. In your
outline, first provide your yes or no answer restating the
question. Then, provide
all the existing reasons for your answer and all the
evidence/examples that support
each reason. Once you have listed all of these, arrange the
answer from strongest
to weakest. Since you only have 2-3 pages to answer the
selected question, you
will want to be very concise (short and to the point) in
answering that question. If

2. you have space issues, you will want to be sure to provide the
strongest reasons for
your answer and the most solid supporting examples/evidence.
Remember, your
goal is not only to answer the question, but convince the reader
that your answer
is correct.
Now, it is time to write your answer. Be sure to begin by
providing the
number and topic of the question you are answering. (See
Example: Question 5:
The Significance of Goddesses to Hinduism) Next, you will
want to write your
First Paragraph beginning with a Topic Sentence which both
answers the
question and summarizes your argument. The Body of the first
paragraph then
summarizes the examples/evidence you will provide in support
of your answer and
argument summary provided in the first sentence. The last
sentence (Concluding
Sentence) of your first sentence then summarizes the most
important aspects of the
argument and examples which you gave in the first paragraph.

3. (See example
below.)
Next, you write the Body of your paper. It is just a more
detailed rendition of
the evidence that you just set-forth in the introductory
paragraph. Each paragraph
will focus on a different set of evidence that you listed in
paragraph 1. Note that
each paragraph in the body must have a Topic Sentence, a Body
(setting forth
how your original argument is supported by this particular
evidence/set of
evidence), and Concluding Sentence (which sets-forth the
conclusion you wish
the reader to draw from the topic sentence and body of this
particular paragraph).
World Religions: RELN 1100
Dr. Tauscher
2
Finally, when you have finished the Body of your Paper,

4. you are going to
write one final paragraph (the Concluding Paragraph) to bring it
all together. The
Concluding Paragraph largely mirrors your Opening Paragraph
– but now
informed by the hard work you’ve put in drafting the arguments
and evidence in
the paragraphs of the Body. As usual, you will start with a
Topic Sentence, but it
will be your most important sentence in the whole paper. It
must not only
summarize your argument, but do it in a manner that convinces
the reader that your
argument is correct. Then, write the Body of the paragraph
summarizing your most
important (if not all) of your supporting evidence/examples.
Then, you must end
with a strong Concluding Sentence which once again strongly
states your
arguments and makes reference to the strongest
evidence/example(s) set-forth in
the Body of your Paper.
Example Answer:

5. Title
Opening
Paragraph:
Topic Sentence
Body of
Paragraph 1
Concluding
Sentence of
Paragraph 1
Subsequent
Paragraphs
elaborate upon
the arguments
previewed in
Paragraph 1

6. (Note: each
paragraph
must have a
Question 5: The Significance of Goddesses to Hinduism
Goddesses play an important role in the Hindu religion by
providing the feminine aspects of the Divine. Creative feminine
energy is expressed through Devi, the divine mother. Both the
positive and negative aspects of female energy are expressed, as
will be demonstrated by the following recounting of the Hindu
myths regarding Parvati and Durga. Finally, the fine points of
art and culture are highlighted through the tales of Saraswati
while ferocious violence is expressed through Kali. Through the
Goddesses, Hinduism provides voice to the feminine nature of
Ultimate Reality as well as balance to the male energies of its
many Gods.
Devi is the supreme feminine Goddess and creative energy.
Her characteristics are largely depicted through the persona of

7. the other Goddesses. However; she is understood to be the
supreme creative energy or mother behind it all, even though
many view Durga as the official divine mother. Devi is the
counterbalance to the Absolute Reality expressed in Brahma.
Although Brahma is impersonal and therefore genderless, it is
included in the Trimurti along with two other Gods, Vishu and
Shiva. Thus, Devi is an example of a Goddess that provides
both
a personification of feminine energy and counterbalance to
World Religions: RELN 1100
Dr. Tauscher
3
Topic
Sentence,
Supporting
Sentences, and
a Concluding
(summarizing)

8. Sentence.
Concluding
Paragraph:
Topic Sentence
Body of
Concluding
Paragraph
Concluding
Sentence of
Paragraph 1

9. divine male energy.
Pavarti and Durga are Goddesses that provide examples of
both the positive and negative aspects of feminine energy.
Pavarti is both beautiful and sensual, yet failed to adequately
protect her son, Ganesh from the wrath of her husband, Shiva.
Durga is the ultimate divine mother, yet she is the fierce
defender of the moral order. Both Pavarti and Durga are
Goddesses that demonstrate the good and bad aspects of
femininity.
Hinduism explores the finest and rawest characteristics of
feminine energy through the Goddesses Saraswati and Kali. As
goddess of art, music, and learning, Saraswati provides an
example of the feminine acuity for aesthetic knowledge. In
contrast, Kali represents female ferocity and vengeance which
underscores the human fear of death. These two goddesses,
Saraswati and Kali express the finer and baser forms of female

10. energy as well as balance Hindu adherents’ impression of life as
expressed through the Divine.
As shown above, goddesses do contribute a crucial and
meaningful function in the Hindu religion. Like Devi,
goddesses provide form to the creative aspects of the Divine.
Each Goddess embodies both positive and negative
characteristics of female energy, just as the Hindu myths about
Parvati and Durga. Finally, the best and worst of the female
nature are underscored through the tales of Saraswati, the
patroness of art and culture contrasted with the ferocity of Kali,
the harbinger of death. Goddesses are crucial to Hindu theology,
for it is through them that the religion recognizes the
importance
of the feminine and gives voice to divine nature of female
energy.
Remember: Further help is available through the Academic
Enhancement Center located
in the GGC Library, Room 2150 and Building B, Suite 2400.

11. 1
First Homework Assignment:
Hinduism & Buddhism
Instructions: Please choose one of the following questions and
provide a one (1) page answer
with logical explanations and supporting examples. Base your
answers on our class readings,
lectures, and discussions. Answers are due in the Drop-Box
posted on D2L (also known as My
Courses/Brightspace) before midnight on Saturday, September
12, 2015 – no exceptions.. Be
sure to save your paper in .doc or .docx format (by saving in
Word – by using drop down menu
when saving in other programs) before submission on D2L.
Required Format: A one page answer (single spaced in 12 point
font) composed of paragraphs
including a well drafted Topic Sentences (providing the answer
to both parts of your question

12. in your own words), a Body of sentences giving the most
important evidence and explanations
in support, and a persuasive Conclusion Sentence which briefly
restates your answer to the
question and summarizes your most convincing evidence in
support. This assignment must be
written entirely in your own words. Grammar and Sentence
Structure will be considered
in assigning your grade. Remember to footnote any words/ideas
which you used from other
sources.
Please be advised that this is an individual assignment and you
are to do your own work. Do
not plagiarize. Any sharing of information or collaboration of
any kind may result in a failing
grade because it constitutes Academic Dishonesty (cheating)
and is a violation of GGC’s Honor
Code. If you witness anyone else violating this provision, the
Honor Code requires you to report
them to the professor or college authorities. See Syllabus, p. 8.
Note: For guidelines on form & content, please refer to the
posted method sheets entitled, “How
to Write Your Homework,” “More How to Write Your
Homework,” & “Quotes, Footnotes, &

13. Bibliographies.”
1) “God is many, one, or none.” In one page, describe the
beliefs regarding
Deity central to Hinduism as compared to the belief central
to Buddhism.
2) Compare and contrast the central scriptural messages of
Hinduism and
Buddhism. Be sure to discuss such concepts as karma, the
wheel of
life, and reincarnation using the distinct Hindu and
Buddhist terms
for these ideas as reflected in each faith’s scriptures.
3) Describe the worship practices and leaders of the Hindu and
Buddhist
faith, being sure to offer comparisons and contrasts
between the
worship of the two religions.