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Writing a Perfect Religion Essay for College Students

Modified: January 9, 2024

Written by: Sven Eggers

Wonder how to write an amazing religion essay for collage? Here's a guideline that covers the basis of what to write and how to write.

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Are you a college student wondering how to write the perfect essay on religion? If yes, read on and find all that you need to know about writing a religion essay. This article will cover the basics and all you need to know about writing an excellent essay piece on religion.

What is a Religion Essay

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Well, religion essays are a kind of paper that relates to religion, belief, and faith. 

In college, many students will be required to write a few essays on religion. Students typically struggle with writing assignments of this nature since they haven’t learned how to write professionally. After all, religion is a highly personal subject, and objective discussions about religion can be particularly difficult and generally mind-boggling. 

As a result of this, many students prefer outsourcing their writing assignments on religion to a custom essay writing service like Edubirdie. On this “write an essay for me” platform, there are plenty of professional writers for you to choose from with guaranteed transparency on their profiles and reviews. After reviewing, you can simply choose a writer and you will have your essay delivered in no time. 

On the other hand, some students prefer completing such religious essays themselves to improve their writing. If you fall under this category we’ve put together some tips for you. for you to ace your religion essay.

Read more : Christian Blogs To Follow Before Writing a Religious Essay

Tip 1: Choosing a Topic for a Religion Essay

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Consider a topic that interests you, one that piques your curiosity . Though it’s said that curiosity kills the cat, it’s a much-needed drive in essays, especially ones that deal with theology and mind-boggling ideas. H aving an interest as your personal pedestal throughout is effective for your research and writing.

A contentious issue would make a fantastic topic for a religion essay because it means it’s a topic of interest to people and it gives room and framework to your arguments. An example can be whether hell is a truth or a myth . You can decide to look into where a particular religious idea came from and employ background information and opposing points of view to present your argument. Whatever the topic, always use the most reliable sources you can to back up your claims.

Next, contemplate what your stance is towards the issue and start to build your case around it. Are you for it or against it? Should this topic even be contentious in the first place? Are there other points that should be contended besides what has already been debated? Usually, a great religious essay identifies the issue and has tight arguments to support the thesis. But, an amazing essay is one that brings in a fresh perspective that’s been rarely discussed in class. So, work around that.

This step is usually the toughest, but once you’ve passed through it, the rest of the work is a breeze.

Tip 2: How to Write an Introduction for a Religion Essay

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Prepare your notes and an overview of your case before beginning to write the introduction. In contrast to creative writing , the reader expects your thesis statement and facts up front in an essay. Because of this, seasoned writers advise pupils to read more books and develop their own points of view. But occasionally it can be advantageous to grab an idea from someone who wrote it before you. It’s catchy and demonstrates your familiarity with the subject. The reader should have a clear understanding of what to anticipate from the article from the beginning.

How can you create a strong essay introduction? The components of a strong introduction are numerous such as some background information, a thesis statement, a purpose statement, and a summary of what’s to be covered. Essentially, your introduction is your first impression and a blueprint of what the entire essay will be. 

The topic and focus of the essay, as well as a few other important concepts, should be covered in the first paragraph. Along with the thesis, it should also give background details and the context of the argument. It should also describe the essay’s structure, which is outlined in the last paragraph. The importance of the introduction increases as the essay gets longer. Even though it may appear tedious, just like any first impression, the introduction is an important component of any paper. 

Tip 3: How to Write the Body of a Religion Essay

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Introduce the basic tenets and principles of the religion you’re addressing in the major body of your essay. Then, you should investigate the crucial components of the tradition. What are its core ideals and beliefs? What role does it play in society? How is it relevant in our current world? Textual support must be provided because this is an excellent approach to capturing your readers’ interest.

The promise you made in your introduction should be fulfilled in the body of your essay. Make sure to add new proof to the main argument of each paragraph in the body of your essay. Each paragraph should be concluded with a sentence that emphasizes the importance of the argument and connects it to the following one.

Tip 4: How to Write the Conclusion Section for a Religion Essay

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Your conclusion is a paragraph (or two) of concluding remarks that demonstrate the points you’ve made are still true and worth considering . Think of it as a final impression you make on the readers, you’d want to make yourself memorable Additionally, it should demonstrate that the arguments you made in the essay’s main body are supported by relevant evidence.

A great conclusion is also one that highlights the significance of your points and directs readers toward the best course of action for the future. This shows that you aren’t just someone who debates but someone who is also willing to try and better the situation.  Keep in mind that your final chance to convince or impress your audience is the conclusion.

Read more : 7 Best Christian Colleges and Universities in the U.S.

Tip 5: Find Proofreaders

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If I’d learned anything through my years of college essays, it’s to get people to proofread your essay. They are your safety nets. I’d usually find a coursemate or someone from my class to proofread. They are valuable second pairs of eyes to help you spot grammar mistakes but also in concepts that you may have applied. Next, find a friend that’s not from your course or class because they are an accurate assessment of how clear and cohesive your essay is. If they can understand what you’re writing, you can be sure that half the battle is already won.

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Should I Mention My Religion in My College Essay?

Here’s another key tip to keep in mind for your college applications, from College Essay Guy Ethan Sawyer!

The short answer is this: it’s okay to discuss religion in your essay as long as the take-away (or values) promoted in the essay are universal. Here’s what I mean:

In the past, I’ve had students write essay drafts that end with something like, “Since accepting Christ (or) learning to meditate (or) converting to Judaism, I’ve made it my goal to tell others about the difference that Christ/meditation/Judaism can make in their lives.” I call this the “missionary” essay. And it can be off-putting to readers, particularly to those who don’t share your religious beliefs (which, statistically speaking, is likely).

Instead, discuss the values you gained through your religion. How?  

Step 1: Take a look at this Values List and ask yourself: what values have I gained through my religion?

Examples: “Getting used to wearing a turban in ninth grade helped increase my self-confidence and, interestingly, my grades went up that year!” (or) “Feeling judged by my youth group leader helped me better understand how my friend must have been feeling about me; I realized I was essentially doing the same thing to her.”

Check out the values displayed in those sentences: self-confidence and empathy. Nice! And anyone, no matter the religion or belief system, can get on board with those.  

Step 2: Make sure the values you’re discussing are non-obvious and specific. Obvious connections lead to boring essays.

Examples: “Playing in the band at church helped me learn the value of working with others” (seen it!) (or) “Volunteering at our mosque helped me develop myself personally” (super vague–say how!).  

Step 3: Get feedback from someone who does not share your religious belief. Once s/he has read the essay, ask the person: do you feel closer to me after having read that? If the answer isn’t “Yes,” or even if the person hesitates before responding, ask, “What would help you feel closer to me?”  

Step 4: Listen with your entire being. Stay curious about his/her feedback to you.  

Step 5: Thank the person and go back to the drawing board.  

Because you are creative and original and you have something important to communicate.

For more personal statement help, check out www.collegeessayguy.com .

This post was written by a friend of Magoosh.

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3 responses to “Should I Mention My Religion in My College Essay?”

I was wondering if writing about struggles with religion would be appropriate. My topic is trying balance christianity and my sexuality, and I was wondering how exactly I should frame that, if even write about it at all.

Hi Isaac, our expertise is in test prep, not admissions advice, so I first have to say that I’m not an expert in this topic. This is also an very personal topic that you should make sure you feel comfortable writing about, and keep in mind that you will probably want to have others proofread and critique your essay. That being said, you can definitely write a strong essay about balancing your sexuality and religion using the guidelines in this blog post. It sounds like this is a big part of your identity, and your personal statement is all about letting your personality, strengths, and introspective abilities shine.

Interesting!

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Essays About Religion: Top 5 Examples and 7 Writing Prompts

Essays about religion include delicate issues and tricky subtopics. See our top essay examples and prompts to guide you in your essay writing.

With over 4,000 religions worldwide, it’s no wonder religion influences everything. It involves faith, lessons on humanity, spirituality, and moral values that span thousands of years. For some, it’s both a belief and a cultural system. As it often clashes with science, laws, and modern philosophies, it’s also a hot debate topic. Religion is a broad subject encompassing various elements of life, so you may find it a challenging topic to write an essay about it.

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2. consequences of following religion blindly essay by anonymous on ivypanda.com, 3. religion: christians’ belief in god by anonymous on ivypanda.com, 4. mecca’s influence on today’s religion essay by anonymous on ivypanda.com, 5. religion: how buddhism views the world by anonymous on ivypanda.com , 1. the importance of religion, 2. pros and cons of having a religion, 3. religions across the world, 4. religion and its influence on laws, 5. religion: then and now, 6. religion vs. science, 7. my religion.

“Portraying Muslims as radical religious fanatics who deny other religions and violently fight dissent has nothing to do with true Islamic ideology. The knowledge that is presented in Islam and used by Muslims to build their worldview system is exploited in a misinterpreted form. This is transforming the perception of Islam around the world as a radical religious system that supports intolerance and conflicts.”

The author discusses their opinion on how Islam becomes involved with violence or terrorism in the Islamic states. Throughout the essay, the writer mentions the massive difference between Islam’s central teachings and the terrorist groups’ dogma. The piece also includes a list of groups, their disobediences, and punishments.

This essay looks at how these brutalities have nothing to do with Islam’s fundamental ideologies. However, the context of Islam’s creeds is distorted by rebel groups like The Afghan mujahideen, Jihadis, and Al-Qa’ida. Furthermore, their activities push dangerous narratives that others use to make generalized assumptions about the entire religion. These misleading generalizations lead to misunderstandings amongst other communities, particularly in the western world. However, the truth is that these terrorist groups are violating Islamic doctrine.

“Following religion blindly can hinder one’s self-actualization and interfere with self-development due to numerous constraints and restrictions… Blind adherence to religion is a factor that does not allow receiving flexible education and adapting knowledge to different areas.”

The author discusses the effects of blindly following a religion and mentions that it can lead to difficulties in self-development and the inability to live independently. These limitations affect a person’s opportunity to grow and discover oneself.  Movies like “ The Da Vinci Code ” show how fanatical devotion influences perception and creates constant doubt. 

“…there are many religions through which various cultures attain their spiritual and moral bearings to bring themselves closer to a higher power (deity). Different religions are differentiated in terms of beliefs, customs, and purpose and are similar in one way or the other.”

The author discusses how religion affects its followers’ spiritual and moral values and mentions how deities work in mysterious ways. The essay includes situations that show how these supreme beings test their followers’ faith through various life challenges. Overall, the writer believes that when people fully believe in God, they can be stronger and more capable of coping with the difficulties they may encounter.

“Mecca represents a holy ground that the majority of the Muslims visit; and is only supposed to be visited by Muslims. The popularity of Mecca has increased the scope of its effects, showing that it has an influence on tourism, the financial aspects of the region and lastly religion today.”

The essay delves into Mecca’s contributions to Saudi Arabia’s tourism and religion. It mentions tourism rates peaking during Hajj, a 5-day Muslim pilgrimage, and visitors’ sense of spiritual relief and peace after the voyage. Aside from its tremendous touristic benefits, it also brings people together to worship Allah. You can also check out these essays about values and articles about beliefs .

“Buddhism is seen as one of the most popular and widespread religions on the earth the reason of its pragmatic and attractive philosophies which are so appealing for people of the most diversified backgrounds and ways of thinking .”

To help readers understand the topic, the author explains Buddhism’s worldviews and how Siddhatta Gotama established the religion that’s now one of the most recognized on Earth. It includes teachings about the gift of life, novel thinking, and philosophies based on his observations. Conclusively, the author believes that Buddhism deals with the world as Gotama sees it.

Check out our guide packed full of transition words for essays .

7 Prompts on Essays About Religion

Religion’s importance is embedded in an individual or group’s interpretation of it. They hold on to their faith for various reasons, such as having an idea of the real meaning of life and offering them a purpose to exist. Use this prompt to identify and explain what makes religion a necessity. Make your essay interesting by adding real-life stories of how faith changed someone’s life.

Although religion offers benefits such as positivity and a sense of structure, there are also disadvantages that come with it. Discuss what’s considered healthy and destructive when people follow their religion’s gospels and why. You can also connect it to current issues. Include any personal experience you have.

Religion’s prevalence exhibits how it can significantly affect one’s daily living. Use this prompt to discuss how religions across the world differ from one another when it comes to beliefs and if traditions or customs influence them. It’s essential to use relevant statistical data or surveys in this prompt to support your claims and encourage your readers to trust your piece.

There are various ways religion affects countries’ laws as they adhere to moral and often humanitarian values. Identify each and discuss how faith takes part in a nation’s decision-making regarding pressing matters. You can focus on one religion in a specific location to let the readers concentrate on the case. A good example is the latest abortion issue in the US, the overturning of “Wade vs. Roe.” Include people’s mixed reactions to this subject and their justifications.

In this essay, talk about how the most widespread religions’ principles or rituals changed over time. Then, expound on what inspired these changes.  Add the religion’s history, its current situation in the country, and its old and new beliefs. Elaborate on how its members clash over these old and new principles. Conclude by sharing your opinion on whether the changes are beneficial or not.

There’s a never-ending debate between religion and science. List the most controversial arguments in your essay and add which side you support and why. Then, open discourse about how these groups can avoid quarreling. You can also discuss instances when religion and science agreed or worked together to achieve great results. 

Use this prompt if you’re a part of a particular religion. Even if you don’t believe in faith, you can still take this prompt and pick a church you’ll consider joining. Share your personal experiences about your religion. Add how you became a follower, the beliefs that helped you through tough times, and why you’re staying as an active member in it. You can also speak about miraculous events that strengthen your faith. Or you can include teachings that you disagree with and think needs to be changed or updated.

For help with your essay, check out our top essay writing tips !

Maria Caballero is a freelance writer who has been writing since high school. She believes that to be a writer doesn't only refer to excellent syntax and semantics but also knowing how to weave words together to communicate to any reader effectively.

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Exploring the Boundaries: Addressing Religion in College Essays

Religion can be a valid and intriguing topic for a college essay, especially if approached with respect and sensitivity. Exploring its impact on individuals, societies, and cultures can provide valuable insights. However, it’s crucial to maintain objectivity, avoid personal biases, and adhere to academic standards by supporting claims with reliable sources.

Should I Discuss Religion in My College Essay? Understanding the Guidelines and Boundaries

How can i incorporate my religious beliefs into my college essay, is writing about religion in a college essay a risk or an opportunity, what are the benefits and challenges of addressing religion in your college application, are college admissions panels open to essays discussing religious perspectives, what strategies can i use to handle sensitive religious topics in my college essay, how can i make my college essay stand out while discussing religion, does writing about religion in a college essay require extensive knowledge or personal experience, can sharing my religious views in a college essay contribute to a diverse campus community, what alternatives can i consider if i prefer not to mention religion in my college essay.

The decision to discuss religion in your college essay ultimately depends on the specific guidelines and boundaries provided by your college or university. It is important to carefully review these guidelines and consider the purpose of your essay before deciding whether or not to include religious topics.

If the college essay prompt specifically asks for a personal reflection or a discussion of your beliefs and values, it may be appropriate to discuss religion if it has played a significant role in shaping your identity or experiences. In such cases, it is crucial to approach the topic respectfully and avoid proselytizing or offending others who may hold different beliefs.

However, if the essay prompt does not explicitly invite discussions of religion or if the college’s guidelines advise against controversial or potentially offensive topics, it would be wise to refrain from discussing religion. It is important to respect the boundaries set by the college and ensure that your essay maintains a positive and inclusive tone.

If you are unsure about including religious topics in your college essay, it may be helpful to seek guidance from your college counselor or a trusted teacher who can provide specific advice based on your unique circumstances.

Incorporating your religious beliefs into your college essay can be a great way to infuse personal experiences and perspectives that have shaped you as an individual. Here are a few steps to consider when including your religious beliefs in your college essay: 1. Understand the Purpose: Start by understanding the purpose of your college essay. The primary goal is to showcase your personality, experiences, and values to the admissions committee. As such, your religious beliefs should be approached in a way that demonstrates their impact on your character and growth rather than preaching or asserting superiority. 2. Reflect on Personal Experiences: Think about how your religious beliefs have influenced your life. Consider any specific moments or experiences that illustrate how your faith has shaped your values, decisions, or interactions with others. 3. Choose a Meaningful Angle: Determine the angle or theme through which you want to reveal your religious beliefs. It could be a story of resilience, compassion, community engagement, or personal growth. The key is to highlight the positive aspects of your faith that will resonate with the admissions committee. 4. Show, Don’t Tell: Rather than stating your religious beliefs outright, show how they have influenced your behavior or actions. Share stories or examples that demonstrate how your faith has guided you towards empathy, leadership, or a pursuit of justice. 5. Respect Others’ Perspectives: While discussing your religious beliefs, it’s important to show respect for others’ perspectives. Acknowledge diversity and maintain an inclusive tone throughout your essay. This will display your ability to engage in conversations beyond your own beliefs while showing maturity and open-mindedness. 6. Seek Feedback: Before finalizing your essay, seek feedback from trusted individuals such as teachers, family members, or mentors. Their input can help ensure your writing is clear, respectful, and effectively communicates your beliefs without overwhelming the essay’s overall content. Remember, the focus of your college essay should be on personal growth, values, and experiences. By incorporating your religious beliefs thoughtfully and respectfully, you can provide a unique perspective that showcases your authentic self.

Writing about religion in a college essay can be both a risk and an opportunity. On one hand, exploring religious beliefs and experiences can be deeply personal and may elicit strong reactions from readers. This can create a risk of being misunderstood or judged by others who hold different beliefs. Additionally, religious topics can be controversial and sensitive, potentially leading to disagreements or even offense.

On the other hand, writing about religion presents an opportunity to showcase one’s values, perspectives, and personal growth. It can allow for introspection, highlighting the impact of religion on one’s life and shaping their identity . Furthermore, discussing religious experiences can provide a unique lens through which an individual can discuss topics such as cultural understanding, diversity, and tolerance.

To navigate this delicate balance, it is important to approach the topic with sensitivity, open-mindedness, and respect. It is crucial to consider the audience and express one’s thoughts without imposing or dismissing others’ beliefs. By carefully crafting and articulating their ideas, individuals can transform the risk into an opportunity to showcase their ability to engage with complex and nuanced topics while respecting differences.

Addressing religion in your college application can have both benefits and challenges.

Benefits: 1. Highlighting your values: Addressing your religion allows you to showcase your values and how they have shaped your character and actions. This can help admissions officers understand your moral compass and commitments. 2. Demonstrating diversity: Talking about your religious background can contribute to the diversity of perspectives on campus. Colleges often value a diverse student body, and discussing your religion can contribute to that diversity. 3. Building a strong narrative: Addressing your religion can help you develop a compelling narrative for your application. Sharing personal stories or experiences related to your faith can demonstrate your resilience, growth, and ability to overcome challenges.

Challenges: 1. Potential bias: While most colleges strive to create a diverse and inclusive environment, there is a possibility that an admissions officer might have personal biases or prejudices towards certain religions. Discussing your religion may unintentionally subject you to bias during the selection process. 2. Misunderstandings or misconceptions: Addressing religion might lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations if the admissions officer lacks knowledge or understanding about your particular faith. They might not fully grasp the significance or nuances of your religious background. 3. Limited focus: Focusing too much on your religion might overshadow other important aspects of your application, such as academic achievements, extracurricular activities, or community involvement. It is important to strike a balance and present a holistic view of yourself.

In conclusion, discussing religion in your college application can offer benefits such as highlighting values, promoting diversity, and building a strong narrative. However, it can also present challenges like potential bias, misunderstandings, or shifting the focus away from other significant aspects of your application.

Yes, college admissions panels are generally open to essays discussing religious perspectives. Admissions officers understand that religion and belief systems can play a significant role in shaping a student’s personal identity and values. They value diversity and open-mindedness, and encourage students to express themselves authentically in their essays. However, it is essential to approach the topic respectfully and avoid any form of discrimination or intolerance.

When handling sensitive religious topics in your college essay, it is essential to approach the subject with respect, openness, and neutrality. Here are a few strategies to help you navigate through this potentially delicate subject matter:

1. Be self-reflective: Begin by examining your own beliefs, biases, and assumptions about religion. This self-awareness will help you approach the topic with an open mind and avoid coming across as judgmental or preachy.

2. Research and understanding: Before discussing sensitive religious topics, educate yourself about various religious perspectives, their histories, and key principles. This knowledge will enable you to provide a well-informed context and demonstrate a respectful understanding of different viewpoints.

3. Develop a balanced argument: Instead of focusing on just one perspective, present a balanced argument that acknowledges multiple viewpoints. Avoid outright criticism or overly praising any particular religion; instead, aim for objectivity.

4. Use respectful language: Frame your statements and opinions in a respectful and inclusive manner. Avoid derogatory language or belittling other religious beliefs, as this can come across as offensive or disrespectful.

5. Seek feedback: Share your essay drafts with peers, advisors, or mentors who have different religious backgrounds. Listen to their perspectives and consider their feedback to ensure your essay remains sensitive, respectful, and unbiased.

6. Focus on personal growth: Instead of exclusively discussing religious beliefs, emphasize how your experiences with religion have shaped your personal growth, values, or worldview. This approach can help you steer away from sensitive topics and instead highlight your own development.

7. Be open to dialogue: In your essay, acknowledge that religious discussions can be challenging and can spark various interpretations. Express a willingness to engage in respectful dialogue and learn from others, showing that you value diversity and intellectual exchange.

Remember, it’s essential to strike a balance between expressing your personal experiences and beliefs while maintaining sensitivity towards others’ religious affiliations. By adhering to these strategies, you can navigate sensitive religious topics in your college essay with maturity, thoughtfulness, and respect.

To make your college essay about religion stand out, follow these tips:

1. Choose a unique and personal angle: Instead of discussing religion in a general or typical way, focus on a specific aspect that is meaningful to you. Share a personal experience or a moment of self-discovery related to your faith or belief system.

2. Be genuine and passionate: Show your genuine enthusiasm and passion for your religious beliefs. Emphasize how your faith has shaped your values, perspectives, and actions. Connect your religious experiences to your personal growth and development.

3. Offer a diverse perspective: Acknowledge the diversity of religious beliefs and show respect for different viewpoints. Discuss how your religion has influenced your understanding and appreciation of other faiths. Highlight your ability to engage in meaningful interfaith dialogue and promote tolerance and inclusivity.

4. Use storytelling techniques: Weave a compelling narrative by including anecdotes, metaphors, or personal stories that highlight your relationship with religion. This will make your essay more engaging and memorable to the reader.

5. Show intellectual curiosity: Demonstrate your sincere engagement with the intellectual aspects of religion. Discuss how studying religious texts, philosophy, or engaging in theological debates has deepened your understanding and challenged your preconceptions.

6. Reflect on societal impact: Explore the social and cultural impact of your religious beliefs. Discuss how your faith has motivated you to contribute to your community, engage in social justice issues, or promote positive change. Show your commitment to being an active member of society.

7. Seek feedback: Before submitting your essay, ask for feedback from trusted mentors, teachers, or religious leaders. Their insights can help you refine your ideas and ensure that your essay effectively communicates your thoughts and beliefs.

Remember, making your college essay stand out while discussing religion is not about impressing the reader or conforming to any particular belief system. It is about showcasing your unique perspective, depth of thought, and personal growth through the lens of your faith.

Writing about religion in a college essay does not necessarily require extensive knowledge or personal experience. While having a good understanding of the topic and personal experience can certainly enhance the depth and authenticity of the essay, it is not always a prerequisite. With sufficient research and understanding of different religious perspectives, one can write a thoughtful and analytical essay without having prior extensive knowledge or personal experience in the particular religion being discussed. Ultimately, it is the ability to critically analyze and present coherent arguments that matter most in a college essay, rather than the level of knowledge or personal experience one possesses.

Yes, sharing one’s religious views in a college essay can contribute to a diverse campus community. By sharing their religious beliefs and perspectives, students have the opportunity to introduce different cultural and ideological perspectives to their peers, sparking discussions, fostering open-mindedness, and promoting acceptance and understanding of various religious traditions and practices. This can lead to a more inclusive and diverse campus community where individuals feel valued for their unique backgrounds and beliefs. Additionally, such discussions can promote dialogue and enable students to learn from each other’s experiences, ultimately enriching the educational environment on campus.

If you prefer not to mention religion in your college essay, you can consider focusing on other aspects of your identity, values, beliefs, or experiences that have shaped you instead. Some alternatives to religion that you can explore include:

1. Personal experiences: Discussing significant events or moments in your life that have influenced your perspective, character development, or personal growth.

2. Cultural background: Exploring your ethnicity, heritage, or cultural traditions and discussing how they have impacted your identity and worldview.

3. Passion or interests: Highlighting your hobbies, passions, extracurricular activities, or specific achievements that illustrate your dedication, commitment, or skillset.

4. Academic pursuits: Sharing your academic goals, interests, or accomplishments that highlight your intellectual curiosity and commitment to learning.

5. Community involvement: Emphasizing your involvement in community service, volunteer work, or leadership roles that demonstrate your commitment to making a positive impact in your surroundings.

6. Personal values and beliefs: Discussing your principles, ethics, or philosophies that shape your decisions and guide your actions.

Remember, the college essay is an opportunity to present a compelling narrative that showcases who you are as an individual. It is essential to focus on highlighting your unique qualities, strengths, and experiences, whether or not religion is a part of that narrative.

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The College Student's Guide to Writing Theology and Religion Assignments

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Growing up, you were always intrigued to learn more about the history and origin of different religions, how the concept of God varies, and the like, which is why you took up Religion and Theology in college with great earnestness.

Yes, it is a fascinating subject, and you thoroughly enjoyed everything the course had to offer until one fine day when you were asked to write a Theology and Religion essay.

Now, you’re just staring at a blank computer screen, wondering where and how to begin! Does that ring a bell?

Wipe away those tears because here’s the complete guide on finishing your Theology and Religion paper and how you can do a brilliant job at it.

Everything About Writing a Theology and Religion College Paper

Theology and Religion studies focus on teaching students about the various types of religions that exist in the contemporary world.

An interdisciplinary field, this subject encourages students to explore how people from different religions and cultures express their faith and the driving reasons behind the same. Regardless of whether you believe in a particular faith, studying Theology and Religion serves as a window to gaining insights into religious ideas and how they shaped the world as we see it today.

Types of Theology and Religion Writing Assignments

Theology and Religion studies involve extensive coursework and writing assignments that are aimed at shaping students’ perspectives on religion while considering the cultural, historical, sociological, and anthropological aspects.

As a Theology and Religion student, here are the four common types of papers you will come across.

Research Paper

This paper requires students to present a thesis statement and make arguments to support it. Being one of the longer assignments, writing research papers needs you to fully explore a particular topic, raise interesting questions and present logical evidence to demonstrate your understanding. You might also need to conduct quantitative and qualitative research to support your paper.

Comparative Essay

As the name suggests, comparative essays involve comparisons while highlighting similarities and differences between two theories or concepts. You are expected to tie your comparisons to a broader theological point.

To learn more about writing compare-and-contrast essays, take a look at this video

Critical Analysis

Contrary to popular perception, critical analysis does not refer to ‘criticizing’ religion or ideology. Instead, you need to break down the text and evaluate the different aspects while gathering research material from various sources to support your claim or argument. The keyword here is - analysis.

Reflection Paper

Reflection papers urge you to reflect, look inwards and present your opinion surrounding a particular theological or religious concept. You get the chance to reflect on your experiences and their impact on shaping your perceptions.

Don’t mistake this for an informal essay - a reflection paper is as ‘formal’ as the others.

How to Write a Theology and Religion Essay for College

Regardless of what type of paper it is, all Theology and Religion essays involve certain steps that, when followed with sincerity and precision, can set you up for success.

Look at the step-by-step guide to writing a Theology and Religion essay for college.

Pick a Focussed Topic

If you have been given a specific topic, you don’t have to worry about this step. What you need to do is understand the question well. Is it asking you to compare, analyze, reflect, review - make sure you know what is expected of you to do justice to it?

Now, let’s look at a situation wherein you are asked to pick a topic or are given an open-ended topic to explore.

The key to a successful paper is a narrow and focused topic or research question. You need to get into the ‘how’s and ‘why to generate a novel paper. It cannot be something that you have learned about in class or one that has been done to death.

To stand out, you need to first entice the instructor with an interesting topic or take on an interesting angle that will set you apart from your classmates.

Here’s a video on how you can narrow down your essay topic

Conduct Extensive Research

Research is key - your paper will only be as strong as the research you do.

So, give yourself ample time to research and scan essential reading material such as journals, online sources, existing research studies, religious texts, and library books. The more you read, the more meat you will have to write this paper.

It is also a good idea to speak to experts in theology and religion to get new views and insights into the topic you are exploring.

Considering the amount of reading you will be doing, always keep a notebook by your side to highlight and take notes on the critical points that would be of use while writing the paper. This is an effective way to gather references for citations at the end of the assignment.

Draft an Outline

Hold on - don’t start writing, not just yet.

Before writing, you must first work on a rough outline. This will ensure you don’t miss out on any points and maintain a logical flow while writing.

So, work on an outline and map your points to the following key headings:

Introduction - introduce the topic and main points of the paper while giving background information and context. This paragraph needs to end with a strong, arguable thesis;

Body - this section consists of multiple paragraphs where you need to discuss your thesis and present your arguments and evidence obtained from research;

Conclusion - the concluding paragraph needs to reinstate your thesis statement and do a quick recap of your main arguments.

Start the Writing Process

Now that you have your outline ready with the crucial points, you can finally start writing.

Considering the amount of information you are grappling with, you might get overwhelmed initially - not knowing how to articulate yourself properly.

To avoid a panic attack in such situations, we recommend breaking down the writing process as per the sections. That way, you can approach it clearly and concentrate better.

Here’s a tip - thesis statements are a vital component so instead of wasting time on it in the beginning, start with a rough thesis statement which you can come back to and finetune once you are done with the rest of the paper.

There are two parts to proofreading - one involves ensuring you have accurately addressed the question, included the relevant sections logically, and presented your paper as per the requirements. The second part is reading the essay to spot grammatical, spelling, and sentence formation errors.

Another aspect to remember while proofreading is checking whether your essay is free of plagiarism . Sometimes, despite delivering ‘original’ work, a few silly mistakes can result in unintentional plagiarism.

Proofreading once is not enough - give your essay a couple of readings before turning it in. Ensure you don’t read it immediately after writing because you are likely to be tired of spotting errors. So, give your brain a rest and return to it the following day.

What Makes an Excellent Theology and Religion College Paper

You need to submit a Theology and Religion paper that makes your instructor go.

Wondering how? Here are four essential elements that make up an excellent Theology and Religion essay.

Logical Evidence

Through your writing, you need to convince the reader about your stance by presenting substantial evidence. Now, this requires thorough research, reading, and analysis.

From sacred scriptures and worship texts to official religious teachings - these are all considered to be logical evidence and need to be referred to in your paper.

Accurate Facts

Misinterpretation of facts is a severe problem in academic writing. You might think, “no one will notice,” but when your inaccuracies are spotted, it is a huge blow.

Hence, make sure the facts and references you include are accurate and from reliable sources. For instance, you cannot reference a Wikipedia page because it is undoubtedly unreliable, as it allows people to edit information whenever possible.

Inaccurate references reflect your laziness and lack of knowledge which is why you should always verify your references by double-checking the information you choose to include.

Neutral and Inclusive Writing

Let’s face it - Theology and Religion is a sensitive topics which makes it all the more important to be cautious about the language you are using. Such a paper demands the use of neutral and inclusive writing.

What does that mean? Be respectful and unbiased, use non-sexist language, and avoid using words that might be offensive.

So, while proofreading your paper, be on the lookout and ensure you are sensitive to all sentiments and avoid cultural biases that might dampen your paper.

Take a look at this insightful video on why using gender-inclusive language matters

Clarity in Writing

From correct grammar and spelling to proper presentation and formatting - all these factors contribute to writing with clarity.

You might have strong points and arguments, but unless you don’t articulate them properly, there is no way you can drive your message home and leave a positive impression in the minds of readers.

Hence, make sure you plan your writing, use the correct terminology, and structure your paper such that it is easily comprehensible.

Considering the intimidating and time-consuming nature of this assignment, many students end up despising the subject, but you don’t have to.

Follow this extensive guide, take it one step at a time and immerse yourself in the assignment - that is the only way you can do an excellent job and enjoy the process.

If you are still worried about writing your Theology and Religion paper, Writers Per Hour would be happy to come to your rescue.

Yes, that’s right.

All you have to do is write to us with your requirements and deadline, and we will find and assign a reliable college paper writer for you. From choosing the appropriate topic to doing research and accurately citing references, our assigned writing expert will work with you to create an exemplary essay that will help you ace this assignment.

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How to Write a College Essay about Religion

Picking a topic for your college essay can be intimidating, to put it lightly. In 650 words, you are supposed to distill yourself into an essay that is both a convincing argument for offering you admission and a literary masterpiece. That’s a lot. But picking the right topic for your essay can be the key to the puzzle. With the right topic, things flow.

There isn’t any one perfect topic for a college essay, but there is a perfect topic for yours — and it’s the one that fits you .

If faith has played a significant role in your life, good, bad, or complicated, writing your college essay about religion may be the way to a powerful and acceptance-earning essay.  

But if this is already making you nervous, send us an email . We help students identify their perfect topic.  

If you’re ready to dive into drafting, there are three core types of college essays about religion, and each come with their own strengths and challenges

3 Types of Religion Essays:   

The good angle.

If religion has been your source of community, friendship, or a cornerstone of your family, it may make sense to write about it. However, it’s important to know that it’s actually harder to write a good essay about a positive relationship with religion than a good essay about a bad relationship with religion. This is because what you need for a strong essay is a narrative arc. For there to be a narrative arc, there needs to be a struggle. As you approach your essay, you’ll need to identify a point of struggle or challenge to focus in on and to tell the story of within this broader positive relationship with religion.   

The Bad Angle

For some young people, religion is more foe than friend. There may have been a conflict with a particular religious leader or community, or a discrepancy between your identity or beliefs and the beliefs of a particular religious group. These conflicts often come with fracture that is painful and hard to overcome. If you can write about grappling with, and eventually overcoming, a challenge like this, that can be a deeply compelling essay. It’s important, though, that this type of essay doesn’t fall into a pit of negativity. There must be growth, and there must be a triumph — even if it is small.

The Complicated Angle

Most stories about religion don’t fall into good or bad. They’re wonderfully messy and in the middle. We love that about them. Messy and middle make good stories. Let things be complicated. Let them be difficult. Don’t let the mess make your work messy, though. Write about your experience clearly and succinctly, and make sure that you stay the focus of it because this is, after all, all about you.

As you approach your college essay and start brainstorming and drafting, the most important thing isn’t whether your experience with religion has been good, bad, or complicated. Nearly any story can be a worthy story through the power of narrative. What matters is that narrative. Every essay must have a beginning, middle, and end. There must be a conflict, big or small, and there must a triumph, tiny or massive.  

While you write, you need to keep yourself at the center of the story. Don’t let religion take over your role as the point of this essay. It’s your college essay. It needs to be about you, and you don’t have much space. If you feel like the religious aspect of the essay is taking up too much space, try to shrink the story you are telling. Through distillation and simplification, you’ll find clarity.

If you are set on writing about religion for your college essay, but still aren’t sure how you’re going to go about it, consider calling in help. Working with a college essay consultant is like having a coach in your corner for the biggest match of your life so far. It truly does make a difference.

We help exceptional students find and get into their perfect fit colleges. Send us an email if you’re struggling with where to start.

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Home Essay Samples

Essay Samples on Religion

Composing your student essay about religion, it’s essential to research your subject first and avoid controversial subjects. The trick is to provide a clear structure that will focus on theological aspects of things. When you strive to compare different religions, do not write in a biased tone and work on your compare-and-contrast essay. The body parts of your religion essay must start with a good topic sentence as you address a particular concept or the roots of some religious notions. It’s always good if you can find reliable sources to support the facts. If you are not sure about some source or an idea that must be explored, you can either talk to an academic advisor or focus on a good religion essay example that we have prepared for you. These will help you get a basic idea of how such essays must be written. See the introduction part in every essay sample provided and don’t forget to stay respectful as you work on the differences and similarities. Check your grading rubric requirements twice. Regarding a good thesis statement, religious essays should only pose assumptions or compose specific claims that are supported with another sentence to avoid misreading or confusion.

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Religious Studies

What this handout is about.

This handout explains several common writing assignments in religious studies and discusses what is unique about writing in this discipline.

Religious studies is an interdisciplinary field

Before starting on your writing assignment, you should know that religious studies is an interdisciplinary field, a fact which will shape how you approach your coursework. The interdisciplinary nature of religious studies is part of what makes the study of religion so interesting. However, it also makes writing in religious studies challenging because your instructors will expect you to use diverse theories and methods. At the same time that religious studies uses many of the same theories and methods as other fields, it is still its own discipline with unique conventions for writing.

What’s the difference between “religion” and “religious studies”?

Writing for religious studies takes place within a secular, academic environment, rather than a faith-oriented community. Religious studies papers, therefore, should not try to demonstrate or refute provocative religious concepts, such as the existence of God or the idea of reincarnation. Such issues are supernatural and/or metaphysical; as such, they cannot be proven with evidence that is available to everyone. Religious studies, in contrast, aims to understand religion from a perspective that can be shared by all.

You may be wondering, “How do I go about investigating religious material without employing a religious perspective?” Remember—religious studies is interdisciplinary, so there are multiple modes of investigation, including literary, historical, cultural, sociological, and anthropological. These approaches tend to contextualize religious phenomena, such as beliefs and rituals. You might, therefore, investigate how Nietzsche questioned the existence of God or a particular Buddhist’s conception of reincarnation. In other words, your reader will likely be more interested in what a particular historical figure, community, or text reveals about these beliefs than in what you actually believe. Every religion arises within a particular context, which affects the development of that religion. When you explore a religion’s context, seemingly mystifying aspects of the tradition can become more comprehensible.

This distinction is especially important when analyzing evidence and making arguments. Don’t let your personal beliefs predetermine your conclusions. Always begin with a fresh evaluation of the evidence. While personal bias is unavoidable, it is critical to be alert to your own preconceptions. If you base your argument on personal beliefs rather than reasoned evidence, then it will not convince readers who do not share your assumptions. Thus, neither faith nor received tradition (such as the lessons you may have been taught in a religious institution) constitutes a valid basis for an argument in academic writing. If you do your best to set aside personal convictions, your final product should be a reasoned argument that gives no indication of your own religious beliefs.

Common writing assignments in religious studies

The interdisciplinary nature of religious studies is reflected in the diversity of writing assignments. If you are not sure about the nature of your assignment, you can consult our handout on understanding assignments or speak with your instructor—you might be working on a project that is not discussed here. Here are some common assignments:

Comparative essays

Comparative essays require that you discuss similarities and differences between the topics you compare, and that your discussion relates to particular theory. In other words, your comparative essay must be more than a list of similarities and differences. Your comparisons should support a theoretical point or issue that is broader than the items under examination. See our handout on comparing/contrasting for more on this type of argument.

For example, if you decide to compare Chinese folk rituals for honoring ancestors and Hindu rituals for honoring deities, you could explain that each ritual is similar in that they usually involve food and candles or lamps. Chinese rituals, however, usually occur without an altar, while Hindu rituals require one. In addition to describing these similarities and differences, you should also discuss what your comparison reveals about food and altars relative to a particular theory of ritual. The theoretical issues of food, altars, and rituals can form the analytical core of your paper.

A thesis sentence for the example above might read:

“Even though Chinese rituals for honoring ancestors and Hindu rituals for honoring deities both involve food offerings, the differences between these rituals regarding their need for an altar demonstrate that Rupert Hemingway’s theory of ritual sacrifice cannot account for cross-cultural variations in ritual practices.”

In sum, a good comparative essay should:

• Describe each thing that you compare in terms of the social, historical, and cultural environment to which it belongs.
• Explain the larger theoretical point or issue that forms the analytical core of your essay.
• Compare each thing with the others at the descriptive level to identify their similarities and differences, and individually compare each thing with your paper’s larger theoretical issue.
• Conclude your paper by explaining what your comparisons at both the descriptive and theoretical levels reveal about the broader theoretical point.

Critical readings of religious texts

Writing for religious studies may also involve critical analyses of sacred and/or traditionally authoritative texts. While a critical reading of a sacred text might seem irreverent, the point is not to “criticize” the text, but to respectfully “discern” the different aspects of its meaning. The concept of divine inspiration, although often associated with sacred texts, belongs in a faith-oriented environment and, therefore, is not suitable evidence in academic writing. An alternative approach involves treating the texts as literary sources. Literary texts are best understood by assessing the situation surrounding their origin. You can employ methods of literary analysis by evaluating the genre of a particular text to explain how it has been interpreted. Issues related to authorship, source material, and historical context can also be important. You can explore common themes and motifs or undertake a character analysis. A comparative study, utilizing multiple texts, is yet another possibility.

The opening chapters of the biblical book of Genesis, for instance, provide various possibilities for literary analysis. The text actually depicts not one, but two creation accounts. Setting aside the question of whether or not they are reconcilable, you can explore the distinctive features of each. Different authors composed them during different historical periods, and, consequently, they reflect unique interests. The historical context of one account can help you understand its unique themes. Comparing them is another option. You could also investigate the manner in which the two accounts were eventually placed side by side.

The study of religion does not rely exclusively on sacred texts. Your evidence can include non-sacred religious and secular literature, including fiction. Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, for instance, reveals aspects of popular medieval Christianity, while Graham Greene’s The Power and the Glory depicts the political repression of Catholicism in modern Mexico through the tale of an alcoholic priest.

For more suggestions on treating religious sources as literary texts, refer to our handout on writing about literature and our handout on poetry explications .

Ethnographic studies

Ethnography is a research method that involves observing religious actions and interviewing participants. Ethnography is useful when you want to know how contemporary religious actors and communities behave and think. Ethnographic writing is challenging for three reasons:

• Ethnographic writing actually includes different kinds of writing, including fieldnotes, interview notes, scene notes, and the final paper itself.
• The primary sources for ethnographic writing come from your own experiences, observations, and interviews with subjects in a fieldwork setting.
• Ethnographic writing demands your ethical commitment to protect the well-being of the people you are studying.

See our handout on anthropology for more information on ethnographic studies.

Historical analyses

History is a common component of religious studies, particularly at UNC. Similar theories and methods can be applied, for instance, to the study of American religious history and American political history. The historical study of religion may be further divided into specific sub-fields. You can, for instance, examine the social history of early Christianity or the literary history of Persian religious poetry. Primary sources, which include both documentary texts and material remains, are essential to historical analysis. See our handout on writing in history .

Certain aspects of religious traditions, by their very nature, are not susceptible to historical inquiry. For instance, miracles are by definition inexplicable and thus not open to historical investigation. If you undertake an historical study of Jesus, the question of whether or not Jesus experienced a bodily resurrection (a miracle), though significant from a theological perspective, requires an alternative approach. While the mystery of the miracle remains, the literary evidence reporting the resurrection possesses value for historians. An historian could investigate the manner in which early Christian writers depicted the event and make an historical claim related to the development of early Christian theology. A fruitful historical inquiry could consider how early Christians interpreted the resurrection; such an argument constitutes an historical claim.

Journal entries

You can use academic journal entries to analyze your own thinking as a student by raising questions about course materials and experimenting with potential answers. Journal entries are less formal than a fully developed research paper. They give you the opportunity to sharpen your critical thinking skills by cutting to the core of issues quickly and succinctly. Journal entries don’t need to be finished products; rather, they should reflect your current thinking, even (and especially) when you are still puzzling through questions and possible solutions.

Here are examples of questions that can form the basis of your journal entries: Questions about individual source materials

• What are the main issues raised by your sources? Are these issues handled adequately by your sources, or are there shortcomings? If so, what are these shortcomings, and what strategies could you use to remedy them? What are the strengths and weaknesses of your remedies?

Comparative questions about your sources

• How do course materials compare with each other? What are the major points of agreement and disagreement? Why do they agree or disagree? Is there a difference or similarity in theory, method, topic, data, or approach? How would you evaluate the relative strengths and weaknesses of each source’s point of view, and which criteria are you using to evaluate them? How would you use the sources to construct an argument? What are the strengths and weaknesses of your point of view?

Questions about your own thinking

• What are your reactions to the course materials? Why do you find some sources interesting? What do you agree or disagree with? Can you find support for your views, or are your reactions driven primarily by factors beyond the course materials? If the origins of your reactions come from other sources, how will you manage them relative to the core issues raised in your course? Can they be an asset to you as you think through your coursework?

Terminology in Religious Studies

Writing effectively in religious studies depends on vocabulary. To use key terms appropriately, make sure that you thoroughly understand the specialized vocabulary in your course readings. In addition, you may want to use more general religious terms in your writing. For the definitions of terms such as belief, deity, faith, holy books, ritual, and tradition, you should consult either the Oxford English Dictionary or the Harper Collins Dictionary of Religion.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Smith, Johnathan Z., and William Scott Green. 1995. The HarperCollins Dictionary of Religion . San Francisco: Harper.

Tucker, Dennis C. 2000. Research Techniques for Scholars and Students in Religion and Theology . Medford, NJ: Information Today.

Vyhmeister, Nancy Jean. 2014. Quality Research Papers for Students of Religion and Theology , 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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100+ Religion Essay Topics

The realm of religion has always been a deeply fascinating and, at times, contentious area of study. The possibilities for exploration are vast, from theological doctrines to the impact of religion on societies. If you are a student or an enthusiast looking to delve into religious studies through essays, you’ve come to the right place.

Table of Contents

What is a Religion Essay?

A religion essay is a piece of writing that explores topics related to spirituality, theological doctrines, the historical evolution of religions, religious practices, and the impact of religion on various facets of society. It provides an avenue for individuals to critically examine and articulate their understanding of a religious subject, fostering both introspection and academic analysis.

Guide on Choosing a Religion Essay Topic

In 100-150 words? Here goes: Choosing a topic for a religion essay can be overwhelming, given the vastness of the subject. Start by narrowing your focus. Are you more interested in theological concepts, historical events, or social impacts? Research current events related to religion, as contemporary issues can provide fresh perspectives. Reflect on personal experiences or curiosities. It’s always easier to write on topics you’re passionate about. Lastly, ensure your chosen topic has enough credible sources available for a well-researched essay.

Religion Essay Topics Lists

Theological concepts.

• The Concept of God in Abrahamic Religions
• Karma and Reincarnation in Hinduism
• The Significance of Nirvana in Buddhism
• Sufism: The Mystical Dimension of Islam
• The Holy Trinity in Christianity: Interpretations and Beliefs

Historical Events

• The Crusades: Religious Zeal or Political Conquest?
• The Reformation and its Impact on Christianity
• Spread of Islam: Historical Perspectives and Causes
• Ancient Egyptian Religion and its Influence on Society
• The Role of the Vatican during World War II

Social Impacts

• Religion and its Role in Shaping Moral Values
• The Influence of Religion on Art and Architecture
• Religion and Politics: A Dangerous Liaison?
• Impact of Secularism on Modern Societies
• Feminism and Religion: Points of Convergence and Divergence

Contemporary Issues

• The Rise of Atheism in the 21st Century
• Religion and LGBTQ+ Rights: Conflicts and Resolutions
• Modern Religious Movements and Cults: A Study
• Religion in the Age of Technology: Evolution or Dissolution?
• Climate Change: Religious Perspectives and Responsibilities

Personal Reflections

• My Spiritual Journey: Discoveries and Challenges
• Religion in My Family: Traditions and Changes
• The Role of Prayer in My Life
• Personal Experiences with Religious Tolerance and Intolerance
• Finding Peace: A Personal Encounter with Meditation

Historical Contexts

• The Fall of Constantinople: Religious Implications
• The Establishment of the Church of England
• Comparative Analysis: Spread of Christianity and Islam in Africa
• The Dead Sea Scrolls: Relevance and Discoveries
• Influence of the Byzantine Church on Orthodox Christianity

Theological Doctrines

• Comparative Analysis of Heaven in Different Religions
• The Role of Angels and Demons across Religions
• Salvation in Christian Theology
• Islamic Views on Predestination
• Hindu Views on Creation and Cosmos

Philosophical Questions

• The Problem of Evil in Religious Thought
• The Existence of God: Arguments For and Against
• Morality: Divine Command Theory vs. Secular Ethics
• Free Will vs. Divine Determinism
• The Concept of Soul in Various Religions

Modern Interpretations and Movements

• Progressive Christianity: A New Age Movement?
• Jihad: Misunderstandings and Clarifications
• Spiritual but Not Religious: The Rise of Secular Spirituality
• Neo-Paganism and Modern Witchcraft
• The Baha’i Faith and Its Universal Message

Religious Practices and Rituals

• The Significance of Hajj in Islam
• Christian Sacraments: Symbols and Meanings
• Hindu Festivals and Their Socio-religious Importance
• Jewish Dietary Laws: Significance and Practice
• Zen Buddhism: Practices and Philosophies

Religion and Society

• The Role of Religion in Contemporary Politics
• Religion and Education: Benefits and Drawbacks
• Religious Perspectives on Healthcare Ethics
• The Impact of Religion on Family Structures
• Religion in Media: Representation and Bias

Interfaith and Comparative Studies

• Comparative Study of Abrahamic Religions
• Eastern vs. Western Spiritual Practices
• Similarities in Creation Myths Across Religions
• Comparative Study of Ascetic Practices in Religions
• Rituals of Death and Afterlife Across Cultures

Gender and Religion

• Female Figures in Christianity: Beyond Mary
• The Role of Women in Islamic Societies
• Feminine Divinities in Hinduism
• Gender Roles in Traditional and Modern Jewish Practices
• The Evolution of Gender Norms in Buddhist Traditions

Religion and Science

• Religious Perspectives on Evolution
• The Vatican and Astronomy: A Historic Relationship
• Islamic Contributions to Science and Mathematics
• Hindu Cosmology and Modern Astrophysics
• Buddhism and Psychology: Overlaps and Insights

Mysticism and Esoteric Beliefs

• Kabbalah: Jewish Mysticism Explored
• Christian Gnostic Traditions
• Sufism: The Heart of Islamic Mysticism
• Tantra in Hinduism and Buddhism: Misunderstandings and Realities
• The Rosicrucians: History and Beliefs of a Mysterious Order

Sacred Texts and Their Interpretations

• The Bhagavad Gita: A Philosophical Analysis
• Parables in the New Testament: Meanings and Implications
• The Talmud and Its Relevance in Contemporary Judaism
• The Tao Te Ching: Exploring Daoist Philosophy
• Themes of Justice and Mercy in the Qur’an

Religion and Art

• Depictions of Buddha in Art: Evolution and Significance
• Christian Iconography: Symbols and Their Origins
• Islamic Calligraphy: Beauty in Sacred Texts
• Religious Themes in Renaissance Art
• The Influence of Hindu Mythology on Classical Dance Forms

Faith and Modern Challenges

• Addressing Climate Change: Religious Responses and Responsibilities
• Religion in the Digital Age: New Forms of Worship and Community
• The Ethics of Genetic Engineering from Religious Perspectives
• Faith Healing vs. Modern Medicine: A Comparative Analysis
• The Role of Religion in Modern Mental Health Practices

Minor Religions and Sects

• Jainism: Principles of Non-Violence and Asceticism
• The Yoruba Religion: Understanding Orishas and Rituals
• The Alevi Community: Beliefs and Practices
• Zoroastrianism: History and Current Status
• The Raelian Movement: Extraterrestrial Beliefs and Controversies

Call to Action

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Useful References

• BBC Religions – Comprehensive information on a wide array of religions.
• Religion Online – Full texts by recognized religious scholars.
• Pew Research Center’s Religion & Public Life Project – Offers statistical research and reports on religion’s role in society.

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What Is a Religion Essay

Let’s begin with a proper definition of religion essay. Such texts talk about the basics of faith, churches, and believer communities’ traditions or inspect religions from historical, cultural, or philosophical perspectives. Depending on a general subject, you might talk about your belief or discuss other ones you are familiar with within your essay.

When describing such kind of topic (be it your own one or some others you wish to talk about), you should typically provide the following information:

• Its core beliefs (is it mono- or polytheistic and so on).
• Its main traditions.
• Problems it faces (or has faced in the past) and how they are solved, etc.

Religion Essay for School

In this article, we’ll provide some guidelines for writing about religion in schools essays. First of all, keep in mind that your paper must be informative and objective. Describing your own belief or discussing other ones, you need to avoid uninformed assumptions and prejudice. In order to engage in such discussions, one should learn about some basic principles at least:

• What is it in general?
• What are the main religions in the world or in your country?
• Main differences between religions or churches, etc.

More detailed tips for essay about religion in schools will be provided below. Besides, we’ve got many such examples posted here for free. Go ahead and check them. Maybe you’ll find some helpful ideas there to borrow for your own work. Start with civil disobedience essay or discrimination essay at StudyBounty .

Religion College Essays Example

Looking for a sample of college essays about religion? We’ve got one for you! Feel free to check out its structure and style and reuse it in your own essay.

College students are expected to address more complicated problems in their papers. But you need to stay respectful while writing about religion in college essays. This is quite an important and sensitive aspect of modern life so better make sure you’re not offending anyone. Be objective and use valid sources to back up your narrative. Avoid informal vocabulary and make sure all parts of your text are logically connected with each other.

Religious college essays aren’t very easy to compose. That’s why it would be useful to have some real completed works as your reference materials. Scroll down to access our college essay examples .

Religion Essay Examples That Will Help You in Writing

Searching for a good religion example to help you with your writer’s block? You’ve come to the right place. We have many different examples for various kinds of essays on this subject.

Is your task to write a college essay on religion? This level requires proper analysis and some time spent on research. You are likely to address complex or even controversial problems. So, make sure to use good argumentation and at the same time avoid radically judging other people’s views.

There are two main essay types for this topic:

• Argumentative
• Persuasive.

Each subtype has its own peculiarities and limitations. It is better to learn more about each one before choosing your topic. Let’s examine both these essay types in detail.

Religion Argumentative Essay

Writing an argumentative essay on religion requires presenting some claim and defending it before your audience. You should build a set of reasons showing that you’re right which requires conducting some preliminary research. 

So, these are necessary steps when working on an argumentative essay about religion:

• Formulate a strong claim in your thesis statement. Be cautious with that since you’re dealing with a sensitive subject.
• Brainstorm ideas and collect sources.
• Build your argumentation taking potential counterarguments into account.

Religion argumentative essay topics are controversial by definition which is why it might be complicated to deal with them. Feel free to check out argumentative essay examples or samples below – maybe you’ll find its argumentation structure useful for your own work.

Religion Persuasive Essay

Interested in persuasive essay topics on religion? We’ve got you covered! A real religion essay sample of this type is provided below. Feel free to use it as inspiration or reference material while writing your task.

Here are also some tips for persuading others to use in your writing:

• Choose a familiar topic. It would be hard to convince others when discussing questions you aren’t too well versed in.
• Use different types of reasoning. Appeal to your experience, emotions, rhetoric, etc.
• Maintain a respectful tone because you’re dealing with some quite sensitive questions. For example, if you’re presenting ‘My religion essay”, don’t offend any other religions or their representatives.

Do not forget to browse various persuasive essay examples by StudyBounty . It is crucial for your essay writing.

Religion Essay Outline

Let’s talk about an outline of essay on religion. This step is very serious because composing an excellent outline would help make huge progress with your essay. Presenting its logical structure in shortened but comprehensive format allows you to correct all grave mistakes before writing the full text.

Let's look at our sample. Suppose your general topic is ‘Cultural role of religion’.

Outline example for religion essay

Introduction: draft an introduction providing your thesis statement.

• Introduce your topic and write a thesis statement – a full sentence. E.g. debate that your belief is a key element of your national culture.
• Add a few words about this problem’s context, explaining the history of this question in your country.

Main body: the body should contain at least three paragraphs, sketched but concise. 

• Think your argumentation through and perform the necessary research.
• When defending the cultural role of your religion, place each of your major arguments in a new paragraph.
• Reserve the last paragraph to review possible counterarguments and refute them.

Conclusion: write a shortened conclusion.

• Summarize your arguments and refutations.
• Restate your claim and check whether it sounds convincing. Fill in any logical gaps if needed.

Bonus: Do not know how many pages your essay should be? Try our words per page tool and get an instant result!

Religion Essay Introduction

Making an introduction to religion essay informative enough requires some preparation and analysis. First, read how to write an informative essay . And here are the recommended steps:

• Provide your thesis statement making it clear, concise, and well formulated. We’ll discuss this part in another section below.
• Add enough context to make your audience familiar with the selected problem. It should explain why this problem is important and/or interesting for others. Otherwise, you would risk losing your audience’s attention.
• Make sure to keep it brief nevertheless. Don’t disclose any vital information that is to be provided in the main part later.

Our sample is available for you here. Feel free to choose and if necessary copy this structure and these techniques to use in your paper.

Introduction of religion essay example

During the ancient era, both power and religion had a connection to the aspect of kingship. Power was defined as the authority to influence other people's behavior. On the other hand, religion at times espoused the belief that the divinity in human beings was expressed in the center of leadership, in this case, the kingship. The fields of religious studies and anthropology, as well as a number of conferences, have considered kingship with respect to its relationship to religion. Going back to the early civilizations, the aspect of power and religion worked similarly as well as differently in both Aegean Crete and in Mesopotamia. This paper aims at discussing how the two aspects operated in the two regions.

Religion Essay Thesis Statement Examples

When brainstorming a thesis statement on religion, better focus on the aspects you are well familiar with. It would be difficult to prove the point if you don’t know enough about the problem.

Are you writing an argumentative or persuasive essay? In both cases, you should make some controversial claims so that you would have enough materials for discussion.

Here is a thesis statement about religion that you could use when discussing its cultural role:

Despite many controversies about the current role of our church, religion has shaped the unique culture of our society.

Here you quote an opposite opinion on your problem and refute it in the same sentence. Such construction makes your thesis sound more interesting.

Religion Essay Body Paragraph

The classic format of 5 paragraph essay about religion foresees using 3 out of 5 paragraphs for the main body part. The remaining 2 paragraphs are left for the introduction and the conclusion respectively.

Here is what your main part should include:

• All the information with necessary explanations and argumentation. Make sure to prepare valid data or evidence for your claims and assumptions.
• Each paragraph in your essay should contain a certain major argument. Leave the last one for reviewing the main counterarguments against your position and refuting them.
• Remember that all paragraphs should be logically connected with each other.

You can see how it is done in a sample available below.

Religion essay body paragraph example 

Ancient leaders, more particularly Kings, used architecture and art to show their true dominance vividly. In this context, various structures conferred different messages. It's evident that every structure portrayed a specific message as far as kingship was concerned. A much more critical component, in any case, is the central role performed by organized religion within Mesopotamian in regards to issues of state (Finegan 2015). More certainly during the Sumerian times, the city and its monetary association were the duty of the sanctuary, with its progressive brotherhood in which was vested a power practically equivalent to that of the ruler and his admonitory committee of elders. As needs were at the beginning of Sumeria and Babylonia, consideration was paid essentially to the design of religious structures, and all sculptures that had a religious significance filled. The elaboration and enhancement of castles were an advancement of the Assyrian times.

Religion Essay Conclusion

Finally, let’s talk about a conclusion on religion essay. Here are several tips on writing a good one:

• Summarize the important information you’ve provided in your essay, but don’t repeat it. Make sure you address the opposing point of view – this will make an essay more objective.
• Don't put any reference material in this section – place all of that in the previous part.
• Make it brief but comprehensive. Try adding some captivating comments about the subject. They could leave a lasting impression on readers.

A good sample is available below. It could be useful for you as extra reference material. Feel free to borrow some ideas from it!

Example of conclusion for religion essay

Evidently, as the paper highlights, in the ancient world, kingship was complemented both by power and by religion. The highest-ranking officials in government used architecture and artworks to show their dominance and authority. For instance, a stone relief and the Akkadian statue in Mesopotamia and the tallest buildings in Aegean Crete such as the Knossos Palace. These artworks showed that the kingship position was for universal well-being. The artwork was symbolic. It showed power vested upon the ruler and not the ruler themselves.

How to Write a Religion Essay

Are you stuck at the beginning? Here’s how to write an essay about religion – step by step:

• Choose your topic carefully. Brainstorm ideas and conduct some research. Make sure you know well what you are writing about.
• Present it to your audience properly. This includes preparing a strong thesis statement. But at the same time remain respectful to other people, including your opponents. Review your thesis carefully before proceeding.
• Write a short outline. At this stage, it will be much easier to evaluate how concise your work would be. Serious misjudgments, errors, or gaps can be quickly spotted and corrected. Just make sure to review your completed outline at least twice.
• Conduct serious research about your topic. Collect all necessary reference material. Use only valid sources and make sure all the citations aren’t offensive.
• Write the full essay. Format it carefully, use proper vocabulary, and don't forget about grammar.
• Review it at least once. Minor issues are left unnoticed quite often. Try asking someone else to check it out.

Still not sure how to write an essay on religion? You can contact us! We have experienced academic writers who are happy to help students.

List of Popular Religion Paper Topics

Need some good topics for religion papers ? Or not sure how to choose from various religion topics to write about? We’ve got your back! Here are the 12 best religion topics for essays of various levels and types:

• The historical role of religion in education. (Look at the education system essay from our library.)
• Comparison and contrast of Islam and Christianity.
•  Start with Importance of religious community in our society.
• How do churches in maintain international peace?
• Benefits of polygamy/monogamy from the religious aspect.
• Ideas of reincarnation and their basis.
• Dangers of religious radicalism.
• Are religious people more moral? Why or why not?
• What justifies changing your belief? 
• Why the church should/should not be separated from the state.
• Polytheism vs monotheism.
• Why religions will/will not disappear eventually.

FAQ About Essays on Religion

Sure, we’ve got totally free essays religion for you, at no charge at all. Feel free to browse through them, read or download them as pdf. As long as you avoid direct copying, you can reuse their style or structure in your own original work or borrow their sources if they match your own topic.

Always start your religious essays with strong thesis statements. It is recommended to address complex and even controversial problems. Such claims provide enough material for discussion and engage your reader. Don’t forget to give enough context about your thesis. Otherwise, people who read it might lose focus at the beginning.

No! These religion papers available here aren’t unique. They have already been published online and are visible to all other people. Submitting someone else’s text for your school assignment qualifies as plagiarism, even if you’ve copied only a part of it. Be sure that your professor can easily detect that.

Because of the importance of studying religion essay is a popular assignment in various colleges. This kind of paper allows students to demonstrate their ability to address different complex and very sensitive problems. In addition to their writing skills, they show their capabilities of performing analysis and maintaining respectful dialogue.

Many essay titles about religion are helpful for engaging your reader. A strong title should be captivating (e.g. using unexpected logical constructions); controversial and inviting for a debate; correct and completely corresponding to your thesis statement but not copying it completely; relevant for different types of societies and avoid a narrow focus.

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Should I write about religion in college app essays? Answered

I am considering writing an essay about my challenge of the notion you can't be gay and Christian through personal experiences. However, I am concerned that there may be a stigma against my application if I decide to write about said experience.

After my last trip to New Mexico, I took a new look at my life, rethought a lot of things, and I'm sure that this wouldn't have happened if I hadn't contacted psychics before the trip. Well, I found psychic readings out of interest, accidentally stumbling upon the best platforms in the article outlookindia.com/outlook-spotlight/5-best-psychic-reading-sites-for-accurate-readings-news-278951, without any expectations. However, it changed my life a lot.

Earn karma by helping others:

I don't think it's a bad topic but you need to make sure you don't come off as overly negative. It could be a very inspiring essay or it could be very generic. I think if you dig into specific experiences that you've had with sexuality and religion then it will turn out well. Just don't generalize it towards Christianity as a whole because a lot of Christian sects embrace it. The notion that you can't be gay and Christian is usually perpetuated by more conservative sects and people who aren't Christian and don't know what they're talking about. Just be careful to be specific to your experience and avoid being too broad and I think it will be appreciated.

I'd also consider for a minute what I think the other answer is trying to say, which is that you should make sure this is a part of your identity. If you know that your religion and experience is a major part of who you are, then colleges will want to hear about it. However, if you were raised Christian but you don't consider it a big part of your life, maybe reconsider.

catholic, sorry... but thank you!

@cp839 's answer is good, but to add to it, consider the colleges that you're applying to. All colleges are different and many will have different outlooks on religion in general; for example, sending this essay to Santa Clara University or Boston College (top Jesuit universities) would likely get a different reaction than sending it to a secular university like Cornell. That doesn't mean positive or negative—just different.

In general, if you're going to write an essay with a topic like this, you need to make sure you're leaning into the personal and not the more abstract part of this topic. An essay about how your experiences with religion and sexual orientation have shaped you as a person is great. An essay about Catholicism and sexual orientation in general is a bad essay—not because of any stigma, but because it's not enough about you. The danger with these kinds of essays is that they can very easily become an Opinions & Editorials piece about a topic rather than a personal essay about your experiences—they need to be the latter to be successful.

i'm personalizing it quite a bit... relating it to my personal experience... like how I'm super devout, and still want to be. I don't express anything close to an editorial...

Cool, then you're on the right track. I've just seen a lot of essays where students pick a topic that's really important to them and end up writing more about the topic than themselves—so it's something to watch out for.

You're overthinking it. College is meant to explore and many people cast off past affiliations and adopt new ones, including religion. Colleges want to know if you can handle the academic work, first and foremost. Secondly, a few care if you can contribute to community. Most don't care and only need/want your tuition.

am I overthinking on my topic or my worry of the topic?

I don't think you're overthinking it; it's okay to be careful and contemplative about your essays. After all, they are important. To be honest, a compelling and thoughtful essay on any topic is all the colleges ask for. If being Christian & gay means to you and comprises a lot of your personal identity, go for it!

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Writing an essay on religion?

<p>I was thinking of writing my college essay on a personal struggle I have had with faith. However, I’ve heard that writing about religion is risky and could hurt your application rather than aid it. The essay however will be more about my personal struggle with religion but in a manner that doesn’t chastise religion in any way. Still though, do you think I should continue with it or chose another essay topic?</p>

<p>bump…</p>

<p>There’s a thread just a bit down about this very topic. I think you should continue with it, which is what I said to the other guy. My rationale for writing about religion (which I did too, in my essay) is that 1.) It’s fairly important to me; what better to write about? Would I rather write about something that sounds non-threatening yet doesn’t interest me? 2.) College admissions people usually want “diverse” applicants…and, well, most students <em>aren’t</em> going to write about religion.</p>

<p>i wouldnt do it. so most americans are religious. but with toptier institutions, less people are religious. so let’s call it a 50-50 split that your reader is religious. could go positive or negative. why not write something that a majority of people like? let’s say about oranges or bananas or what it is like being a human.</p>

<p>reptil: Because who the F cares about oranges and bananas? If it’s not interesting to the writer, it won’t be interesting to the reader. Sure, you can play it safe and write about how playing basketball taught you about teamwork, but the admissions committee has seen that millions of times already. Why write an essay that tells them nothing about YOU?</p>

<p>OK, I’m leaving this thread now. You’re going to think I’m a crazy person.</p>

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Religion College Essays Samples For Students

5359 samples of this type

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For starters, you should browse our vast directory of free samples that cover most diverse Religion College Essay topics and showcase the best academic writing practices. Once you feel that you've analyzed the basic principles of content organization and drawn actionable ideas from these expertly written College Essay samples, developing your own academic work should go much smoother.

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Islam Phobia Essay Example

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Islamic Art Essays Example

Islamic art: understanding visual wealth behind religion.

The consistent way of adding in faith into their work was a distinct characteristic of Islamic art. Among the primary themes that are found in such artistic works include the presentation of Mohammad, the distinct identification of Allah’s power and the way the Moslems prayed and praised their God Allah. These particular presentations about common themes in the Islamic belief create a well-drawn definition on how they ought to follow the distinct rules of Islam in their lives. What is specifically evident in most Islamic art forms is the absence of personas unlike other religious works.

Islam Development Essay Examples

Islam development, robbery essay examples, introduction, essay on jilting of granny weatherall, essay outline.

- Thesis: In Katherine Porter’s Jilting of Granny Weatherall, granny Weartherall’s main antagonist is life itself (that throws back and forth), but she manages to soldier on and weather all kinds of adversity till her death.

- Jilted at the age of 20

- Granny Weatherall gets jilted by her lover, George, at the age of 20.

- She withstands the pain of the break-up.

- Sick at 40

- At the age of 40, granny Weatherall develops milky leg and double pneumonia.

- She manages to pull through.

Sample Essay On Iran and Cambodia

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The reflection paper, based on a range of classes of the course, is aimed at once more reconsidering what I have learnt during the course and the way I was feeling about each of the classes. Before considering each of the classes I would like to mention that all the class were very insightful, and made me more interested in religious studies in general, and the development of religion in Korea.

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Good essay about christianity, good essay on rerum novarum, the islam religion essay sample, ibn batuta and marco polo essay examples.

Both Ibn Batuta and Marco Polo were famous world explorers at their respective times – about a generation apart. However, the travels of Marco Polo preceded those of Ibn Batuta by a couple of decades. Therefore, in that respect, the worldview of the both the travelers are not that different since both saw more or less the same period in history. This essay shall compare the travel accounts of both these travelers and argue that the travel accounts of Marco Polo are historically more reliable than those of Ibn Batuta.

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Compare and contrast the new ideologies that developed in the Han period, including neo-Daoism, Buddhism, and other new influences in China. What was the impact on Chinese society and politics of these new schools of thought?

Free Agno theist on Myths America Live Essay Example

Essay on religions of asia.

In the beginning of the semester, I wrote on the Discussion Board that even though I am from Asia and people may think that I am familiar with religions of Asia, I did not have much understanding of various religious faiths in Asia. Because I have never believed or practiced any religion in my whole life, I did not have much interest about religions of Asia or elsewhere.

Italian Traditional Family Essay Sample

Italy is one of the most historical countries in Europe with its landscape serving as a portrait of years gone by. The rich history is woven into all aspects of the country including family, business and culture. With landmarks and ruins as old as two thousand years, Italy has managed to keep its history intact while adopting modern values. Today, it is not only an attraction for the tourists but also a hub of arts, fashion and traditions.

Essay On Loves Philosophy

Comparison of the rime of the ancient mariner (samuel taylor coleridge) to love's philosophy (p.b. shelley).

Romanticism is the element of classic English literature that is evident in the products of early The French Revolution. It is embedded as the fundamental of an individual that triggers alienation with the power of the spirit that demand change as violent obsession. The poets, philosophers and writers of the age of romanticism can be evaluated by comparing the constituents of emotions, passion and rationality. The same pattern will be used to perform a comparative analysis of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (Samuel Taylor Coleridge) to Love's Philosophy (P.B. Shelley)

Free Essay On China and Japan

China and Japan both have a very long history, they have both formal and informal relationship. China in a big way influenced Japan, for example, in writing system, architecture, culture, psychology, law system, politics and economics, etc. China is much older than Japan. Both of these countries had different kinds of relations such as commercial and cultural that were established long ago, nearly 200 A.D. China has influenced Japanese language. Japan didn’t have its own written language, do when they had their first contact with Chinese civilization Japanese civilization they started using Chinese symbols in their writings.

Good Interviewing the Client Essay Example

Example of essay on human nature, chapter 10 q1, judaism essays example, 1. who is the founder of this week’s religion are there any other major contributors to the development of the religion.

Judaism is an oldest monotheistic religion among the three faiths f Islam and Christianity that originated in the Middle East. The religion started over 3500 years ago. The founder of the religion was Moses despite the fact that Jews draw their history back to Abraham. Other contributors of Judaism religion include Jacob and Isaac (Bbc.co.uk, 2014). The three patriarchs are the spiritual and physical ancestors of Judaism.

2. Describe the historical progression of this week’s religion. What are some key events that have helped to shape the religion’s core beliefs and practices?

Good essay on inca art in south america.

The sixteenth-century Inca Empire was one of the largest states in the worldat that time. It included most parts of modern Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and northern Chile and reached into contemporary Argentina. The Inca called their empire the Land of the Four Quarters, which began as a state of many small rival kingdoms. To hold this linguistically and ethnically diverse state together, they depended on religion, a well-organised bureaucracy, and different forms of labor taxation.

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- What is this article about?

The article in context is about the effect of religious belief on the holistic happiness of human beings. Religion is researched as a very important factor in the life of human beings and the effects of religious practice are delved deep into in this article. It talks of several studies which have been carried out to substantiate the inference. The readers come to know how the devout religious person remains immune to negativity of life and how religion helps man tread on the path of life with its ups and downs.

A Ritual Essay Example

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The mutiny of 1857 was a turning point in the history of India under British rule. This event is considered as one of the most dangerous threats to rulers of contemporary India. The mutiny caused some very significant changes in the history of India and affected every aspect of the India. This paper intends to discuss 1857 mutiny and further probes what were the principal causes and characteristics of the Mutiny of 1857.

Sufi Poetry Essay Example

In this paperwork, I am going to discuss two or three major themes that emerge from Sufi poetry and how these themes connect to the general teachings of Islam. I will also compare the Sufi poetry with Merton Thomas work.

Cultural Conflict Essay Sample

In this paperwork, I am going to demonstrate my understanding about cultures in conflicts drawing a minimum of ten key concepts introduced throughout the term. When it comes to conservation, which plays a major role in culture conflict, it is clearly depicted that the Maasai are excluded by park managers from their traditional territory and resources to allow them practice conservation. The move of excluding the Maasai from their native land results into disagreement between the two parties, thereby, bringing up unnecessary fracas contributing to cultural conflict.

Free Essay About Protestantism movement in Korea

The following reflection paper is dedicated to reconsidering my new knowledge and ideas that I have got after most recent classes. In this paper I will address such topics as the developments in Protestantism in Korea over the period from the 19th to 21th centuries; the personalities of major leaders in this movement, as well as considering the reasons behind the Protestantism movement in Korea.

Existential Ethic Essays Example

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The knowledge above all is a key aspect in the Hindu spiritual tradition. The desire to know more about the depths of life and death cannot be bribed. Death offers Naicketas pleasures, happiness, wealth, many years of life, for him and his family in order to make him take back his question about a man who is considered death, although some other people consider him alive.

Example Of Mary Rowlandsons Story Essay

The phenomenon of religion essay, essay on american grace.

This review paper aim is to review the book “American Grace” by two American authors. The review is mainly based on the subject of “Sociology of Religion”. It addresses the authors’ findings, their conclusions and the significance of sociological approach to the American religion.

Example Of Essay On Religion

Question 1:, questioning religion essay.

Religion can be defined as a practice or belief intended to create long-lasting and influential meaning by establishing symbols that relate to a specific set of human values. Religion seeks to explain origin of the universe and life, giving meaning to life and explain other phenomena. Examples of religion are Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Islam. The debate about whether questioning religion is morally right is as old as religion itself. In my opinion, rational questioning of religion is not morally wrong; in fact, it helps to advance religion positively.

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Essay on debate on nato presence in afghanistan.

The North Atlantic Alliance (NAA) was formed on April 4, 1949. The NAA is an intergovernmental military partnership headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, based on the North Atlantic pact. Under collective defense, member states mutually defend against external attacks (Andreas et al 76).

The NAA's presence in Afghanistan has benefited the Middle East, though some argue it has increased conflict and misunderstanding. NAA operations in Afghanistan and Iraq have enhanced strategic importance in the Persian Gulf (Priest 65). NAA nations recognize instability's dangers and promote stability in Afghanistan and the Gulf. The NAA assists new Iraqi authorities to control defense and security themselves. As a populous state, NAA support has helped Iraq emerge as a regional power (Priest 67).

Iran's ballistic missile and religious extremist capabilities pose a threat. The NAA has not convinced Iran to halt these projects. This failure underpins critiques of the NAA's ineffectiveness in containing dangerous missiles and bombs, jeopardizing Euro-Atlantic security (Andreas et al 86).

The NAA's role in promoting regional stability and addressing Iran's nuclear program is significant. While some critics say the NAA overreaches into politics over peacekeeping, human rights advocates support the alliance's humane approach toward achieving Middle East stability and unity (Priest 69) (Kaplan 125).

Iraqis are rebuilding, but Iranian extremists like Mogtada al-Sadr promote instability and chaos to undermine emerging powers, maligning the NAA as ineffective (Kaplan 125). NAA presence has reduced deaths and boosted economic growth in Afghanistan and the Middle East overall, while curbing property destruction from prolonged regional war and religious conflicts. The NAA has established electoral leadership to replace Shiite infighting in Tehran (Kaplan 127).

The NAA engages influential clerics to limit political clerical power and promote strong nationalism over religious sectarianism. In May 2010, NAA officials and Pakistan's President Zardari and Army Chief discussed Afghan strategy, benefiting citizens through conflict resolution efforts (Priest 75).

Expanded NAA counterterrorism training aims to build mutual benefit and cooperation, including with the U.S. and other continents, to make the NAA a global body countering Middle East terrorists like Osama Bin Laden (Andreas et al 87).

While playing a key role in the Middle East, NAA members should pursue comprehensive solutions for lasting peace (Kaplan 128). Working with U.S. intelligence, the NAA can coordinate policies to dissuade Iran and terrorists from jeopardizing Middle East stability with nuclear and missile programs. Though contributing significantly in Afghanistan and the Gulf, the NAA's primary political purpose is to avoid military complications in stabilizing the region politically and economically.

With its mandate, the NAA can develop a new collective, coordinated regional security mechanism focused on Iraq, Iran and Yemen as the most affected states (Kaplan 130). It should address military issues and promote internal stability and reform in the post-Hussein period. Given the lack of evidence that the NAA has worsened Middle East conflicts, its Afghan presence has been beneficial overall (Andreas et. al. 90).

Works cited:

Priest, Andrew. Kennedy, Johnson and NATO: Britain, America and the dynamics of alliance, Contemporary security studies. New York: Taylor & Francis, 2006 (2): 65-75. Kaplan, Lawrence. NATO divided, NATO united: the evolution of an alliance. New York: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2004 (3): 125-130. Andreas, Wenger, Christian Nuenlist and Anna Locher. Transforming NATO in the Cold War: challenges beyond deterrence in the Middle East. New York: Taylor & Francis, 2007 (7): 76-90.

Importance Of Chivalry Concept Essay

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College Admissions , College Essays

The personal statement might just be the hardest part of your college application. Mostly this is because it has the least guidance and is the most open-ended. One way to understand what colleges are looking for when they ask you to write an essay is to check out the essays of students who already got in—college essays that actually worked. After all, they must be among the most successful of this weird literary genre.

In this article, I'll go through general guidelines for what makes great college essays great. I've also compiled an enormous list of 100+ actual sample college essays from 11 different schools. Finally, I'll break down two of these published college essay examples and explain why and how they work. With links to 177 full essays and essay excerpts , this article is a great resource for learning how to craft your own personal college admissions essay!

What Excellent College Essays Have in Common

Even though in many ways these sample college essays are very different from one other, they do share some traits you should try to emulate as you write your own essay.

Visible Signs of Planning

Building out from a narrow, concrete focus. You'll see a similar structure in many of the essays. The author starts with a very detailed story of an event or description of a person or place. After this sense-heavy imagery, the essay expands out to make a broader point about the author, and connects this very memorable experience to the author's present situation, state of mind, newfound understanding, or maturity level.

Knowing how to tell a story. Some of the experiences in these essays are one-of-a-kind. But most deal with the stuff of everyday life. What sets them apart is the way the author approaches the topic: analyzing it for drama and humor, for its moving qualities, for what it says about the author's world, and for how it connects to the author's emotional life.

Stellar Execution

A killer first sentence. You've heard it before, and you'll hear it again: you have to suck the reader in, and the best place to do that is the first sentence. Great first sentences are punchy. They are like cliffhangers, setting up an exciting scene or an unusual situation with an unclear conclusion, in order to make the reader want to know more. Don't take my word for it—check out these 22 first sentences from Stanford applicants and tell me you don't want to read the rest of those essays to find out what happens!

A lively, individual voice. Writing is for readers. In this case, your reader is an admissions officer who has read thousands of essays before yours and will read thousands after. Your goal? Don't bore your reader. Use interesting descriptions, stay away from clichés, include your own offbeat observations—anything that makes this essay sounds like you and not like anyone else.

Technical correctness. No spelling mistakes, no grammar weirdness, no syntax issues, no punctuation snafus—each of these sample college essays has been formatted and proofread perfectly. If this kind of exactness is not your strong suit, you're in luck! All colleges advise applicants to have their essays looked over several times by parents, teachers, mentors, and anyone else who can spot a comma splice. Your essay must be your own work, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting help polishing it.

And if you need more guidance, connect with PrepScholar's expert admissions consultants . These expert writers know exactly what college admissions committees look for in an admissions essay and chan help you craft an essay that boosts your chances of getting into your dream school.

Check out PrepScholar's Essay Editing and Coaching progra m for more details!

Links to Full College Essay Examples

Some colleges publish a selection of their favorite accepted college essays that worked, and I've put together a selection of over 100 of these.

Common App Essay Samples

Please note that some of these college essay examples may be responding to prompts that are no longer in use. The current Common App prompts are as follows:

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. 2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? 3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? 4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you? 5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. 6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Now, let's get to the good stuff: the list of 177 college essay examples responding to current and past Common App essay prompts. 

Connecticut college.

• 12 Common Application essays from the classes of 2022-2025

Hamilton College

• 7 Common Application essays from the class of 2026
• 7 Common Application essays from the class of 2022
• 7 Common Application essays from the class of 2018
• 8 Common Application essays from the class of 2012
• 8 Common Application essays from the class of 2007

Johns Hopkins

These essays are answers to past prompts from either the Common Application or the Coalition Application (which Johns Hopkins used to accept).

• 1 Common Application or Coalition Application essay from the class of 2026
• 6 Common Application or Coalition Application essays from the class of 2025
• 6 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2024
• 6 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2023
• 7 Common Application of Universal Application essays from the class of 2022
• 5 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2021
• 7 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2020

Essay Examples Published by Other Websites

• 2 Common Application essays ( 1st essay , 2nd essay ) from applicants admitted to Columbia

Other Sample College Essays

Here is a collection of essays that are college-specific.

Babson College

• 4 essays (and 1 video response) on "Why Babson" from the class of 2020

Emory University

• 5 essay examples ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) from the class of 2020 along with analysis from Emory admissions staff on why the essays were exceptional
• 5 more recent essay examples ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) along with analysis from Emory admissions staff on what made these essays stand out

University of Georgia

• 1 “strong essay” sample from 2019
• 1 “strong essay” sample from 2018
• 10 Harvard essays from 2023
• 10 Harvard essays from 2022
• 10 Harvard essays from 2021
• 10 Harvard essays from 2020
• 10 Harvard essays from 2019
• 10 Harvard essays from 2018
• 6 essays from admitted MIT students

Smith College

• 6 "best gift" essays from the class of 2018

Books of College Essays

If you're looking for even more sample college essays, consider purchasing a college essay book. The best of these include dozens of essays that worked and feedback from real admissions officers.

College Essays That Made a Difference —This detailed guide from Princeton Review includes not only successful essays, but also interviews with admissions officers and full student profiles.

50 Successful Harvard Application Essays by the Staff of the Harvard Crimson—A must for anyone aspiring to Harvard .

50 Successful Ivy League Application Essays and 50 Successful Stanford Application Essays by Gen and Kelly Tanabe—For essays from other top schools, check out this venerated series, which is regularly updated with new essays.

Heavenly Essays by Janine W. Robinson—This collection from the popular blogger behind Essay Hell includes a wider range of schools, as well as helpful tips on honing your own essay.

Analyzing Great Common App Essays That Worked

I've picked two essays from the examples collected above to examine in more depth so that you can see exactly what makes a successful college essay work. Full credit for these essays goes to the original authors and the schools that published them.

Example 1: "Breaking Into Cars," by Stephen, Johns Hopkins Class of '19 (Common App Essay, 636 words long)

I had never broken into a car before.

We were in Laredo, having just finished our first day at a Habitat for Humanity work site. The Hotchkiss volunteers had already left, off to enjoy some Texas BBQ, leaving me behind with the college kids to clean up. Not until we were stranded did we realize we were locked out of the van.

Someone picked a coat hanger out of the dumpster, handed it to me, and took a few steps back.

"Can you do that thing with a coat hanger to unlock it?"

"Why me?" I thought.

More out of amusement than optimism, I gave it a try. I slid the hanger into the window's seal like I'd seen on crime shows, and spent a few minutes jiggling the apparatus around the inside of the frame. Suddenly, two things simultaneously clicked. One was the lock on the door. (I actually succeeded in springing it.) The other was the realization that I'd been in this type of situation before. In fact, I'd been born into this type of situation.

My upbringing has numbed me to unpredictability and chaos. With a family of seven, my home was loud, messy, and spottily supervised. My siblings arguing, the dog barking, the phone ringing—all meant my house was functioning normally. My Dad, a retired Navy pilot, was away half the time. When he was home, he had a parenting style something like a drill sergeant. At the age of nine, I learned how to clear burning oil from the surface of water. My Dad considered this a critical life skill—you know, in case my aircraft carrier should ever get torpedoed. "The water's on fire! Clear a hole!" he shouted, tossing me in the lake without warning. While I'm still unconvinced about that particular lesson's practicality, my Dad's overarching message is unequivocally true: much of life is unexpected, and you have to deal with the twists and turns.

Living in my family, days rarely unfolded as planned. A bit overlooked, a little pushed around, I learned to roll with reality, negotiate a quick deal, and give the improbable a try. I don't sweat the small stuff, and I definitely don't expect perfect fairness. So what if our dining room table only has six chairs for seven people? Someone learns the importance of punctuality every night.

But more than punctuality and a special affinity for musical chairs, my family life has taught me to thrive in situations over which I have no power. Growing up, I never controlled my older siblings, but I learned how to thwart their attempts to control me. I forged alliances, and realigned them as necessary. Sometimes, I was the poor, defenseless little brother; sometimes I was the omniscient elder. Different things to different people, as the situation demanded. I learned to adapt.

Back then, these techniques were merely reactions undertaken to ensure my survival. But one day this fall, Dr. Hicks, our Head of School, asked me a question that he hoped all seniors would reflect on throughout the year: "How can I participate in a thing I do not govern, in the company of people I did not choose?"

The question caught me off guard, much like the question posed to me in Laredo. Then, I realized I knew the answer. I knew why the coat hanger had been handed to me.

Growing up as the middle child in my family, I was a vital participant in a thing I did not govern, in the company of people I did not choose. It's family. It's society. And often, it's chaos. You participate by letting go of the small stuff, not expecting order and perfection, and facing the unexpected with confidence, optimism, and preparedness. My family experience taught me to face a serendipitous world with confidence.

What Makes This Essay Tick?

It's very helpful to take writing apart in order to see just how it accomplishes its objectives. Stephen's essay is very effective. Let's find out why!

An Opening Line That Draws You In

In just eight words, we get: scene-setting (he is standing next to a car about to break in), the idea of crossing a boundary (he is maybe about to do an illegal thing for the first time), and a cliffhanger (we are thinking: is he going to get caught? Is he headed for a life of crime? Is he about to be scared straight?).

Great, Detailed Opening Story

More out of amusement than optimism, I gave it a try. I slid the hanger into the window's seal like I'd seen on crime shows, and spent a few minutes jiggling the apparatus around the inside of the frame.

It's the details that really make this small experience come alive. Notice how whenever he can, Stephen uses a more specific, descriptive word in place of a more generic one. The volunteers aren't going to get food or dinner; they're going for "Texas BBQ." The coat hanger comes from "a dumpster." Stephen doesn't just move the coat hanger—he "jiggles" it.

Details also help us visualize the emotions of the people in the scene. The person who hands Stephen the coat hanger isn't just uncomfortable or nervous; he "takes a few steps back"—a description of movement that conveys feelings. Finally, the detail of actual speech makes the scene pop. Instead of writing that the other guy asked him to unlock the van, Stephen has the guy actually say his own words in a way that sounds like a teenager talking.

Turning a Specific Incident Into a Deeper Insight

Suddenly, two things simultaneously clicked. One was the lock on the door. (I actually succeeded in springing it.) The other was the realization that I'd been in this type of situation before. In fact, I'd been born into this type of situation.

Stephen makes the locked car experience a meaningful illustration of how he has learned to be resourceful and ready for anything, and he also makes this turn from the specific to the broad through an elegant play on the two meanings of the word "click."

Using Concrete Examples When Making Abstract Claims

My upbringing has numbed me to unpredictability and chaos. With a family of seven, my home was loud, messy, and spottily supervised. My siblings arguing, the dog barking, the phone ringing—all meant my house was functioning normally.

"Unpredictability and chaos" are very abstract, not easily visualized concepts. They could also mean any number of things—violence, abandonment, poverty, mental instability. By instantly following up with highly finite and unambiguous illustrations like "family of seven" and "siblings arguing, the dog barking, the phone ringing," Stephen grounds the abstraction in something that is easy to picture: a large, noisy family.

Using Small Bits of Humor and Casual Word Choice

My Dad, a retired Navy pilot, was away half the time. When he was home, he had a parenting style something like a drill sergeant. At the age of nine, I learned how to clear burning oil from the surface of water. My Dad considered this a critical life skill—you know, in case my aircraft carrier should ever get torpedoed.

Obviously, knowing how to clean burning oil is not high on the list of things every 9-year-old needs to know. To emphasize this, Stephen uses sarcasm by bringing up a situation that is clearly over-the-top: "in case my aircraft carrier should ever get torpedoed."

The humor also feels relaxed. Part of this is because he introduces it with the colloquial phrase "you know," so it sounds like he is talking to us in person. This approach also diffuses the potential discomfort of the reader with his father's strictness—since he is making jokes about it, clearly he is OK. Notice, though, that this doesn't occur very much in the essay. This helps keep the tone meaningful and serious rather than flippant.

An Ending That Stretches the Insight Into the Future

But one day this fall, Dr. Hicks, our Head of School, asked me a question that he hoped all seniors would reflect on throughout the year: "How can I participate in a thing I do not govern, in the company of people I did not choose?"

The ending of the essay reveals that Stephen's life has been one long preparation for the future. He has emerged from chaos and his dad's approach to parenting as a person who can thrive in a world that he can't control.

This connection of past experience to current maturity and self-knowledge is a key element in all successful personal essays. Colleges are very much looking for mature, self-aware applicants. These are the qualities of successful college students, who will be able to navigate the independence college classes require and the responsibility and quasi-adulthood of college life.

What Could This Essay Do Even Better?

Even the best essays aren't perfect, and even the world's greatest writers will tell you that writing is never "finished"—just "due." So what would we tweak in this essay if we could?

Replace some of the clichéd language. Stephen uses handy phrases like "twists and turns" and "don't sweat the small stuff" as a kind of shorthand for explaining his relationship to chaos and unpredictability. But using too many of these ready-made expressions runs the risk of clouding out your own voice and replacing it with something expected and boring.

Use another example from recent life. Stephen's first example (breaking into the van in Laredo) is a great illustration of being resourceful in an unexpected situation. But his essay also emphasizes that he "learned to adapt" by being "different things to different people." It would be great to see how this plays out outside his family, either in the situation in Laredo or another context.

Example 2: By Renner Kwittken, Tufts Class of '23 (Common App Essay, 645 words long)

My first dream job was to be a pickle truck driver. I saw it in my favorite book, Richard Scarry's "Cars and Trucks and Things That Go," and for some reason, I was absolutely obsessed with the idea of driving a giant pickle. Much to the discontent of my younger sister, I insisted that my parents read us that book as many nights as possible so we could find goldbug, a small little golden bug, on every page. I would imagine the wonderful life I would have: being a pig driving a giant pickle truck across the country, chasing and finding goldbug. I then moved on to wanting to be a Lego Master. Then an architect. Then a surgeon.

Then I discovered a real goldbug: gold nanoparticles that can reprogram macrophages to assist in killing tumors, produce clear images of them without sacrificing the subject, and heat them to obliteration.

Suddenly the destination of my pickle was clear.

I quickly became enveloped by the world of nanomedicine; I scoured articles about liposomes, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, targeting ligands, and self-assembling nanoparticles, all conquering cancer in some exotic way. Completely absorbed, I set out to find a mentor to dive even deeper into these topics. After several rejections, I was immensely grateful to receive an invitation to work alongside Dr. Sangeeta Ray at Johns Hopkins.

In the lab, Dr. Ray encouraged a great amount of autonomy to design and implement my own procedures. I chose to attack a problem that affects the entire field of nanomedicine: nanoparticles consistently fail to translate from animal studies into clinical trials. Jumping off recent literature, I set out to see if a pre-dose of a common chemotherapeutic could enhance nanoparticle delivery in aggressive prostate cancer, creating three novel constructs based on three different linear polymers, each using fluorescent dye (although no gold, sorry goldbug!). Though using radioactive isotopes like Gallium and Yttrium would have been incredible, as a 17-year-old, I unfortunately wasn't allowed in the same room as these radioactive materials (even though I took a Geiger counter to a pair of shoes and found them to be slightly dangerous).

I hadn't expected my hypothesis to work, as the research project would have ideally been led across two full years. Yet while there are still many optimizations and revisions to be done, I was thrilled to find -- with completely new nanoparticles that may one day mean future trials will use particles with the initials "RK-1" -- thatcyclophosphamide did indeed increase nanoparticle delivery to the tumor in a statistically significant way.

A secondary, unexpected research project was living alone in Baltimore, a new city to me, surrounded by people much older than I. Even with moving frequently between hotels, AirBnB's, and students' apartments, I strangely reveled in the freedom I had to enjoy my surroundings and form new friendships with graduate school students from the lab. We explored The Inner Harbor at night, attended a concert together one weekend, and even got to watch the Orioles lose (to nobody's surprise). Ironically, it's through these new friendships I discovered something unexpected: what I truly love is sharing research. Whether in a presentation or in a casual conversation, making others interested in science is perhaps more exciting to me than the research itself. This solidified a new pursuit to angle my love for writing towards illuminating science in ways people can understand, adding value to a society that can certainly benefit from more scientific literacy.

It seems fitting that my goals are still transforming: in Scarry's book, there is not just one goldbug, there is one on every page. With each new experience, I'm learning that it isn't the goldbug itself, but rather the act of searching for the goldbugs that will encourage, shape, and refine my ever-evolving passions. Regardless of the goldbug I seek -- I know my pickle truck has just begun its journey.

Renner takes a somewhat different approach than Stephen, but their essay is just as detailed and engaging. Let's go through some of the strengths of this essay.

One Clear Governing Metaphor

This essay is ultimately about two things: Renner’s dreams and future career goals, and Renner’s philosophy on goal-setting and achieving one’s dreams.

But instead of listing off all the amazing things they’ve done to pursue their dream of working in nanomedicine, Renner tells a powerful, unique story instead. To set up the narrative, Renner opens the essay by connecting their experiences with goal-setting and dream-chasing all the way back to a memorable childhood experience:

This lighthearted–but relevant!--story about the moment when Renner first developed a passion for a specific career (“finding the goldbug”) provides an anchor point for the rest of the essay. As Renner pivots to describing their current dreams and goals–working in nanomedicine–the metaphor of “finding the goldbug” is reflected in Renner’s experiments, rejections, and new discoveries.

Though Renner tells multiple stories about their quest to “find the goldbug,” or, in other words, pursue their passion, each story is connected by a unifying theme; namely, that as we search and grow over time, our goals will transform…and that’s okay! By the end of the essay, Renner uses the metaphor of “finding the goldbug” to reiterate the relevance of the opening story:

While the earlier parts of the essay convey Renner’s core message by showing, the final, concluding paragraph sums up Renner’s insights by telling. By briefly and clearly stating the relevance of the goldbug metaphor to their own philosophy on goals and dreams, Renner demonstrates their creativity, insight, and eagerness to grow and evolve as the journey continues into college.

An Engaging, Individual Voice

This essay uses many techniques that make Renner sound genuine and make the reader feel like we already know them.

Technique #1: humor. Notice Renner's gentle and relaxed humor that lightly mocks their younger self's grand ambitions (this is different from the more sarcastic kind of humor used by Stephen in the first essay—you could never mistake one writer for the other).

My first dream job was to be a pickle truck driver.

I would imagine the wonderful life I would have: being a pig driving a giant pickle truck across the country, chasing and finding goldbug. I then moved on to wanting to be a Lego Master. Then an architect. Then a surgeon.

Renner gives a great example of how to use humor to your advantage in college essays. You don’t want to come off as too self-deprecating or sarcastic, but telling a lightheartedly humorous story about your younger self that also showcases how you’ve grown and changed over time can set the right tone for your entire essay.

Technique #2: intentional, eye-catching structure. The second technique is the way Renner uses a unique structure to bolster the tone and themes of their essay . The structure of your essay can have a major impact on how your ideas come across…so it’s important to give it just as much thought as the content of your essay!

For instance, Renner does a great job of using one-line paragraphs to create dramatic emphasis and to make clear transitions from one phase of the story to the next:

Suddenly the destination of my pickle car was clear.

Not only does the one-liner above signal that Renner is moving into a new phase of the narrative (their nanoparticle research experiences), it also tells the reader that this is a big moment in Renner’s story. It’s clear that Renner made a major discovery that changed the course of their goal pursuit and dream-chasing. Through structure, Renner conveys excitement and entices the reader to keep pushing forward to the next part of the story.

Technique #3: playing with syntax. The third technique is to use sentences of varying length, syntax, and structure. Most of the essay's written in standard English and uses grammatically correct sentences. However, at key moments, Renner emphasizes that the reader needs to sit up and pay attention by switching to short, colloquial, differently punctuated, and sometimes fragmented sentences.

Even with moving frequently between hotels, AirBnB's, and students' apartments, I strangely reveled in the freedom I had to enjoy my surroundings and form new friendships with graduate school students from the lab. We explored The Inner Harbor at night, attended a concert together one weekend, and even got to watch the Orioles lose (to nobody's surprise). Ironically, it's through these new friendships I discovered something unexpected: what I truly love is sharing research.

In the examples above, Renner switches adeptly between long, flowing sentences and quippy, telegraphic ones. At the same time, Renner uses these different sentence lengths intentionally. As they describe their experiences in new places, they use longer sentences to immerse the reader in the sights, smells, and sounds of those experiences. And when it’s time to get a big, key idea across, Renner switches to a short, punchy sentence to stop the reader in their tracks.

The varying syntax and sentence lengths pull the reader into the narrative and set up crucial “aha” moments when it’s most important…which is a surefire way to make any college essay stand out.

Renner's essay is very strong, but there are still a few little things that could be improved.

Connecting the research experiences to the theme of “finding the goldbug.”  The essay begins and ends with Renner’s connection to the idea of “finding the goldbug.” And while this metaphor is deftly tied into the essay’s intro and conclusion, it isn’t entirely clear what Renner’s big findings were during the research experiences that are described in the middle of the essay. It would be great to add a sentence or two stating what Renner’s big takeaways (or “goldbugs”) were from these experiences, which add more cohesion to the essay as a whole.

Give more details about discovering the world of nanomedicine. It makes sense that Renner wants to get into the details of their big research experiences as quickly as possible. After all, these are the details that show Renner’s dedication to nanomedicine! But a smoother transition from the opening pickle car/goldbug story to Renner’s “real goldbug” of nanoparticles would help the reader understand why nanoparticles became Renner’s goldbug. Finding out why Renner is so motivated to study nanomedicine–and perhaps what put them on to this field of study–would help readers fully understand why Renner chose this path in the first place.

4 Essential Tips for Writing Your Own Essay

How can you use this discussion to better your own college essay? Here are some suggestions for ways to use this resource effectively.

#1: Get Help From the Experts

Getting your college applications together takes a lot of work and can be pretty intimidatin g. Essays are even more important than ever now that admissions processes are changing and schools are going test-optional and removing diversity standards thanks to new Supreme Court rulings .  If you want certified expert help that really makes a difference, get started with  PrepScholar’s Essay Editing and Coaching program. Our program can help you put together an incredible essay from idea to completion so that your application stands out from the crowd. We've helped students get into the best colleges in the United States, including Harvard, Stanford, and Yale.  If you're ready to take the next step and boost your odds of getting into your dream school, connect with our experts today .

#2: Read Other Essays to Get Ideas for Your Own

As you go through the essays we've compiled for you above, ask yourself the following questions:

• Can you explain to yourself (or someone else!) why the opening sentence works well?
• Look for the essay's detailed personal anecdote. What senses is the author describing? Can you easily picture the scene in your mind's eye?
• Find the place where this anecdote bridges into a larger insight about the author. How does the essay connect the two? How does the anecdote work as an example of the author's characteristic, trait, or skill?
• Check out the essay's tone. If it's funny, can you find the places where the humor comes from? If it's sad and moving, can you find the imagery and description of feelings that make you moved? If it's serious, can you see how word choice adds to this tone?

Make a note whenever you find an essay or part of an essay that you think was particularly well-written, and think about what you like about it . Is it funny? Does it help you really get to know the writer? Does it show what makes the writer unique? Once you have your list, keep it next to you while writing your essay to remind yourself to try and use those same techniques in your own essay.

#3: Find Your "A-Ha!" Moment

All of these essays rely on connecting with the reader through a heartfelt, highly descriptive scene from the author's life. It can either be very dramatic (did you survive a plane crash?) or it can be completely mundane (did you finally beat your dad at Scrabble?). Either way, it should be personal and revealing about you, your personality, and the way you are now that you are entering the adult world.

Check out essays by authors like John Jeremiah Sullivan , Leslie Jamison , Hanif Abdurraqib , and Esmé Weijun Wang to get more examples of how to craft a compelling personal narrative.

#4: Start Early, Revise Often

Let me level with you: the best writing isn't writing at all. It's rewriting. And in order to have time to rewrite, you have to start way before the application deadline. My advice is to write your first draft at least two months before your applications are due.

Let it sit for a few days untouched. Then come back to it with fresh eyes and think critically about what you've written. What's extra? What's missing? What is in the wrong place? What doesn't make sense? Don't be afraid to take it apart and rearrange sections. Do this several times over, and your essay will be much better for it!

For more editing tips, check out a style guide like Dreyer's English or Eats, Shoots & Leaves .

What's Next?

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Religion Department

Writing guide in religion, acknowledgements.

This guide is the result of a collaborative effort of several faculty members: Carol Anderson (Emeritus), Jeffrey Haus, and Taylor Petrey. We are especially grateful for, and reliant upon the document, “A Guide to Writing in Religious Studies,” by Faye Halpern, et al., (Harvard University, 2004, 2007). The revising and tailoring of this guide for Kalamazoo College was made possible by a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning grant from the Teagle Foundation (2011-2012).

Introduction

A liberal arts education demands the ability to articulate one’s ideas in writing.  This skill is also fundamental to the study of religion. What we think about religion (the topic) shapes our writing in Religion (the field), and thus the two tasks—writing about and thinking about religion—are inseparable. Good writing should therefore demonstrate a familiarity with the material, but it should also help you develop critical thinking and analytical skills. We learn about ourselves when we write; rarely do the words we envision in our heads flow effortlessly onto the page or the computer screen. We cast our ideas and thoughts onto the page, and when we see what we have written is not what we intended to write, we learn something about ourselves and our processes of thinking and reflecting.  An essay leads the reader through this thought process, demonstrating how the writer arrived at the paper’s central point. A well-written paper therefore engages with the materials of the course, to arguing with the sources, and taking ideas in new directions.

This guide is intended to help students in Religion courses think about writing as a method of study. The Department of Religion is committed to the “cultural engagement with the importance of religion and religious issues in public life,” and our mission statement reads in part: [1]

. . we are committed to investigations of religion and religious experiences from a variety of angles, including questions of theology, history, linguistics, sociology, anthropology, texts, and philosophy. We examine religion in a comparative context, recognizing that religion reflects and is braided throughout economic, cultural, and political dimensions of human experience. The study of religion is challenging and invigorating because of the intersections and exchanges that unfold across different disciplines, traditions, and faith commitments.

This mission statement indicates writing in religion is not limited to certain kinds of questions or analysis. The innovative nature of the field means students may ask many kinds of questions from a variety of angles. In short, there is no single “right” kind of essay, research paper, or SIP in Religion, but there are guidelines that can help shape your writing and thinking.

All papers in the Department of Religion should adhere to the most recent edition of the Chicago Manual of Style (available online), unless otherwise stated.

[1] Judith Berling, “American Academy of Religion 1991 Presidential Address:  Is Conversation about Religion Possible?” Journal of the American Academy of Religion LXI no. 1 (1993):  3.

Part I: Thinking About Writing

Generating questions.

Most people think writing is about showing you have the right answers, or that one writes on a specific topic. In some sense this is true, but the right questions have to come before the right answers. Often, the right questions are even more important than the answers.

Your writing process should begin with a question that your paper will seek to answer. The difference between a topic and a question is a question has a future. Specifically, you need to be able to answer this question based on evidence. Equally important, this question should not be a “yes/no” question; rather, it should inquire about the relationship between different pieces of evidence. Whether you are assigned a question to answer or have to generate a question on your own, this question should come from your own interest in or understanding of the topic.

What if you are assigned the question for the paper you are writing? Most shorter essays will assign a specific question or topic for you to address. Even in this case, you will have to generate your own questions, return to the data for answers, and identify tensions or puzzles.

Example: Analyze the theme of God’s love in Jonathan Edwards’ sermon “Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God.” How does this theme fit in with his strong emphasis on the torments of Hell?

In this case, you would begin by rereading the text with this question in mind, but along the way generate your own questions to supplement the main question. For example, how does Edwards define God’s love? Why does he see God’s love and God’s wrath as compatible ideas?

What Makes a Good Question?

A good question asks “how” or “why” rather than “what”:.

Example: “How does the concept of satyagraha contribute to Gandhi’s overall philosophical framework?”

Example: “Why does Augustine believe evil is logically incompatible with an all powerful and benevolent deity?

Not: “Is it true Rumi was a mystic poet?” (Answer: Yes)

Not: “What is Geertz’s definition of religion?” (The answer is a statement of fact)

A Good Question relies on the evidence (data) you have available:

Example: Why does Robert Orsi speak about the Saints as “real” in this text?

Not: “How has Roman culture influenced Christianity in the first five centuries CE?”

(The question is too big to handle in a single essay)

Not: “What were the religious beliefs of prehistoric peoples?”

(There is no evidence that could answer this question)

A good question often picks up on a puzzle or tension:

Example: “Why does this author, who claims to believe in religious pluralism, spend so much time criticizing other religions?

Freewriting and Outlining

After you have formulated your guiding question, how do you proceed? There is no set practice that must be followed, and in fact people have different methods for approaching this next step. You may even find a method used to work for you no longer does. The important thing is to experiment with different ways of beginning. Two of the most popular and time-tested techniques writers have found useful are freewriting and outlining. Freewriting involves just writing without worrying about whether it makes sense or not. Just sit down in front of your computer for 10-15 minutes and write down the ideas that come into your head. In contrast, outlining involves mapping out different sections of an essay and main points you want to make in each.

Each technique has different benefits. Freewriting is great for overcoming writer’s block, while outlining often produces a clear plan of attack. Each technique has its drawbacks, too. Freewriting is undisciplined and much of it gets cut. The ideas you generate may not be clear, or very different from one another. In fact, the key to being good at freewriting is deleting most of what you write. It may help you to identify your best ideas, but you must also learn how to recognize what is useful and what isn’t. With outlining, you might feel constrained by the outline. s you write, your ideas will develop as new problems or insights emerge. Instead, it may be useful to recognize your outline is a hypothesis, not a life sentence. Your outline is a working map of how you might proceed with your writing, which will most likely change as you begin to write.

You might also find value in combining these two techniques. Freewriting will enable you to produce ideas, while outlining will force you to examine the possible connections between them. Again, those relationships will form the basic structure of your paper.

Finally, a word about inspiration and the ideas to which we may be very attached. We have a tendency to think whatever we write, especially if written at 3 a.m., is brilliant. But revising and deleting are critical. hey require you throw away old sentences and paragraphs and rewrite them completely (or delete them altogether). The quality of a paper is often measured by how much has been deleted. Reading what you have written out loud is one way of closely checking your writing. Getting used to revising your own work is one of the most important skills you will develop as a writer.

Part II: What Every Good Essay Needs

An academic paper without a thesis would be like a mammal without a spine. You may have heard “thesis” defined as the main idea or argument of your paper. In some cases, this basic definition makes sense. However, in many writing assignments, especially longer research papers, the stakes for a good thesis go up. In more ambitious papers, such as your junior research prospectus, a good thesis must meet three criteria: it should be original, arguable, and interesting.

When we say a thesis must be original, we mean it is your own work and your own question. It is a matter of authorial voice: originality in a thesis means the question is uniquely yours. The thesis may reflect similar questions you have run across in your reading—and should reflect questions asked by other scholars—but the particular phrasing and structure of your thesis is unquestionably yours. You should not take your thesis directly from something you have been reading, and you should never plagiarize a thesis. Your thesis is your answer to questions you are asking of the material in your essay; no one else can create/compose/write the particular query you are pursuing because it is your question. Good scholarship comes out of your own personal experience of the material, and the best thesis statements draw deliberately upon your questions and interests. In this regard, a thesis must be original because it is yours.

In addition to being original, your thesis must be arguable. Another way of saying this is there must be evidence for your thesis. Some theses are very interesting but not supportable without contracting the services of a medium or reading three libraries’ worth of material. Here are two examples of theses that are not arguable because they would require mountains of data:

• Example: “Hindu views of the divine are more nuanced than views of the divine in other religious traditions.” (The problem here is proving this statement would require an immensely complex comparison, with data drawn from many different traditions. This would be an impossible task.)
• Example: “The Great Awakening in America was one of the most profound moments in our religious history.” (Again, the scope here is too broad. Demonstrating this thesis would mean showing all other moments were less profound.)

In both of these examples, the thesis is far too broad and supporting it requires too much information. An arguable thesis is focused, carefully constructed, and lays out the direction in which the essay will move. Another way of thinking about an arguable thesis is to think of it as a proposition to which the reader will assent by the end of the essay. The argument you lay out in the paper should flow logically from your thesis. After reading your thesis, the reader should be able to say “Oh, this is what I’ll learn in this essay.” An arguable thesis, however, is not a “road map” thesis, as in the following example:

• In this paper, I will argue that sex education in America reflected tensions between conservative Christians and liberal approaches to sexuality by showing that the 1960s brought sex into the public realm, that Anita Bryant was instrumental in shaping the resistance to liberal sex education in schools, and that the Guttenberg Institute shaped sex education in schools in the 1980s. (This thesis is too long, too detailed, and contains too much information. Further, the thesis doesn’t tell us anything about the relationship between the different items in the list.)

Another way to think about whether or not your thesis is arguable is to realize your reader will not agree with your thesis until the end of the essay, after you have offered all of your evidence and arguments. A thesis statement that seems immediately true is a thesis statement that isn’t worth arguing.

Finally, a thesis must be interesting. How do you make it that way? You must begin by knowing the material well enough to generate insights into the topic. Your thesis must concern a topic worthy of consideration, and your essay must attempt to convince the reader of a conclusion that casts fresh light on the topic. Often, a thesis is interesting because, if shown to be true, it would require modifying or changing conventional views of the subject. In other words, your thesis should say something in some way controversial—but the argument should not be a “straw man” argument or a false controversy. (A “straw man” is a dummy position, usually one no serious person would really hold. A writer sets up a straw man merely to knock it down, and straw man arguments lack depth and authenticity.) Therefore, to make your thesis interesting, you need to pick an approach or a line of analysis substantive and evocative for your audience.

An interesting thesis also carries a certain significance for the reader. In order to see what you have to offer in your essay, your introduction needs to lay out why your thesis is interesting and significant. In other words, it has to address the “so what?” question critical readers always have in the back of their minds. Why is this thesis important? What will the reader learn by reading this essay? One common way of doing this is to lay out the conventional view of your topic so your thesis stands out as interesting against that conventional view. We should note what counts as “interesting” may vary among subfields, so be sure to refer to the sections at the end of the guide on writing in specific areas.

All of the points we have laid out here are useful for any thesis statement in any length of paper, but are perhaps more relevant for advanced writing tasks such as research papers and senior individualized projects. However, these principles are applicable to any thesis.

Here are some examples of good thesis statements generated for a shorter five to six page paper with an assignment:

• “thesis-as-thoughtful-answer”
• The assignment: “Discuss how Rudolph Otto’s and William Proudfoot’s ideas of religious experience differ from each other.”
• A good thesis: “The difference between Otto and Proudfoot on the issue of religious experience can be explained by a larger difference between them: Otto is an insider and Proudfoot is an outsider.”
• “thesis-as-interesting-arguable-and-original”
• The assignment: “Discuss how Arundhati Roy’s essays reflect larger questions about religion, empire, and activism.”
• A good thesis: “Despite Roy’s sometimes inflammatory rhetoric in Ordinary Person’s Guide to Empire, she has an implicit argument that “empire” is a contemporary phenomenon that requires individual resistance wherever people encounter empires.

Here are two more examples of good thesis statements for a longer paper:

• “Romans 1:26-27 must be read with a fuller knowledge of the author, Paul, and the environment in which he lived. Homosexuality was one of many sins which people of the time had committed, according to Paul, but for generations people have focused on homosexuality as the most serious offense against God. In this paper, I suggest homosexuality was not at the heart of Paul’s message in this passage; instead, homosexuality was used as a vehicle to condemn a series of more serious sins.”
• “The elements of the Nagas absorbed into Buddhism during its Indian period took on different meanings and representations as the image of King Vasuki moved east into China. The image of King Vasuki contained in The Buddha Scroll is a representation of the melding of two cultures, each of whom internalized the deity to create a unique symbol within two different religious traditions.”

Finally, a few practical notes:

First, essays should not read like mystery novels; that is, you should not reveal what the essay is arguing only at the end, even though this structure might mirror your own process of drafting. This “mystery novel” structure happens to all of us in early drafts, and the solution is to take the end of the early draft, where you finally discovered what you wanted to argue, and make it the starting point of your revision. A good essay is structured as a circle: the thesis lays out the premise and hints at the direction, and the conclusion arrives back at the point where the essay began. Second, your thesis does not necessarily need to be contained in a single sentence—despite what you learned in high school English class. In shorter papers, it is best to have a concise thesis is no more than two sentences generally toward the end of the first paragraph.Sometimes you might want to begin your paper with your thesis in order to focus your argument and avoid unnecessary details. In longer papers, however, the thesis can be a bit more expansive in the first two or three paragraphs.

Second, the thesis should be carefully worded and crafted, with direct and straightforward language. Avoid broad generalizations, complex terminology, or unnecessary details confusing the reader. In all cases, there is an art to identifying the thesis sentence(s) without using such phrases as “As I will show,” or “It seems to me”—phrases like this tend to weaken your argument because it sounds like you haven’t actually thought the paper through or the argument is based on your opinion, not on an argument. Be clear and concise, and stick to the substance of your approach and to the topic of the essay.

Using and Interpreting Evidence

A good thesis shows you have a claim worth arguing; to prove the claim requires evidence. But providing evidence means more than studding your own claims with quotes from what you have been reading. Using evidence effectively means more than repeating texts—it requires interpreting texts. To illustrate this, let us ask you a question:

“A pig,” you say? Wrong: it is an aerial view of a man wearing a sombrero and cowboy boots. As with this picture, you should not take the meaning of a passage to be self-evident—you need to explain what you think the line or passage means (and, if necessary, your reason for rejecting more obvious readings of it). [3]

Interpreting a quotation involves two things: first and briefly, you need to summarize what the author said, i.e., re-state what you think the author is saying (and this might take a few sentences if the ideas in the quotation are complicated). But second and more importantly, you need to analyze what the author is saying. Unlike when you summarize, when you analyze you are adding something to the text, not just repeating it. You analyze a passage by noting something in it that is not on the surface: most dramatically, a contradiction in it or a subtext the author did not intend or less dramatically (but more commonly), an interesting ramification it suggests or an implicit connection between it an other points. Quotations should not be self-explanatory (just as self-evident thesis are not really theses). Finally you need to link this interpretation back to your own argument: analysis is merely a digression if it does not connect with your own claim.

Your interpretation of the quotations you use should satisfy three aims:

• you should clarify in your own words what the author means in the quoted passage;
• you should analyze the quotation; and
• you should explain precisely how the passage supports your argument.

Let’s turn to an actual example; you will see it takes quite a bit of space to do justice to a piece of evidence.

This sympathy Kampan expresses toward the character of Surpanakha comes to full flowering in the next rather lengthy passage (twenty verses in length), in which the raksasi fervently pines for Rama all night long.

When [Rama] had gone, she felt her life falling away, leaving her body. With her senses stunned, shrunken into herself, she stood there and could hardly breathe. “He has no affection for me at all,” she thought, “no room in his heart for me” . . . she felt that if she did not embrace his chest this very day she would die . . . as the sky turned red . . . she grew weak and anguished while the moon, high and firm in the sky, troubled her with its long light . . . her precious life was burning at the touch of the cool wind to her large, soft, sweet breast and she was seething. She scooped up handfuls of ice, miraculously cool and placed them down on her young, radiant breasts but they were no better than butter that would melt away laid out on a hot ledge, with fire blazing around it . . .though it seemed as if she were caught in the blazing fire that consumes a universe, that mindless woman did not lose her life[,] saved by the drug of her desire to have that man with his body the color of the dark ocean and then to live! (Kampan 99-102; 3:5:70, 71, 75, 77, 78, 85).

With the coming of evening and the rising of the moon, the nighttime neytal (seashore) landscape of Tamil akam poetry is established, which, for the Tamil reader, immediately expresses the emotions of a lover’s lamentation at separation from her beloved. In this fashion, for the reader versed in akam aesthetics, the very landscape screams out the same fervent lament Surpanakha experiences in these verses. Kampan also employs abundant similes to emphasize the intense longing of Surpanakha for Rama, a longing that causes her to become weak, to physically waste away, and to burn so strongly not even the coolest substances on the earth can alleviate it. By all of these aesthetic techniques, Kampan helps us to experience viscerally the agonizing personal emotions of the raksasi, thus giving us the opportunity to truly identify with this creature, upon whom we now take pity. We realize Surpanakha’s longing is beyond her control—just as we sometimes cannot control with whom we fall in love—and we thus grow more sympathetic to her plight. In the reader’s eyes, Surpanakha is no longer simply a bag full of lust, but rather, she is the victim of those emotions which even the very disciplined cannot always control.

We will end with some nitty-gritty tips about using quotations.

• Define key words and explain important ideas. Often a quotation contains terms and concepts that won’t be familiar to the reader; before you do anything else, you need to explain them.
• If you reformulate another person’s ideas in your own words, drawing them from a text without quoting it directly, it is still necessary to include a citation.
• Do not use quotations out of context.
• Try to avoid splicing too many sentence fragments in quotation marks into your own text. Use quotations when assembling textual evidence, but use your own words whenever you can.
• Individual words do not need to be placed in quotation marks, except perhaps the first time you use and define them—or if the particular word is distinctive or noteworthy (or if the word or phrase you are using are someone else’s).
• Use ellipses sparingly. Never use ellipses to cut out a piece of text that is inconvenient for your thesis. And never use ellipses (…) to unite into a single quotation passages that are significantly separated from each other in the original text. [4]

A note on the mechanics of using quotes in an essay: if you have a direct quote more than three lines long, indent it five spaces, align it to the left (not centered), use single-spaced lines and do not use quotation marks (see the many examples in this writing guide). When returning to your analysis after an indented quote, do not indent as if you are starting a new paragraph unless you are starting a new paragraph. Finally, it is unusual to end a paragraph with a quote, or start a paragraph with a quote: always embed quotes firmly in your analysis and explanation, as discussed above.

[2] Many of the points made in the body section are taken from Carla Marie, Travis D. Smith, and Annie Brewer Stilz, The Student’s Guide to Writing in Government 10 (Cambridge: President and Fellows of Harvard University, 2002).

[3] This cartoon and the use of it to illustrate new ways of seeing comes from the Vermont writer Geoffrey Stokes; Pat Kaim, who teaches in the Expository Writing Program at Harvard University, has used this is her handout,” Idea and the Academic Essay,” to which this explanation is indebted.

[4] This list is taken from Marie, Smith, and Stilz, 16-18.

Anticipating and Refuting Counter-Arguments

A strong argument demonstrates an awareness of possible objections or counter-arguments. As Marie, Smith, and Stilz explain:

Once you have laid out your argument and integrated textual support, go back to the step in which you assembled what you thought was the most important textual evidence. Examine the bits of evidence that were difficult to reconcile with your argument. Consider counter-arguments and alternative interpretations and try to refute the most forceful objections to your thesis. Where is your argument weakest or most vulnerable? What criticisms might a smart reader raise? What evidence would these people have on their side? Why is their position less convincing than your own? You will want to analyze briefly the passages that seem to indicate an alternative explanation, and then show why these passages are less representative than the ones you have chosen, or why those other passages are taken out of context, or why they do not present an adequate view. If you have been asked to compare and contrast two authors and you have taken one author’s side, consider how the other author might respond to the criticism you have put forward. [5]

[5] Marie, Smith, and Stilz, 18.

Using Topic Sentences

How do you write so your sentences and paragraphs can support the ideas you are trying to convey? For paragraphs, use topic sentences. A topic sentence functions in a paragraph much as a thesis statement does for the argument as a whole, in this case announcing the overall point of the paragraph. As you write, and particularly as you rewrite and edit, make sure each paragraph contains an identifiable topic sentence, usually close to its beginning.

Example: “In describing religious experiences, Proudfoot wants to be true to the person having the experience; he wants to describe it in the subject’s terms.

Example: “Platinga responds to this point about fairness by . . . ”

If topic sentences indicate where a particular paragraph is going (and where it just was), “signposts” indicate where the whole paper is going, summing up where it has been in the process. They most often come at turning points in the essay, the moment before you are about to talk about a more subtle similarity between two thinkers or consider a qualification to your argument.

Example of a “signpost”: “To sum up, the major weakness of exclusivism is  it implies adherents of the true religion are privileged in some way; yet this claim cannot be fair.”

Both topic sentences and “signposts” orient your readers, preventing them from getting lost. 

Topic Sentence Tips

A reader should be able to identify the key points in your argument by reading your first paragraph and then each topic sentence. Each paragraph needs a clear, natural topic sentence integral to the argument in your essay.

• Topic sentences should not be heavy handed or directional, as in this example: “I will now turn to a discussion of . . . .” or “It is now time to address . . . .”
• Avoid passive constructions at all times: use direct sentences.
• One idiosyncrasy commonly used today is the phrase “It is this that is more important” or “What is most important is . . . .” Avoid this construction at all costs. The proper way to say this is “Most importantly,” or “Taves’ point about religious experience is the most important point. . . .”
• Topic sentences should flow naturally with the substance of your argument.

According to Elizabeth Abrams of Harvard’s Expository Writing Program, “there’s no set formula for writing a topic sentence.” Instead, she suggests, “you should work to vary the form your topic sentences take. Repeated too often, any method grows wearisome.” [6] Abrams describes different kinds of sentences can work as topic sentences, two of which are quite useful:

• Complex sentences: These are sentences that combine a transition from the previous paragraph with a statement of the main point of the new paragraph.
• Questions: Asking a question can occasionally be an effective way of setting up the gist of the paragraph—just as long as you make sure you answer it.

[6] “Topic Sentences and Signposting,” available on the Harvard Writing Center’s Writing Resources page at http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~wricntr/documents/TopicSentences.html.

Concluding Your Essay

By this point, you have done a lot of work, and you may be running up against the assigned page limit for the paper. (Actually, it is great to be somewhat over the page limit when your first draft is finished, since a paper that must be edited down is always improved in the process.) Do not just tack on an extra sentence or two and go to bed. A good conclusion is one your reader will remember. You may want to recap the main point, but do not merely summarize the whole paper. You may want to go on to explain how your paper does something other arguments have not. You may want to say you have uncovered some particularly elusive bit of evidence. You may want to place your own thesis in a larger context. Ultimately, the conclusion should leave the reader with a significant insight to take away from your specific argument. Make sure readers know what is important about your paper in the conclusion, and stick to the question you have posed.

It is our hope that we have effectively demonstrated how a consideration of aesthetics is vital in determining the moral intentions of our three authors, and the moral significance of the stories they tell. There is of course a seemingly endless amount of work to be done—we have analyzed only two passages thus far!—but this study suggests the possibility of a general interpretive method that may be applied to these texts. Valmiki locates the reader at the aesthetic distance demanded by rasa-theory: Kampan brings his readers into the landscape and close the experiences of the characters, while occasionally allowing for a distanced, cosmic perspective whenever such a perspective is required; Tulsi consistently adopts the most distanced perspective of the three, allowing for a combination of impersonal, didactic moral instruction and a glorious vision of the vastness and bliss of Rama, the Lord of the universe. Taking a hint from the Abhinavagupta, many modern scholars and commentators take such aesthetic considerations into account as they attempt to interpret the moral significance of these three Ramayanas. At the same time, they may realize, before the modern period, Indian tradition never viewed ethics as a category to be considered by itself, for to pre-modern Indian minds, ethics in inextricably intertwined with every aspect of human existence. Thus by (re-)introducing aesthetics into the ethical debate, we hope the world may begin to see again how all of our modern “categories of knowledge” are really profoundly interrelated—a point which Indian tradition has always affirmed.

(The strength of this conclusion lies in the way the author recaps the argument in the topic sentence, indicates there is more work that lies outside the scope of the current paper, and opens up the significance of the author’s analysis for a particular way to examine the role of aesthetics in relationship to ethics when reading Indian literature.)

Review of Tips for Successful Writing

• reread the text/evidence before writing
• examine the assignment question for clues about what kind of thesis it requires
• discuss the project with the instructor well before the due date but after you have concrete ideas and evidence
• come up with an interesting question your essay attempts to answer
• clearly state your thesis in the introduction. If it is a long essay (15 pages or longer), mention the main points you will use to defend the thesis in the first few paragraphs.
• carefully choose evidentiary quotes from your sources and interpret them for the reader in the body of the paper
• make sure every point you make follows logically from the preceding one, leading logically to the next point, and all of your points ultimately support your thesis
• make sure your thesis and argument reflects a comprehensive understanding of the issues, not just those points you think are important
• tie your conclusion to the thesis
• consider possible objections to your argument
• write at least one early draft of the paper and revise it
• attempt to write without a careful review of the text
• select an argument that restates what is straightforwardly obvious in the sources
• quote the professor’s comments from lecture
• ignore all or part of the assignment or question
• write an introduction that does not include a thesis statement
• use textual quotations without interpreting them for the reader
• write a conclusion that merely restates the body of the paper
• forget to consider objections to your argument
• use generalizations at any point in the paper

Part III: Different Approaches to Writing Religious Studies

Using historical methods in religion.

Formulating a paper from a historical point of view should follow the same guidelines already given in this handbook. You will need to find a topic (First Great Awakening) or an idea (historical concepts of no-self in Buddhist texts), generate a set of questions about the topic (e.g., What role did specific figure X play in changing attitudes on Y), and examine the evidence needed to answer these questions: documents, letters, newspapers, artifacts—essentially anything that can tell us about life in the past. If you are writing about a concept, the same rules of evidence apply: bring together different sources and writings or artifacts that shed light on your topic.

What distinguishes a history paper from other kinds of writing? What are historians interested in? Historians study the past, but they study it with particular questions in mind. They are interested in explaining how events or ideas in the past changed over time, why they happened in the first place, what other trends they were connected to or what their significance was.

How should you proceed once you have fixed on a particular question? Many historical essays are inspired by the secondary literature: how have particular historians interpreted the topic at hand? In other words, you might proceed “backward”—to go from secondary literature to primary. If your topic is evangelical revival in the 19th century, for example, you will want to know what other historians have said about this subject so you can fit your paper into those debates. Once you have a sense for how others are thinking about this topic, you might want to start looking yourself at the primary sources (evidence) they are arguing about. What do you think about this evidence? Have you found other evidence for this period that might help your view or critique what they are saying? Do you have another interpretive angle from which to understand this evidence? Do you see a connection others have missed?

Here is a step-by-step process for thinking about the research and writing process from a historical point of view:

• Read and understand scholarly interpretations of your topic.
• Study and take notes on the debates scholars are having about this topic.
• Study and take notes on the primary sources you have read related to your topic.
• Think about the questions, problems or contradictions remaining for you. What kinds of questions have scholars not asked about these primary sources? When and why have scholarly interpretations clashed? Do you have a slightly different reading of these primary sources—a reading that might resolve contradiction or puzzles in the secondary sources? Do you have a reading of the primary sources that might add to how we understand these events? Do you have primary evidence not having been used before—or not been used specifically to speak to these problems? Perhaps your reading of the primary evidence could change or shed light on our interpretations of the past?

Yet sometimes you will want to begin not with secondary sources but with primary ones. If you know about primary sources being under-used (sometimes a faculty member can suggest primary sources to you) you can begin with these. Study them and take notes. Then read secondary interpretations on these sources or other sources related to your topic.

Whether you go from secondary to primary sources or vice versa, the key point is you show your reader what is interesting, new or significant about your argument. One good way to do this in history papers is to argue you are contributing something specific to the scholarly conversations about your topic—that you have a new or slightly different answer to problems, puzzles or questions historians have struggled with when encountering past events.

Analysis of Textual, Visual, or Material Sources

When writing about a textual, visual, or material source—or a small number of sources—your main task will be to develop an argument about the source and to provide evidence to demonstrate your argument. What counts as a source? The distinction between primary and secondary sources may be artificial when the goal is to analyze a source. While in one context Peter Berger’s The Sacred Canopy , might be considered a secondary text, if one is engaged in an analysis of the text itself, it becomes a primary text. This is to say, the issue of what is a primary and secondary source has to do with the kind of question being asked, not anything inherent about the source itself. A primary source serves as the main object of your analysis, while a secondary source tells you about the main object of your analysis.

When approaching a writing assignment that analyzes sources, you should read and reread the source or closely inspect the material object with careful attention to detail. If you are writing about a limited number of sources your topic may be sufficiently narrow, but you will still need to develop some questions guiding your analysis. In interpreting a text or artifact, you might ask: What is this text or artifact arguing for? Who is it trying to convince and why? What is at stake in making the points it is trying to make? If you are analyzing a text, some details which may be important are specific use of vocabulary or themes, repetition, logical development of an argument, assumptions made by the author, and how the author locates his or her argument against other positions. For material sources, you might consider what an image is trying to depict, or how the arrangement of space constrains or produces certain possibilities. These questions should help guide you to developing a strong thesis statement, namely one that answers a question someone might bring to a source.

There are a number of possible arguments you might make. For instance, you might...

• Argue for a particular interpretation of a source (especially if there is a plausible, competing interpretation you can imagine)
• Defend a position developed in a text
• Argue an author’s position has certain weaknesses or problems, or there is an apparent or real contradiction in the author’s position
• Argue for an explanation for why the author holds a certain opinion
• Argue for a particular explanation about sources or circumstances that influenced an author, or how the source influenced some other author or historical event.

As you develop your questions, and reexamine your source, you will need to find supporting evidence for the argument you will make. Depending on the kind of argument you make, you will need to provide different kinds of evidence. For instance, if you are arguing for a particular interpretation of a text, you will need to provide specific quotations supporting your argument, and anticipate and defend against competing interpretations. Sometimes you will discover the evidence for your argument is not particularly strong. You may choose to change the focus of your question, but you might also consider arguing against your previous hypothesis. If, however, you are arguing an author’s position has certain weaknesses, you would need to provide your reader with clear explanations of your argument. This might involve pointing out internal contradictions, unjustified presuppositions, or problematic consequences of the position.

Writing a Paper Based on Fieldwork

Anthropologists study the lives people make for themselves and for each other in particular circumstances. One distinguishing way anthropologists go about this study is through fieldwork. Fieldwork is embodied learning—you go out to live alongside a particular group of people because you believe some question about human experience is best explored by attending to these lives in this place at this time. Writing a religious studies paper based on fieldwork entails abundantly detailed accounts of three things:

• How this group of people live (with a special emphasis on the kinds of bonds they form with each other)
• The very specific circumstances of their lives
• The religious idioms they have made, found, inherited, or improvised as they live in these particular circumstances.

Writing based on fieldwork is above all else the art of disciplined description, with a clear argument and thesis.

Writing the paper is only one of the kinds of writing involved in a fieldwork project. You take notes in the field on what you are seeing and experiencing; you record what the people you are living with say to you in response to your questions about their lives and to your presence among them; you take notes on what you are feeling in the field, your fears, angers, hopes, and desires. The paper you write eventually should be based on this prior writing in the field.

Fieldwork means entering other people’s lives; writing what you learned in this process poses ethical questions. How will you represent the lives of the people you have lived among, their understandings of the world—in their voices, in yours, in some combination? How will you protect their anonymity? How will you handle events or circumstances that may be less than flattering, perhaps even downright ugly, especially if these are people to whom others are inclined to be hostile or suspicious?

You will have handled some of these questions when you filled out the necessary forms for research with human subjects, but other questions will come up in the circumstances of the field. There is no single answer to these questions about poetics and ethics. Different anthropologists have experimented with different ways of writing about their experiences seeking to honor their own view of the field while respecting the integrity and autonomy of the people with whom they lived. The key is to be thoughtful and intentional about such matters. Above all, fieldwork as practice and writing is transparent, meaning you never use quotation marks unless you had written a statement down when you heard it; you do not use composites; you give the context and circumstances of your conversations; you do not ask leading questions. Maintaining this honesty requires a sharp and clear introspection, too. You must be attentive to your expectations and assumptions about the people with whom you work, your fears of them, what it is that brought you to this project in the first place, the ways your own life informs the questions you are asking, and the relationships you are making in the field.

In sum, the necessary components of a paper based on fieldwork are: an account of the questions you brought to the field formed by reading about the subject; some discussion of why you wish to explore this group of people in this venue; the most detailed description of those aspects of people’s lives and relationships relevant to your study; the inclusion of their voices and perspectives, especially when they disagree with what you expect to see; and reflection on yourself as a fieldworker; and your conclusions. Finally, what do you know now you did not know when you went out into the field, and what do other students of religion learn from our own work from your experience and reflection?

Compare and Contrast Papers

Making comparisons between two or more things is a fundamental part of critical thinking and writing. No two things are identical, but attention to what is similar and what is different between them can help to clarify what we can learn from them. The method for comparison seems to be obvious: one presents A, then presents B, then explains the similarities and differences between A and B. In comparing two or more ideas, events, or processes, you should try to move beyond simply describing what is distinctive or shared about them. A strong comparison argues for what we can learn from those distinctions or commonalities besides that they exist.

You should begin by reading and rereading your sources, paying attention to details in the concerns expressed, vocabulary used to describe the issue, assumptions made about what is important, and the historical or social circumstances in which the text is written. Like other types of writing, you will want to formulate questions guiding your reading. Ideally, the act of comparison is useful for learning something one might not have noticed otherwise. By comparing A and B, we should come to notice something about either A, B, or both A and B we might have missed had we just read one alone. An effective comparison then makes an argument about what the comparison illuminates.

As discussed in the section on writing a thesis statement, your thesis statement for writing a comparison paper should clearly alert your reader to your argument. When you are making an argument, you are not just listing details, but using the details as evidence for your claim. Consider the differences between a strong and weak argument.

Strong: The concern for ritual purity in one of the sources for the Noah story is absent from the other, revealing how the worldviews of the authors shaped the telling of the two stories.

Weak: There are many similarities and differences between the two sources for the story of Noah.

The first thesis argues for a specific difference between the two, despite their similarities. One also might argue the inverse of the structure, in spite of the apparent differences, a comparison reveals A and B share some important similarity. In both cases, attention to the similarities and differences helps to reveal why some are important for consideration. In the less effective example, the thesis statement simply states a fact, and the resulting essay will likely just be a list of similarities and differences rather than an analysis of them.

Part IV: Guidelines for Writing Projects in Religion at Kalamazoo College

Junior seminar: research prospectus.

Formulating your topic as a question, or series of questions also sets you up to discuss how you propose to go about researching and answering these queries. Although it is likely you do not have a fully formulated thesis statement at this stage of the process, you should indicate how you intend to undertake the research which will help you to make an argument about the issues you have raised. What methodologies, or approaches will you use in your research? Will your project be based upon close, textual analysis? Will you be conducting ethnographic interviews? Will you be observing rituals? Comparing various historical phenomena? These are the kinds of questions you will want to ask yourself as you draft your prospectus.

The prospectus should also indicate how your thesis topic and the questions it generates relate to broader issues in the study of religion. What kind of contribution to the field of religious studies do you hope to make? Which conversations within the diverse field of religion relate to your project? What kind of voice do you want to use? What kind of an argument do you hope to make—analytical? theological? ethical? historical? sociological? Please remember these categories are only suggestions, and certainly neither exhaustive nor mutually exclusive.

Additional questions you may find helpful as you formulate your prospectus include:

• Are you beginning with a question that is unresolved? What puzzles you? What do you want to find out? Are you clear about what you are asking?
• What observations have led you to ask this question? What hunches do you have about possible answers?
• Do you care about the question? Is the topic interesting? What interests you about it? Can it be made interesting to others?
• Can the topic be researched? How can it be researched? What kinds of information are needed to answer the questions posed?
• Does the topic present problems being explored or solved with analysis? Does it provide you with an opportunity to do some creative original thinking?

A good prospectus includes the following: an introduction, literature review, methods and theories section, chapter outline, and conclusion. This prospectus should be between 12-15 pages and will serve as the basis for your SIP should you choose to write it in the Department of Religion. The introduction introduces the reader to your topic and explains why this topic is compelling. The literature review focuses on secondary sources having already addressed this topic, and should state how they influence you, and how your work expands on theirs. The methods and theories section explain the method you will use to further research your topic/question. It will also outline the various primary sources you plan on using for your research (interviews, newspapers, books, visual sources, and so on). Finally, the prospectus will explain which intellectual theories frame your research. The chapter outline is a hypothesis of how you plan to organize your research. In other words, based on initial research, what will be the order of the chapters, how do you plan to organize your writing, and what will be in each chapter? Finally your conclusion will connect the prospectus to the project’s thesis and remind the reader why your work is important.

Senior Seminar: Intellectual Genealogy

As a senior religious studies student, you have studied and been influenced by a variety of religious and philosophical thinkers throughout your academic career. In this assignment, you will chart the development of your intellectual influences by writing a 8-10-page intellectual genealogy. Your goal is to reflect on the individuals, texts, and ideas that have shaped your understanding of religion and the world. Instructions:

• Reflect on the religious studies courses and texts that have had the most impact on your thinking. What new ideas and perspectives did you encounter in these courses and how have they influenced your understanding of religion?
• Discuss the key individuals who have influenced your understanding of religion. Who are the thinkers whose ideas have shaped your beliefs and how have they impacted your thinking?
• Consider the role that historical context has played in shaping your understanding of religion. How have the social, political, and cultural contexts in which these thinkers lived influenced their ideas, and how have these ideas influenced your own intellectual frameworks?
• Conclude by summarizing the key influences on your understanding of religion and the world, and reflecting on the intellectual journey that led you to this understanding. What have you learned about the relationships between religion and the world through this process, and how will you continue to explore and develop your understanding of these subjects in the future?

Your intellectual genealogy should be well-organized, thoughtfully written, and engaging. It should be written in clear, concise language and should reflect your own voice and style. Good luck!

Senior Seminar: Critical Review Essay

Your academic review essay should survey 4-6 academic books or substantive articles revolving around a focused field within religious studies. This field will be chosen in consultation with the Senior Seminar instructor, and should be a field that interests you, but does not fall completely within the realm of your SIP topic. This essay should be between 12-15 pages double-spaced. A good review essay not only summarizes and critically discusses all the books or articles, but also weaves the arguments of each together. Thus, a review essay is both objective and subjective. Your introduction should not only present the pieces you will be discussing, but also it should have a coherent thesis. You also need to give the reader a good roadmap of the essay so the direction of your essay is clear. The body of your essay should consist of three parts: summary and critical discussion of the academic works you are reviewing; and a synthesis, in which you discuss how all these works, collectively, shed light on your chosen field. The conclusion is equally important, as detailed below.

• A good summary and critical discussion not only recaps the author’s argument, but also contextualizes the book/article (author background, time book was written), and points out weaknesses and strengths of the piece. The transition between discussion of each of your reviewed pieces, should not be disjointed and choppy, but rather seamless—remember you are writing an essay, in which all the pieces should have a place and fit together.
• The synthesis is the place where you collectively discuss all the arguments of the books/articles in relation to one another. How do the works agree or disagree? How are their approaches similar or dissimilar? Which do you find most compelling and why? This section may be somewhat or even fully integrated into the previous section. Nonetheless, it is important at some point in the essay, you have told the reader why you have chosen these works to review and how they relate to one another (you would not have an essay if they did not).
• The conclusion should restate your thesis and your key supporting arguments. This is also your space to expand the argument about the scholarship you have just written about. Where are the holes in the scholarship? What direction would you like this sub-field take? Why is it important to know this area of the discipline, and why is it important for scholars to continue to study?

Senior Integrated Project in Religion

The SIP is (usually) an essay dealing in a sustained way with a topic of particular interest to the student and raises broader questions for the study of religion. In addition to these criteria, students should keep in mind the paper should exemplify what the word essay means: a careful effort to develop and test the writer's analytical and interpretative powers. The SIP is not to be a small-scale Ph.D. dissertation. An exhaustive command of the topic is not required. Ideally the project should address a significant question that has a future, i.e., it is capable of sustaining interest and generating dialogue among scholars over an extended period of time. An effective thesis, however, will address such a question by focusing on a specific, manageable aspect of it. The subject matter of SIPs will naturally vary widely. In every case, however, the subject should be specific enough to allow for depth of treatment. At the same time, it should not be so narrowly and technically construed the writer loses sight of its relationship to broader issues in the study of religion. Students are strongly encouraged to build on projects they have already explored in a junior tutorial or other coursework. The senior thesis is the capstone of the undergraduate curriculum in Religion, and has the potential to be a significant experience of intellectual and personal growth.

The final SIP in Religion is usually a minimum of 45 single-sided pages and (preferably) no longer than 60-70 pages, including bibliography and notes. The critical feature of a SIP in Religion is not length, but acuity of insight and keenness of observation. We expect each SIP to go through at least two and more often, three drafts; SIP advisors will read the second draft carefully and offer their feedback at this point. It is expected students will consult their advisors during the writing process so no surprises will be in store for either the advisors or the students by the time the second draft is completed. The final draft is due at the end of the first week of the winter. Students should check with advisors by the end of the sixth week of winter term to receive their grades.

Resources for Writing

K writing center, chicago manual of style.

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• Why do essays matter in the college application process?
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• How to format and structure your college essay

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How a college essay fits into your application

What a strong essay does for your chances

How to create an application theme

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Next, let’s make sure you understand the different types of college essays. You’ll most likely be writing a Common App or Coalition App essay, and you can also be asked to write supplemental essays for each school. Each essay has a prompt asking a specific question. Each of these prompts falls into one of a few different types. Understanding the types will help you better answer the prompt and structure your essay.

• How to Write a Personal Statement That Wows Colleges
• Personal Statement Essay Examples
• How to Write a Stellar Extracurricular Activity Essay
• Extracurricular Essay Examples
• Tips for Writing a Diversity College Essay
• Diversity Essay Examples
• Tips for Writing a Standout Community Service Essay
• How to Write the “Why This Major” Essay
• How to Write a “Why This Major” Essay if You’re Undecided
• How to write the “Why This College” Essay
• How to Research a College to Write the “Why This College” Essay
• Why This College Essay Examples
• How to Write The Overcoming Challenges Essay
• Overcoming Challenges Essay Examples

Identify how each prompt fits into an essay type

What each type of essay is really asking of you

How to write each essay effectively

The Common App essay

Almost every student will write a Common App essay, which is why it’s important you get this right.

• How to Write the Common App Essay
• Successful Common App Essay Examples
• 5 Awesome College Essay Topics + Sample Essays
• 11 Cliché College Essay Topics + How to Fix Them

How to choose which Common App prompts to answer

How to write a successful Common App essay

What to avoid to stand out to admissions officers

Supplemental Essay Guides

Many schools, especially competitive ones, will ask you to write one or more supplemental essays. This allows a school to learn more about you and how you might fit into their culture.

These essays are extremely important in standing out. We’ve written guides for all the top schools. Follow the link below to find your school and read last year’s essay guides to give you a sense of the essay prompts. We’ll update these in August when schools release their prompts.

See last year’s supplemental essay guides to get a sense of the prompts for your schools.

Essay brainstorming and composition

Now that you’re starting to write your essay, let’s dive into the writing process. Below you’ll find our top articles on the craft of writing an amazing college essay.

• Where to Begin? 3 Personal Essay Brainstorming Exercises
• Creating the First Draft of Your College Application Essay
• How to Get the Perfect Hook for Your College Essay
• What If I Don’t Have Anything Interesting To Write About In My College Essay?
• 8 Do’s and Don’t for Crafting Your College Essay
• Stuck on Your College Essay? 8 Tips for Overcoming Writer’s Block

Understand how to write a great hook for your essay

Complete the first drafts of your essay

Editing and polishing your essay

Have a first draft ready? See our top editing tips below. Also, you may want to submit your essay to our free Essay Peer Review to get quick feedback and join a community of other students working on their essays.

• 11 Tips for Proofreading and Editing Your College Essay
• Getting Help with Your College Essay
• 5 DIY Tips for Editing Your College Essay
• How Long Should Your College Essay Be?
• Essential Grammar Rules for Your College Apps
• College Essay Checklist: Are You Ready to Submit?

Proofread and edited your essay.

Had someone else look through your essay — we recommend submitting it for a peer review.

Make sure your essay meets all requirements — consider signing up for a free account to view our per-prompt checklists to help you understand when you’re really ready to submit.

Advanced College Essay Techniques

Let’s take it one step further and see how we can make your college essay really stand out! We recommend reading through these posts when you have a draft to work with.

• 10 Guidelines for Highly Readable College Essays
• How to Use Literary Devices to Enhance Your Essay
• How to Develop a Personalized Metaphor for Your College Applications

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With BSU, I can connect with numerous students of color who want to create a safe and genuine space for people to connect and be themselves. Most importantly to me, the OSU, my whole life, my parents have repeatedly told me I was just “Ethiopian”. However, in a recent discovery, I found out that my mother's lineage is entirely Oromo, which is highly controversial among Ethiopian people. This is why it's one of the most important things to me to be able to join the OSU club, to be embraced by my peers, and to learn about the culture and customs that I never knew about, which certainly sets it apart from any other university. In terms of opportunities, UW is the only school I am certain I need to attend. It offers clubs, classes, activities, and programs that I believe are essential to becoming the best version of myself. Moreover, these opportunities will enable me to engage in outreach activities for the school, fostering a sense of belonging within the community. As for why I believe that UW can offer what other universities cannot, UW prioritizes its students' education and engagement in extracurricular

More about University Of Washington Appeal Letter For College

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