Directions: Complete each section of the worksheet. Use your work to write a

Question

draft for your Ancient India and China Essential Question portfolio. You will write an
essay to answer the Essential Question: How are religion and culture connected?
The Essential Question
How are religion and culture connected?
Consider the rise and fall of great civilizations in South and East Asia like the Indus
River Valley civilization, the Deccan and Tamil kingdoms, the Maurya and Gupta
empires, and the Shang, Zhou, Qin, and Han dynasties of ancient China. What do
all of these civilizations have in common? How did geographic factors help shape
each civilization, and each developed distinct elements of culture, including religious
and philosophical belief systems? Select one civilization from the ones that you
have studied in your course and analyze the connections between religion and
culture as well as how these contributed to the growth or decline of the civilization.
The Main Idea
Recall that you will need to write a thesis statement to capture the main idea of
your essay. The thesis statement should provide a direct response to the question
that you are addressing. Consider what you have learned about religion and
culture. Then, complete the statement:
Religion and culture are connected because You may use the statement that you completed as a thesis statement, or you may
use the main idea to craft a more detailed or interesting statement. First, consider
what types of evidence and examples you will need to support your main idea. Jot
down your ideas in the space below. Thesis Statement
When you have completed your research and organized your notes, look again at
the Essential Question and the Main Idea statement that you wrote. Ask yourself
what you most want to communicate in this essay. Then, write a thesis statement
below. You might even write two or three, and then decide which one you think
works best.Key Evidence and Examples
You have conducted the research to complete your essay. Review your notes to
determine what information you want to use to support your thesis. Your essay will
be five paragraphs long, with three body paragraphs, so you should have at least
three pieces of evidence and examples to discuss in the body of your essay. You
may even want to discuss more than one example or piece of evidence in each
paragraph. List the examples and evidence that you want to include below. Hook
You have learned a lot about the connection between religion and culture. What
about the content most draws your attention? What do you think is interesting
about the question that you are answering? Consider these questions, and try to
find an interesting idea, story, fact, or question to draw the attention of your
readers. Write your hook below.
Detailed Outline
Once you have your notes and ideas organized, it is time to prepare an outline to
guide your draft. Study the evidence and examples that you listed above, and
decide where best to place them. Complete the outline below.
I. Title
A. What will the title of your essay be? You might want to update the
title after finishing your essay. II. Introduction
A. Attention grabber (e.g., a question, surprising fact, interesting
story)
B. Thesis – What are you trying to prove or inform the reader about,
and what evidence are you using to do this?
C. Topics of body paragraphs
1. Paragraph #1
2. Paragraph #2
3. Paragraph #3
III. Body Paragraph #1
A. Topic sentence
B. Evidence – Include information from research. Give examples from
evidence.
C. Analysis/Conclusions – This evidence leads to the conclusion that…
IV. Body Paragraph #2
A. Topic sentence
B. Evidence – Include information from research. Give examples from
evidence.
C. Analysis/Conclusions – This evidence leads to the conclusion that…V. Body Paragraph #3
A. Topic sentence
B. Evidence – Include information from research. Give examples from
evidence.
C. Analysis/Conclusions – This evidence leads to the conclusion that …
VI. Conclusion
A. Restate thesis
1. Thesis:B. Summarize main points
1. Main Point #1
2. Main Point #2
3. Main Point #3
VII. Reference Page in APA Citation Style

Answer 1

Thesis Statement

Religion and culture are connected because they shape each other through shared beliefs, practices, and values that influence social order, artistic expression, and communal identity, ultimately contributing to the stability or decline of civilizations.

---

Key Evidence and Examples

1. Indus River Valley Civilization

   • Religious practices reflected in city planning (e.g., public baths, performance of rituals).
   • The worship of deities like mother goddesses indicates cultural values surrounding fertility and agriculture.

2. Maurya Empire

   • The spread of Buddhism under Ashoka as a unifying cultural force promoting peace and ethical governance.
   • Buddhist stupas and carvings provide insight into artistic expression intertwined with religious devotion.

3. Zhou Dynasty (China)

   • The influence of Confucianism on societal structure (importance of hierarchy and filial piety).
   • Ritual practices that reinforced cultural values of respect and order within family and state.

---

Hook

Imagine a civilization where the sacred and the secular coalesce, shaping not only faith but the very fabric of everyday life. What happens when a belief system becomes intrinsic to cultural identity, influencing laws, art, and relationships within society?

---

Detailed Outline

I. Title: The Intertwined Paths of Religion and Culture in Ancient Civilizations

II. Introduction A. Attention grabber: Imagine a civilization where the sacred and the secular coalesce, shaping not only faith but the very fabric of everyday life. B. Thesis: Religion and culture are connected because they shape each other through shared beliefs, practices, and values that influence social order, artistic expression, and communal identity, ultimately contributing to the stability or decline of civilizations. C. Topics of body paragraphs 1. Paragraph #1 – The role of religion in the Indus River Valley civilization 2. Paragraph #2 – The impact of Ashoka's Buddhism on the Maurya Empire 3. Paragraph #3 – Confucianism’s influence during the Zhou Dynasty in China

III. Body Paragraph #1 A. Topic sentence: The Indus River Valley civilization showcases a profound connection between religion and culture through its urban design and ritualistic practices. B. Evidence: Analysis of city planning, such as the presence of public baths, suggests communal rituals were pivotal in societal cohesion; worship of fertility deities indicates cultural values tied to agriculture. C. Analysis/Conclusions: This evidence leads to the conclusion that religious practices and beliefs were essential for functional urban community life, influencing everything from architectural design to social organization.

IV. Body Paragraph #2 A. Topic sentence: In the Maurya Empire, Buddhism emerged as a vital cultural force that unified diverse populations and reshaped societal ideals. B. Evidence: Under Ashoka, the propagation of Buddhist values led to the establishment of ethical governance, exemplified by inscriptions promoting non-violence; artistic representations in stupas symbolized religious devotion. C. Analysis/Conclusions: This evidence indicates that the integration of Buddhist principles into governance and culture laid the groundwork for societal stability and cohesion, influencing social norms and communal identity.

V. Body Paragraph #3 A. Topic sentence: The Zhou Dynasty illustrates how Confucianism’s teachings permeated all aspects of Chinese culture, reinforcing social order and familial hierarchies. B. Evidence: The emphasis on filial piety and ancestral worship manifested in ritual practices and societal organization; artworks depicting Confucian ideals stress the connection between governance and ethics. C. Analysis/Conclusions: This evidence leads to the conclusion that Confucianism served as a cultural backbone for the Zhou Dynasty, promoting social harmony and political stability through its religious and moral teachings.

VI. Conclusion A. Restate thesis: Religion and culture are deeply interconnected forces that shape civilizations’ identities and trajectories. 1. Thesis: Religion and culture are connected because they shape each other through shared beliefs, practices, and values that influence social order, artistic expression, and communal identity, ultimately contributing to the stability or decline of civilizations. B. Summarize main points 1. Main Point #1: In the Indus Valley, religion influenced urban planning and societal values. 2. Main Point #2: Buddhism united the Maurya Empire and altered its cultural identity. 3. Main Point #3: Confucian ideals promoted stability and order in the Zhou Dynasty.

VII. Reference Page in APA Citation Style (Ensure that all references used in the essay are appropriately cited according to APA style.)

---

Feel free to adapt any part of this outline or provide your additional insights to create a more comprehensive essay based on specific research and findings you wish to highlight!