By the time you read this you should have decided on your own Key Question for your project. Now your task is to write it!

Suggested Structure

• If you’re comparing the same rite of passage in different religions…
• Introduction: Explain which rite of passage you are looking at and which religions you will study.
• Then spend a paragraph or two looking at the rite of passage in each separate religion. Remember to explain! Don’t just say what they do but try to find out why! For eg. in Jewish weddings the bride and groom are married under a canopy called a “Chuppah”, which symbolises the new home the couple will be starting together. Remember to link each paragraph back to the question you have asked!
• Now compare and contrast. What are the similarities and differences between the rite of passage in the different religions? Good comparison will explain how what each religion done relates to what that religion believes. Remember to link each paragraph back to the question you have asked!
• Conclude: Summarise what you have found out so the reader has a clear idea about what the point of your essay is.
• If you’re comparing different rites of passage in the same religion…
• Introduction: Explain which rites of passage you are looking at and which religion you will study them in.
• Then spend a paragraph or two looking at each rite of passage within the religion. Remember to explain! Don’t just say what they do but try to find out why! For eg. in Muslim birth rites they shave the baby’s head and give the equivalent weight in gold to charity. This shows that they acknowledge the baby is a gift from God, so give a gift of appreciation in return. Remember to link each paragraph back to the question you have asked!
• Now try to show how the rites of passage within the religion you have chosen tell us something about what the religion believes (because rites of passage are usually related to belief). Remember to link each paragraph back to the question you have asked!
• Conclude: Summarise what you have found out so the reader has a clear idea about what the point of your essay is.

Internet resources (if you find a link to add please email me):

• General
• RE Online – choose a religion, then choose a topic.
• Christianity
• RE:Quest
• TalkTalk Encyclopedia
• RS Support – links about all of the Rites of Passage
• Islam
• Muslim Weddings
• BBC on Muslim Weddings
• BBC on Muslim Birth Rites
• Answers.com on Birth Rites
• Muslim Funerals (simple)
• Muslim Funerals (advanced)
• Muslim weddings – Thanks Crystal
• Confetti.co.uk – Muslim Weddings – Thanks Nathaniel
• More on Muslim funerals – thanks Oliver
• Judaism
• Jewish Weddings
• Buddhism
• Buddhist marriage
• General Rites of Passage
• Confetti.co.uk – Buddhist marriage
• Booklet on Buddhist funerals
• Detailed account of Buddhist funerals
• Humanism
• Humanist Rites of Passage
• British Humanist Association – Humanist Rites

Due dates:
8L: 24th Feb
8V/8T: 2nd March