1. Structure: extended written response: using stimulus
 Key Question: Primal religions are not as sophisticated as other world religions.
 Task: Discuss how the core components of the Maori and Australian indigenous
religions relate to this proposition.
Introduction to Essay:
 You need to:
 construct a thesis that directly answers the question Eg. It is a fallacy that
primal religions…because…the Maori and Australian indigenous religions…
 indicate to the reader what your main supporting arguments will be ie what the
scope of your essay is ie. Close examination of the core components of a), b)
and c) will demonstrate the ways in which...
Body
 Each paragraph should have a topic sentence as its first sentence which indicates what
the main argument or scope of this paragraph is. The examiner should be able to read
your topic sentence to know exactly what your para. is setting out to achieve.
 Evidence and examples (especially the use of stimulus) should always follow a major
point and be used as ways of illustrating or proving your point.
 The last sentence of each paragraph should connect back to your major argument in
the paragraph and/or indicate the scope of the next paragraph.
Referring to stimulus items
 Length: aim for 100 words per paragraph
 Refer to as many of the stimulus items as you can in the body of each paragraph
 The stimulus is to be used as your supporting evidence.
 You can bring in other material or points but do not do so at the cost of the stimulus
items.
Some ways of referring to the items
 The Maori religion sees nature as…(Item 8)
 Item 7 demonstrates the manner in which…
 This belief in evident in Item 4: “the Maori see…”

2. Conclusion
 A short conclusion is a good thing.
 Summarise your main arguments briefly and link back to your overall thesis.
 If you can, end with a clincher of a sentence that leaves the reader interested in your
argument – not TOO dramatic though!
 50 words a good amount