Evaluative Writing: Assessing Religious and Ethical Views
The skill worth half the marks: how to write a balanced assessment of a religious or ethical view, with arguments for and against, religious and non-religious sources, and a justified conclusion.
Use it, the way the marks are given
Free interactive practice at using the material, which is what the marks are for.
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Writing a strong evaluation
Half of every religious studies mark comes from one skill: the evaluation, the question that asks you to assess a view. Master it once and it pays off in every topic. This module works through it: - Both sides: giving arguments for and against a view.\n- Using sources: religious and non-religious support for each side.\n- A justified conclusion: a judgement that follows from the arguments.\n- Fairness: presenting every view with respect and never as proven fact. The themes and religions themselves are covered in other modules. Here the focus is entirely on the evaluative writing skill, which works for any of them.
Words for evaluative writing
Five terms you need before you use them. Learn what each one means.
Match each part of an evaluation to its job
- stating the view
- a supporting argument
- a counter-argument
- a source of authority
- the conclusion
- makes clear which statement is being assessed
- gives a reason to agree with the view
- gives a reason to disagree with the view
- supports a point with words from scripture
- reaches a judgement based on the arguments given
A weak answer against a strong answer
Two students can answer the same evaluation question and score very differently. The gap is almost always the same set of features.
What makes a conclusion justified?
In an evaluation, what makes the conclusion a justified one?
- It follows from the arguments and evidence you have given
- It simply repeats your very first opinion
- It ignores the arguments you have made
- It states that one religion is the only correct one
Tap the two features of a balanced answer
Tap the TWO features that make an evaluation balanced.
- Giving arguments for and against
- Including both religious and non-religious views
- Giving only the views you agree with
- Leaving out any opposing points
Using sources and viewpoints fairly
A strong evaluation does not just assert opinions. It supports each side and treats every view with respect. Back your points with religious sources, such as a sacred text or teaching, and with non-religious views, such as an argument from human rights or reason. Present each view as one held by its believers, not as a proven fact. Give the religious and non-religious sides, and different religions, equal respect. Your final judgement should weigh the arguments fairly. It should never simply declare one faith right and the others wrong, because that is not what the question asks.
Pick the true facts about evaluative writing
Select the TWO statements that are true.
- A strong evaluation gives arguments on both sides
- A conclusion should follow from the arguments made
- A good answer gives only one point of view
- Beliefs should be stated as proven facts
Order how to plan an evaluation
Put the steps of planning an evaluation answer in a sensible order.
- Read the statement and decide what is being assessed
- List arguments that support the view
- List arguments that oppose the view
- Add religious and non-religious sources to each side
- Weigh the arguments and write a justified conclusion
One statement, both sides
Follow how a student built a balanced answer to the statement that everyone should be free to practise any religion. For the view: she argued that freedom of belief respects human dignity, and noted that many religious traditions themselves teach respect and compassion towards others. Against the view: she fairly added the opposing point that some argue this freedom should have limits where a practice harms other people. Using sources: she supported the first side with a teaching about caring for your neighbour, and the second with an argument drawn from human rights. Her final judgement: weighing both sides, she decided the freedom is important but not unlimited, and she explained clearly why the reasons on that side felt stronger to her. Notice that she never claimed one religion was right. She judged the argument, not the faith.
Complete the evaluation facts
Weighing arguments for and against a view to reach a judgement is called _____. A point that opposes the view is a _____. A religious text or teaching cited as evidence is a source of _____. A final view backed by your reasons is a justified _____.
Build an evaluation point
Choose the words that complete this statement about evaluative writing.
The evaluation run
Five questions on evaluative writing. Three lives.
Strengthen the answer
Read each situation and choose how to strengthen the evaluation, then think about why.
- A student writes only arguments that agree with the statement. What should they add?
- A student writes that one religion is simply the correct one. Is this good evaluation?
- A student ends with a conclusion that ignores the arguments they made. What is wrong?
Explain how to write a strong evaluation
A classmate struggles with the questions that ask you to assess a view. Explain how to write a strong evaluation using what this module has covered.
- Explain what an evaluation question asks you to do
- Explain why you must give arguments on both sides
- Explain how to use religious and non-religious sources
- Explain what makes a conclusion justified
- Finish by explaining why beliefs should be presented fairly, not as proven facts