Guidelines:
The most basic technique involved is to determine what kind of questions need to be asked on
a particular text. Are they questions of what? where? when? why? who? how? Remember that
every answer to the question has to be demonstrated. The goal in an interpretive essay is to
evaluate the text you have chosen for interpretation in order to throw light on its meaning and
signification.
3) You might want to think about several steps to follow in completing your writing assignment.
a. Choose one Asian religious tradition and focus on one primary text (chosen from the
Anthology of World Scriptures: Eastern Religions) to do a close reading with regard
to the major religious themes, ideas, or ritual practice. The text can be any reading
assignment (scripture reading assignments) on Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism,
Confucianism, or Daoism.
Then state your thesis clearly—what question(s) you will discuss and what points you are trying to make.
c. Summarize the text. Tell your reader/ audience what the text states. You want your
reader/audience to be familiar with the subject matter before you begin your
interpretation.
d. With the possible questions in your mind, try to analyze the text. Use both objective
(what the text says and states) and subjective writing (how you interpret what the text
says) to illustrate the points you want to make.
e. Make arguments and use specific textual references to support your arguments.
f. Close your paper by summing up the main ideas of the text and the major points of your
interpretation and argument.
g. Check grammar, spellings, and your expressions.
4) Compose a 3-page, double-spaced, (12-font) paper that a) summarizes the issue, problem, or
disruption briefly (this should be about 1 page), b) explains why it is an issue from the
perspective of the worldview inherent to that religion and/or why it is problematic for nondevotees
(approximately 1 to 1.5 page), and c) proposes potential solutions to the issue (about ½ a
page).
5) Include a Works Cited Page for all your citations used in your paper.
6) Use parenthetical citations within the text when citing your sources.
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