A World Religions Extended Essay investigates a focused question about beliefs, practices, or issues within religious traditions, using analysis, interpretation, and evaluation.
The essay must examine religion as a system of beliefs and practices, not promote or defend personal faith.
A World Religions EE must:
focus on a specific religion, belief, or practice
examine religious ideas in context (historical, cultural, or social)
use religious texts, teachings, or practices as evidence
analyse and interpret meaning within the tradition
evaluate different perspectives or interpretations
maintain a neutral, academic tone
As part of Group 3, it connects to the study of human beliefs and behavior
The key distinction: Religion is studied analytically, not devotionally
Your essay should feel academic, not theological or personal.
A strong topic is:
focused on a specific religion or tradition
centred on a clear, arguable question
grounded in beliefs, practices, or texts
narrow enough for depth
culturally and contextually aware
interpretation of a religious text or concept
ethical teachings within a religion
role of ritual or practice
religion’s response to modern issues
comparison of interpretations within a tradition
influence of religion in a specific context
broad surveys of entire religions
personal faith reflections
essays that become history or politics papers
descriptive summaries of beliefs
“Which religion is best?” type questions
World Religions requires analysis of belief systems, not description or opinion.
In Group 3, essays often use data—but here, evidence is textual and conceptual.
A World Religions EE should use:
sacred texts
religious teachings or doctrines
scholarly interpretations
case studies of practices or communities
historical or cultural context
Real-world examples may be used to: show how beliefs are applied or interpreted
Avoid:
personal belief statements
unsupported claims about religions
overgeneralizing traditions
treating texts as facts without interpretation
Evidence should be: analysed, interpreted, and evaluated
World Religions uses interpretive and analytical methods, not experiments.
Appropriate methods include:
textual analysis of sacred writings
comparison of interpretations
analysis of rituals or practices
use of secondary academic sources
contextual analysis (historical/cultural)
case studies of religious communities
The method must show: engagement with meaning and interpretation
Across Group 3, analysis is essential.
In World Religions, this means:
explaining beliefs or practices clearly
interpreting meaning within context
comparing perspectives or interpretations
connecting ideas to cultural or historical context
identifying significance or impact
using appropriate terminology
Analysis is not description. It is interpreting and explaining religious meaning.
Evaluation in a World Religions EE may include:
different interpretations within a tradition
strengths and limitations of arguments
cultural or historical influences on beliefs
implications of teachings or practices
comparison of viewpoints
relevance in modern contexts
A strong essay answers: Why does this belief/practice matter, and how should it be understood?
Avoid these issues:
writing from a personal or devotional perspective
describing beliefs without analysing them
being too broad (entire religions or global comparisons)
lack of focus on a clear question
misunderstanding or oversimplifying traditions
using sources uncritically
drifting into history, politics, or sociology
Most common issue: description instead of interpretation and evaluation
To what extent does the concept of karma influence ethical decision-making in Hinduism?
How is suffering interpreted within Buddhist teachings, and what are the implications for human behavior?
To what extent do differing interpretations of the Qur’an shape modern Islamic perspectives on gender?
How significant is ritual practice in maintaining religious identity within Sikhism?
To what extent has liberation theology influenced modern Christian social thought?
How do different interpretations of dharma affect moral responsibility in Hindu philosophy?
Each question is:
focused
grounded in a specific tradition
analytical and evaluative
rooted in religious concepts