Sample paragraph sequence

A suggested paragraph sequence– one of many.

Each point below would form one or more paragraphs. I would suggest that definition paragraphs should not constitute more than one paragraph.

Define the issue and its component parts.

Describe the arguments or positions, including individual worshippers (ethnographic component) and groups, of various stakeholders within Buddhism. This would necessitate the ethical problems posed by the issue to various Buddhists.

(Point 2 could be broken up into paragraphs about causes, effects, motives, background, public policy and personal responses to the issue)

Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the positions – this could involve evaluating various positions stated in point 2 around the central premise that Buddhism is a religion of moderation, “the middle way”, or against logic and reason, or against benefits to society, or against tradition Buddhist doctrine – to name a few.

You could also perhaps incorporate a paragraph that broaches the topic of recommendations for policy and practice of individuals and wider society. This paragraph would of course be from a divergent Buddhist perspectives - like all other parts of the essay.

You will notice that all paragraphs will contain comparison of Buddhist positions and evaluation of ideas, including evaluating the issue itself, and evaluation of Buddhist responses to determine their strengths and weaknesses.

Another structure:

Break the issue down into parts. E.g. Death Penalty.

Define

Deterrence

Retribution

Innocence

Arbitrariness and discrimination

These are the general arguments surrounding the death penalty. You could write four/five paragraphs and evaluate the arguments of each against Buddhist philosophy and practice – this would include your ethnographic investigations and general research of Buddhist groups.

You could also perhaps incorporate a paragraph that broaches the topic of recommendations for policy and practice of individuals and wider society. This paragraph would of course be from a divergent Buddhist perspectives - like all other parts of the essay.  

You could use statistics to prove the value and worth of the Buddhist positions.