Higher Conflict Essay Technique
As with all morality essays – regardless of the topic – I like to ‘taste the rainbow’ i.e. munch on some skittles and colour code my response to ensure I’m hitting all the right points.
Let’s take this question as an example of how this works:
Analyse religious responses to moral issues arising from conventional weapons. (10)
It might seem counter intuitive, but we work backwards through the question – starting with some KU about about conventional weapons. Now, it’s important to remember, that as much as I could write screeds about conventional weapons, the focus should be on the moral issues. This is RMPS – not the Army – so we’re not spending a huge about of time on this bit.
Analyse religious responses to moral issues arising from conventional weapons. (10)
One example of a conventional weapon is an AK-47 assault rifle. It is defined by its use of standard ammunition and its role as a primary, mass-produced weapon for state militaries (KU).
Step 2 is to then identify a moral issue. This is simply an issue where there are two sides to an argument about what is right and wrong.
Analyse religious responses to moral issues arising from conventional weapons. (10)
One moral issue arising from the us of AK-47s is the ease with which these weapons can be used. On the one hand, it means countries can be quick to mobilise and train soldiers, but on the other hand, they can easily be used by terrorists or child soldiers (KU).
Step 3 is to then identify a religious response. It is SO important to identify the specific religion, but we don’t need to be quoting exact chapter a verse. But ‘one religious response…’ is not enough. Additionally, we don’t need what a religion says about AK-47s – the Buddha wasn’t chatting about those under his tree – we need to take a religious belief and THEN draw out what the response might be. That’s the analysis bit… the belief needs to come first.
Analyse religious responses to moral issues arising from conventional weapons. (10)
A religious response can be found from Christianity. Jesus taught that “those who live by the sword shall perish by the sword” (KU) and encouraged his followers to “love their neighbour” (KU)
Before you say anything, yes – both of these quotes would get a mark because they have been accurately attributed to Jesus and are relevant to the essay. It doesn’t matter that one is only three words – it’s the purpose and use of the quote that’s key here.
Analyse religious responses to moral issues arising from conventional weapons. (10)
Therefore Christians could see the ease with which these weapons can be obtained as a problem because they would want to prevent any increase in violence and promote peace.(A) Furthermore, they may wish to protect children from being recruited as child soldiers because this would be a more loving response and could stop a cycle of violence. (A)
Hopefully, you get the idea – I would be on 6 marks at this point – but I want to gain 100% so I’d continue by repeating my pattern. Where would you put the marks? Hint: there is a minimum of six here!
Another example of a conventional weapon are mortars. These are artillery weapons that launch explosive shells at high angles, allowing them to hit targets hidden behind cover.
One moral issue arising from the use of mortars is their lack of accuracy. On the one hand they can be used in trench warfare and urban combat due to their ability to strike targets at long distances or in hard-to-reach places which lowers the risk to combatants, but this often leads to unintended harm to civilians and non-military structures.
In the Christian bible it states that ‘God created mankind in his own image’ and that people should ‘Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.’
Therefore, as life is God-given and reflects God himself, Christians might see the use of mortars as a problem as life is sacred and should be protected – not accidentally destroyed. Additionally, the teaching implies that Christians have a moral duty to protect vulnerable and innocent people, especially those who are unable to defend themselves, and therefore civilians particularly should be protected in times of war as they are innocent.
Let me know what topic or essay focus you’d like next!
