Describe the impact of Martin Luther on the Catholic Church during that period of history

To understand a question better. Look up key words in a question.

*For example, "Describe a significant development within a religious tradition."

The dictionary says "significant" means,"important and deserving of attention; of consequence" and "development" means a "consequence, growth, result, happening or an event"

So a "significant development" means we need to pick a time period, location, event or person who did something meaningful and important in Catholic Church history. You could answer this question in this way, "The significance of ......... is huge because...."

** "Describe the impact of Martin Luther's actions on the Catholic Church."

Do you understand the question?
No? Think of a question similar like:
Describe the impact of Covid 19 on travel.

Describe the impact of mobile phones on school.

This question ask you to describe the changes that happened in the Catholic Church because of Martin Luther's actions. 

When you answer this question use these adjectives to describe the type of impact: 

social, political, physical, positive, negative, good, bad, beneficial, harmful, significant, great, important, strong, big, small, real, huge, likely, actual, potential, devastating, disastrous, true, primary "impact".

*** "Describe the long-term impact of the Martin Luther's actions, literacy and the printing press on the church life." 

Most answers are written into paragraphs or organised units of writing dealing with the same idea or topic.

If you answer in this way, you have made a list (an unconnected ideas or points). A paragraph needs to be organised and structured.

A list of ideas
One long term impact is that bible reading became a popular way of learning about God and growing in faith in private and public church life. Luther expressed the belief that the Bible was central to faith and far more important than the Church or spiritual life.  Luther translated both the Old and New Testaments into German. Luther wrote commentaries to accompany his translation to help people understand better. Luther encouraged the building of schools in the towns so that people could learn to read.

How would you organise your paragraph?

My personal favourite is Method 1: Hamburger Paragraph 

One long term impact is that bible reading became a popular way of learning about God and growing in faith in private and public church life. (Topic Sentence) Firstly, Martin Luther's teaching emphasised the importance of faith founded on the authority of the bible over and above what he believed to be some corrupt practices within the church hierarchical structure. (Supporting detail 1) For example, as a monk, he was disturbed by the "church's trafficking in indulgences" and this led on to his 95 theses as a call to reform.  (Example 1) Secondly, he was a very popular writer and his ideas gained support. (Supporting detail 2) According to the CRF website, Martin Luther was the "world's first best selling author"  and between 1517 to 1520 printers published hundreds of thousands of copies of his writings and later his translation of the bible from Latin into German. (Example 2)  Thirdly, the developments in the printing press and the increasing ability of people to read meant that the German people were influenced by his pamphlets and able to own and read their own bibles. (Supporting detail 3) As a result, Luther's teachings, his popularity and the spreading of his ideas and bible due to the efficiency of printing meant that bible reading grew in popularity in churches.

Method 2: PEEL

One long term impact is that bible reading became a popular way of learning about God and growing in faith in private and public church life. (Point) According to the CRF website, Martin Luther was the "world's first best selling author" and between 1517 to 1520 printers published hundreds of thousands of copies of his writings and later his translation of the bible from Latin into German. (Evidence) His teachings encouraged bible reading because they emphasised the importance of faith founded on the authority of the bible over and above what he believed to be some corrupt practices within the church hierarchical structure of his time. This call to church reform was sparked off on All Saints' Eve in 1517 when he spoke up against Johann Tetzel who was selling indulgences, a practice not found in the bible. This led on to the nailing of his 95 theses on a church door in Wittenberg which a challenge to official church teachings. The 95 theses were written based on bible verses, published and read widely. (Explanation) Hence, developments in the printing press and the increasing ability of people to read allowed his pamphlets which emphasised the importance of bible reading to spread. In addition, soon people were able to get their own bibles cheaply and put these ideas into action. (Link to the main point)

Method 3: SEXY paragraphs

One long term impact is that bible reading became a popular way of learning about God and growing in faith in private and public church life. (Statement) On All Saints' Eve in 1517, Martin Luther spoke up against Johann Tetzel who was selling indulgences. This led on to his 95 theses as a call to reform church practices which was then published widely. His teachings emphasised the importance of faith founded on the authority of the bible, this encouraged people to read the bible. (Explanation) According to the CRF website, Martin Luther was the "world's first best selling author" and between 1517 to 1520 printers published hundreds of thousands of copies of his writings and later his translation of the bible from Latin into German. (Example) I feel that it is the developments in the printing press, the increasing ability of people to read and Luther's views on the importance of the bible which encouraged people to have their own bibles and read them. (You add)

Try not to sound too sweeping, when you give your opinion

For example, 

I feel the Reformation period shows that Christians are always fighting amongst themselves over small differences and they should get along like Jesus asked them to.

(This is sweeping statement because of the word "always". Also the conflict led to the abolishing of indulgences and introducing church reform showing that the church is able to make significant developments and transformational changes.)

Instead say,

I feel that the Reformation period was a time of great conflict resulting in significant developments and pain as a result of making difficult changes which were beneficial in the long run. I remember a time in my family when conflicts over money lead to painful changes and cuts in spending on holidays but in long run we saved enough money to buy a family home.

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Question: Describe the immediate significance of Martin Luther within the religion.

Here are three topic sentences of body paragraphs . Pick one and then use any method to write your own paragraph. Do not list. Organise your ideas.

* Martin Luther's views lead him to be excommunicated, his popular writings and the printing press lead to huge changes in the church.

**Martin Luther's protests lead to new churches, religious wars and the reform of the Catholic Church.

*** Martin Luther's views lead to religious, political and social change.