How to Write an Exegetical Paper Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/brownpau/8487260915/ --- https://www.flickr.com/photos/brownpau/8488357114/in/photostream/ --- Library of Congress main hall © Dr. Esa Autero

How to Write an Exegetical Paper What is your professor looking for? Ability to “correctly handle the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15) Accurate and careful reading of the text Understanding and application of exegetical principles & tools Historical context, literary genres & structures Commentaries, dictionaries, word studies, journal articles … Knowledge of relevant scholarly approaches & theories Apply the text and listen what the Spirit says through the text Coherent presentation Background picture [all slides from here on]: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sixsteps/2474692931/in/photolist-2JAEzd-aaqEcE-UajFpL-ZhCCBC-f57gij-cpBw8s-79Wobf-kEvt-5RA6oH-92jKWA-TsVkas-5M7ifS-92jKXy-ftB4CC-6ygARC-2JAFpU-92gHiF-92Rrzm-745MMa-4nygya-cjFGPS-9Hsiby-7mjoVk-93Qn72-qSDgfB-7Rtxvx-TLGj4-3sVZ3-5zPUYo-7PqQaH-4jr59d-7PuNUw-4jn1uz-Uv6WhQ-Uv87Yh-nB6fXc-TsW1CA-4rNovH-35mkFE-4LFsRV-CwR8Sr-4LFrZv-2Kq2fV-4LKD6E-4LKDvN-6REsa-DZwJ6S-DtnpbD-DRqUzy-wUFrnb/

How to Write an Exegetical Paper Steps in writing an exegetical paper Step 1: Choose your hermeneutical approach and method Exegetical and historical (historic-grammatical) One passage and/or theme Biblical theology – theme across the Canon Specific reading strategy (existential, liberationist, post-colonial…) Your approach depends on… The purpose of the paper Course assignment Background picture [all slides from here on]: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sixsteps/2474692931/in/photolist-2JAEzd-aaqEcE-UajFpL-ZhCCBC-f57gij-cpBw8s-79Wobf-kEvt-5RA6oH-92jKWA-TsVkas-5M7ifS-92jKXy-ftB4CC-6ygARC-2JAFpU-92gHiF-92Rrzm-745MMa-4nygya-cjFGPS-9Hsiby-7mjoVk-93Qn72-qSDgfB-7Rtxvx-TLGj4-3sVZ3-5zPUYo-7PqQaH-4jr59d-7PuNUw-4jn1uz-Uv6WhQ-Uv87Yh-nB6fXc-TsW1CA-4rNovH-35mkFE-4LFsRV-CwR8Sr-4LFrZv-2Kq2fV-4LKD6E-4LKDvN-6REsa-DZwJ6S-DtnpbD-DRqUzy-wUFrnb/

How to Write an Exegetical Paper Step 2: a) Choose the passage(s) Individual passage or a series of passages? What is the goal of your paper? Meaning of a single passage or a theme? b) Conduct preliminary exegesis of the passage(s) Choose a literal translation (NASB; NKJV; NRSV) OR translate the text from Hebrew/Aramaic/Greek Get a sense of the text(s) & make observations Read the text carefully – don’t apply it immediately Important in thematic study: 1) Key passages 2) Depth of exegesis 3) Length of paper 4) Draw conclusions Write down notes and observations Background picture [all slides from here on]: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sixsteps/2474692931/in/photolist-2JAEzd-aaqEcE-UajFpL-ZhCCBC-f57gij-cpBw8s-79Wobf-kEvt-5RA6oH-92jKWA-TsVkas-5M7ifS-92jKXy-ftB4CC-6ygARC-2JAFpU-92gHiF-92Rrzm-745MMa-4nygya-cjFGPS-9Hsiby-7mjoVk-93Qn72-qSDgfB-7Rtxvx-TLGj4-3sVZ3-5zPUYo-7PqQaH-4jr59d-7PuNUw-4jn1uz-Uv6WhQ-Uv87Yh-nB6fXc-TsW1CA-4rNovH-35mkFE-4LFsRV-CwR8Sr-4LFrZv-2Kq2fV-4LKD6E-4LKDvN-6REsa-DZwJ6S-DtnpbD-DRqUzy-wUFrnb/

How to Write an Exegetical Paper Step 3: Find, review and use up-to-date academic literature a) Find commentaries, monographs, dictionaries, journal articles Written by a scholar? Peer reviewed? Reputable publisher? Order them based on relevance b) Review and use sources to draw data Read sources carefully and make (accurate) notes Consider what is relevant for your paper (genre, structure, …) Focus on historical context, literary structure & theological meaning Avoid (interesting) “rabbit trails” “Keep the main thing the main thing” Background picture [all slides from here on]: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sixsteps/2474692931/in/photolist-2JAEzd-aaqEcE-UajFpL-ZhCCBC-f57gij-cpBw8s-79Wobf-kEvt-5RA6oH-92jKWA-TsVkas-5M7ifS-92jKXy-ftB4CC-6ygARC-2JAFpU-92gHiF-92Rrzm-745MMa-4nygya-cjFGPS-9Hsiby-7mjoVk-93Qn72-qSDgfB-7Rtxvx-TLGj4-3sVZ3-5zPUYo-7PqQaH-4jr59d-7PuNUw-4jn1uz-Uv6WhQ-Uv87Yh-nB6fXc-TsW1CA-4rNovH-35mkFE-4LFsRV-CwR8Sr-4LFrZv-2Kq2fV-4LKD6E-4LKDvN-6REsa-DZwJ6S-DtnpbD-DRqUzy-wUFrnb/

How to Write an Exegetical Paper Step 4: Review all of the data and write an outline: a) Read all your notes (preliminary & scholarly) What is the main idea that you want to communicate? What is the structure (outline) of your paper? How to organize your paper into a coherent whole? b) Write an outline – main headings and subpoints Thesis statement  big points  subpoints Place relevant observations, quotes/ideas under each point Thesis statement Background picture [all slides from here on]: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sixsteps/2474692931/in/photolist-2JAEzd-aaqEcE-UajFpL-ZhCCBC-f57gij-cpBw8s-79Wobf-kEvt-5RA6oH-92jKWA-TsVkas-5M7ifS-92jKXy-ftB4CC-6ygARC-2JAFpU-92gHiF-92Rrzm-745MMa-4nygya-cjFGPS-9Hsiby-7mjoVk-93Qn72-qSDgfB-7Rtxvx-TLGj4-3sVZ3-5zPUYo-7PqQaH-4jr59d-7PuNUw-4jn1uz-Uv6WhQ-Uv87Yh-nB6fXc-TsW1CA-4rNovH-35mkFE-4LFsRV-CwR8Sr-4LFrZv-2Kq2fV-4LKD6E-4LKDvN-6REsa-DZwJ6S-DtnpbD-DRqUzy-wUFrnb/

How to Write an Exegetical Paper Step 5: Write first draft: Communicate your ideas & provide evidence for each point Don’t worry about grammar and spelling…yet… Rearrange headings and subpoints as needed Note the big idea – main headings, and subpoints “Keep the main thing the main thing” – consider page count Use relevant Scripture passages Make note of scholarly references  Fix preliminary references in final draft Background picture [all slides from here on]: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sixsteps/2474692931/in/photolist-2JAEzd-aaqEcE-UajFpL-ZhCCBC-f57gij-cpBw8s-79Wobf-kEvt-5RA6oH-92jKWA-TsVkas-5M7ifS-92jKXy-ftB4CC-6ygARC-2JAFpU-92gHiF-92Rrzm-745MMa-4nygya-cjFGPS-9Hsiby-7mjoVk-93Qn72-qSDgfB-7Rtxvx-TLGj4-3sVZ3-5zPUYo-7PqQaH-4jr59d-7PuNUw-4jn1uz-Uv6WhQ-Uv87Yh-nB6fXc-TsW1CA-4rNovH-35mkFE-4LFsRV-CwR8Sr-4LFrZv-2Kq2fV-4LKD6E-4LKDvN-6REsa-DZwJ6S-DtnpbD-DRqUzy-wUFrnb/

How to Write an Exegetical Paper Step 6: Write final draft: Check logic, evidence, flow, references, and grammar LOGIC: is there a logical progression b/w each point? EVIDENCE: do I support statements with evidence? FLOW: does each section and paragraph flow? REFERENCES: all references footnoted and accurate? GRAMMAR: is spelling and grammar correct?  Ask somebody to proofread – read it out loud to yourself Background picture [all slides from here on]: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sixsteps/2474692931/in/photolist-2JAEzd-aaqEcE-UajFpL-ZhCCBC-f57gij-cpBw8s-79Wobf-kEvt-5RA6oH-92jKWA-TsVkas-5M7ifS-92jKXy-ftB4CC-6ygARC-2JAFpU-92gHiF-92Rrzm-745MMa-4nygya-cjFGPS-9Hsiby-7mjoVk-93Qn72-qSDgfB-7Rtxvx-TLGj4-3sVZ3-5zPUYo-7PqQaH-4jr59d-7PuNUw-4jn1uz-Uv6WhQ-Uv87Yh-nB6fXc-TsW1CA-4rNovH-35mkFE-4LFsRV-CwR8Sr-4LFrZv-2Kq2fV-4LKD6E-4LKDvN-6REsa-DZwJ6S-DtnpbD-DRqUzy-wUFrnb/

How to Write an Exegetical Paper An Outline of (a typical) Exegetical Paper Introduction – Give general introduction (text being studied, thesis, etc.). Literal translation Literary context and flow of thought Literary genre – of the book and the passage itself Structure of passage Commentary – verse-by-verse comments. Grammar and syntax Semantic analysis (word studies) Socio-historical background Literary analysis and figures of speech Interpretation – Interpret the passage in light of the whole. Main theme/key thought Theological significance Relevance/Application Conclusion – Tie all of the information presented together and return to the thesis presented in the introduction. Bibliography – Lastly, list all of the sources that you cited in your paper. Background picture [all slides from here on]: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sixsteps/2474692931/in/photolist-2JAEzd-aaqEcE-UajFpL-ZhCCBC-f57gij-cpBw8s-79Wobf-kEvt-5RA6oH-92jKWA-TsVkas-5M7ifS-92jKXy-ftB4CC-6ygARC-2JAFpU-92gHiF-92Rrzm-745MMa-4nygya-cjFGPS-9Hsiby-7mjoVk-93Qn72-qSDgfB-7Rtxvx-TLGj4-3sVZ3-5zPUYo-7PqQaH-4jr59d-7PuNUw-4jn1uz-Uv6WhQ-Uv87Yh-nB6fXc-TsW1CA-4rNovH-35mkFE-4LFsRV-CwR8Sr-4LFrZv-2Kq2fV-4LKD6E-4LKDvN-6REsa-DZwJ6S-DtnpbD-DRqUzy-wUFrnb/

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION Background picture [all slides from here on]: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sixsteps/2474692931/in/photolist-2JAEzd-aaqEcE-UajFpL-ZhCCBC-f57gij-cpBw8s-79Wobf-kEvt-5RA6oH-92jKWA-TsVkas-5M7ifS-92jKXy-ftB4CC-6ygARC-2JAFpU-92gHiF-92Rrzm-745MMa-4nygya-cjFGPS-9Hsiby-7mjoVk-93Qn72-qSDgfB-7Rtxvx-TLGj4-3sVZ3-5zPUYo-7PqQaH-4jr59d-7PuNUw-4jn1uz-Uv6WhQ-Uv87Yh-nB6fXc-TsW1CA-4rNovH-35mkFE-4LFsRV-CwR8Sr-4LFrZv-2Kq2fV-4LKD6E-4LKDvN-6REsa-DZwJ6S-DtnpbD-DRqUzy-wUFrnb/ More resources + sample “A” papers http://www.exegesispaper.com/