2. Eight Steps to Producing a Quality Theological Research Paper A Survivor’s Guide to Doing Research and Writing (Thanks to Dr. James Tollett and Sally Shelton for this presentation)

3. Eight Steps to Producing a Quality Theological Research Paper 1. Select the Topic 2. Research in Authoritative Summaries 3. Narrow the Topic 4. Build the Working Bibliography 5. Take Notes 6. Construct the Rough Draft 7. Rewrite and Polish the Rough Draft 8. Prepare the Final Copy

4. Step ONE: Select the Topic Topics are usually broad in scope Select a topic that will hold your interest throughout the entire process (tie in to your “passion”) Begin doing preliminary research to make sure the topic is a viable one.

5. Step TWO : Research in Authoritative Summaries Summaries are found in the reference section of the library. Summaries give you the five W’s: Who, What, Where, When, and Why. Once you have read the summaries, come up with a “tentative thesis statement.”

6. Research in Authoritative Summaries (cont.) Summaries are found in: General Encyclopedias Specialty Encyclopedias Dictionaries Handbooks Introductions Textbooks As one works in the Reference Section of the Library, one will find many useful tools.

7. Tentative Thesis Statement The Thesis Statement is the single controlling idea of the paper. Boil all thoughts on the topic down to one proposition/statement or a question that will be answered by the research Don’t spend much time on this now—go with your initial “gut” feeling

8. Step THREE : Narrow the Topic You had a fairly well defined topic, till you read the authoritative summaries; now the topic is much broader than you thought. Now you know the paper could be two to three times the size of that specified by the professor. It is time to redefine/narrow the topic.

9. For Example, “Sanctification” Means “to be set apart, to be holy.” “For I am Jehovah your God, and you have sanctified yourselves, and you have become holy for I am holy” [emphasis added] (Lev 11:44). “... because it has been written, ‘Be holy, because I am holy’” [emphasis added] (1 Pet 1:16).

10. Sanctification: Theological Use Base meaning: “Perfection” One’s theological background determines how one views “Sanctification” or “Perfection” Wesleyan/Holiness: Perfect Love, Sinlessness, Entire Sanctification (punctiliar) No longer need to sin

11. Sanctification: Biblical Use Positional – One is sanctified because of the relationship one has in Christ under the blood of the New Covenant (also known as “Justification”). Experiential – One is sanctified when the Holy Spirit regenerates and takes up residence in one’s life. Ultimate – One is sanctified completely when one sees the Lord Jesus Christ “face to face”—Either one is sanctified or not.

12. Narrowing the Topic Makes the topic more manageable Makes the research process much easier

13. Step FOUR : Building the Working Bibliography Provides an overview of the sources in a given library Creates a list and location of books, periodicals, or other sources to explore Allows for the final bibliography to be constructed quickly and easily

14. Evaluating Sources for Use Relevance to topic (Annotated Bib.— p.55, Vyhmeister) Type of Source: Primary or Secondary (noted in Primary) The author’s perspective The author’s credentials Readability of the source

15. For Books: Use Library Catalog

16. For Journals or Periodicals Use: Theological Databases from Database List on Library Homepage: ATLA Religion Database w/ATLASerials, Christian Periodical Index, Theological Journals Search, New Testament & Old Testament Abstracts, Encyclopaedia Judaica Journals List (Subject area: Philosophy and Religion) from Journals List on Library Homepage

17. For Reference Works Use: Library Handout, “ORU Theological Reference Books” Reference Books Search online catalog: Use subject keyword search: church*, theolog*, Christian*, religi*, Bible, or missions with either encyclopedias or dictionaries Also Use New “Credo Reference Database” Browse the shelves in the Reference Room.

18. Other Sources Vertical Files Dissertations Original Autographs Media Sources Internet Original Research

19. Internet Care should be taken when taking material from the Internet: Search the Web with a reputable search engine (Google.com, Yahoo.com, etc.) & use reputable Databases (World Cat, Christian Classics Ethereal Library—CCEL, etc.) Evaluate sources per Vyhmeister, pp.25-6 (Purpose of site?, Sponsor?, Date/Updated?, Credentials of author, Data available elsewhere?, Academic value of site?) Care must also be taken in citation of Internet Sources (see Vyhmeister, pp.26-8)

20. Step FIVE: Take Notes Many students make the mistake of taking notes on one or more sheets of paper. They take copious notes one right after the other. Unfortunately, when this method is used, it is difficult to organize the notes well and makes writing the paper more difficult than it needs to be.

21. A Word about Plagiarism Intellectual Honesty (Vyhmeister, pp. 60-1) At ORU, three things can happen if you are caught plagiarizing: Fail the Assignment Fail the Course Dismissed from the University, Therefore: Give credit where credit is due; Cite all sources used for any thought or concept that is not yours, and when in doubt – Cite the Source

22. Guidelines When Taking Notes Never take notes indiscriminately— be selective in note taking Record only what is new or stated in an unusual way It is usually during the note-taking process that the Thesis Statement becomes solidified and a tentative Outline for the paper develops.

23. Four Types of Notes Paraphrase Rough Summary Précis Direct Quotation

24. Direct quotations should only be used when: Exact wording cannot be improved Point needs substantiation by an authority Comparing/contrasting two views Specific statement is being analyzed Precision is required—stating formula, law, or edict

25. Footnotes vs. Bibliography Both have slightly different formats for citations (See Vyhmeister, chaps. 6, 9-10, Turabian, chaps. 15-17 & R/W Manual, pp. 60-73) Footnote format is more abbreviated & more specific However, both document or cite the source of the original thought or concept used in the Paper

26. Footnotes vs. Bibliography (cont.) Footnotes appear within the Paper itself, at the bottom of the page, underneath a partial underline, & include the exact page(s) used, If in doubt – Footnote 1 __________________________ 1 Nancy Jean Vyhmeister, Quality Research Papers: For Students of Religion and Theology, 2 nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008), 80-81. Bibliography appears at the end of the Paper as a separate listing (in alphabetical order) of all the sources used in the Paper & includes the full length citations of the Sources used: BIBLIOGRAPHY Vyhmeister, Nancy Jean. Quality Research Papers: For Students of Religion and Theology. 2 nd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008. (REMEMBER: ONLY CITE SOURCES THAT ARE ACTUALLY USED IN THE PAPER!)

27. Step SIX: Construct the Rough Draft Three parts to any paper Outlining the paper Preparing the first Rough Draft

28. THREE PARTS TO ANY PAPER INTRODUCTION Thesis statement, proposition, or main point BODY OF PAPER Paragraph #1 explaining, or arguing main point BODY OF PAPER Para. #2 explaining, or arguing main point BODY OF PAPER Para. #3 explaining, or arguing main point... CONCLUSION Concluding statement pointing back to thesis

29. Thesis Statement Thesis Statement is the controlling idea of the paper Make one proposition/statement, or a question, to be answered by the research It previews the entire scope of the paper As you are outlining or writing the paper, check your material against the Thesis Statement

30. Outlining the Material I.Introduction A. Thesis Statement B. Background/Definition of Terms/Presuppositions/etc. II.Body of Paper Main Point 1 A. 2 nd level subheading to Main Point 1 1. 3 rd level subheading to Main Point 1 2. 3 rd level subheading to Main Point 1 B. 2 nd level subheading to Main Point 1 III.Body of Paper Main Point 2... IV.Conclusion Only subdivide, if there are 2 or more subdivisions Each division of outline should point back to the Thesis Statement

31. Tips for Developing Body of Paper Anticipate possible objections and deal with them in the passive voice (Passive voice = subject of sentence is inactive/ has action performed on it). Positive aspects of paper should be in the active voice (Active voice = subject of sentence performs or causes action of verb). Begin with your weakest argument and ascend to your strongest argument. Moving from “lesser to greater.”

32. Four Patterns for Presenting An Argument Chronological – explains each item in sequential order Compare and Contrast – similarities and/or differences Cause and Effect – Events or forces that produce certain results Analysis – examining the component parts

33. Preparing the Rough Draft Review Outline and Notes to ensure continuity of thought between all three parts of Paper Have ample supplies on hand Have an appropriate work space Based on arranged Outline/Notes—Write the Paper in one sitting, without stopping, in the third person (Grammar is not that important at this point)

34. Tips for Preparing a Rough Draft Use a tape recorder to get first draft Write on every other line, or triple space Tape long quotes on your note cards to the Rough Draft. Note: The Rough Draft is often shorter than the required length of the finished product.

35. REMEMBER: The Paragraph (minimum of three sentences) TOPIC SENTENCE The first sentence in the paragraph should either introduce the topic to be discussed or link this paragraph with the previous one. There is to be only one main idea per paragraph. EXPLANATION/DISCUSSION The next sentence(s) should amplify, explain, or argue the point introduced by the first sentence. CONCLUSION/TRANSITION The last sentence should conclude the discussion or act as a transition to the next paragraph.

36. Step SEVEN : Rewrite and Polish the Rough Draft Reconcile the Outline to Rough Draft Eliminate unclear statements Look for gaps in continuity Note: These three items need to occur before you start working on the Second Draft.

37. The Second Draft Total rewrite Takes several sessions to complete Time to choose exact words Quotations should be carefully selected : Direct (exactly as written/stands alone) Indirect (integrates quotation into context of thought expressed in a sentence or paragraph in the Paper)

38. When to cite (document) a source? Any fact or opinion that you read in one of the sources, whether you first discovered the idea or assimilated it, should be documented. Two exceptions: Common knowledge Facts easily verified

39. Fair Use Rule  A certain number of words, from a particular source, if used for scholarly research, can be quoted without permission of the copyright holder is considered “fair use”  When quotation(s) comprise a substantial proportion of the source, permission needs to be sought When in doubt, seek permission! For a good discussion on “Fair Use” see: www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.htmlwww.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html; www.ipwatchdog.com/copyright/copyright- fair-use/; www.nolo.com/article.cfm/ www.ipwatchdog.com/copyright/copyright- fair-use/

40. Step EIGHT : Preparing the Final Copy (Check List) Does the controlling idea (Thesis Statement) govern everything? Does the Introduction prepare the reader? Are the topic sentences clear and paragraphs fully developed? Are paragraphs logically arranged? Do any sections repeat or contradict others? Does the Paper read smoothly and maintain continuity of thought from start to finish? Does the Paper conclude strongly? Is every source used documented (footnoted) properly? Does the Bibliography only contain sources used? Does the form and style conform to the standard/canon (Seminary Research and Writing Manual, Vyhmeister, Turabian)

41. Common Mistakes Incorrect Paper, Cover Page, Footnote, Bibliography, & Page Number format No lead-in clause/phrase, “for all quotes.” Paper not written entirely in 3 rd Person Problems w/Widows/Orphans & Footnote spacing No General Scripture/Bible footnote Improper use of Ellipses (... ) Not a minimum of 3 sentences per paragraph Improper use of Capitalization & Italics