RESEARCH PAPER INSTRUCTIONS
You will complete a Research Paper based on the previously completed Annotated Bibliography and Outline. This paper must be 3,6004,500 words, excluding the cover page, table of contents, and bibliography, contain at least 20 sources (excluding the Bible and course textbooks), and 8 of the 20 sources must be written within the last 10 years. The Research Paper must be completed in current Turabian format.
The Purpose of a Theological Research Paper
The goal of a research paper is not merely to report about your readings or to list quotations (or paraphrases) related to your topic. Instead, a research paper must be a creative theological reflection on a relevant issue that recognizes the established scholars who helped you in that endeavor. Research papers must attempt to prove a point (thesis). They are not surveys of material. They must be thoroughly documented, and this assignment must not include your opinion until the conclusion.
Further Details
Misspellings, grammatical errors, poor syntax, excessive use of the first person, or failure to comply with all structural and content criteria will count against your grade.
You will find significant resource help through the Jerry Falwell Library website. The Jerry Falwell Library can assist you with questions regarding the use of online sources through the library or with ordering resources through interlibrary loan.
The paper must be submitted through Blackboard before the deadline. A recent version of Microsoft Word or other compatible file formats is required (the instructor must be able to open your work in Microsoft Word).
The paper will be screened through software that checks to make sure your composition is original. Be sure that you have properly cited everything that you found in the sources you used in your research and composition of your paper.
Content Comments
The content of this paper must focus on 4 specific areas. First, you must identify a specific theological foundation of the Christian faith using a thesis statement (see list of possible topics in the Research Paper folder within the Assignment Instructions folder). Second, you must summarize the key doctrinal aspects of your chosen topic. Third, you must include an evaluation of this chosen theological foundation as it relates to the ongoing conversation within historic and orthodox Christianity. Finally, you must demonstrate competence in interpreting biblical texts according to historical-critical literary standards as well as integrity in properly representing and documenting theological positions related to your chosen topic.
Formatting Guidelines
You must use current Turabian format, a standard for seminaries, for this research paper. Since this is a graduate-level course, papers must be written to a near-thesis standard. That is, minimum format standards must be met, as defined below. English grammar and spelling must be up to graduate level (you are writing a research paper, not a casual letter). Qualities valued include clarity, succinctness, and precision.
Your paper must include the following (according to current Turabian format):
Title Page
Thesis Statement: Write 1 sentence that captures the focus of your research, informs your reader about the purpose of the paper, and previews the papers main ideas.
Table of Contents: Show a clearly-defined outline that will also be visible throughout the paper.
Introduction: Introduce your topic with a strong paragraph that clearly reveals what you intend to show to the reader (must include the substance of your thesis statement).
Section Headings: Underline or bold your headings, which must follow your table of contents.
Body: The bodys structured development must reflect your outline. This is where you prove your point while honestly interacting with opposing views and major objections.
Transitional Sentences: Use clear transitions to ensure a flow and sense of unity from paragraph to paragraph.
Conclusion: Your conclusion must not be a mere restatement of your thesis. Instead, your conclusion must be a synthesis of the information presented in the body. It must bring the reader to the full level of understanding of your topic that you have reached.
Footnotes: Use the footnoting tool provided with Microsoft Word.
Bibliography: Include at least 20 sources (excluding the Bible and course textbooks), and 8 of the 20 sources must be written within the last 10 years.
Page numbers
1-inch margins
Double-spacing
Times New Roman, 12-point font
Indented paragraphs of 5 spaces or 0.6 inches (the thesis standard is 5/8 of an inch)
No extra line spacing between paragraphs
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