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Review Papers
Review papers consist of critically evaluating a book or article that has been assigned by the professor. While the
length and type of review will vary from course to course typically you will be called upon to evaluate such aspects
of the writing as the title, headings, argument, use of evidences, thesis statement, use of references, flow and
more. Typically, you will be asked to focus on the strengths of the work, while also being able to point out some of
the weaknesses. You will also be expected to suggest corrections for the areas of weakness you point out. You will
often be required to demonstrate knowledge of the general field and be able to compare the work under review to
another works on the topic. Typically, the ultimate expectation in a review paper is that you be able to demonstrate
that you grasped the author’s argument, could follow the line of thought, and can critically point out where that
argument is strong or weak. Regularly reading book reviews in scholarly journals will help you improve your ability
to review other works and should reflect in the ability to write better review papers.
Exegetical Papers
Exegetical papers are works based upon a particular biblical passage. You could be assigned a passage by a
professor and will then need to explain that passage using the historical-grammatical approach to Bible
interpretation. In these papers you will discuss the context and background of the passage, then work your way
through the passage verse by verse—discussing such issues as grammar, syntax, style, sociocultural background,
cultural background, historical background, rhetorical language and more. The goal is to get back to the original
meaning of the text and understand the text in the way it was intended to be understood when it was written.
Exegetical papers usually require significant interaction with commentaries, as well as with monographs on various
aspects of the historical/social/cultural background of the passage. While every professor may expect something
different from an exegetical paper, an English language course will typically expect that your paper will
demonstrate that you have studied the passage in depth, understand the significant issues and have taken the
passage through a hermeneutical composite. Here are the steps to properly exegete a passage of Scripture:
1. Pray.
2. Read with a journal.
3. Read the entire book in one sitting.
4. Summarize each paragraph.
5. Write argument statements for each major section.
6. Organize the argument statements to show the thought-flow of the author.
7. Read and re-read the passage under study.
8. Ask contextual questions of your passage (why here? why now?)
9. Answers these questions and fit your passage into the overall thought-flow of the book, corpus, testament
and Bible.
10. Analyze the passage and context for rhetorical tools and structure.
11. Perform structural analysis on the passage and immediate context.
12. Perform any word studies and topical studies that are needed.
13. Analyze the literary connectives in the passage.
14. Perform historical/cultural research to enhance understanding of the passage.
15. Analyze how your presuppositions and pre-understandings may be influencing your understanding.
16. Write an argument statement for your passage.
17. Write down any principles/applications you can apply to your life from your passage.
18. Apply the passage to your life and ministry.
Theological Position Papers
In many of your theology courses you will be given a particular theological doctrine and be asked to present an
argument for your position on that doctrine (occasionally you will even be assigned a particular position to argue
for, even if that is not the position to which you hold). You will usually be expected to demonstrate that you
understand the key points of the arguments for various positions on the doctrine (and every doctrine has various
interpretations and positions) and be expected to be able to produce a logical, biblical argument for a particular
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