Page 93 - Computer Basics- Student Textbook

position. You will usually be expected to interact with systematic theology works, as well as various monographs on
individual doctrines.

Opinion/Essay Papers
Opinion papers are typically shorter and less researched versions of theological position papers. The
main objective of the opinion papers is to demonstrate that you have thought through your position
on a topic. You usually won’t be expected to back up your opinions with significant research, but you
will be required to show that there is a logical and biblical backing for the views to which you hold.

Research/Term Papers
Technically a term paper is usually defined as a demonstration that you have grasped the main ideas of a body of
work. For example, a term paper on the writings of John Calvin would provide a historical summary and description
of the writings of the theologian. Research papers are usually defined as works that produce original ideas. These
terms, however, are often used interchangeably. Be sure that you clearly understand what the professor is
expecting. Is the professor looking for you to demonstrate knowledge of a field or is the professor looking for you
to advance the knowledge in a field? The former is more typical for most of the types of writing you will be called
upon to produce early in your seminary career. As your courses advance however, you will be expected to be able
to generate and defend original ideas. Typical research/term papers will vary greatly in length and expectation from
course to course. You can probably expect anything from 6-10 pages, and you will almost always be expected to
demonstrate significant interaction with another works in the field. You will need to interact with monographs,
multi-author works and journals.

Literature Reviews
You may be called upon to produce a literature review of nearly any length, depending upon the course and the
professor. A literature review is a brief description of various authors’ works on a topic. The intention of the
literature review is for you to be able to demonstrate that you can grasp the main ideas of each work and the
contribution that this work makes to a topic. You will also usually be expected to point out basic strengths and
weaknesses of the work. You may instead be asked to write simple one- or two-page reviews of a particular article
or chapter that the professor has assigned for reading.

Reaction/Application Papers
A reaction paper is typically intended to demonstrate that you have thoughtfully read through a particular book or
article and thought about how you might apply the author’s ideas. You will often be asked to respond to whether
or not you agree with the author’s ideas and why or why not. You will often be required to supply a particular
application drawn from the ideas of the author. It’s important to recognize the difference between a principle and
an application. A principle is a general idea (Prayer is important, I need to pray more), while application is a direct,
measurable response to that principle.

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