Guidelines for Analysis Paper 
 Religion 102 / 305
Last revised: 1/24/99

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 Some items relating to the general format of the paper include the following. (1) The first line of each paragraph should be indented 5 to 8 spaces. This guideline represents approximately 8 spaces indentation for each paragraph. (2) The margins on the left, right, and bottom sides of each page of the paper are to be one inch. On the first page of each of the three major sections [Introduction; body of paper; Conclusion], the top margin must be two inches from the top. All other pages in each section must have a one inch top margin. (3) The text of the paper must be double-spaced in each paragraph with the exception of long quotes over three or more lines. These block quotations must be singled-spaced lines and the left margin indented the same amount as the regular paragraph indentation (5-8 spaces), with additional paragraph indentation in them when the quote begins a paragraph in the original source. (4) Page numbering of the text should begin with the number Arabic one printed centered, one line below the one inch margin on the bottom of each new section page. Numbers of all other pages must be in the upper right-hand margin one line above the top one inch margin. If your computer word processor doesn't have the capability of automatically setting this up, then use running headers and footers to achieve this. A blank header at the top of each new section page and a blank one on the subsequent page will block out page numbers at both top and bottom all through the paper. (5) Regarding font style and size, the requirement is Times or Times-Roman (= Times New-Roman) in a twelve point size, which is what you are presently reading. This font is available on every existing word processing software working with Windows or Macintosh True Type fonts or with Adobe Postscript Types 1-3 fonts. (6) There should not be right-margin justification, either in the text or in the footnotes of the paper. Turn off 'justification' in your word processor when setting up the page format. Set it to 'left.' But do use word hyphenation; make sure this is turned on.
        Other general style items include paragraph length. Keep your paragraphs to no more than 10 to 15 double-spaced lines. Work on sentence structure. Keep your sentences relatively short. Avoid passive voice verbs. Make sure the paragraphs discussing the "then" meaning of the text are past time oriented, while the paragraphs dealing with the "now" meaning of the text are present time oriented. The footnote references should be superscripted numbers both in the text and at the beginning of the footnote. Use the same spacing for indenting footnotes as with the text of the paper. Also, single-space footnotes and leave a blank line in between each footnote. If you can't set your computer software to do this automatically, then hit the carriage return before closing out each footnote. By all means, use the footnote creation feature of your word processing software.
        Place a single space after each period etc. between sentences, rather than two spaces. One other very important matter: formal papers are to be written using the third person; never, ever the first person. Refer to yourself -- when absolutely necessary -- as this writer, but not with the personal pronoun "I."
        The subsequent instructions, beginning with the INTRODUCTION page below, not only provide detailed guidelines on how to write your paper, but they also attempt to illustrate the format required, which is basically coming from the Turabian Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations in the sixth edition. The above instructions are carried out on these pages so you can see what is required.

    The following items constitute new sections (begin with a new page) and are to be included:
        1. Title Page
        2. Introduction using the heading, INTRODUCTION
        3. The body of the paper, using the initial heading summarizing the central idea of your scripture text
        4. Conclusion using the heading, CONCLUSION
        5. Bibliography using the heading, SOURCES CITED
        One very important note: Exact adherence to the format detailed in these guidelines constitutes a significant part of the paper grade. Failure to follow these will result in severe penalty to the paper grade.
     One very important additional note: when turning in your paper, merely staple the pages together in the upper-left hand corner. Please, no plastic binders, etc.!!!

In preparing to write the paper you should use the following steps.

  • Once the specific passage has been assigned during the first week of classes, begin reading your passage from at least four modern translations. Use a wide range from the more literal New American Standard to the more paraphrased Good News for Modern Man. Make copies of your passage in these, if you don't already have them in your personal library. Be sure also to copy the title page and the publishing information page after it for bibliographic reference. Compare the wording of each sentence in each translation of the text. Ignore the verse divisions; these are not a part of the original text and serve only as reference markers. Concentrate on the sentences. Observe -- and make notes on -- words, phrases etc. that seem to differ noticeably in meaning between the translations. Probably, these differences uncover significant interpretative issues existing in the text. The differences can then be checked out in commentaries on your scripture passage. Note whether any of the translations contain alternative translations of portions of the scripture text in marginal readings. This will signal variant readings in the underlying Greek/Hebrew text that must be discussed in your paper. The better commentaries will provide explanations of the details.

    •         Also during your comparative readings of the different translations, observe where each translation inserts new paragraphs within the boundaries of your scripture text. Compare these as a basis for your determination of the subdivisions of thought -- the internal literary structure -- of the passage. These subdivisions will become the foundation for the outline of the text that you will develop and use for the divisions of the body of your paper! The subdivisions you conclude from the comparison of the translations will need to be double-checked by looking at the discussion of the divisions of the scripture text found in the commentaries.
     
  • Once you have noted possible interpretative issues within the scripture text as well as divisions of thought, go next to the commentaries listed in the bibliography to study the interpretation of this text by those better trained in interpretative procedures. Use the one-volume commentaries first for the more summary discussions of the scripture text. Then, turn to the more serious commentaries with detailed discussion of your scripture text. Glean from these sources insights from the scholars to supplement and correct your insights gained from the comparative readings of the different translations. Additional sources of help can be found in the Bible concordances and dictionaries listed in the bibliography. Make detailed notes of your findings as you go along!

    •  
  • Make a tentative outline at one level of division in your scripture text. This should be based on your perceived divisions within the scripture text from the study of translation paragraphing and the discussion in commentaries etc. Be sure to list the verses that go with each heading of your outline. Once the tentative outline is complete, then write a general heading summarizing the entire passage. Use short 5 to 10 word complete-sentences, instead of phrases or key words. The general heading will be used as the title for the second section (body) of the paper. The outline headings will then follow as the subdivisions for the body of the paper in this second section.

    •  
  • Using the study Bibles, dictionaries and both types of commentaries, begin exploring the historical and literary settings of your scripture passage. These items will be placed in the Introduction section of the paper. Check the INTRODUCTION section below for more details of what needs to be included. Once this analysis is complete, you're ready to begin writing the paper.
    • 8 lines from top to university name
    and one inch top, bottom, right, left margins
    GARDNER-WEBB UNIVERSITY
    2 blank lines in between
    AN ANALYSIS OF book chapter:verses in ALL CAPS
     
     
    4 blank lines in between
    A TERM PAPER SUBMITTED TO
    1 blank line in between
    DR. LORIN L. CRANFORD
    1 blank line in between
    in
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    PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS
    1 blank line in between
    for
    1 blank line in between
    RELIGION course number and section
     
     
    4 blank lines in between
    by
    1 blank line in between
    your name in all caps
     
     
     
     
    8 blank lines in between
     
     
     
     
    BOILING SPRINGS, NORTH CAROLINA
    1 blank line in between
    MONTH, DAY, YEAR such as JUNE 6, 1998
     
     
     
    2 inch top margin on first page of new section
    but 1 inch margins on left, right and bottom.
    Subsequent pages then have one inch top margins until next new section
    INTRODUCTION1

           This section of your paper begins page one of the page numbering system. The requirements

    are that the page number goes at the bottom of the page on each new section as is illustrated in this

    example. Subsequent page numbers then go at the top right-hand corner of each page. The same

    font style and size as with the text of the paper should be used for the numbers.2

            Items to be included in the Introduction are an assessment of the external historical aspects

    of  your passage, such as author, time and place of writing, initial readers of the passage etc. Keep

    this to a minimum of one paragraph of information.

            Also to be included here are certain literary aspects. These are (1) the identification of the

    broad and small genre types of your passage. For example, Matt. 5:3-12 would be classified as

    beautitudes (small form) within the gospel form of Matthew. Explore implications these

    classifications have for understanding your text. A second literary aspect is (2) the literary setting /

    context of your passage. Consult study tools containing outlines etc. for help on this. Matt. 5:3-12

    would be the introduction to the Sermon on the Mount, which is the first major speech of Jesus at

    the beginning of his public ministry, as Matthew describes it. Thus, this speech helps to establish from

    the outset the nature of the message that Jesus was going to preach throughout his public ministry.

            The above items are required issues to be addressed in the Introduction. This section of your

    paper should not go over two pages in length.
    _________________________________

            1At this place in your paper you should insert a content footnote indicating the computer word processing software used to type your paper, and the brand and type of printer used to print the paper.

            2A note about footnotes. Indent the same number of spaces as the text of the paper. Single spaced lines with a blank line between the separator line and each footnote. Use the same font style and size in the text of the paper. Number each footnote with superscripted number.

    1

     

     
    2 inch top margin on first page of new section
    but 1 inch margins on left, right and bottom.
    Subsequent pages then have one inch top margins until next new section
    HEADING FOR THE BODY OF THE PAPER, 5:1-123

            The paragraph immediately underneath the heading should explain the basis for the wording of

    the heading that summarizes the basic meaning of the text. Also to be included in this paragraph is an

    explaination of the internal literary structure of the text that you have concluded from your study. This

    structure is your outline of the scripture text and will be used as left-margin subheadings as you

    work your way through the passage explaining its meaning.

            Also to include here in your paper is any pertinent internal historical aspects of the text

    generally. For example, in the Matt. 5:3-12 passage, the narrative setting of 5:1-2 establishes that

    this 'sermon' was delivered after Jesus went up into the mountain. Where geographically was this?

    At what point in Jesus' public ministry did this take place? Such questions will need to be addressed.

    If your scripture text is didactic, rather than narrative, these internal historical aspects may not be

    present, or else, need as much attention.
     

    First Left-Margin Heading, 5:1-2

            Each left-margin heading should begin on the third line below the preceding text; that is, triple

    space, rather than double space, for the heading. Resume double spacing for the text following the

    heading. The heading should be typed with capitalized words, but not in all-caps as per the centered

    headings beginning new sections of your paper. The length of the heading cannot extend beyond

    half-way across the page on each line. If longer, single space the two line of the heading after

    dividing it into two lines.
    _________________________________

            3The heading of the body section of the paper should be the wording of the heading listed by your scripture text. Or, you can reword the heading to make it express the perceived basic point of the scripture text you are analyzing. In either case it should be centered on this new section of the paper and be typed with a two inch top margin. Note that the length of the heading for each line must be no longer than 48 characters.

    2
     
     
     
    3
     
            Under each left-margin heading you should procede to exegete the historical "then" meaning of

    the sub-units of the scripture text. This means that you treat key words and phrases in these verses.

    Use the translations to identify these. Quote from commentaries etc. in order to elaborate on these

    key concepts. Also, discuss places where different meanings are possible in this portion of your

    scripture text. Use the different translations to illustrate these differences; refer to commentaries to

    explain the nature of the differences. Come to your own reasoned conclusion and present it with

    accompanying reasons. Where names of people and places surface in each subdivision of the

    scripture text, use Bible dictionaries to help identify these.

            Once you have finished the "then" meaning analysis, then state in your own words how you

    think this part of the scripture passage relates to contemporary life today. This constitutes the "now"

    meaning of the text. Commentary sources may be cited here, but only to support your perception of

    the scripture text's meaning.
     

    Second Left-Margin Heading, 5:3-124

            Now you have come to point two in your outline treating the next subdivision of the scripture

    text. The procedure here is to repeat the process done in the first subdivision of the scripture

    text.This process will be repeated until the entire scripture text has been analyzed.
    _________________________________

            4 If in the process of analyzing your scripture text from various translations you notice them providing alternative translations of a word, phrase etc. in your passage, then you have uncovered a textual variant reading in the underlying Greek text of the New Testament. Consult various commentaries for an explanation of the basis of these alternative readings of the text. Now, in a content footnote explain the nature of this issue and adopt a reading of the scripture text as the basis for your analysis.

     


     
     
    2 inch top margin on first page of new section
    but 1 inch margins on left, right and bottom.
    Subsequent pages then have one inch top margins until next new section
    CONCLUSION

            This next section of your paper should wrap up your analysis of the scripture text with the

    following items to be treated.

            In the body of the paper, you broke down the scripture text into its component elements and

    carefully analyzed each part. In this first section of the Conclusion of the paper, now put the

    scripture text back together into a whole by summarizing the main point(s) you've understood from

    the text. Again, concentrate on the "then" meaning of the scripture text in this first paragraph of the

    Conclusion. Does the text inform you about some important belief in the Christian religion? Does it

    encourage its readers to adopt a certain pattern of behavior or lifestyle?

            Once you have adequately summarized the historical meaning of the text, then finish the

    Conclusion by expressing what you have personally learned from doing this analysis paper. New

    methods of Bible study? Insights about the Christian religion? Encouragement to change your

    lifestyle? A wide variety of things is possible to discuss here.

            This section of your paper should not go beyond two pages in length.
     

    4
     
    2 inch top margin on first page of new section
    but 1 inch margins on left, right and bottom.
    Subsequent pages then have one inch top margins until next new section
    SOURCES CITED

            The bibliography begins the last new section of your paper and is to include only those sources from the list below in italics that are actually cited in your paper. The structure of the bibliography should follow and include the left-margin subheadings listed below with the exception of the last one dealing with commentaries not to be used for the paper. Any additional sources not found on the list below must be cleared with the professor.
            Regarding format, Turabian says (T9:8), "The bibliography of a paper is single-spaced with one blank line between entries. The first line of each entry is flush left, and any runover lines are indented five spaces."
            The bibliography must contain the divisions listed below with the required number of references under each division.

    Translations of the New Testament
    (minimum of four translations compared)

    Revised English Bible*
    Jerusalem Bible*
    The New Testament in Modern English by J. B. Phillips.
    The New Testament by James Moffatt
    The New Testament in Four Versions
    The New Testament by Charles Williams
    The New Testament in Modern English by Helen B. Montgomery
    Good News Bible (TEV)
    New International Version
    The New American Bible

    Other Study Bibles
    (a minimum of one reference)
     
    The NIV Study Bible
    The Oxford Study Bible (Revised English Bible)
    The Harper-Collins Study Bible
     

    Concordances
    (minimum of one reference)

            Concordances represent very important study tools which enable you to trace the use of a certain word throughout the particular translation. For example, the word "love" will be listed under the correct alphabetical sequence like a dictionary. Under this word you will find all the scripture texts containing this word. Usually the concordance will not only list the book, chapter verse references, but also contain at least one line of the scripture texts containing the word. The following contains a representative list of concordances. Remember, the list of words included is determined by the English Bible translation the concordance is based on. Different English translations use different English words in translating the Hebrew and Greek texts of the Bible.

    An Analytical Concordance on the RSV, New Testament*
    Nelson's Complete Concordance (RSV)*
    The NIV Complete Concordance*
    The NRSV Concordance
     

    Bible Dictionaries
    (minimum of one reference)

            Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias are just like a regular dictionary or encyclopedia, except that they focus on words and topics specifically related to the study of scripture. They are important sources of information for the historical background of your text, outlines of the scripture book containing your text, and key words that you've isolated out of your passage, along with other items. The list below contains some of the more helpful volumes. Articles contained in them are of two types: signed and unsigned articles. This necessitates two distinct types of bibliography, footnote listings: signed and unsigned articles.

    The Anchor Bible Dictionary (6 volts.)*
    Harper's Bible Dictionary*
    International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (4 volumes)*
    Interpreter's Diction.ary of the Bible (5 volumes)*
    Mercer Dictionary of the Bible*
    The New Bible Dictionary*
    The New Westminster Dictionary of the Bible*
     

    One-Volume Commentaries
    (minimum of one reference)

    These materials provide very helpful summaries of scripture texts, as well as important background materials for the Introduction section of your paper.

    The Anchor Bible
    Peake's Commentary on the Bible*
    The Jerome Biblical Commentary*
    The Interpreter's One -Volume Commentary on the Bible*
    New Testament Commentary by Alleman*
    The New Bible Commentary, Revised*
    Harpers Bible Commentary*
    The Abingdon Bible Commentary*
     

    Commentary Sets
    (minimum of two references)

    These are commentary sets with multiple volumes. Sometimes an entire volume will be devoted to a single book of the Bible; others will cover several books of the Bible within a single volume of the commentary set. These must be referenced differently as the examples on the links will illustrate. These commentaries will provide the most important and useful information in analyzing the specific meaning of the assigned scripture text, as well as address introductory historical and literary questions.

    Abingdon New Testament Commentary
    Anchor Bible
    Black's New Testament Commentary
    The Broadman Bible Commentary*
    The Cambridge Bible Commentary
    Continential Commentary Series
    Daily Study Bible by William Barclay
    Doubleday Bible Commentary
    Harper's New Testament Commentaries
    Hermeneia
    The International Critical Commentary
    Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching
    The Interpreter's Bible*
    The Layman's Bible Book Commentary
    The Moffatt New Testament Commentary
    New Century Bible
    The New American Commentary on the Bible
    The New International Commentary
    The New Interpreter's Bible* (incomplete)
    The New Testament in Context Series
    New Testament Readings
    The Old Testament Library
    Sacra Pagina
    Socio-Rhetorical Commentary Series
    Tyndale Commentaries on the Bible
    Westminster Bible Companion
    Word Biblical Commentary* (incomplete)

    Other Resources
    (minimum of one reference)

        This section is for listing resources such as Introduction textbooks, class notes, and other materials used in the research but do not fall in the above categories.

    COMMENTARIES NOT TO BE USED

    This section, of course, would not be listed in your bibliography. The commentaries listed here represent out of date and/or devotional commentaries that will not provide helpful answers to the questions naturally arising from your analysis of the scripture text.

    The Speakers Bible
    The Pulpit Commentary
    The Preacher's (Complete) Homiletic Commentary
    Lange's Commentary
    The People's Bible
    An Interpretation of the English Bible by Carroll
    Matthew Henry's Commentary


    EVALUATION KEY
    for Grading Analysis Papers

    Paper Section:     Done:     Form     Quality of Work:
                                                Correct: High:         Satisfactory:         Low:         Fail:

    Title Page:             _____     _____     _____     _____                   _____     _____
    Comments:

    Introduction:
    Historical Aspects:  _____     _____     _____     _____                   _____     _____
    Literary Aspects:    _____     _____     _____     _____                   _____     _____
    Comments:

    Body:
    Subdivisions:          _____     _____     _____     _____                   _____     _____
    Exegesis:                _____     _____     _____     _____                   _____     _____
    Application:            _____     _____     _____     _____                   _____     _____
    Comments:

    Conclusion:
    Summary:              _____     _____     _____     _____                   _____     _____
    Insights Gained:     _____     _____     _____     _____                   _____     _____
    Comments:

    Bibliography:
    Translations:          _____     _____     _____     _____                   _____     _____
    Concordances:      _____     _____     _____     _____                   _____     _____
    Bible Dictionaries:  _____     _____     _____     _____                   _____     _____
    1-v Commentaries:_____     _____     _____     _____                   _____     _____
    Commentary Sets: _____     _____     _____     _____                   _____     _____
    Comments:

    Overall Work:

    Headings:            _____     _____     _____     _____                   _____     _____
    Footnotes:          _____     _____     _____     _____                   _____     _____
    Typing:               _____     _____     _____     _____                   _____     _____
    Grammar/Style:  _____     _____     _____     _____                   _____     _____
    Comments:
     

    General Comments:
     
     
     

    Grade: _______ _____     _____     _____     _____                   _____     _____


     TERM PAPER ASSIGNMENT REQUEST LIST1

                1For instructions on requesting your passage, click 

            Reference:         Heading:
    1.     Mt. 4:1-11           The Temptation of Jesus
    2.     Mt. 5:13-16         Salt and Light
    3.     Mt. 5:43-48         Love for Enemies
    4.     Mt. 7:21-23         I Never Knew You
    5.     Mt. 8:23-27         Calming a Storm
    6.     Mt. 11:25-30       Come to Me and Rest
    7.     Mt. 15:32-39       The Feeding of 4,000
    8.     Mt. 16:13-20       Peter's Confession
    9.     Mt. 22:15-22       Tribute to Caesar
    10.   Mt. 23:37-39       Lament over Jerusalem
    11.   Mt. 26:69-75       Peter's Denial
    12.   Mt. 27:27-31       Soldiers Mock Jesus
    13.   Mt. 28:15-20       The Great Commission
    14.   Mk. 1:9-11          The Baptism of Jesus
    15.   Mk. 1:21-28        The Man with the Unclean Spirit
    16.   Mk. 2:23-28        Plucking Grain on the Sabbath
    17.   Mk. 3:13-19        The Choosing of the Twelve
    18.   Mk. 3:31-35        The Mother and Brothers of Jesus
    19.   Mk. 7:24-30        The Syrophoenician Woman's Faith
    20.   Mk. 9:33-37        Who is the Greatest?
    21.   Mk. 10:13-16       Little Children Blessed
    22.   Mk. 10:32-34      The Third Prediction of Jesus' Death and Resurrection
    23.   Mk. 11:15-19       The Cleansing of the Temple
    24.   Mk. 15:42-47       The Burial of Jesus
    25.   Lu. 1:1-4              The Dedication to Theophilus
    26.   Lu. 6:46-49          Two Foundations
    27.   Lu. 8:1-31           Women accompanying Jesus
    28.   Lu. 9:1-6             Mission of the Twelve
    29.   Lu. 11:33-36       The Light of the Body
    30.   Lu. 12:8-12         Confessing Christ before Men
    31.   Lu. 13:18-21       The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven
    32.   Lu. 24:50-53       The Ascension of Jesus
    33.   Jn. 8:31-35         The Truth Will Make You Free
    34.   Jn. 9:35-41         Spiritual Blindness
    35.   Jn. 13:31-35       The New Commandment
    36.   Jn. 20:19-23       The Appearance of Jesus to the Disciples
    37.   Acts 2:43-47       Life Among the Believers
    38.   Acts 4:32-37       All Things in Common
    39.   Acts 5:12-16       Many Signs and Wonders Performed
    40.   Acts 17:10-15     The Apostles at Beroea
    41.   Acts 18:24-28     Apollos Preaches at Ephesus
    42.   Acts 24:24-27     Paul Held in Custody
    43.   Rom. 1:1-7         Salutation
    44.   Rom. 6:15-23     Slaves of Righteousness
    45.   Rom. 8:31-39     God's Love
    46.   Rom. 12:9-21     Rules of the Christian Life
    47.   Rom. 13:1-7       Obedience to Rulers
    48.   Rom. 13:11-14   The Approach of the Day of Christ
    49.   Rom. 15:7-13     The Gospel for Jews and Gentiles Alike
    50.   Rom. 16:25-27   Doxology
    51.   1 Cor. 1:10-17   Divisions in the Church
    52.   1 Cor. 2:1-5       Proclaiming Christ Crucified
    53.   1 Cor. 6:12-20   Glorify God in Your Body
    54.   1 Cor. 11:27-34 Partaking of the Supper Unworthily
    55.   1 Cor. 15:1-11   The Resurrection of Christ
    56.   2 Cor. 2:5-11     Forgiveness for the Offender
    57.   2 Cor. 2:12-17   Paul's Anxiety and Relief
    58.   2 Cor. 6:14-7:1  The Temple of the Living God
    59.   Gal. 6:11-18      Final Warning and Benediction
    60.   Phil. 1:3-11        Paul's Prayer for the Philippians
    61.   Phil. 2:1-11       Christian Humility and Christ's Humility
    62.   Phil. 2:12-18     Shining as Lights in the World
    63.   Phil. 3:1-11       The True Righteousness
    64.   Phil. 4:2-9         Exhortations
    65.   2 Thess. 2:1-12 The Man of Lawlessness
    66.   1 Tim. 1:12-20 Thankfulness for Mercy
    67.   1 Tim. 3:1-7     Qualifications of Bishops
    68.   Heb. 3:7-19     A Rest for the People of God
    69.   Heb. 13:20-25 Benediction and Final Greeting
    70.   Jas. 3:13-18     The Wisdom from Above
    71.   1 Pet. 1:3-12    A Living Hope