A research paper is required for this class. The students will prepare a research paper (15 pages)
on a topic of choice. Format: 1-inch margins, double-spaced, 12-pt Times New Roman font,
pages numbered, cover page/bibliography/works cited not included in page count. The research
paper must be formatted as a word.doc and submitted as an attachment to the professor’s ETS
email. Footnotes are expected and must follow MLA Handbook style. This is a critical analysis
paper. Summary of material is not analysis. Devotional reflection or sermon-like writing is not
analysis. If your paper is written in this style your paper will be returned with no grade and a
rewrite will be required. For examples of critical analysis on the course topics see any critical
historical commentary or peer-reviewed article. The use of at least five (5) scholarly books and at
least ten (10) scholarly peer-reviewed articles are required for use in your research paper. A good
general rule is that most of these books and articles should have been published within the last
ten (10) years, with reasonable exception (if in doubt, contact the professor. The file for your
research paper must be named as follows (no caps): yourlastname-research-paper. For example,
smith-research-paper. If these instructions are not followed, your paper will be returned without
a grade. Topics for the research paper must be submitted for instructor approval no later than
Biblical Studies Research Paper Writing Rubric
10 Grammar & syntax (punctuation, etc.) … see MLA Handbook
10 Correct citation style (use of quotes; text citation; footnotes; etc.) … see MLA Handbook
10 Follows syllabus instructions (title pg, works cited pg, page numbering, font size, margins, etc.)
10 Use of research tools (library; appropriately academic online sources; etc.)
10 Structure/outline (coherent flow of argument) … see below
50 Substance of research
1 Title page … see MLA Handbook
4 a. Introductory paragraph …
– a concise introduction to your research project, including thesis
5 b. History of research …
– brief review of scholarly literature on the topic (5 books/10 articles from last 10 years)
5 c. Methodology …
– Brief description of your methodology; critical historical analysis is assumed.
Beyond that, are you doing a comparative analysis? A postmodern analysis? A
postcolonial analysis? Etc.
30 d. Analysis
4 e. Conclusion(s) …
– A concise description of your findings.
1 Works cited/Bibliography … see MLA Handbook
Total … x% = x