|
CRITERIA FOR EXCELLENCE IN WRITTEN PAPERS Many different types of papers are written at a theological seminary. Each has its own characteristics and, therefore, its own criteria for evaluation. However, many of the general criteria do apply from one paper to another. The general standards for written work are presented first; the specific requirements for each different paper follow. General Criteria for All Written Work 1. Correct English. This includes correct spelling, grammar, and syntax. Students whose mother tongue is not English may need to obtain editorial help. Specific items to be considered are: a. Correct spelling, either British or American, but
consistent throughout the paper; 2. Clarity of expression. The paper must be clearly understandable to the reader/evaluator. 3. Logical organization. The paper must follow a clear and logical outline. Ideas must flow in logical order. The arrangement of topics, paragraphs, and sentences, must contribute to a clear understanding of the study. Each section must display unity and coherence, and appropriate bridges should unite the sections. 4. Appropriate introductory and summary statements, for the paper as a whole and for the sections into which it is divided: a. The introductory statement serves as a "road map"
to the reader, showing the direction of the research in the section
introduced; 5. Conclusions naturally derived from the evidence presented. 6. Correct format. The standard is found in: Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 6th ed. Revised by John Grossman and Alice Bennett. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1995. Andrews University Standards for Written Work. Berrien Springs: Andrews University, 1995.
1. Essay: a class paper, from one to ten pages. The essay explores a topic without the rigor of a research paper. The opinions of the writer may be prominent. Reference footnotes are needed for all quotations, citations, and allusions. A bibliography may be required. An introductory paragraph or section charts the direction of the paper. Summary and conclusions appear at the end. The essay is judged on the following criteria: Direction/problem clearly stated 2. Report: a class paper, from one to ten pages. The purpose of the report is simply to summarize findings on an assigned topic. One or more sources may be assigned. Reference footnotes are needed for all quotations, citations, and allusions. A bibliography may be required. An introductory paragraph or section charts the direction of the paper. Summary and conclusions appear at the end. The report is judged on the following criteria: Direction/problem clearly stated 3. Sermon: a class paper, written as the basis for an oral presentation. The sermon may be prepared either in full written form or in a detailed outline form. The professor for whom the sermon is written may specify style, sources, topic, form, etc. All sources quoted should have appropriate reference notes. Illustrations (stories) must be included in full. The sermon should be ready for a person other than its writer to preach. The sermon will be judged on the following criteria: Attractive introduction 4. Term or Class Research Paper: a major paper written for a class assignment, from 15 to 25 pages, enough to cover well the problem being considered. An introduction, containing statement of the problem, purpose, delimitations, and/or presuppositions is obligatory. The paper must end with a summary of the findings and the conclusions derived from them. Reference footnotes are needed for all quotations, citations, and allusions. A bibliography, including all sources in the footnotes and any other materials which may have influenced the study, is required. The research paper will be judged by the following criteria: Clear statement of problem and purpose 5. Book Review: a class paper, one to three pages long, considering a book or article. The book review starts with a full bibliographical entry for the item discussed. As much information as possible should be given about the author. The book or article should be summarized with care so that the author's thrust is not distorted. Concluding remarks may include personal reaction and/or evaluation. The book review will be judged by the following criteria: Accurate bibliographical entry 6. Critical Book Review: a class paper, two to four pages long, considering a book or article. It is similar to the book review, except that after the summary of the item, a discussion of the material follows. The book/article may be discussed in terms of its usefulness to a certain discipline or situation. It may also be compared with another work of the same author or a work of a different author on the same topic. Theological books may always be studied in the light of Scripture. The critical book review will be judged on the following criteria: Accurate bibliographical entry 7. Project: a paper, either for a class or a degree, which emphasizes "planning" and "doing" as much as writing. The student is asked to plan something, do it, and write up the results. The project may take many different forms. All projects must be approved at the proposal stage. Field work is usually required in a project. The writing of the project follows the same style of research writing as that required by other papers. The project will be judged by the following criteria: Clear introduction to the project 8. Thesis: a major paper, for the completion of a master's degree. The length of an M.A. thesis is generally around 100 pages. The Master of Theology thesis could be as long as 150 pages. The criteria for judging a thesis are: Well chosen problem, clearly stated
in introduction 9. Pastoral Theology Paper: a paper, usually 20 to 30 pages long, which applies the findings of research in theology (biblical and systematic) to a pastoral situation. The pastoral theology paper applies research to ministry. Criteria for judging a pastoral theology paper are: Well chosen problem, clearly
stated in introduction 10. Case Study: a paper, usually 20 to 30 pages long, especially used at the doctoral level in applied theology. Its parts are: introduction (background); the written case; analysis of socio-economic, cultural, religious, psychological factors affecting the case; interpretation of biblical-theological aspects of the case; synthesis of analysis and interpretation; pastoral action derived from the synthesis. Criteria for judging a case study are: Clarity and precision of case
presentation 11. D.Min. Project: a major paper, around 125 pages long, which culminates D.Min studies. A D.Min. project must apply theory and research to some area of ministry. The preferred type is the "in-ministry" project, which applies a program to benefit the church. Among the acceptable types of D.Min. projects at Andrews are the following: case study, church growth study, church planting project, program development, strategy for evangelizing an unreached people, and theological issue in ministry. Some of these may include fieldwork and/or the use of questionnaires and statistics. (See number 7, Projects.) Criteria used to judge a D.Min. project are: Well chosen problem, clearly
stated in introduction Careful design of program Judicious use of sources 12. Ph.D./Th.D. Dissertation: a major study, similar to a thesis, but longer and more complex, usually some 250-300 pages. The literature must be thoroughly searched worldwide in order to insure that the topic has not been previously researched. Criteria used to judge a Ph.D./Th.D. dissertation are: Well chosen problem,
clearly stated in introduction Logical sequence Concise summary
of findings |