These are the instructions for the paper:
The Assignment
The purpose of this project is to give you a chance to read at least one major work of modern biblical scholarship all the way through. All of these books are serious works of scholarship (you will find many references to the work of other scholars and lots of footnotes) but all are written in a modern style, with the aim of reaching beginning scholars and interested general readers.
Written Report
The book report must convey a summary of the book?s contents and arguments. The goal is to show that you?ve read the book with care and have begun to get a sense of how this kind of scholarly investigation works. You may, if you feel qualified to do so, provide an evaluative comment on the book?s contents, arguments, interest, or readability.
With these purposes in mind, write a report of about 1800 words (6-7 pages in 11 or 12-point double-spaced type) or longer, both for me and your classmates to read?the reports will be posted on our Blackboard site. Here are the guidelines:
? Identify the thesis of the whole book?its main idea or ideas. Be sure to read the Preface or Introduction?that?s often where the author explains the thesis of the book most clearly.
? Explain the key evidence and arguments that support the thesis. Often, each chapter identifies a major sub-argument. Look at sub-headings, too?don?t miss obvious clues the author has provided.
? Avoid generalizations. That is, don?t simply name the topics covered. If you find yourself writing phrases like ?then the author talks about,? you are probably generalizing. Better to be writing that ?the author asserts/claims/argues/supports/refutes? and so on.
? Be positive. Stick to what?s in the book, try to appreciate the author?s point of view, and save your assessment for the very end. Quote key passages if you feel that is useful.
? Provide page numbers frequently?at least one in every paragraph! Use the MLA format, putting page references in parentheses so readers can keep track of where you are in the book as you summarize. The MLA style guide is accessible (with difficulty) through the Library website?keep clicking on ?citing sources??or use this direct link: http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/resdoc5e/RES5e_ch04_o.html
? The title of the report should be ?Review of Author, Title (Publisher, Date of Publication),? plus your name and the date, of course.
Write the report with your classmates in mind as the audience: explain, be clear, pay attention to the writing, double space, and so on. Most students have found that it is easier to write a longer summary than the 1800 words I suggest. You do not need to ask my permission or apologize for writing more.
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