How to write an essay

Analyse your title

Identify the key things you are being asked.

Is it your view or someone else's that is important?

What is NOT being asked?

Write down key questions.

Reflecting on your home Church or placement Church how would you use the Book of Job to

explain aparticular situation of undeserved suffering.

Which church? Which situation? Key question is how?

What are my options? Bible study? Preaching? Inform my ethos?

Park your side questions

Would I use the book of Job at all?

Did Job deserve it?

I don't like the book of Job.

The sources of Job and the literary structure are really interesting....Hmm I wonder about....

Reflecting on your home Church or placement Church how would you use the Book of Job to explain

aparticular situation of undeserved suffering.

Read the marker's mind (and check the learning outcomes!) What do they want

me to prove I can do? Reflect critically not

go for the first answer. Be aware of my

context and pastoral needs

Back my answer up with academic knowledge.

How to read a book.

Focus on the Question and your key points.

Contents/index Skim read Commentary intro

and text section Make notes and

gather a few key quotes.

Form an essay plan (write it down?)

List or mind map. Introduction (write it

last) Set up Argument(s)

Each paragraph should make a point moving you towards the:

Conclusion

Writing an Introduction.

Map of your essay. In this essay I will

demonstrate/reflect on/identify/examine etc (refer to question)

By doing x, y and z. I will show

that/conclude that

The 'set up'

Define your terms if needed.

Say what you are NOT going to do and why if needed.

Intro: This essay will reflect on the ways in which the Book of Job may be used to explain a situation of undeserved suffering. Having summarised the Book of Job's theology of undeserved suffering and reflecting upon it, I will discuss the merits and dangers of using the text directly in preaching, on a pastoral visit, in bible study and in informing my own attitudes and actions. I will argue that the latter is the best approach when engaging pastorally with this book, and will reject as not pastorally beneficial for addressing particular pastoral situations, the other approaches considered.

The set up: To provide focus to this subject I will reflect on my placement church of St Llanllanllan's since this is where most of my practical experience is gathered, and on a situation I met there recently (names have been changed).

The arguments Part 1. Paragraph(s) on

The theology of Job on undeserved suffering. Any relevance the

context (exile?) may have to this understanding

Summary and critique/reflection – is this a good theology or not? What lessons can be learnt?

Part 2 Para on placement

church for context Para on situation

(careful to protect anonymity (or make a case study up and say that you have done so)).

Arguments Part 3

Paragraph on how you might use Job (1)

Pros Cons Decide – good this

this situation? Or not. Paragraph on how

you might use Job (2) Pros Cons

Etc etc

Part 4. Reflective decisions –

which is the best approach for you in your context and what have you learnt?

Conclusion

Like the Introduction in reverse.

Say what you have done, and what this showed/concluded/suggested.

So, as we have seen,

A worked example – how (not?) to do it.

Expound Hebrews’ understanding of the person and work of Christ. Consider how

the O.T. is used, and the pastoral implications of this theology.

Expound Hebrews’ understanding of the person and work of Christ.

Consider how the O.T. is used, and the pastoral implications of this theology. Key q's?

Who wrote Hebrews? When and why did they write

it? Who did they write to and

what was going on for them? What did THEY think about

Jesus? What does it say and NOT say? What is assumed?

How do they use the OT? What are the pastoral

implications?

Park it.

How come Hebrews is in the Bible anyway?

Who's this Melchizedek chappie? (note I don't park it in the essay)

That bit's a bit harsh!

Who do I think Jesus is?

Maybe Hebrews builds on John's gospel

A much better pastoral theology would be...

My favourite bit of the bible is Corinthians 13

Essay plan

Introduction

Jesus in Hebrews section

Paras on – deity, pre-existence, revelation, humanity, priesthood (inc work), messiahship.

Hebrews context section

Paras on – OT use (link from priesthood) background, context, purpose,Pastoral Implications

Conclusion

Critique

Good introduction.

Good structured first page.

Terrible referencing.

Second page chases after random interesting thoughts – why is Paul discussed so much? Too much Melchizedek. It is not answering the question.A collection of random thoughts at the end.

Does the conclusion actually answer the question?

Compare with the essay on Amos!

Engaging with the academic community

Level 4 essay writing is journalism. Your opinion may or may not matter – read the

QUESTION carefully. You don't have to be the source of all knowledge

– it is good to base your views on others who know more.

You need to show how you can find out information and evaluate and apply it.

Hidden in the questions is “What does the academic community have to say about this topic?”.

Referencing (all references here are made up!)

When you make a point that you have got from your reading, reference it:

E.g. The Book of Common prayer shapes Anglican identity (Collins 2004 p87)

When you take on a scholar's point, give her/him the credit:

e.g. Collins (2004 p86) suggests that the BCP 1662 still shapes Anglican worship today.

Can I quote you on that? Illustrate key points

with quotes: Collins identifies the links

between the BCP and the Roman mass saying 'Cranmer was not only reacting against what was wrong in the mass, but also keeping what was right' (Collins 2004 p88) (Single quotes unless quoting within a quote or reporting speech.)

Scholar fight! Collins (2004 p56)

argues that Cranmer wanted to keep close to the mass but Herbert (2005 p27) argues against this. He cites the number of strongly different features of the BCP text, particularly... On balance I support Herbert's view as better accounting for the features of the text.

Do's and don't Do Quote and reference

Critique gently “Collins seems not to account for....and Herbert's account does.”

Make claims you can back up. “I think x because y”

Respect the Hebrew Scriptures and the context they were written for. They speak to us THROUGH that context.

Use inclusive language “it might occur to a scholar that (s)he may instead consider...”

Quote peer-reviewed articles or books from good publishers – SCM, SPCK, University Presses, books on the reading list etc

Don't Plagiarise

Criticise or judge “Collins is an idiot who wouldn't know Christianity if it bit him on the....”

Claim strongly what you have not argued for or backed up. “As everyone knows, Cranmer wrote the BCP while drunk.

Read the NT back into the OT, except in reflective passages. e.g. “Christians might say....”

Make sweeping generalisations “One things Jews never understand about God is....”

Quote random wacky internet stuff.(Wikipedia can still be good for helping with concepts and terms).

10 commandments of essay writing Answer the Question Answer the Question Answer the Question Answer the Question

Don't throw everything you know vaguely connected with the subject at it.

Answer the Question Answer the Question Answer the Question Reference your work

Proof read your work. (To make sure you answered the question!)

Boundaries

For a 1st

The work examined is excellent with evidence of comprehensive knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to the Level of the qualification. There is also evidence of an excellent standard showing that all the learning outcomes and responsibilities appropriate to that Level are satisfied.

For a 2.1

The work examined is good with evidence of the knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to the Level of the qualification. There is also evidence of a good standard showing that all the learning outcomes and responsibilities appropriate to the Level are satisfied.

For a 3rd

The work examined is acceptable but provides barely sufficient evidence of the knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to the Level of the qualification. There is also acceptable but barely sufficient evidence showing that all the learning outcomes and responsibilities appropriate to that Level are satisfied.

For a 2.2

The work examined is sound but provides limited evidence of the knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to the Level of the qualification. There is also sound but limited evidence showing that all the learning outcomes and responsibilities to that Level are satisfied.

Marking an essay

Handbook (on the Exploring Faith Website – click Resources for Current Students on left and select Handbook)

Contains more guidance (pages 70-80) You will be given a mark out of 100. 70+ is a first 60+ a 2.i and 50+ a 2.ii 40+ is a third (and a pass!)

Your turn

For a question you have NOT yet attempted. Write down the key

issues and interesting side issues (to avoid!)

Identify questions to ask the literature

If you have enough information, go on to sketch out the structure of the essay as a mind map or list.

Worship - Assignments

Worship learning outcomesOn successful completion of the unit, students will be

able to:

demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the biblical and theological foundations of church worship

demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the development of worship within Anglicanism

demonstrate knowledge of the authorised liturgies of the Church in Wales.

demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles that inform the structures of worship

evaluate ways in which worship works best in different physical, social and spiritual contexts

Worship - Assignments

1 In 750 words, address the question

How are the categories of Sacred People, Place, Time and Action expressed in the Order for the Holy Eucharist 2004?

Worship - Assignments

In 750 words address the question

How might Morning and/or Evening Prayer be used as a resource to enable the story of salvation to be told through the changing seasons of the Church’s year?

Worship - Assignments

In 1,500 words each address the question

What must the minister consider when planning, preparing and delivering an act of worship?

Candidates should show knowledge and understanding of

i) the nature of Christian worship

ii) ways in which worship can be effectively used in a variety of contexts

Worship - Assignments

Create an act of worship (1000 words) for one of following contexts and write a 500 word commentary explaining the decisions on structure and content you have made.