Writing Messianic Studies 101
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Transcript of Writing Messianic Studies 101
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WRITING MESSIANIC STUDIES 101BY MRABBI HILLEL BEN YOCHANAN
November 3, 2013
Thesis Statementor The Introductory Paragraph
Transitional Sentence
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 2
Transitional Sentence
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 2
Transitional Sentence
Summaryof information covered.
Whenever a Bible enthusiast desires to write a Bible
study, a tract or even prepare a speech outline, theres
four main points that really needs to be covered.
Before covering these four points of
interests, I would first like discuss the reasons
why we write.
We tend to write about the things that were
passionate about. Our passion tends to hit the
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pleasure centers of the brain. It is as if though when
we talk about the things that we enjoy, we tend to hit
that happy, fuzzy feeling within ourselves where
were just happy about what it is that we do and say.
A lot of times, just discussing that particular item of
interest simply allows for us to reenact in our minds
the joy of doing the actual thing that were discussing.
As a result, we write.
When we write about the things that we enjoy or
find important to us, its important to identify the
audience. For example, I wouldnt be effective talking
about baseball if everyone in my audience enjoys
football. I also wouldnt be effective speaking
negatively about football if the entire audience views
football in a positive sense, either. So when we write,
its important that we appeal to our audiences
attention or affection; that way, they can identify with
us in whatever it is that were saying so that they too
can appreciate what we enjoy most (in our case, that
would be Messiah).
After discussing the reasons why we write, I
would now like to discuss the four main points that
really needs to be covered, being The Thesis
Statement, The Introductory Paragraph,
Transitional Sentences, and The Summary.
The Thesis Statement is a simple sentence thatsummarizes what the entire article, tract, or Bible
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study is all about. Unlike The Thesis Statement, An
Introductory Paragraph is a compilation of four to
five sentences that introduce the audience as to what
the article is all about, which we will discuss in a
moment. Every single sentence in the article should
somehow support the thesis statement. If one
sentence in the entire article doesnt support either
The Thesis Statement (or The Introductory Paragraph
by that matter), then its quite possible that thesentence doesnt even belong to begin with and
should be completely removed, because to keep the
unwanted sentence is simply going to distract your
audiences attention into something irrelevant; theyre
going to miss the main points that you really want for
them to get with irrelevant information in bring up intheir minds the unwanted things you do not want
them to bring up.
The Introductory Paragraph is quite different
from the Thesis Statement. Theres an actual formula
that excellent writers and public speakers utilize. The
formula for the paragraph looks something like this:
The thesis statement goes here. I talk about why Im
the subject expert matter. I identify my audience and
provide them with the main reason why they can
relate to what Im talking about. I now talk about who
we are as a community and what I intend to do with
this topic (i.e., entertain, inform, discuss, storytell).
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But before I even speak about the main
thing that I want to talk about, I give them a
bit of an explanation that further supports
the idea that I know what Im talking as well
as the reasons why the information that Im
talking about is important to them.
As you can see, the formula consists of a Thesis
Statement, an I sentence, a you sentence, a we
sentence, and a transitional sentence. If the audience
cannot identify with you, then theyll start shaking
their heads no by the time you hit the we
statement. This is when you have to reconsider your
approach, correct it, and try again. It can really be a
hit or miss at times, but perfection does come with
practice and it makes you a better witness of Messiah
with time.
So in order to help you be a better writer (or
orator) for Messiah, its really important to use these
fundamentals; at least, the best writers use them.
After discussing the formula of TheIntroductory Paragraph, I would now like to
inform you about the basic construct of a
paragraph and the function that transitional
sentences serve.
A paragraph is a culmination of four to six
sentences. The first sentence of the paragraph should
be the main idea of that particular paragraph. Every
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sentence that follows should support the first
sentence of that paragraph. As a professional writer, I
myself have observed that quite often than not,
sentences have a natural sequence to them. So, I
sometimes have to break my paragraphs apart to
ensure that each sentence makes sense on their own
as well as support the main idea of that particular
paragraph.
Consider this in constructing your paragraph:
When we write a paragraph, we ensure that each
sentence makes sense by its own rite.
We then ensure that each following sentence
supports the main idea that the first sentence is trying
to portray.
Then, we check to ensure that the following
sentences follow a sequential pattern that makes
logical sense as it is read out loud.
Last, we place combine the sentences together in
its appropriate sequence.
Your paragraph should looks something like this:
When we write a paragraph, we ensure that each
sentence makes sense by its own rite. We then ensure
that each following sentence supports the main idea
that the first sentence is trying to portray. Then, we
check to ensure that the following sentences follow a
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sequential pattern that makes logical sense as it is
read out loud. Last, we place combine the sentences
together in its appropriate sequence.
Transitional Sentences are simple sentences that
bind separate sections, ideas or thoughts run a bit
more smoothly. You may want to consider
transitional sentences to be the bridge between two
very separate thoughts that allows your audience toaccept the sudden change thats coming up. Then
again, you can compare transitional sentences like the
links that bind each chain to form a bigger chain.
Without transitional sentences, two very separate
ideas tend to bring confusion in your audiences
mind. If you ignore transitional sentences, you leaveyour audience wondering, What is he really trying to
say? Did he mean this? What does this have anything
to do with the other previous statement?
Lets just suppose you followed all these
fundamental rules, yet you receive an unexpected
feedback. There are two things that you really can
appreciate. Firstly, the one commenting read your
article and your article illicitated an emotional
response, regardless of how unexpected it may have
been. Secondly, theyre talking about the subject at
hand which can give rise to another subject that
theyre interested in discussing with you.
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After providing you with this
information, I would to end with these few
remarks.
As a Bible enthusiast, you can make a strong
impact in your preaching efforts with written
documents. Firstly, the written article, tract or bible
study reveals to your audience that you were able tosit down, develop an idea, organize your thoughts,
and place them all together in a decent order.
Secondly, it says something about the person that
youre trying to imitate, Messiah. The more articles
we have within the Messianic Community, the more
answers we all have as a community pertaining whatit is that we value, and how our thoughts are
pertaining to the various different topics that interests
us as a society. Lastly, it allows us to have something
to refer to whenever the topic resurfaces or someone
asks.
I pray that you be encouraged to search the
Scriptures and add to the many wonderful biblical
written works waiting to arise. Shalom Alechem.