THEO 626
RESEARCH PROJECT: THESIS AND SUMMARY ASSIGNMENT
INSTRUCTIONS
OVERVIEW
A presentation of the thesis and summary of a research project serves to focus the assignment
and provide preliminary analysis of the development of the overall ideas. The thesis should be a
clear statement asserting a position in no more than one or two sentences. The summary should
provide some broader development of ideas to show the reader the intention of the ‘broad sweep’
of the paper—including key arguments, opposing views, strongest biblical support, etc.
INSTRUCTIONS
The assignment must include five elements: proposed topic, proposed thesis, project
summary, preliminary bibliography, and bibliography summary. Each of these headings
should be on the left margin in bold followed by a colon. Then the required information
follows.
Provide a one-sentence topic of the paper.
Provide a one-two sentence thesis of the paper. Ensure it is clear, asserts a position, and is
limited in scope. Never begin a thesis statement with ‘this paper will show that.’ Limit
the thesis statement to a manageable size. No 12 – 15-page paper can adequately cover
‘The Trinity.’ Such a paper must focus on same smaller aspect of one person of the
Trinity: The New Testament evidence for the divinity of the Holy Spirit, etc. If desired,
Google ‘writing a thesis statement’ to ensure you understand what a thesis statement
entails.
Provide a one-two paragraph summary of the paper. Try to show (if only in a preliminary
way) how the sources are shaping the research, and how the biblical and theological
presentation will proceed. Always include the best arguments of the ‘other side’ in both
sources and argument. The best way to understand one’s own position is to be able to
present the best case of the opponent and answer those issues. Be aware that the final
rubric requires both a historical development section as well as an application to the
church section. Many students lose major points for simply ignoring these sections.
Provide seven preliminary scholarly sources. These should be listed in Turabian
bibliographic format (which is different than a footnote). There should be an approximate
50/50 balance between scholarly books and journals. The annotated bibliography
included five of these, so this is only two additional sources (assuming the research has
not dramatically shifted/changed).
Provide a one-two sentence summary of how each source relates to the thesis and its
development. List author’s last name followed by a colon and then the one-two
sentences.
oEdwards: This book helps show an opposing view from the thesis by displaying
his argument that. . . continue this for each author from above section.
Edit for typos, spelling, grammar, and style based on current Turabian formatting (which
includes a title page and proper page numbering).
Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.
