Writing an Exegesis Paper for Dr. Ciampa
Key Elements in an Exegesis Paper
Steps
1-5 should be carried out in an Introductory section of the paper, steps 6-12
in the main body of the paper in commentary style, and steps 13-15 should be
left for a concluding section of the paper.
1.
Briefly explain the introductory issues (especially the occasion) of
the book in which your passage is found.
2.
Establish the coherence and boundaries of the passage.
3.
Explain the role of your passage within the framework of the argument
of the book and/or section in which it is found.
4.
Establish the original text.
(This is to be done early on but the discussion of textual issues should
be reserved for footnotes to the text within the commentary section of the
paper, along with steps 6-10. Especially
important textual issues may merit some discussion in the body of the paper.)
(1-3 charts should be supplied in an appendix.)
5.
Prepare a translation of the text that reflects the results of the
exegesis.
6.
Discuss complex, unusual or particularly important features of the
grammar of the passage (any diagrams should be attached as appendices).
7. Explain important aspects of the
historical and literary context (the latter should include both the context
within the book/document and the relationships between the document and
relationships with other literary background [forms, genres, parallel texts] or
other Synoptic Gospels).
8. Explain important or unusual
words and concepts including scriptural and/or cultural backgrounds that inform
them.
9. Explain the theological basis and
contributions of the passage.
10.
Discuss the ethical issues addressed and raised by the passage.
11.
Explain the Semantic Structure of the passage (with a chart or diagram
as an appendix).
12.
Discuss rhetorical and literary features of the passage.
13.
Propose and defend your understanding of the author’s exegetical idea
(main point), including the question behind the text and your summary of the response
to that question (the so-called “subject” and “complement”).
14.
Propose and defend your understanding of the author’s purpose for writing
the passage.
15.
Discuss the relevance of the text in its original context and its
relevance/application to the church and various kinds of readers today.
The exegesis
paper should also:
1. Include a bibliography (in
alphabetical order) of at least 15 works cited in the footnotes, including
advanced grammars, theological dictionaries, scholarly commentaries, articles
from theological journals, and scholarly monographs. [Note: dictionary articles should be listed
under the name of the author of the article, not under the name of the editor
of the dictionary.]
2. Be typed, double-spaced (except
extended quotes and footnotes), in Times New Roman font size 12, with
pagination, one-inch margins, footnotes, bibliography and proper recognition
given to all sources of words or ideas found in the body of the paper. Read the material on plagiarism that is
attached to the end of this syllabus.
3.
Conform to The SBL Handbook of Style (edited by Patrick H.
Alexander et al.