Analysis Paper Assignment Details
In addition to the assignment description found in the syllabus, careful attention should be given to the following details concerning the analysis paper assignment:
This is your passage: Mark 10:13-16
Preparation for analysis
Read your passage several times and note your initial impressions. What do you think the writer is saying, and why is this message important in your opinion?
Read the sections before and after your assigned passage. They may or may not be closely connected to your assigned passage. Do they help you understand your passage? If so, how? You may benefit from reading surrounding chapters or the entire book.
Compare three (3) or more translations of your passage. (See the list, on page 3, of Bible translations that are off limits for this assignment, as well as those which are recommended.) Make notes concerning significant differences in the way the translations are worded. Examine study notes, cross-references, etc. if available in the edition you are using. Are there important words, ideas or themes that characterize your passage? Make notes concerning words or ideas that will require further study.
Use a Bible dictionary to examine the key words or confusing words from your passage. Note the definitions of these terms. (Recommended Bible Dictionaries are listed on page 3.)
Extensive Analysis
Consult four (4) commentaries (see the list on page 3) and research the following areas of background related to your passage: authorship, historical context, cultural context, etc. (Note: background material may be in the commentary’s introduction, as well as in its discussion of your passage.) At least two (2) of the commentaries used should be from multi-volume sets.
Use the four (4) commentaries to examine your passage. How do the commentaries explain or interpret the passage? Is there a consensus among the commentary writers, or are there notable differences of opinion? Are there textual questions the commentary has helped you to understand (the wording and meaning of words in the passage’s original form)?
Take extensive notes during this part of the process, making sure that you are carefully noting the source and page number from which you are getting your information.
Your sources may have different opinions. Based on your reading and understanding, you may have to determine which opinion is most likely correct. You should begin formulating how you will make the case for the viewpoint you think to be correct (or most likely correct).
Take notes as you think about ways your passage might be applied to contemporary life. How might this passage speak to us today? Are there problems or difficulties that the passage may present to our society today? What theological message is presented (what the passage says about God and/or what God is saying to us through the passage)?
Finalizing the Paper
Remember to follow the guidelines for written assignments that are detailed in the syllabus. The following is a suggested outline of the paper, with possible word counts for each section to bring you to the required 1,500 to 1,800 words. (This is provided as a guide to organizing your paper. Words counts for each section can certainly vary, but should, in most cases be within the framework.)
Give an Introduction, including a brief glimpse at the key theological point made by your passage. (150-200 words)
Discuss background information that is important to the analysis. (250-350 words)
Detailed analysis: putting together what was learned about the interpretation of the passage with attention to the meaning of key words or concepts, how the passage is constructed, and textual and contextual issues. (800-900 words)
Based on your analysis, what does this passage say theologically, what meaning might the passage have today, and how might it be applied to our lives. (300-350 words)
Making Proper Reference
You will footnote material taken from another person, and you will provide an entry in your Bibliography for the source of the material. Note: Copying or paraphrasing from books, or other material, without proper documentation is unacceptable. Plagiarism is a serious academic infraction! If you have questions about how to document the sources in your analysis paper, talk to your professor or contact the Writing Center for help.
A bibliography page is required. It should contain at least four (4) commentaries, and any other sources used (such as a Bible dictionary). Recommended (and excluded) resources are listed below.
Acceptable (and Excluded) Sources
This is not an exhaustive list. It includes good sources in each category. If you wish to use something other than those listed, and are in doubt, please ask your professor.
Bible Translations
Several translations are off limits for this assignment: King James Version,
The Living Bible, Amplified Bible, and The Message.
Recommended translations include: New American Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, New International Version, New King James Version, New Living Translation, and New Revised Standard Version (the version you are using in class). You can access various Bible translations online at: www.biblegateway.com.
Bible Dictionaries
Harper’s Bible Dictionary (1996 edition)
Mercer Dictionary of the Bible
Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible (5 volumes)
The Anchor Bible Dictionary
Eerdman’s Dictionary of the Bible
Anchor Bible Dictionary (4 volumes)
One-volume Commentaries
Harper-Collins Bible Commentary
Mercer Commentary on the Bible
Harper’s Bible Commentary (1988 edition)
The Interpreter’s One-Volume Commentary on the Bible
The Women’s Bible Commentary
The New Jerome Biblical Commentary
The New Bible Commentary
Peake’s Commentary on the Bible
Multi-volume Commentaries
The Broadman Bible Commentary
The Interpreter’s Bible
The New Interpreter’s Bible
Word Biblical Commentary
The Anchor Bible
Interpretation
Jerome Biblical Commentary
The International Critical Commentary
The New American Commentary
( Below I will attach commentaries from 4 different sources for you to use on this paper!
The order of photos is the pages first then the title of the book is after the pictures. There are 4 different books. Thank you so much this paper is 40% of my grade and your help is very much needed!)
For the Bible translations – Recommended translations include: New American Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, New International Version, New King James Version, New Living Translation, and New Revised Standard Version (the version you are using in class). You can access various Bible translations online at: www.biblegateway.com.
