Exegesis Paper: 68 pages, double-spaced, 12pt font, Times New Roman, normal margins, footnotes, consult and cite at least two scholarly sources (commentary, Bible dictionary, scholarly article, etc.)
Exegesis is the process of interpreting a given text, book, or passage. Examples of exegetical analysis include, among others: 1) tracing themes from a single passage throughout the entirety of the text, 2) doing an in-depth analysis of the structure or argument of a passage or part of a passage, 3) interpreting the theology of a passage in light of the overall intent of the text. In an exegesis paper it is important to ask why and so what. Why did the author shape this text in this way? What was the purpose and effect of this passage on those who heard/read it at the time of composition? What is the point of this passage? How has this passage been interpreted today and is this interpretation consistent with the original intent of the author? Etc.
Students have two options for their exegesis paper:
1) Select one pericope from the Gospel of Mark, Matthew, or Luke with a parallel version in at least one other gospel. Carefully analyze your passage and compare it with its parallels, noting where the material has come from (triple or double tradition? Mark or Q?, etc.) and points where the versions differ. Offer a compelling argument for the differences based on what you now know of the character of each gospel and support your argument with an appeal to scholarship (two sources).
Steps:
1. Select a passage (should be around 6-10 verses)
2. Compare it to parallels
3. Note the differences
4. Make an argument for the differences
5. Support your argument with scholarship
The Passage I chose is : The death of John the Baptist
Grading Rubric:
A Paper Meets all of the criteria above, contains ones own insightful interpretation of the text, buttresses this interpretation with careful argumentation, supports this argumentation with an appeal to scholarship. Excellent writing, clear argumentation and structure, few or no grammatical or typographical errors.
B Paper Meets most of the criteria above, contains limited individual interpretation, supports interpretation with argumentation from scholarship. Writing is clear with few grammatical or typographical errors.
C Paper Meets some of the criteria above, does not contain ones own interpretation of the text, relies on scholarship for both interpretation and argumentation. Writing is not clear or well structured, contains several grammatical or typographical errors.
D Paper Does not meet the criteria enumerated above, does not contain ones own interpretation, does not consult commentaries. Writing is poor, contains many grammatical or typographical errors.
