Guide for Research and Research Paper Composition
with Rubric
This handout was designed as a guide for Faith Bible College students to refer to as they prepare
research papers for their 200 level courses. Many other useful research tools are available.
Written and edited by Renee Carey, FBC Librarian, Fall of 2015.
Your paper may involve the analysis of a biblical passage or research that is topical, chronological, geographic,
etc. Regardless of your specific topic, these guidelines provide many solid research tools and tips. A research
paper requires finding out MORE than what you already know and presenting it in an orderly fashion. As an
example, examine this research quest into God’s Omnipotence.
DEFINE YOUR SUBJECT
Definitions let your instructor know your understanding of the topic you have chosen. His/her definition may
differ from yours. If you define your topic as X, but your instructor’s definition is X, Y, and Z, your research
may be found lacking. Specify your terms so your work can be evaluated based on your intent.
Where do you go for definitions? (TIP: Write down every book/article/magazine article as you use it!)
What do you know already from your textbook or previous knowledge?
IE: omnipotent: omni = all and potent = power (observation: only God is all-powerful)
Bible Dictionary – you may need to look under more than one word
IE: omnipotent → Almighty → Power(ful)
Follow the clues – definitions, Scripture passages, etc. (TIP: you don’t have to use everything!)
Bible Concordance – a list of specific words from a translation/version with Hebrew & Greek definitions
IE: under Power in the New Strong’s, it shows let the p of my LORD be great,...Num 14:17 3581
3581 in the Hebrew section in the back defines “koach, ko’-akh … to be firm; vigor…”
(observation: many passages use this word/number, so look those up as well)
3581b (in NAS Exhaustive Concordance) ”…strength, power…”
~ You may want to use one type of power OR use other ‘power’ words that further describe
God (observation: since only God is omnipotent, do not use examples of man’s power)
IE: Observations so far – lots of OT passages – Red Sea/Jordan River, manna, Jericho, sun stood still
Therefore, when a theme begins to formulate, create at least a rough draft thesis statement.
CREATE A THESIS STATEMENT *Everything in your paper needs to relate to this thesis statement*
IE: God demonstrated His omnipotence to the Israelites and surrounding nations throughout
the Old Testament.
Narrow or widen your thesis, but make sure your information remains within its limits
IE: perhaps use ‘throughout the Pentateuch’ to narrow or ‘throughout Scripture’ to include
New Testament
This thesis statement defines the following parameters:
demonstrated – any act that showed God’s power; cannot be based on verses that just mention that
God is all powerful without a demonstration
omnipotence – has to be an act that only God can do, not something within man’s natural power
Fall 2015 Research & Research Paper Guidelines with Rubric
Israelites and surrounding nations – specifies the people and the time frame; Creation and the Flood
were before the people were considered Israelites, so those examples cannot be used.
Surrounding nations could include the effects of God’s power to the people of Egypt, Jericho,
conquered nations, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, etc.
Old Testament also defines time. Jesus’ miracles cannot be included.
FORMULATE YOUR MAJOR POINTS AND PUT MEAT ON THEM
Where can you go next?
Bible Handbooks – arranged in biblical order; good overviews of each book’s author, timeframe, culture,
main ideas, etc. (these are good for passage/people studies, not as direct for topical papers)
BT Doctrinal Theology section – other systematic theology books or, in this example, books about God
Bible Commentaries – arranged in biblical order; they give deeper explanations of passages
Frequently, good resources will lead to other good resources. Follow the clues until you feel you have
researched your topic with enough depth to fully support your thesis.
Find a minimum of three main points to support your thesis statement.
IE: One possible grouping for this example could be chronological (God’s omnipotence shown to the
Israelites during the time of Abraham, Moses’ life, and as they conquered the Promised
Land). Each grouping would provide examples of how God’s omnipotence was evident to the
Israelites and to those around them. You decide how you want to organize your research. See
the attached rubric for details on how to clearly present your findings.
TIPS:
~ DO NOT PLAGIARIZE – no cut and pasting; rephrase & give credit for the author’s idea
IE: ‘Jones believes that the Red Sea event was really the result of a fault shift’ (Jones 317), but
research by Watson in 1994 proved that conclusion cannot be a valid (Watson 429). Your
Works Cited would have the resources listed that you used in alphabetical order.
~ Wikipedia is NOT a college resource. You may use it for ideas or to follow their citations, but you
may not use them as a reference for FBC papers.
~ Web articles that do not list references for their research may have been written by the smart
13-yr-old down the street! Only use research from reputable authors or sources in that field
of study. Ask your librarian or instructor if you are not sure.
Now armed with a wealth of knowledge, your composition may take shape. The rubric below will help you
organize your research. There are many examples of MLA formatted papers on the Internet. Having an example
may help you visualize what your paper should look like. A highly suggested example is found on
http://academictips.org/mla-format/mla-format-sample-paper/ (Highlight, copy and paste this into your
browser if this does not connect directly when you click on it.)
Please do not hesitate to ask your instructor and/or your librarian for assistance.
Renee Carey, Faith Bible College Librarian
[email protected] or (757) 423-2095
Fall 2015 Research & Research Paper Guidelines with Rubric
MLA Research Paper Rubric
Paper itself (WHAT your paper contains):
_____ Opening paragraph: share something interesting that leads to your thesis statement
~ IE: example of your topic (current event, experience, etc.)
_____ THESIS STATEMENT AS THE LAST SENTENCE OF YOUR FIRST PARAGRAPH (ESSENTIAL!)
This is your instructor’s roadmap for your entire paper!
_____ Body: at least 3 major topics that directly support your thesis statement
Consider your definitions for a 1st paragraph, then add main topics thereafter.
~ IE: God demonstrated His omnipotence through nature (sun stood still),
through people (Moses, Samson), supernatural events (Red Sea/Jordan River), etc.
_____ The topic (1st) sentence of each paragraph directly relates back to your thesis statement.
Headings can be used or ordinal words (first, second, third), therefore, in addition, etc.
Each sentence should contribute to the first sentence in that paragraph.
Each final sentence should summarize/close the point of that paragraph.
_____ Closing paragraph
Like closing arguments in a court of law, rephrase your thesis statement and main points.
No new information should be presented (if you left something important out, put it in the
body – if it doesn’t fit with your thesis, leave it out!)
Draw a conclusion if your instructor allows.
_____ Stay within the parameters of your thesis statement
_____ Use formal grammatical rules (no contractions, no first person (I, my…just say it!), no slang, use proper
punctuation, capitals, etc.) TIP: Use computer helps for grammar, spelling, and punctuation checks,
but know that they don’t catch everything.
TIP: Read through your paper in one sitting – does it make sense? Does it support your thesis statement?
MLA Format (HOW it is packaged): (see sample paper)
_____ MUST BE TYPED: 12-font Times New Roman
_____ Double spaced (TIP: single space while you work, then change to double when you are satisfied with
what you’ve written, then add the heading, title, headers, etc.)
_____ 8 typed pages of meat (does not include Works Cited page, additional charts, notes, etc.)
_____ Heading (Name, Instructor’s Name, Course name & number, date due) see sample paper
_____ Title centered with first letter capitalized of all major words (not in Bold, not underlined)
_____ Headers at the top of pages (last name with page number)
_____ Works Cited: *** A MUST *** MINIMUM OF THREE RESOURCES NOT INCLUDING YOUR TEXTBOOK AND
BIBLE(S). The format below is for a book with one author. Search ‘MLA format’ for more help.
Last Name, First Name Middle Initial. Book Title in Italics. City of Publication: Publisher, Year of
Publication. Medium.
(Medium means is it in ‘Print’ or was it from the ‘Web’)
Fall 2015 Research & Research Paper Guidelines with Rubric