Writing theology well: Eight habits of effective academic writing

[See alsoย Reading theology well: Eight habits of effective academic reading.] Theological writing is more than presenting information or expressing personal opinion. It is the disciplined practice of entering an ongoing scholarly conversation with clarity, fairness, evidence, and intellectual humility. Good theological writing demonstrates that you have understood the relevant sources, weighed competing interpretations, and constructed …

Reading theology well: Eight habits of effective academic reading

[See also Writing theology well: Eight habits of effective academic writing.] Whether you are engaging in theological education formally or informally, serious study demands more than simply skimming large quantities of material. It is important to acquire the skills needed to adequately interpret biblical texts carefully, understand historical developments, evaluate competing theological arguments, and contribute …

Six awesome blogs for research students

Dr Rod Benson, 4 October 2024 Stairs between Lower Ground and Ground Floors, Donald Robinson Library, Moore Theological College, Sydney. There are three kinds of research student: those who start researching and writing and are crawling or sprinting toward the finish line, those who give up in defeat, and those who finish writing and submit …

Ten tips for better referencing

In academic writing, few conventions are more important than referencing. When writing an essay, report, journal article or book, referencing puts your work in context, and demonstrates the breadth and depth of your research. It acknowledges the work others have done that you have used (that is, it avoids plagiarism). Referencing also enables your readers …

18 common myths about essay writing

Myths about essay writing abound. Some are valid; many are false. Some are universal in application; others apply to specific disciplines or classes of students. Below, I list 18 myths with suggested grounds for their dismissal. Can you think of others? Is there something here that you don't consider to be a myth? Let me …