1. CCS Apologetics Junior Thesis: Developing a Thesis and Outline

2. REVIEW... WHY DO RESEARCH?

3. Language exists to transfer meaning from one person to another The purpose of transferring meaning is to support relationship – it is to PEOPLE that we speak In doing research, we must have answers to a few questions: Why do research? Why write it up? Who are you researching for? You or another? What do you want to research? (Topic) What do you want to know about your topic? (Research Question) What do want to say about your topic? (Thesis) What should be considered about your audience in your communication? (Relationship) Some components

4. Research is gathering the information you need to answer a question to help you solve a problem. (Booth, Wayne. The Craft of Research. 1995) What might you research? Some possible opportunities for research: What time and where a movie plays Where a lost wallet is How to observe a meteor shower What kind of car to buy How to learn to play “Stairway to Heaven” on the guitar What Melville’s Moby Dick is really about Whether or not the pericope de adultera should be in the Bible Preparing a sermon on 1 Peter 4:7-11 Why do research?

5. WHO ARE YOU RESEARCHING FOR? IT’S ALWAYS ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS...

6. If the goal of language is to transfer meaning from one person to another, then the proof that the work has been effectual is whether or not they have received the meaning. What could get in the way of that? Some things that could get in the way: Language Knowledge base Age group Biases Interest Writing/Speaking style Skills of communicator Consider your audience

7. Once you have a Topic Once you have a Question Now, you need a resource Then you research until... You know the answer to your question And have something to say – this is your thesis The Thesis will be the Central point in every communication; its major claim; its main point. Now... fetch!

8. SAYS WHO? The art and use of good sources

9. CCS Apologetics Junior Thesis: Developing a Thesis and Outline

10. THESIS: WHAT I THINK CLEAN AND CLEAR

11. Definition The Thesis will be the Central idea in every communication; its major claim; its main point.

12. Method K.I.S.S. Principle: Keep it simple, stupid. The thesis statement should be a very clear and concise sentence that states exactly what answer you have come to regarding your topic question. The thesis statement is a clearly stated answer to your topic question. The first is a good thesis statement; the second is a better one.

13. So, for yours... Topic Question Why is John 7:53-8:11 in brackets in my English Bible? Is it original to the author? Does it belong in the Canon? Possible answer Some early manuscripts do not contain it Yes, it is likely Johannine No, it is likely oral tradition and not original to the written Text

14. So, for yours... John 7:52 - 8:11 is annotated in most English Bibles because it is not in some original manuscripts. This is because whereas it is likely original to John, it was an only oral tradition, and therefore does not belong in the canon. John 7:53-8:11 does not belong in the canon because it was only an oral tradition - not a part of the original Text.

15. Developing an Outline The Six Parts of Discourse

16. Introduction: prepare the hearer’s mind for attention. Narration: sets forth the events that have occurred or might have occurred. Division: makes clear what matters are agreed upon and what are contested, and announces what points we intend to take up. Proof: the presentation of our arguments, together with their corroboration. Refutation: the destruction of our adversaries’ arguments. Conclusion: sums up the argument. From http://www.mesacc.edu/~rocmd94961/lessons/arrangement/discourse.htm

17. So, for yours... When reading an English Bible, you find John 7:53-8:11 in brackets. (Thesis Statement possibly here* preferred) Background data: Some early manuscripts do not contain this section. Is it original? Does it belong? There are different views on this. All views depicted as even- handed as possible. (Thesis Statement possibly here) I think that the answer is (Thesis Restated). Here are all my reasons... To respond to all of the other views, I would say... Each other view represented and answered thoroughly from Thesis position. So, in conclusion, based on the Proof data given, Thesis Restated)

18. LET YOUR OUTLINE REFLECT THE ENTIRE ARGUMENT

19. CCS Apologetics Junior Thesis: Developing a Thesis and Outline