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Style Guide for Research Papers: Home

This is the style guide for assignments in courses offered by the departments of Bible & Theology, Practical Theology, and Intercultural Studies

Introduction

The purpose of this style guide is to provide students with the requirements of writing a paper in the departments of Bible and Theology, Practical Theology, and Intercultural Studies. These guidelines apply to both undergraduate and graduate courses.

As a general rule, professors in these departments grade papers in conformity to the guidelines presented in this style guide. Students are still responsible to confirm with the professor whether s/he has any special requirements. Always review the course syllabus and other guidelines provided by the professor. Students are encouraged to ask the professor for a grading rubric, if one is available, to help inform the editing of their papers.

For issues not covered by this style guide or by your professor, the latest edition of A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations by Kate L. Turabian, (notes-bibliography format), provides further clarification. The latest edition of the  SBL Handbook of Style provides required abbreviations necessary for biblical and theological writing. Where the Turabian and SBL guidelines and this departmental style guide disagree, students must follow the requirements of this style guide.