How to Write a Term Paper

A well written term paper will persuasively present the student’s conclusion from research in an area of study. Every term paper must have a clearly written thesis statement that usually appears at the end of the introduction. The thesis statement will make an arguable claim about the topic, and the main sections of the paper should support this thesis. Strong thesis statements inform the reader how you will interpret the information to follow and create a roadmap for you to follow. Furthermore, you should attempt to grab the reader’s attention and make them want to finish your work.

Sometimes students struggle with finding qualify resources for their topic. Because of that, I have included a few along with the topics. Keep in mind that this does not indicate that I necessarily agree with the authors, but that information from that source could help you write your paper. Be sure to use our new digital libraries as you research. Of the five kinds of sources described below, your paper should primarily or entirely use the last two types.

  • Unpublished resources, especially blogs, webpages, and Wikipedia should generally be avoided.
  • Popular resources are book that are written to a general audience. In Bible study, these would include devotional, Christian living, or commentaries like those of John Phillips. These resources can be used lightly, but not extensively and should not be used to support a major point in your work.
  • Non-scholarly secondary sources like encyclopedias can be used, but usually should be paraphrased, not quoted.
  • Primary resource is a term given to the actual source documentation. These are eyewitness accounts, ancient documents, or published research.
  • Scholarly resources include articles in academic and peer-reviewed periodicals, or books written by people with professional expertise in a specific field. These are often written to an audience that has some understanding already on the topic. Scholarly books and articles should be a major category in your bibliography, and can be paraphrased or quoted.

Here are some tips that a student should remember when writing:

  • Use only Times New Roman at 12-point font size and double space between lines. Indent paragraphs, but do not give an additional space between them.
  • Include a proper title page and follow Turabian formatting.
  • Block quotes are quotes that extend past three lines of text. These should also be indented and single-spaced to set them apart from the body of the paper.
  • Since all good writing includes rewriting, be sure to have someone else proofread your paper so you can make any necessary corrections before submitting your work.
  • Avoid first or second person personal pronouns.
  • Avoid contractions-write out the words entirely.

Paper Topics, Spring 2018.

Please select one of the following topics for your research paper. The topic you choose should be obvious from the title of your paper as well as its thesis. The sources are mere suggestions and are not mandatory for use. If you would like to write on a different topic, be sure to get written permission through e-mail at .

  • Teleological Argument
  • Geisler, Norman L. Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics. Baker Reference Library. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999.
  • Chafer, Lewis Sperry. “Theology Proper.” Bibliotheca Sacra 95:1 (1938). 260-290.
  • Gardoski, Kenneth M. “Intelligent Design and Science: Allies or Enemies?” Journal of Ministry and Theology Volume 11 no 1, 2007. 49-89.
  • Ostrander, Hal. “General Revelation and the Anthropic Cosmological Principle: Reasons for Optimism that God Has Made Himself ‘Known’ to Everyone” Christian Apologetics Journal 2 no. 1, p. 7-21.
  • A Promise Kept: How the Old Testament Prophecies were Fulfilled by Jesus
  • Ankerberg, John and John Weldon. Knowing the truth about Jesus the Messiah. Chattanooga, TN: ATRI Publishing, 2011.
  • Caneday, A. B. “Christ’s Baptism and Crucifixion: The Anointing and Enthronement of God’s Son.” Southern Baptist Journal of Theology Volume 8 no. 3, (2004) p. 65-81.
  • Sailhamer, John. “The Messiah and the Hebrew Bible” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society44 no. 1 (2001): p. 3-23.
  • Hoffner, Harry. “Ancient Views of Prophecy and Fulfillment: Mesopotamia and Asia Minor” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 30 no. 2 (1987), p. 248-265.
  • Presuppositional or Classical Apologetics?
  • Geisler, Norman L. Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics. Baker Reference Library. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999.
  • Gundry, Stanley N., and Steven B. Cowen, eds. Five Views on Apologetics. Zondervan Counterpoints Collection. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000.
  • Gerstner, John, Arthur Lindsley, and R. C. Sproul. Classical Apologetics. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing, 1984.
  • McCune, Rolland D. “The New Evangelicalism And Apologetics.” Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal Volume 6, (2001) p. 75-115.
  • Historical Jesus
  • Craig, William Lane. “Rediscovering the Historical Jesus: The Evidence for Jesus” Faith and Mission 15 no. 2 (1998): p. 13-24.
  • Pierson, Mark, ”An Examination of the Qur’anic Denial of Jesus’ Crucifixion in Light of Historical Evidences” Global journal of Classical Theology 7 no. 1 (2009).
  • Strobel, Lee. Case for Christ. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishers, 1998.
  • Wallace, J. Warner. Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 2013.