How to Write an Exegesis Paper with Library Resources: Additional Resources

This user guide has provided an overview of the process of writing an exegesis paper. However, there are many books on the subject. Here are a few items that may help you with the details.

• Gorman, Michael J. Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and Ministers. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2001. Call number: BS511.2 .G67 2001.
  This book takes readers through a multi-stage process for writing an exegesis paper,with several examples for each step, and two sample exegesis papers in the appendix.
• Fee, Gordon D.  New Testament Exegesis: A Handbook for Students and Pastors. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1983. Call number: BS2331 .F44 1983.
  This book covers the details of how to write an exegesis paper on a New Testament text. Fee pays special attention to matters of textual criticism and Greek, but the book is useful even if one does not read Greek.
• Stuart, Douglas K. Old Testament Exegesis: A Handbook for Students and Pastors. Louisville, Ky: Westminster John Knox, 2001. Call number: BS476 .S83 2001.
  Stuart's book provides guidance for students working in the Old Testament along the same lines as Fee's does for the New Testament.

There are many other books in the library's collection on exegesis, some on the steps to perform, some on additional tools to use, and some on how others have done exegesis in the past. Be sure as you consider other books that they focus on the "how to" of exegesis.

Good writing in the broad area of theology or biblical studies does not happen by accident and there are some excellent resources in the library to help you with the writing process that are specific to this subject matter.

• Yaghjian, Lucretia B. Writing Theology Well: A Rhetoric for Theological and Biblical Writers. London: Continuum, 2007. Call number: BR44.Y34 2006.
  This book provides in-depth guidance for writers of papers in theology and biblical studies. There are chapters on specific types of writing, such as how to write a theological reflection paper, a theological essay, and a biblical essay well. Since exegesis involves arguing for specific interpretations, readers will find chapter 3, "Writing Theological Argument Well" quite helpful.
• Core, Deborah. The Seminary Student Writes. St. Louis, MO: Chalice, 2000. Call number: BR117.C67 2000.
  This book offers a brief but helpful presentation of how to write papers in theology and related areas.
• Vyhmeister, Nancy J. Quality Research Papers for Students of Religion and Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001. Call number: BL41.V94 2001.
  This book focuses on the practical mechanics of writing research papers in religion and theology. Chapter 13, "Biblical Exegesis as Research," focuses on the steps to carry out for writing an exegesis paper. Vyhmeiser also addresses issues of creating footnotes and bibliographies.