January 2012 ETBU MAR Writing Style Guide 12
Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) present very similar accounts
while the fourth (John) is quite distinct literarily from the other
three texts. Because of this similarity in perspective, Matthew,
Mark, and Luke are known collectively as the Synoptic Gospels
(the term “synoptic” being derived from two Greek words that
mean “to see together”). Even among the Synoptic Gospels
differences can be identified. Examples include inclusion of
differing forms of the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew and Luke but no
inclusion of this prayer in Mark. Similarly, Matthew and Luke both
contain versions of a series of statements known collectively as the
Beatitudes (a term derived from the Latin word beati “blessed,” the
word with which each of the Beatitudes begins in the Vulgate text).
Like the Lord’s Prayer, Mark does not include the Beatitudes.
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of the
Beatitudes in Jesus’ presentation of his message about the
Kingdom of God. . . . [317 words]
Correct:
In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) Jesus presented
an account of his understanding of the Kingdom of Heaven (or
Kingdom of God). That message opens with a series of statements
known collectively as the Beatitudes. Luke’s Gospel contains a
similar list of Beatitudes, though these declarations are absent from
the other Synoptic Gospel (Mark) and from the Gospel of John.
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of the Beatitudes in
Jesus’ presentation of his message about the Kingdom of God. . . .
[89 words; almost 72% shorter yet conveying more of the
information truly necessary to orient the reader to the purpose of
the paper!]
Note: When quoting a source, the source should be quoted precisely, even if that source
violates one or more of the above guidelines.
Frequently the only solution to the problems identified above involves rewriting
one or more sentences. Suggestions on rewriting sentences are available in the seventh
edition of Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and
Dissertations [Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press].
1
Additional guidance on many
of these issues is available in style guides and manuals (e.g., Kate L. Turabian, A Manual
for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations [Chicago, IL: University of
Chicago Press], The Chicago Manual of Style [Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press],
and The SBL Handbook of Style [Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers]). Students
should consult these references for guidance on punctuation, abbreviation, bibliography
formats, note formats, etc. The standard style guide for the East Texas Baptist
University School of Christian Studies is the most recent edition of Kate L.
Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.
1. Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 7th ed.,
(Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2007), 109-119.