Self-SelectedApologeticsArgumentExpansionandDefenseWritingStageAssignmentInstructions.docx

APOL 500

Self-Selected Apologetics Argument: Expansion and Defense – Writing Stage Assignment Instructions

Overview

This is the heavy writing stage of this argument though additional research will be necessary, particularly for the defense section.

At this point you will expand and possibly revise the previously formulated analysis and critique bullet points. This is where you will put flesh on the bones of the bullet points, integrate appropriate supportive material (without an over-dependence on direct quotes), and supply transition sentences that will connect paragraphs to each other and to other parts of the paper in a logical way. When completed your analysis will demonstrate an understanding of the discussed aspects of the worldview and how they connect to your thesis. In addition, your critique will indicate thoughtfulness in considering what pertinent aspects of the worldview are true, logical, and/or livable.

You will also be formulating your defense of orthodox Christianity against aspects of the self-selected worldview. This is the skill we think of when we speak of practicing apologetics. It is important to select the correct type of defenses. For example, if you are defending the resurrection of Jesus Christ against a Jew or Muslim worldview, you may not need to incorporate a defense establishing the possibility of miracles, but if you are defending the resurrection against a scientific naturalist, that is an excellent defense to consider using. Make sure that you select appropriate defenses for your argument.

It should also be clear when finished that your defense has shown how that Christianity stands up against the pertinent aspects of the opposing worldview. It is in this section where you will not only show an understanding of both Christianity and the opposing worldview but also how that Christianity is in a specific way true, logical, livable, and/or superior to other worldviews. How this looks will depend upon your thesis statement but if you do this assignment well, you will be able to adapt the knowledge and the skills gained to other apologetics situations.

Instructions

A template will be used for this assignment. The Self-Selected Apologetics Argument: Expansion and Defense – Writing Stage Template is in five sections. No title page is necessary since this is a template. Inserted content should be about 1950-2350 words. For footnotes and the bibliography ( with annotations now removed) follow current Turabian format.

1. Thesis Statement: Insert here the thesis statement that has already been designed. If the thesis statement needs adjusting based on instructor feedback, please make the necessary adjustment here.

2. Expansion of the Analysis:

a. Expand on the bullet points of the analysis section from the previously used template. Your professor will provide feedback that will help you to understand if your bullet points are an accurate analysis, so, if any of them are not, adjust accordingly and then build out a description of the bullet point using as many paragraphs as needed to accurately describe what the worldview actually believe.

b. You may now use direct and indirect quotes but keep these to a minimum. Quotes and cited material are intended to support your description. The description should be your formulation of your understanding of the aspect of the worldview being described. Justify how that the scholarly sources representative of the opposing worldview are truly representative. You will likely be adding new sources that you have discovered in your research that support this section, so remember to insert the new sources in the bibliography ( with annotations now removed).

c. Your thesis will determine the content and organization of this section so this should be reflected in your paragraph development. You may need to write for this section an introductory paragraph that shows how this section is related to the thesis and how this section is going to be organized. You may also desire to have a summary paragraph at the end of this section.

d. In the final submission this section of the paper must be approximately 600 words. You should be about there now when you submit the Stage 3 template.

3. Critique:

a. Expand on the bullet points of the critique section from the previously used template. Your professor will provide feedback that will help you to understand if your bullet points are a good critique analysis, so, if any of them are not, adjust accordingly and then build out the critique using as many paragraphs as needed to effectively present the critique.

b. You may now use direct and indirect quotes but keep these to a minimum. Quotes and cited material are intended to support your critique. You will likely be adding new sources that you have discovered in your research that support this section, so remember to insert the new sources in the bibliography ( with annotations now removed). This section should be supported by at least 2-3 sources now.

c. The thesis will determine the emphasis and organization of your critique so this should be reflected in your paragraph development. You may need to write for this section an introductory paragraph that summarizes how this critique is based on the analysis, how your critique is related to the thesis, and/or how this section is going to be organized. You may also desire to have a summary paragraph at the end of this section that transitions from the critique to the defense section.

d. In the final submission this section of the paper must be 600-750 words.

4. Defense:

a. The thesis will determine the emphasis and organization of your defense so this should be reflected in your paragraph development. Select a defense(s) that is appropriate to your argument. Be sure that you transition well from the previous section to this section. You may need to write for this section an introductory paragraph that summarizes how this defense is related to the thesis and how this section is going to be organized. You may also desire to have a summary paragraph at the end of this section.

b. You may use direct and indirect quotes but keep these to a minimum. Quotes and cited material are intended to support your defense. Make sure that you are using scholarly sources. Two-three sources in addition to the course’s textbooks and scripture should be used.

c. In the final submission this section of the paper must be 750-1000 words.

5. Bibliography ( with annotations now removed) : Current Turabian format is required. All sources footnoted and only sources footnoted should be in the bibliography. If course textbooks are used they must be footnoted and in the bibliography.

Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.

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