Although students
often feel intimidated by research when writing papers and major projects,
research can lead to interesting discoveries. This is true whether someone gathers
information for a fiction novel or an article. The method of research will be
different: One topic might require observing a sword fight or riding a horse,
while the other involves searching through databases and flipping through
books. Either way, the process can be an adventure.
As a writer for a
Christian website, I regularly engage in research on various topics including
the Bible, Christian history, apologetic issues, and practical advice for
everyday Christian living. Writing about a wide range of topics involves
different research techniques at times, but I use a few basic skills to get me
started. In this blog post, I am going to share some of the basics about
researching and writing for Christian websites.
How do I know what I need to research?
Knowing what to
research often depends on the website and editor you are writing for. I have
written for Got Questions and currently write for a variety of sites on
Salem Web Network, including Christianity.com. The editors typically assign
specific article topics in the form of questions or allow me to pick from a
list of topics. For these types of articles, the research required is already
focused, although I still try to craft a main thesis for the article.
However, there are
times when the assigned or chosen topic is not entirely clear. At this point, I
usually do one of two things. I contact the editor I am working with to ask for
clarification about the topic. Or I try to narrow down the topic myself,
deciding on which angle I could take when writing the article.
An example of this
was when I was assigned an article topic about why Christians say that
everything happens for a reason. In doing preliminary research, I realized that
the website I was writing for already had an article on this topic, which
prompted me to send an email to the editor. She narrowed down the topic for me
by saying she wanted an article that focused on how this common phrase,
“everything happens for a reason,” is misleading and unhelpful when someone is
grieving the loss of a loved one. A simple email for clarification helped me to
narrow down my research topic.
Another important
note is that freelance writers are usually required to pitch their articles. Freelancers
need to keep in mind the purpose and scope of a website before pitching an
article and engaging in research. To start, I recommend familiarizing yourself
with the website and reading any guidelines about what the editors want and are
expecting from writers.
Where do I find sources?
When writing about
biblical and theological topics, I regularly use websites, books, and journal
articles that I trust.
The main source I
use is the Bible. Keeping a print Bible next to me on the table when I write is
helpful, especially if I have specific verses in mind. Online Bible websites
are also valuable sources for quickly copying and pasting verses into the
article I’m writing, such as Bible Gateway and Bible
Hub.
Seeing multiple versions of Scripture is important as well since it helps me
better understand the language of the passage.
Other sources I use to find information include:
- Bible commentaries (both in print and online)
- Online Greek and Hebrew concordances
- Scholarly journals and databases (such as Galaxie)
- Theology books
- Church history books and encyclopedias
- Christian websites
Using these sources regularly enables me to
find information quickly and efficiently when writing articles.
How do I know if a source is credible and
appropriate for my project?
If I know the
focus of my topic and have done preliminary research, then assessing the
credibility and appropriateness of sources is easier. When thinking about
credibility, we need to ask questions such as:
- Who wrote this? Are they knowledgeable about this topic?
- How old is this source? Is it outdated or current? Even if it is an older source, is the content still relevant?
- Is this source presenting misleading information?
Evaluating the
appropriateness of a source includes remembering the topic and thesis of an
article as well as considering the audience and purpose for writing. If I am
writing about a deep theological discussion, such as the debate about limited
and unlimited atonement, then quoting popular devotional writers might not be
appropriate for my article.
In contrast, if I
am writing to encourage people who are grieving, then listing apologetic
arguments about suffering from leading scholars is not the best option. My
audience will not appreciate an academic approach to a personally difficult
experience.
How do I incorporate sources into my
writing?
I have found that
many editors expect writers to synthesize the information they researched in
their own words. If specific quotes are used, these are usually given
attribution through a hyperlink.
Depending on the
editor or website, though, there might be specific guidelines for citing
sources. Some might prefer Chicago, AP, MLA, or an abbreviated form of a style.
Christian websites and publications may require a knowledge of The Christian
Writer’s Manual of Style, which is the standard style for the Christian
publishing industry.
If in doubt about citing a source, it is
best to contact the editor and/or check any guidelines they provide.
Any resource recommendations?
I have found the following sources helpful
when writing about biblical topics:
- Basic Theology by Charles C.
Ryrie – If you plan to write regularly about the Bible and theology, then I
highly recommend this source. It is a helpful guide in understanding key
doctrines in Scripture.
- NET Bible – This is a
wonderful source for delving into specific verses or passages. Not only can you
read the Bible fully online, but you also have access to commentary, notes, and
the original biblical languages.
- Oxford Concise Dictionary of
the Christian Church by E. A. Livingstone – I suggest this source since it
contains short, informative entries about theology and church history. It provides
an overview of a topic and is a great starting place when doing preliminary
research.
- The Bible Knowledge Commentary edited by John F. Walvoord
and Roy B. Zuck – An indispensable source for researching specific verses and
passages, as well as understanding context and background. The Old Testament
and New Testament versions are always on a shelf near where I write.
Having a reliable
set of books and websites is important for writers. The more readily available
the resources are, the quicker you can begin your research on a topic. Although
the search will likely lead to other sources, the journey is much easier with a
list of websites or a stack of books.
And that is when
the adventure begins – learning from research, crafting words, moving around
parts, and editing a piece for publication.
