Religion Research Paper Introduction

Different secondary works will often disagree in their constructions of the evidence, and it is up to you to decide which of them (if any) is more persuasive.

Different secondary works will often disagree in their constructions of the evidence, and it is up to you to decide which of them (if any) is more persuasive.

Simply put, you are coming to realize that the topic is much more complex than it appeared "from a distance." In general, you should prefer a detailed treatment of a narrowly defined question over a shallow survey of a very broad topic.

Your research should begin with a library search on your chosen topic.

As an academic discipline, Religious Studies usually tries to maintain a scholarly "distance" from the material being studied.

In particular, this means that you should avoid taking personal moral or theological stands on the issues (e.g., abortion; or creationism vs.

The purpose of the introduction is to explain in some detail what it is that you wish to do with your chosen topic.

Aside from a general introduction to the topic, you should state clearly what you wish to show, or prove (= your thesis), and how you wish to proceed.If you have any doubts about the appropriateness of the topic, please discuss it with the instructor.You are encouraged in any case to discuss the topic you choose with the instructor, in the interests of narrowing the topic down to something manageable.On the basis of your searches you should develop a bibliography of your own.The bibliographies that are included as "Further Reading" lists at the ends of the chapters in the textbook are quite useful and up-to-date as of the time of the book's publication (2009).The fact that a book or article makes a claim does not make that a fact.The author must justify the case in light of the evidence, the historical background and methodological principles.This research guide highlights just a few titles from our extensive collection of reference materials for the world's religions.Authoritative background articles on religion are especially abundant in our extensive collection of reliable subject encyclopedias.The latter are studies by scholars, etc., who analyze, evaluate and interpret the primary sources in order to reach historical or other conclusions.(Thus, your own essay will be considered a secondary source).