1. Thesis statement: use the essay question as a "map" to show the reader where you intend to go with your essay:

Example: "In setting the cultural context for the emergence of Christianity, we can identify at least three different philosophical and religious perspectives. In this essay…..

1. Thesis statement/topic sentence

a) Para. 1 = exodus; Sinai covenant

b) Para. 2 = development of the concept of 1 God and a universal moral code

c) sin-punishment-redemption cycle

d) concluding paragraph (new covenant)

1. Thesis statement

a) literary criticism; historical criticism

b) form criticism; redaction criticism

c) conclusion: compare faith community approach (biblical inerrancy; literalism, etc.) with academic approach