Narrative Character Study Assignment Expectations

Before you watch this video, make sure to thoroughly read the instructions for your narrative character study below.

Weekly Narrative Character Studies

• Students will examine eight narratives in the Old Testament by working through Women in the Bible. After completing each chapter study, students will submit a 500-word, single-spaced reflection on the character. Content beyond 500 words is not graded.

• Your study must use the provided Word template.

• Students will respond to the following.

1.       Provide the historical context of the passage. (Consider: What is going on in the world and specifically in Israel that is significant for understanding your character and her actions? What elements of the text are not explained in the passage that we should understand in their ancient context to grasp the meaning of the passage? Make sure to present the historical context in a way that directly relates to the passage and has significance for your character study. A sample is in Women in the Bible, but you will want to provide more detail for a top mark.)

2.       Provide the literary context of the passage. (Consider the few chapters before and after the story. Literary context is not the chapter itself. Consider: What is happening at this point in the Bible narrative and what proceeds it? How does this story fit into the narrative? Why is this story included and how does it contribute to the surrounding passages? [There are many questions here, but they are all connected. You don’t need to answer each one separately.] For a top mark, consider the greater narrative of the Bible and how this passage fits into the major ongoing plot and themes.)

3.       Present the narrative crisis and resolution. (Use the key words "crisis" and "resolution" for absolute clarity. Be very specific, and stay on topic--using the phrase "the narrative crisis is____" and "The crisis of _____ is resolved by ___(person)____ who ___(how she resolves the crisis)___.” These statements will help you provide clarity. Make sure that your crisis is in the passage itself and make sure that your resolution directly relates to the crisis you stated. Consider: What is the problem in the narrative and how is it is resolved? Which character is central to resolving the problem? Tip: observe how the passage is introduced. In Hebrew narrative, the introduction is often ironic in light of how the plot unfolds.) If you say "God" as the answer, make sure to fully explain your answer; you will find that in all of the narratives you are studying, a character other than God is at the center of resolving the crisis.

4.       Present the “lessons” the narrator wants us to gain from this character (Make sure to give 3 or 4 STRONG points and make sure to explain them--spell out what you mean; i.e., which words, actions, or results of their words and actions indicate the lesson?). This is similar to providing practical applications. See https://bible.org/article/how-study-bible-character.

•     Bible quotes should be minimal (such as a key phrase that you cannot provide in your own words). Citations should be referenced simply by this format: (Gen 16:3) or (1 Sam 1:4–6). (You don’t want to use up your word count by quotes or full citations.)

·       Sources: there is no need to use any source other than the Bible and the Women In The Bible textbook. If you copy from another source, it will show up on TurnItIn and if you have not cited the material, it will be flagged and processed as plagiarism. Again, no need to go beyond the Bible and your assignment will be much better if you focus on your own reflections and our class discussion.

·       Format--single space. Use the template provided in the Content tab. No cover letter or bibliography is needed.

·       Don't summarize the plot. That is not required and does not respond to the four requirements--historical context, literary context, narrative tension/resolution, "leading lessons". You are giving a character analysis/study NOT a plot summary.

A student asked me, "So we are not writing a paper—just answering four questions?" YES! This is a great way of stating it—provide answers to the four questions. Don't waste your word count on any introductions or summaries or restating the plot of the story in any way.

This assignment in one sense is easier that a paper because you have much less words and less is required. But in another sense, it is more difficult because you are required to provide very thoughtful reflections in brief. So what you will submit will be four content-rich, thoughtful, reflective responses. And absolutely make sure to note WHO resolves the tension; don’t simply say it’s resolved.

Grade Weight: 20% of the total grade.