writing messianic studies 101

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WRITING MESSIANIC STUDIES 101BY MRABBI HILLEL BEN YOCHANAN

November 3, 2013

Thesis Statementor The Introductory Paragraph

Transitional Sentence

Paragraph 1

Paragraph 2


Paragraph 1

Paragraph 2


Summaryof information covered.

Whenever a Bible enthusiast desires to write a Bible

study, a tract or even prepare a speech outline, theres

four main points that really needs to be covered.

Before covering these four points of

interests, I would first like discuss the reasons

why we write.

We tend to write about the things that were

passionate about. Our passion tends to hit the


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pleasure centers of the brain. It is as if though when

we talk about the things that we enjoy, we tend to hit

that happy, fuzzy feeling within ourselves where

were just happy about what it is that we do and say.

A lot of times, just discussing that particular item of

interest simply allows for us to reenact in our minds

the joy of doing the actual thing that were discussing.

As a result, we write.

When we write about the things that we enjoy or

find important to us, its important to identify the

audience. For example, I wouldnt be effective talking

about baseball if everyone in my audience enjoys

football. I also wouldnt be effective speaking

negatively about football if the entire audience views

football in a positive sense, either. So when we write,

its important that we appeal to our audiences

attention or affection; that way, they can identify with

us in whatever it is that were saying so that they too

can appreciate what we enjoy most (in our case, that

would be Messiah).

After discussing the reasons why we write, I

would now like to discuss the four main points that

really needs to be covered, being The Thesis

Statement, The Introductory Paragraph,

Transitional Sentences, and The Summary.

The Thesis Statement is a simple sentence thatsummarizes what the entire article, tract, or Bible


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study is all about. Unlike The Thesis Statement, An

Introductory Paragraph is a compilation of four to

five sentences that introduce the audience as to what

the article is all about, which we will discuss in a

moment. Every single sentence in the article should

somehow support the thesis statement. If one

sentence in the entire article doesnt support either

The Thesis Statement (or The Introductory Paragraph

by that matter), then its quite possible that thesentence doesnt even belong to begin with and

should be completely removed, because to keep the

unwanted sentence is simply going to distract your

audiences attention into something irrelevant; theyre

going to miss the main points that you really want for

them to get with irrelevant information in bring up intheir minds the unwanted things you do not want

them to bring up.

The Introductory Paragraph is quite different

from the Thesis Statement. Theres an actual formula

that excellent writers and public speakers utilize. The

formula for the paragraph looks something like this:

The thesis statement goes here. I talk about why Im

the subject expert matter. I identify my audience and

provide them with the main reason why they can

relate to what Im talking about. I now talk about who

we are as a community and what I intend to do with

this topic (i.e., entertain, inform, discuss, storytell).


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But before I even speak about the main

thing that I want to talk about, I give them a

bit of an explanation that further supports

the idea that I know what Im talking as well

as the reasons why the information that Im

talking about is important to them.

As you can see, the formula consists of a Thesis

Statement, an I sentence, a you sentence, a we

sentence, and a transitional sentence. If the audience

cannot identify with you, then theyll start shaking

their heads no by the time you hit the we

statement. This is when you have to reconsider your

approach, correct it, and try again. It can really be a

hit or miss at times, but perfection does come with

practice and it makes you a better witness of Messiah

with time.

So in order to help you be a better writer (or

orator) for Messiah, its really important to use these

fundamentals; at least, the best writers use them.

After discussing the formula of TheIntroductory Paragraph, I would now like to

inform you about the basic construct of a

paragraph and the function that transitional

sentences serve.

A paragraph is a culmination of four to six

sentences. The first sentence of the paragraph should

be the main idea of that particular paragraph. Every


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sentence that follows should support the first

sentence of that paragraph. As a professional writer, I

myself have observed that quite often than not,

sentences have a natural sequence to them. So, I

sometimes have to break my paragraphs apart to

ensure that each sentence makes sense on their own

as well as support the main idea of that particular

paragraph.

Consider this in constructing your paragraph:

When we write a paragraph, we ensure that each

sentence makes sense by its own rite.

We then ensure that each following sentence

supports the main idea that the first sentence is trying

to portray.

Then, we check to ensure that the following

sentences follow a sequential pattern that makes

logical sense as it is read out loud.

Last, we place combine the sentences together in

its appropriate sequence.

Your paragraph should looks something like this:

When we write a paragraph, we ensure that each

sentence makes sense by its own rite. We then ensure

that each following sentence supports the main idea

that the first sentence is trying to portray. Then, we

check to ensure that the following sentences follow a


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sequential pattern that makes logical sense as it is

read out loud. Last, we place combine the sentences

together in its appropriate sequence.

Transitional Sentences are simple sentences that

bind separate sections, ideas or thoughts run a bit

more smoothly. You may want to consider

transitional sentences to be the bridge between two

very separate thoughts that allows your audience toaccept the sudden change thats coming up. Then

again, you can compare transitional sentences like the

links that bind each chain to form a bigger chain.

Without transitional sentences, two very separate

ideas tend to bring confusion in your audiences

mind. If you ignore transitional sentences, you leaveyour audience wondering, What is he really trying to

say? Did he mean this? What does this have anything

to do with the other previous statement?

Lets just suppose you followed all these

fundamental rules, yet you receive an unexpected

feedback. There are two things that you really can

appreciate. Firstly, the one commenting read your

article and your article illicitated an emotional

response, regardless of how unexpected it may have

been. Secondly, theyre talking about the subject at

hand which can give rise to another subject that

theyre interested in discussing with you.


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After providing you with this

information, I would to end with these few

remarks.

As a Bible enthusiast, you can make a strong

impact in your preaching efforts with written

documents. Firstly, the written article, tract or bible

study reveals to your audience that you were able tosit down, develop an idea, organize your thoughts,

and place them all together in a decent order.

Secondly, it says something about the person that

youre trying to imitate, Messiah. The more articles

we have within the Messianic Community, the more

answers we all have as a community pertaining whatit is that we value, and how our thoughts are

pertaining to the various different topics that interests

us as a society. Lastly, it allows us to have something

to refer to whenever the topic resurfaces or someone

asks.

I pray that you be encouraged to search the

Scriptures and add to the many wonderful biblical

written works waiting to arise. Shalom Alechem.

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