Writing Theology Well

One of the frustrations we often gather from our students is the ability to write well in their papers. It is not that they don't have excellent ideas, or that they are severely handicapped by the lack of command of English language - but many of them just do not know how to express their argument well in theology papers.

I have been wondering for sometime how to help these students write well. I think I may have found the answer in the book written by Lucretia B. Yaghjian, Writing Theology Well: A Rhetoric for Theological And Biblical Writers (New York: Continuum, 2007).

In describing this book, the publisher notes: "In its creative integration of the disciplines of writing, rhetoric, and theology, Writing Theology Well provides a standard text for theological educators engaged in the teaching and mentoring of writing across the theological curriculum. As a theological rhetoric, it will also encourage excellence in theological writing in the public domain by helping to equip students for their wider vocations as writers, preachers, and communicators in a variety of ministerial and professional contexts."

I decided to check out the table of contents of the book at Amazon.com and I must say that I am not disappointed. A copy for the library will be ordered, and I would encourage all my students to read it. There is no more excuse for writing "bad" papers!