In Quality Research Papers for Students of Religion and Theology, Nancy Jean Vyhmeister maintains, ôLearning to write well takes hours of rewriting and correcting. But being able to write clearly is a worthy achievement, which will prove useful to you as a student and later to you as a professionalö (6). The purpose of VyhmeisterÆs book is to act as a tool to help students, particularly religion and theology students, in learning to write well.
The contents of the book are comprehensive in scope. There are twenty-one chapters with titles like ôWhat is Research?ö, ôChoosing a Topicö, ôPreparing Bibliographiesö, Organizing the Paperö, and numerous others. These chapters cover everything from defining the value of research to how to cite a paper in appropriate APA format. The book is a practical tool for students on all levels but is particularly designed to aid students working on theses, dissertations, and D.Min. projects. The chapter on theses includes advice that helps with writing as well as time budget management and empathy with advisers; ôThe thesis will dominate your life. It is imperative to develop and follow a chronogram that allows time for reading and corrections. This goes for both you and your advisor!ö (Vyhmeister 187). The contents also include an index, bibliography and over a dozen illustrations in the form of useful tables and figures.
VyhmeisterÆs book is a very valuable tool to all researchers but especially those who are studying religion and theology. Knowing the requirements of the field as well as the requirements of good writing, Vyhmeister offers a valuable resource that will enhance oneÆs ability to write, communicate, and succeed both personally and professionally. Vyhmeister maintains that learning to write well is also beneficial for another reason, its impact on reason and logic. As she writes, ôLearning to do research teaches you how
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