Part I: A Description of the Historical Context of the Author Part I should identify and explain the socio-historical context in which the author wrote.  Part I should describe the time period in which the author lived and in which the text was written.  It should include relevant biographical data about the author, focus on any major theological or religious issues which the Church faced, and any major economic, social, or political problems within society, particularly those that affected the life of the Church.  Part I, the socio-historical context, should be addressed in no more than three pages. Questions to assist you in writing this section of the paper: 1.   Where and when was the author born? 2.   What were the influences, religious or otherwise, which shaped him or her? 3.   What was going on politically, economically, or socially at the time in which the author wrote? 4.   Were there particular issues, events, or circumstances which might give rise to such a text? Part II: A Discussion of the Content of the Assigned Text Part II should demonstrate that you grasp and understand the author’s key points, including important themes and issues which the author raises – in particular, religious or theological themes.  Lay out the key points important to the author of the text in your own words, using quotations strategically to show how you know these points are important to the author.  Also, identify the kind of text the author has written (e.g., treatise, letter, novel, poem, etc.).  Where available, indicate the sources to which the author appeals for his or her argumentation, authority, or theological reflection in relation to the themes (e.g., Scripture, Church tradition, philosophy, reason, religious experience, literature).  Part II of the essay should be three or four pages, constituting the bulk of the paper. Questions to assist you in writing this section of the paper: 1.   What kind of text is this? 2.   Who is the audience? 3.   What is the topic of discussion in the text (e.g., God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Church, etc.)? 4.   Is the author trying to inform, influence, or criticize the audience? 5.   What are the important themes or issues which the author addresses? 6.   Is the author attacking prevailing teachings of the Church or a movement, or defending them?  If so, from whom, and how?      7.   Why is the author writing this text? 8.   What is the main point of the text, the “take-away”? Part III: A Discussion of the Meaning of the Text within the Historical Context Part III shows the connections between Parts I and II as it situates the text within its context.  Part III should explain clearly how the text relates to the issues, problems, and themes which the Church and/or society faced in the author’s context.  The paper should explain how the text is a text of the author’s time.  It should establish how the text is responsive to the concerns of the Church and/or society of the author’s time.  It should .

1. Part I: A Description of the Historical Context of the Author
Part I should identify and explain the socio-historical context in
which the author wrote. Part I should describe the time period
in which the author lived and in which the text was written. It
should include relevant biographical data about the author,
focus on any major theological or religious issues which the
Church faced, and any major economic, social, or political
problems within society, particularly those that affected the life
of the Church. Part I, the socio-historical context, should be
addressed in no more than three pages.
Questions to assist you in writing this section of the paper:
1. Where and when was the author born?
2. What were the influences, religious or otherwise, which
shaped him or her?
3. What was going on politically, economically, or socially at
the time in which the author wrote?
4. Were there particular issues, events, or circumstances which
might give rise to such a text?
Part II: A Discussion of the Content of the Assigned Text
Part II should demonstrate that you grasp and understand the
author’s key points, including important themes and issues
which the author raises – in particular, religious or theological
themes. Lay out the key points important to the author of the
text in your own words, using quotations strategically to show
how you know these points are important to the author. Also,
identify the kind of text the author has written (e.g., treatise,
letter, novel, poem, etc.). Where available, indicate the sources
to which the author appeals for his or her argumentation,
authority, or theological reflection in relation to the themes
(e.g., Scripture, Church tradition, philosophy, reason, religious
experience, literature). Part II of the essay should be three or

2. four pages, constituting the bulk of the paper.
Questions to assist you in writing this section of the paper:
1. What kind of text is this?
2. Who is the audience?
3. What is the topic of discussion in the text (e.g., God, Christ,
the Holy Spirit, the Church, etc.)?
4. Is the author trying to inform, influence, or criticize the
audience?
5. What are the important themes or issues which the author
addresses?
6. Is the author attacking prevailing teachings of the Church or
a movement, or defending them? If so, from whom, and
how?
7. Why is the author writing this text?
8. What is the main point of the text, the “take-away”?
Part III: A Discussion of the Meaning of the Text within the
Historical Context
Part III shows the connections between Parts I and II as it
situates the text within its context. Part III should explain
clearly how the text relates to the issues, problems, and themes
which the Church and/or society faced in the author’s context.
The paper should explain how the text is a text of the author’s
time. It should establish how the text is responsive to the
concerns of the Church and/or society of the author’s time. It
should establish how the text is responsive to the concerns of
the Church and/or society of the author’s day. Additionally,
wherever possible, students should note the impact of the text
on the Church and society at large in the author’s day. Part III
should be addressed in one or two final pages of the paper.
Questions to assist you in writing this section of the paper:
1. How does this text represent a response to a particular
problem or issue which the Church and/or society faced in the

3. author’s day?
2. How was this text an attempt to address the religious theme
or issues which the Church of the author’s day faced?
3. If the author highlighted a particular problem, how did the
text seek to resolve that issue?
Other Information:
1.
Length.
Papers must be 5 numbered, 10- or 12-point font, double-
spaced.
2.
Time and Mode of Submission.
Turn your paper in at your TIC group on hard copy. Do not
submit electronically.
3.
Sources for Papers.
Text-in-Context papers should rely on assigned readings.
Additional sources or texts beyond the required readings may be
consulted; however, their use should be employed sparingly.
The TIC papers are to represent the student’s assessment of the
material, not the consensus of scholars. TIC papers must
include footnotes or endnotes and a bibliography. If outside
sources are used for the papers, care should be exercised to
ensure that references are properly credited.
NOTE: Plagiarism is a serious academic offense. If students
have any questions about what plagiarism is, please review the
student manual. Students involved in any instance of
plagiarism, or any similar academic offense, will be subject to
appropriate academic action.