Outline of an exegesis paper for a Narrative
1. Introduction (150 Words)
This section tells what you will show this passage means and how you arrive at that conclusion. (Something like a thesis statement). Do not write a general introduction to the book or to the city addressed by the document.
2. Occasion of the Whole Narrative (Gospel or Acts), why it was written (200-250 words).
Relevant information about the church (dominant ethnicity of recipients, etc.) and the general occasion (eg. persecution, church situation in relation to other churches, the culture, the synagogue, etc.). When possible include relevant specific issues the recipients seem to be facing (though this may need to come after the verse by verse section).
3. Boundaries of the passage (150-200 words)
How does it fit with what is around it?
Where does the passage begin and end and how do you know that?
Compare translations and commentaries.
4. Literary Context (200 words)
How does your passage fit into the larger argument of the immediate section? (How does your passage fit into the larger argument of the document? You may need to identify what part of the book the passage is in. For example, in a letter, you might need to identify whether your passage comes from e.g., the thanksgiving, body, etc.)
5.Verse-by verse treatment (2,000-2,400 words). Do each of these things as the need arises in the text.
Form/Genre (200 words)
Identify overarching literary and rhetorical devices if any are used. You will particularly want to do this with specific rhetorical features that appear in only one to two verses.
Describe the flow of the argument within the passage (200 words)
Where does the emphasis lie?
Word studies
Specific historical questions (what specific issue does this passage address)
How does it address those issues?
Text critical matters
6. Identify the main theological assertion (s) (200-400 words)
What theological category is primary?
What are the central theological assertions?
What is the thrust of the passage?