Note: this sheet is copied from your journal



Note: this sheet is copied from the Christian Service Journal. Use this if your journal is still being graded.

JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL CHRISTIAN SERVICE PROGRAM

FINAL PAPER GUIDELINES

What?

Your task in this paper is to demonstrate what you learned from your service work and how you have applied those lessons to your life. Your paper will be graded according to the expectations articulated on this form.

Why?

Writing this paper allows each student to formulate his or her own vision of what it means to work for social justice as a Christian today.

How?

In this essay, you will develop a focused thesis statement and support your thesis with evidence. In this case, your evidence includes your own stories, experiences, and examples from your journal, and the reflections shared with theology teachers, classmates, advisors, or placement supervisors. Remember, YOU are the focus of this paper – you and what you have learned from the people you served.

1. Formatting Guidelines (MLA Style)

2. Begin with a title page that includes the following information (centered):

Student Name

Christian Service Final Paper

Class of 20__

Name of Your Placement(s)

3. Minimum length = 5 full pages. Maximum length = 9 pages. (Title page does not count!)

4. Type your paper, double-space, and use 12 point Times New Roman font.

5. Set margins to 1 inch on all sides.

6. Include a header with your last name and page number in the upper right-hand corner, ½ inch from the top, on each page of your paper.

7. Follow the standard rules of English. Grammar/writing style is a portion of your grade. In other words, PROOFREAD! Have at least one other person revise your essay as well, so that you submit a clean essay that is free of distracting mechanical errors.

8. It is okay to use 1st person (I, we, us) since you are describing your individual experience. Avoid language that generalizes, and avoid making generalizations in 2nd person.

9. Remember, you are expected to quote scripture and include an appropriate citation. When quoting the bible, follow these quotation guidelines:

Short quotes (1-3 lines): Enclose the quotation within double quotation marks. For example,

This passage reads, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (Jn 3:16-17).

Long Quotations (4 lines or more): Do not use quotation marks. Instead, use block quote format. Start the quotation on a new line, with the entire quote indented one inch (two tabs) from the left margin; remember, you will maintain double-spacing. Your parenthetical citation should come after the closing punctuation mark. For example,

This passage shows how we have a responsibility to share what we have with others:

As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ‘Truly I tell you,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’ (Lk 21:1-4)

1. All pages, including your title page, should be stapled together. Do not use portfolio covers, binders, etc.

Content Guidlines

Make sure you address the following topics in this order. Do not number or label your paragraphs, however.

1. Introduction (less than ¾ page in length)

The introduction should engage the reader, introduce major themes of your paper, and lead to your thesis statement at the end of the intro paragraph. Your thesis statement serves as a "road map" that gives direction to your paper. Be creative in your intro. Begin with something that will attract your reader — something that gives your paper style. Perhaps you can begin with a brief story or an incident that captures the spirit of your service. Whatever you use, it must introduce the main ideas that you will present in the body of your paper, and include a thesis statement (the lessons you will prove you learned).

2. Summary of Your Service Work (approximately 1 page in length)

Summarize your various work and experiences at your placement and briefly describe the agency. Set context for your experience. Be comprehensive, but brief and concise in your description. State the activities you did, but do not ramble. If you served at multiple placements, summarize all experiences.

3. Educational and Theological Reflections (approximately 2 ½ - 4 ½ pages in length)

This section is the most important part of your paper. Your goal in this section is to prove the insights you have gained while being involved in your service work, how you learned them, and how you have applied them to your life. These reflections should be both positive and negative, depending on your experience, and must be supported by clear reasoning and descriptions, stories, etc. In other words, back up whatever you say with examples from your experience. Avoid generalizations and unjustified conclusions.

These insights should focus on two levels — an educational or “meaning” level, and a theological or "faith/spirituality" perspective. The educational level involves sharing what lessons you have learned that give new meaning to your life, and how you have made these a part of you. The theological level involves relating your service work to your faith and to that of the wider church.

A part of your theological reflection will involve researching a scripture quote or a church document on a subject of social justice. Choose a quote that demonstrates how you responded to our call as Christians in your service project. Say why you chose this quote and make a connection to your thesis. A reference sheet is available outside the Christian Service office (it’s called the “Scripture Guide to Justice”).

A list of reflection questions* follows to help you reflect in these areas (see next page). Do not just give a list of answers. Your reflections should be written in clear essay style, with smooth transitions between paragraphs!

4. Conclusion (approximately ½ page in length)

Your conclusion should bring closure to your paper. Restate your thesis, summarize the main points of your paper, and highlight the most important insights (positive and negative) you gained from being involved in the Christian Service program. Like your introduction, you can be creative by ending your paper with a story that sums up what you have just said.

Due Dates

Exact dates are in the school calendar, are announced, and posted in halls; however, you should know that papers are due within the semester in which a student finishes his or her Christian Service hours, according to the following schedule:

• For students who complete their work in the summer, the papers are due in mid-October.

• For students who complete their work in the fall, the papers are due before Christmas Break.

• For students who complete their work in the spring, papers are due the second week of May.

Early Paper Offer: If complete papers (not rough drafts) are turned in at least one week early, students have the option of rewriting for a better grade. All papers turned in less than one week before the due date are final.

Otherwise, Papers will be graded down one whole letter grade for each day late.

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