By concentrating on “layers” of information we found that we could quickly share what we had learned with one another, and also provide the opportunity for each individual member to go into a topic in more depth.
The aim of a study paper should be to share information quickly and efficiently with your readers. It should allow them to learn the basic information quickly, and then to go into the more detailed material to the extent and depth that they choose. Because nobody has unlimited time, a good study paper will help people to decide how to use their time in the way that’s best for them.
To do this, you need to avoid two extremes. The first extreme is information overload, where you simply provide copious amounts of information. This only helps people who want to go into the same depth as you. The second extreme to avoid is oversimplification. This prevents your readers from going into the material in depth, should they choose to do so.
You have done a lot of research into your study paper. Your aim should be to communicate this information to people so that they can learn as much as they need, without having to repeat all the work you’ve done.
Therefore, the most important tasks in writing a study paper are organizing and summarizing. What is the “Big idea” of your material—in one sentence? What are the three of four smaller ideas that support the big idea—at a second level? Under each of these smaller ideas, what are the third level ideas that support them, etc, etc. You should end up with a hierarchical “tree” of information.
The first thing in your study paper should be the “first level” material,
e.g. the big idea, the most important bible verses. Then present the “second
level” material, e.g. the overall argument of your paper with mnemonics
(memory aids) to help remember the argument. This will help you to avoid the
error of information overload, because your readers will be able to understand
the basic information straight away.
Then go into more and more depth, as far as you feel is helpful. Finish up with a list of recommended further reading. This will help you to avoid oversimplification, because your readers will be able to use your study paper to go in to further depth.
If you rely on study papers totally, you won’t do very well in your exams. This is, firstly, because you will not be able to answer the question as it is posed in the examination and, secondly, because markers can detect lots of people writing the same answer and hate it. The solution is to use study papers as an overall guide for your personal study, rather than a final ‘answer to exam questions’.
Have you got any other suggestions? Feedback? Examples? Feel free to share them around, or e-mail me.
Have a look at this sample study paper (Rich Text Format).