Citations
Citations are used in research and writing to identify a source of information for three reasons:
- Acknowledge and give credit to the author of the source of information, both content and ideas.
- Allow the reader to retrieve the source of information at another time.
- Avoid plagiarism by using accurate and complete citation documentation.
Citations are used whenever quoting or referencing another author or source of information’s:
- exact words
- paraphrased content
- idea
Citations include these essential elements to identify a source of information:
- Who wrote, edited, translated, or assembled the source?
- What is the name and context of the source?
- Who published the content of the source and when?
TCM Research and Writing Handbook
The Research and Writing Handbook provides TCM students with institution-wide standards for researching, writing, and formatting papers and theses, with an emphasis on academic rigor and academic integrity.
Students are encouraged to use this handbook to become familiar with graduate level writing and research practices, applying them, and setting up habits that will extend beyond the student’s educational experience into possible ministry and publishing opportunities.
Sections of the handbook include:
- Writing Style
- Citation Formatting
- APA Style Formatting
- SBL Style Formatting
- Thesis Research and Writing
Style Guides
Within the TCM curriculum, each student will take courses in areas such as leadership and discipleship as well as courses in biblical and theological studies. Therefore, every TCM student will be expected to learn and use two style guides: APA and SBL.
- APA formatting style requires a short, in-text citation which appears in the narrative of the paper with a matching bibliography reference in the Bibliography.
- SBL formatting style requires a more complete citation in a footnote at the bottom of the same page with a matching bibliography reference in the Bibliography.