One of the exercises Sword suggests is making a list of the traits of characters in your paper.
- Mary
Physical description: young woman in the middle east
Personality profile: Obedient, strong, sacred
Obstacle: Becomes pregnant outside of marriage, has an encounter with an angel
Transformation: Becomes one of the most influential women in the Christian tradition.
-Joseph
Physical description: young man in the middle east
Personality profile: loyal, understanding, paternal
Obstacle: His wife to be is pregnant which is scandalous
Transformation: Fathers the Messiah
-Jesus
Physical description: young man in the middle east
Personality profile: teacher, savior, just
Obstacle: Is an outcast, is crucified
Transformation: Starts a religion. Saves his people. Is resurrected
-The Church
Physical description: diverse, pious
Personality profile: sometimes does not question authority, accepting, judgemental
Obstacle: Exist with such diverse theologies
Transformation: We can see how theologies can be liberating
Outlining the characteristics of different characters in my paper is something I have never thought to do. Doing this exercise is helpful while writing my paper as it reminds me to keep my language interesting. When I don't just discuss these characters but describe them and even look at their point of view and their agency, I am able to write a more engaging text.