Theological Writing Center

The Theological Writing Center is a supportive and encouraging place for collaboration between writer and writing tutor. We offer writing support to all students of Perkins School of Theology at any stage of your writing project.

Tutors are reference librarians and graduate students trained in helping you to improve your writing.

Appointments are 30-minute one-on-one consultations online or in person. Writing samples must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance. The more time you give us upfront, the more help we can offer during the appointment.

We can help develop:

  • Sound writing structure through a clear thesis and topic sentences
  • Critical thinking skills for reading, research methods, and writing
  • Appropriate writing style to match the varied tasks of theological education
  • Correctly formatted citations and the use of standard spelling and grammar

Meet Our Staff

Jane Elder is the Head of Reference, Research, and Theological Writing Center at Bridwell. She has completed several degrees from SMU, including an MTS from Perkins and is working on a ThM. Her research interests include: Church History, History of Methodism, History of Texas and the American Southwest, Film History, Biography, Non-Fiction Writing, Writing Best Practices. 

Chris Clarke is Research and Instruction Librarian at Bridwell Library. He has earned a Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible from Claremont Graduate University and a MLIS from Southern Connecticut State University. His research interests include prophetic literature, apocalyptic literature, and Jewish literature from the Hellenistic and Roman Periods.