David A. Sylvester

Journalism – Academic Studies – Catholic Life – Teaching

Study Materials

Ever wish you were a fly in a college classroom to see what we discuss? Take a look at the materials I prepared for my students on how to study classic and religious texts, how to debate rationally, and how to write easily and naturally from your inner self.

The Study of Religion in the Classroom

  • Gospel of John and New Way of Life after Pentecost

    Gospel of John 320 | April 6, 2026

    Pentecost reveals the real mystical mission of Jesus, the implanting of the Holy Spirit into the hearts of believers. With a new Spirit, they cast off the nature of the old person and become renewed through grace. 

  • New Life from Death after Easter

    Gospel of John 320 | April 6, 2026

    What happened after the Crucifixion of Jesus? How did His death heal our deepest wound and open up a new way of life for us? How can you and I open up to this new way to experience lives beyond our wildest dreams?

  • On Studying Scripture and the Gospel of John

    Synoptic Gospels NT 203 | April 6, 2026

    Before we start to discuss religious scriptures, we need to understand how to read them and avoid interpreting them through our own preconceptions and worldviews. This lecture describes the differences between sacred and secular stories.

  • Why Learning Scriptures is Different

    Synoptic Gospels NT 203 | April 6, 2026

    Before we start to discuss religious scriptures, we need to understand how to read them and avoid interpreting them through our own preconceptions and worldviews. This lecture describes the differences between sacred and secular stories.

  • On Writing a Spiritual Autobiography

    NT 320 Gospel of John NT 320 | September 18, 2023

    Your historical autobiography tells the story of the events in your life; your spiritual autobiography tells the story of your inner life. Examine your life turning points, choices and consequences. Did you gain in confidence, happiness, peace or become miserable, self-doubting, fearful and suspicious of others? Our inner responses point to  your spiritual life and deepest autobiography.

The Role of Character Change in Stories - Oikos University, Oakland, CA

Writing from the Inside Out - Oikos University, Oakland, CA

  • Writing Lecture 1 – On the Writing Process

    ENG 102 Spring 2023 | April 6, 2026

    Do you dread writing in school? Stressed and confused? Writing in circles without focus? This introductory lecture takes a new look at the process of writing. Get an idea that interests you. Develop it through research and writing – at the same time. Produce the first draft early and naturally, then revise it into work that you’re eager to share with discerning readers.

  • Writing Lecture 2 – The Personal Essay

    ENG 102 - Spring 2023 | April 6, 2026

    At its best, a Personal Essay can show readers a larger dimension of life from telling therm what you’ve experienced. It’s also a great way for you to start developing your voice and confidence, too. This video will help you develop your freewriting to a real first draft, and then revise it into a successful and satisfying work.

  • Writing Lecture 3 – The Narrative Story

    ENG 102 Spring 2023 | April 6, 2026

    Are you telling you story in the most interesting way? Are people on the edge of their chairs – or checking their phones for messages? Are you touching people’s hearts? Showing them a deeper meaning in the events you are narrating? This video will help you understand the power of plot and character change.

  • ENG 102 Spring 2023 | April 6, 2026

    Is the writing process different for a story in fiction? How do you recognize an idea for an imagined story and then develop it? Can I use my imagination to write a story that actually happened? This video explores ways the imagination works in story telling compared to the use of facts in non-fiction.

  • Writing Lecture 5 – The Academic Research Paper

    ENG 102 Spring 2023 | April 6, 2026

    Most college courses require academic research papers, not personal writing. How can the freewriting process be used in a research paper? How does it produce the tight, logical paper proposing and defending a thesis position? This video shows the intuitive way can work better than outlining for drafting and structuring the academic paper.

  • Writing Lecture 6 – Your Final Story

    ENG 102 Spring 2023 | April 6, 2026

    For the students of English 102: This lecture brings together all the pieces of our classroom discussions and previous writing and provides a review of writing  your Final Story, the culmination of your semester.

  • Gospel of John and New Way of Life after Pentecost

    Gospel of John 320 | April 6, 2026

    Pentecost reveals the real mystical mission of Jesus, the implanting of the Holy Spirit into the hearts of believers. With a new Spirit, they cast off the nature of the old person and become renewed through grace. 

Studying Scripture, Gospel of John - Oikos University, Oakland, CA

  • Why Learning Scriptures is Different

    Synoptic Gospels NT 203 | April 6, 2026

    Before we start to discuss religious scriptures, we need to understand how to read them and avoid interpreting them through our own preconceptions and worldviews. This lecture describes the differences between sacred and secular stories.

  • New Life from Death after Easter

    Gospel of John 320 | April 6, 2026

    What happened after the Crucifixion of Jesus? How did His death heal our deepest wound and open up a new way of life for us? How can you and I open up to this new way to experience lives beyond our wildest dreams?

  • Gospel of John and New Way of Life after Pentecost

    Gospel of John 320 | April 6, 2026

    Pentecost reveals the real mystical mission of Jesus, the implanting of the Holy Spirit into the hearts of believers. With a new Spirit, they cast off the nature of the old person and become renewed through grace. 

  • On Writing a Spiritual Autobiography

    NT 320 Gospel of John NT 320 | September 18, 2023

    Your historical autobiography tells the story of the events in your life; your spiritual autobiography tells the story of your inner life. Examine your life turning points, choices and consequences. Did you gain in confidence, happiness, peace or become miserable, self-doubting, fearful and suspicious of others? Our inner responses point to  your spiritual life and deepest autobiography.