Posted by
AJH on Saturday, April 12, 2008 4:54:00 PM
I believe the key to this paper is on page 377, the section on the research proposal. One important concept for me to keep focus is to reduce something to its essential elements and the starting point is right here: coming up with a solid research idea and then refining it until a coherent and executable thesis is born.
As for my paper in particular, I want to focus on the activities of the 123rd Illinois Infantry during the American Civil War, how their training went, how combat affected them, etc. Also I would like to see how the press handled the news back then, especially in their hometowns near Mattoon, where the regiment was organized and then dispatched. Right now I don't know much about the unit, its leaders or the men, but have read some interesting stories, mostly online.
Even in highly technical pieces I like to bring an unconventional manner, providing variation on the standard ways of boring people. Rather I want to entertain as I inform and teach. I believe this is the best method for teaching people, no matter the age. Too often, research is staid and dull with little consideration for the audience. Just who is you intended audience? In my case, this is the general public, everyone. One of my goals is to get people excited about history. And this is rather difficult if not impossible to do if your readers are bored and decide to not read anymore of your efforts.
Comic relief is one avenue of enticing a reader. There are others, but I will need to do some writing and background research to broaden my approach on how to keep things lively. Part of this will be to build a narrative, so that people may feel the emotions and empathize with the subjects. This is easier said than done, but I will continually work on it.
One wonderfully written biography, Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow, is a model for me. Chernow clearly understood the man, his life and his important role in American history. When looking for inspiration when I am stuck with writer's block or a lack of creative juices, I always look to those who have had success, authors I admire. Novelist Raymond Chandler is another man who is fun to read and learn from. And, of course, there are fellow students with good ideas, the College Writing Center at Chemeketa, the Tutoring Center and finally instructors, who usually don't mind being presented with problems or ideas.
I look forward to getting started, perhaps tonight or tomorrow.
AJH