In this two-part class we will explore the best practices of traditional genealogical research and then integrate our research into nonfiction writing that even people outside of our families will want to read.
Part 1 will focus on research strategies: how to make a research plan; how to find, log, and analyze sources; and, finally, how to synthesize information in ways that help us to answer our questions. We will practice these new skills and present our own research. We will also read and discuss a wide range of texts that engage with research in different and interesting ways. We’ll ask how research not only deepens storytelling but guides it as well.
Come to class with one or more projects in mind. Be thinking about what story you are trying to tell and how research might help. What questions do you have that it might answer?
If you’re able to bring to class a laptop that can connect to WiFi, that would be ideal but not required.
In Part 2 (starting May 8), we’ll continue our readings and workshop the writing that has come from our research.
Instructor: Brendan Wolfe