Making history assignments interesting?

[Mdisch]

Hey - This will probably(almost certainly) seem as an odd thing to ask, and it's probably also going to go out to a rather niché audience ;

But, let's pretend you're reading a historical piece on, say, "The reasons behind political stability in Scandinavia(focusing on the events of 1814-1904)"(like the one I just wrote).. What could possibly make a subject like this interesting to someone who had no nationalistic interest in this.

I've already completed the historical piece, but I'm looking for pointers from the "common people" as I will have to write a new piece rather soon - and any advice as to what you usually find interesting in scientific papers would be very much appreciated.

- Yours truly, a pretty goddamned stressed-out student.

[Darwin]

Well sorry Mdisch but even if you included ninjas, lasers, and nuclear explosions the "common" people couldn't care less. Sad to say but interest in deep historical background is about 12000th on the average person's priority list in the U.S. Even if the situation is far different in the European domain I have to wonder why you would at all care what the general population thinks when you are presumably addressing an academic audience with such a piece of research and writing? Does the assignment for new piece include targeting a non-academic audience?

[Premium Parrots]

Just mention how back then the russian hookers had a scheme to take over the country. That should make things a tad more interesting.

[Snusdog]

Just mention how back then the russian hookers had a scheme to take over the country. That should make things a tad more interesting.

A few illustrations of said hookers couldn't hurt......

Seriously bro............if it is not interesting to you........you will not make it interesting to others

If it is interesting to you....tell me why................if it resonates with you.....tell me why.....if it is relevant to you or sheds some light or gives some insight into some matter around you...... tell me....but if it does none of these things for you........then it will not magically do them for me .........you must show me the event (not just jocky abstract facts and chronological sequences)

Herodotus told the tribe's story...........a family story is always a delight to the members of that particular family.......why?

Answer that one question and you will know how to proceed....you will also at that point become a real historian......

Remember, historical objectivity is a lie invented by halfwits and dullards because they have nothing pertinent to say

Every student should be barred from writing anything on paper until they can discuss their subject at open mike night at the local pub and not get booed off stage

Tell the family's story.........or say nothing at all...........for either one……your readers will thank you

[Premium Parrots]

A few illustrations of said hookers couldn't hurt......

Seriously bro............if it is not interesting to you........you will not make it interesting to others

If it is interesting to you....tell me why................if it resonates with you.....tell me why.....if it is relevant to you or sheds some light or gives some insight into some matter around you...... tell me....but if it does none of these things for you........then it will not magically do them for me .........you must show me the event (not just jocky abstract facts and chronological sequences)

Herodotus told the tribe's story...........a family story is always a delight to the members of that particular family.......why?

Answer that one question and you will know how to proceed....you will also at that point become a real historian......

Remember, historical objectivity is a lie invented by halfwits and dullards because they have nothing pertinent to say

Every student should be barred from writing anything on paper until they can discuss their subject at open mike night at the local pub and not get booed off stage

Tell the family's story.........or say nothing at all...........for either one……your readers will thank you

That, my dear friends, is exactly why I'm sure SD is excellent at his job. Not only the content but how its presented. You sure know how to put words together perfectly. Great job.




But I like the hooker idea better.

[Snusdog]

But I like the hooker idea better.

yea.......I'd pretty much forget the paper.......... and just go with a straight slide show instead

[Premium Parrots]

yea.......I'd pretty much forget the paper.......... and just go with a straight slide show instead

yepper...visual aids will always hold the persons interest. Similar to a fleshlite with a mustashe.

[Mdisch]

A few illustrations of said hookers couldn't hurt......

Seriously bro............if it is not interesting to you........you will not make it interesting to others

If it is interesting to you....tell me why................if it resonates with you.....tell me why.....if it is relevant to you or sheds some light or gives some insight into some matter around you...... tell me....but if it does none of these things for you........then it will not magically do them for me .........you must show me the event (not just jocky abstract facts and chronological sequences)

Herodotus told the tribe's story...........a family story is always a delight to the members of that particular family.......why?

Answer that one question and you will know how to proceed....you will also at that point become a real historian......

Remember, historical objectivity is a lie invented by halfwits and dullards because they have nothing pertinent to say

Every student should be barred from writing anything on paper until they can discuss their subject at open mike night at the local pub and not get booed off stage

Tell the family's story.........or say nothing at all...........for either one……your readers will thank you

This is exactly the kind of advice I was looking for - It Is a scientific paper even though it is rather basic. But despite having to present this to a person with an academic background it is often better to convey it as if to a person without such experience - to make it more appealing. So thanks for the advice! :-D