Assemblage: Preparing, Writing, and Revising Case Studies

The goal of this course, which is a companion course to Foundations: The Research Process, is to help students understand intermediate-level records and research methods in order to be able to research efficiently and effectively and produce reliable answers to research questions. Students choose a research project of their own to work on throughout the course, and weekly homework assignments allow immediate practice of concepts learned. A variety of records are explored, including local and federal land, military, immigration and naturalization, DNA, and the laws underlying the records researchers consult. Also covered are research methods and concepts such as the Genealogical Proof Standard, evidence analysis, neighborhood research, and writing genealogical proofs. The course equips students with the skills necessary to find and understand intermediate-level records and to use the evidence from those records to come to sound conclusions about their ancestors.

Wednesdays, October 8-November 19 (Seven sessions), 10:00-3:30 Mountain Time.

Week 1

Getting Started

Instructor: Jan Joyce

This initial session lays the foundation for our journey in assemblage – the preparing, writing, and revising of case studies and other genealogical writing. Introducing the complex writing assignments you’ll undertake, we will discuss the concept of assemblage. The course utilizes a three-case-study approach which provides maximum impact for student learning and writing enrichment. Tools such as the Phrase Bank and Tips Sheet will be described. This session also offers techniques to transition from hesitation to action…helping to overcome “writer’s block” when getting started seems overwhelming.

Deconstruction

Instructor: Jan Joyce

Explore effective genealogical writing through the deconstruction of expert case studies. Delve into six specialized techniques, each aimed at unique aspects of analysis from evidence evaluation to citation insights. These methods offer diverse perspectives, encouraging students to experiment and find favored individual approaches to enhance their own writing.

Headings, Segues, and Mid-Point Summaries

Instructor: Jan Joyce

Learn to use headings, segues, and mid-point summaries for clarity and engagement. Master the use of headings to guide readers through your narrative, ensuring a clear and structured presentation of your research. Learn the art of segues to seamlessly connect ideas and topics, maintaining a logical flow that keeps readers engaged. Discover how to effectively incorporate mid-point summaries, providing readers with a moment to reflect and assimilate key information.

Week 2

Methods to Build Indirect, Negative, and Conflicting Cases

Instructor: Jan Joyce

Delve into nuanced methodologies of case study compositions. Success is not bound by a rigid framework, but measured by the clarity and comprehension it delivers to readers. This session unfolds through the depiction of a flow chart that illustrates the dynamic information flow within a case study. Each element of the flow chart is described and reviewed throughout the course. 

Blueprint to Write: Building the Structure of Your Case Study

Instructor: Kim Richardson

A non-digital workspace aids our ability to think through, present, and polish a case study. Narrative outlines are often better streamlined and perfected when we interact with research data in a hands-on, spatial manner. In this session, we build and organize a case study using simple items like a pencil, index cards, and sticky notes. You will learn how to effectively construct a case study, report, biography, or narrative. You will also see how to effortlessly shuffle and reconfigure your organizational structure to best communicate. And eliminating unnecessary fluff that confuses or distracts the reader will be demonstrated. This technique goes beyond outlining broad ideas and concepts. We will practice how to craft a detailed sketch that easily transfers into a word-processing document (and eliminate staring at the blank screen with writer’s block in the process). By utilizing your brain’s natural preference for hands-on activities, you will create a final written product that successfully communicates your case study, report, or narrative.

Blueprint Workshop

Instructor: Kim Richardson

Week 3

Structure Refinement: Testing and Perfecting Your Narrative’s Blueprint

Instructor: Kim Richardson

Challenge yourself to double-check your work and take your writing to the next level. During this comprehensive session, we explore an array of techniques designed to empower you to test and evaluate the structure of a case study or other writing project. Instead of just learning theoretical concepts, the core of this class focuses on practical application. Through illustrative examples, discover how to systematically examine and improve the architecture of your case study, report, or narrative. By the end of this session, you will have the skills to confidently ensure that you chose the best option possible for your structure.

Expand and Condense

Instructor: Jan Joyce

This session delves into the nuanced decision-making process of discerning the optimal balance between expansion and conciseness. Case studies thrive on precision and clarity, often necessitating the pruning of extraneous detail rather than its addition. Learn seven situations for potential expansion and eleven opportunities to condense your case studies.

Miscellaneous DOs and DON’Ts

Instructor: Jan Joyce

The 21 DOs and DON’Ts in this session have been called “worth the price of the course alone!” We engage in an exploration of voice, grammar, and other tips that just don’t fit elsewhere in the course but promise to enhance your writing. You will learn to master the art of strategic article placement, become adept at verb tense, hone your ability to detect and rectify ambiguous pronoun usage, and more!

Week 4

Standards Influencing Assemblage

Instructor: Jan Joyce

This session highlights genealogy standards that apply to assembling proof arguments. The focus is on standards for documenting and writing. Students will understand these standards, discuss how to meet them, and critique work products with these standards in mind.

Titles, Pull Quotes, and Introductions

Instructor: Jan Joyce

An array of thoughtfully designed templates aids students in creating titles, pull quotes, and introductions. These templates are not merely frameworks but are tools to unlock the potential of your narrative, ensuring that your opening words resonate with you…and with your audience. The pull quote (abstract) and introduction distill the essence of your work, capturing the attention of your audience. The skills imparted int his session will enable you to encapsulate the core of your research and engage your readers.

Conclusions

Instructor: Jan Joyce

Immerse yourself in the end…the conclusion! This session is thoughtfully curated to transform the way conclusions are approached, ensuring they resonate with clarity and purpose. Through a blend of theoretical insights and practical exercises, participants will gain proficiency to conclude case studies.

Week 5

Visual Elements

Instructor: Jan Joyce

Visual architecture plays a pivotal role in conveying the intricacies of your research. We navigate through three main elements – bullet points, tables, and visual images. Knowing when and how to utilize tables, bulleted lists, maps, trees, timelines, and more will be reviewed and practiced. Learn to use bullet points for distilling intricate genealogical data into clear, concise points that guide readers effortlessly through complex or lengthy information. Discern when to use a table and what to include or exclude for maximum impact. Finally, determine what, if any, images should be included.

Transcription for Voice and Discovery

Instructor: Debra Koehler

Transcribing can be transformational. The practice highlights the voice of the piece. It uncovers holes. It identifies problems…and solutions. It is a powerful tool for proofreading. It internalizes within you the style, structure, and cadence of successful writing. And the end result can serve as a road map to help you assemble your proof argument or other work in the most effective way. Techniques for transcription will be described, demonstrated, and then practiced helping you make the most of this unique tool to inform the assemblage of your written works and help you develop into a more confident writer.

Transcription Workshop

Instructor: Debra Koehler

Week 6

AI and Assemblage

Instructor: Jan Joyce

Explore the groundbreaking realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its transformative impact on genealogical writing. This session will unveil how AI technology can aid in writing, editing, and perhaps yes, even assembling case studies. Practical demonstrations showcase a variety of uses of AI to help streamline and improve the writing process and product.

Verbal Strategies for Writing and Editing

Instructor: Cindy Heidorn

Learn verbal techniques to help organize, craft, edit, and polish genealogical writing.  Discover how the power of reading written work aloud to active listeners provides new insights.  Practice dictation to jumpstart your writing process. Build skills to give and receive constructive feedback in small breakout groups using your own written work or a common case study. 

Verbal Strategies Workshop

Instructor: Cindy Heidorn

Week 7

Layout and Design

Instructor: Jan Joyce

The aesthetics of your case study impact readability and comprehension. Strategic visual structuring elevates your genealogical narratives. Topics explored include heading format, font style, font size, sentence length, paragraph length, sentence structure variety, heading format, color usage, white space, layout, image placement, and more.

Deconstructing and Pulling It All Together

Instructor: Jan Joyce

Self-critique can be a daunting yet illuminating endeavor, particularly with complex genealogical case studies. This session applies deconstruction techniques to your own writing, guiding you to adeptly dissect and refine your work with precision and insight. Furthermore, the session offers a comprehensive review of the entire course with an emphasis on use of the tools in a cohesive manner. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the application of the tools and their strategic timing of their utilization within the writing process. This session is a pivotal wrap-up to the assemblage course.