
Instructor: Sara Gredler, CG® and AG®
Dates offered: Wednesdays, Oct 25, Nov 1, 8, and 15
Time: 4:00-7:00 ET/1:00-4:00 PT
Cost: $300
Registration: 17-23 August 2023
Course description:
This course tackles what is probably the hardest part of genealogy: stopping research and writing about the findings. Writing conclusions is not only part of the Genealogical Proof Standard and the research process, but helps genealogists hone critical thinking skills and shows the holes in the research.
When writing to prove research conclusions, genealogists have to write persuasively and logically to convince the reader the argument is correct. In addition to the genealogical focus of the argument, writers have to show the reader that the requisite historical knowledge also supports the research and conclusion.
During the course, we will discuss several organizational systems for how to present an ancestor’s story, always keeping your audience in mind. As professionals, the audience for reports range from clients, family members, other researchers, and ourselves. As writing reports for certification and accreditation may differ from other work products, those will also be discussed. We’ll also review tools for the actual writing and chart creation, and how to find images and documents that can add color to a report.
Target audience:
Beginner to advanced, specifically those who have never written a report (or only written one) on research findings.
Pre-requisites: None
Pre-assignment:
Submit a report to the instructor (under 15 pages if possible). These will be reviewed and edited prior to the first class meeting. Due by October 16th.
Required subscriptions/reading
- Elizabeth Shown Mills, Evidence Explained, 3rd revised edition. -Elizabeth Shown Mills, website Evidence Explained (https:// www.evidenceexplained.com/)
- Elizabeth Shown Mills, website Historic Pathways (https://historicpathways.com/ about.html)
- Thomas W. Jones, Mastering Genealogical Proof
- Thomas W. Jones, Mastering Genealogical Documentation -Board for Certification of Genealogists, website, Genealogical Work Samples (https://bcgcertification.org/learning/skills/genealogical-work-samples/)
Class Objectives
1. Provide students the opportunity for report writing for both their current research and for research that is unfamiliar to them.
2. Provide students the experience of peer review of their reports. 3. Provide students with guided activities to illustrate how to write their reports for easy readability.
Session 1:
- Why Write a Report at All? What’s the Point?
- Know Your Audience
- Organizational Systems
Session 2:
- Beginning Research Strategies and Executive Summary
- Evidence Analysis and Its Explanation
- Writing the Thought Process and Meeting the Genealogical Proof Standard Without Jargon
- Writing Better: Strategies and Tools
Session 3:
- Incorporating DNA Analysis in Reports
- Adding Color to Your Reports
- Images and Documents
- Chart Creation
- Writing the Conclusion
Session 4:
- The Editing Process
- Certification and Accreditation