Paper Writing

**Archangel** · 21st November 07, 08:11 PM

I love writing papers, especially after procrastinating.

So, good overview of Scottish stories, especially deconstructing the myths. Try this page on firstfoot (strong language alert, it's based in Glasgow) Check out the Fairy Flag story, which is a McLeod story.

From some of your other posts, check out Holy Fairs. Cajunscot knows it and that can lead to a full research paper.

I did a short paper on Flora MacDonald that yielded no end of material and perspectives. Went from Prince Charles, the aftermath, the Carolinas, American Revolution, that bridge I forget right now and back to Scotland. Great history. Ended up being a two hour seminar, nobody wanted to stop me and the professor told me to keep going.

**sharpdressedscot** · 21st November 07, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by Coinneach

Rex brings up a good subject...I've always wanted to explore traditional Scottish music with American bluegrass...lots of similarities there.

Especially Appalachian Bluegrass. Lots of Scots(Irish as well) moved up there, it felt very much like home, 'cept a wee bit warmer! Matter o' fact, Celtic is the ancestor of Country and American Folk.

**Archangel** · 21st November 07, 08:49 PM

Scottish music: everybody in the song dies, everybody.
Irish music: everybody but the singer dies, and sometimes he does right after the song.
Ozark Love songs: the loved one dies, the woman dies at the hands of her lover.
Appalachian music: we think they all died, we'll wait.
Blues: might as well be dead.
Country: dog's dead, car's dead, job's gone, wife's gone and it'll get worse soon.
Rock and Roll: dog's back, car's fast, am on vacation, meet my woman, and it's getting better.

How's that for a paper?

**Coinneach** · 21st November 07, 08:54 PM

I used to spend 3 or 4 hours just writing the thesis statement and working out the outline from there...too often I discovered I wanted to write a different paper and had to keep reworking the thesis statement. Once I got that right, I was home free.

**macwilkin** · 21st November 07, 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by Archangel

I love writing papers, especially after procrastinating.

So, good overview of Scottish stories, especially deconstructing the myths. Try this page on firstfoot (strong language alert, it's based in Glasgow) Check out the Fairy Flag story, which is a McLeod story.

From some of your other posts, check out Holy Fairs. Cajunscot knows it and that can lead to a full research paper.

I did a short paper on Flora MacDonald that yielded no end of material and perspectives. Went from Prince Charles, the aftermath, the Carolinas, American Revolution, that bridge I forget right now and back to Scotland. Great history. Ended up being a two hour seminar, nobody wanted to stop me and the professor told me to keep going.

That would be the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge in North Carolina...the last reported Highland Charge..."King George & Broadswords!"

T.

**berserkbishop** · 22nd November 07, 12:56 AM

Well Cajunscot certainly came through on helping me dig up some resources. I now have a stack of books to sift through, many without footnotes unfortunately and I need rent Braveheart again. This paper really shouldn't be all that bad since its something I am interested in. My real worries are that I have another research paper coming due on a current event in politics. . . never have cared much for politics. . . Thanks again Todd!

Bishop

**Archangel** · 22nd November 07, 10:03 PM

One thing I did that worked well for me was to focus all my research papers on one subject all through university. In my case it was the study of Japanese prisoners of war held by the Americas. Every essay fit around that theme no matter what subject. I talked it over with the professors and offered to show them previous essays so they knew it was an original tack. So, Colonial US (nevermind) history covered POWs in that period.

Someday, I'll finish the book.

The idea is that you never have to go too far to develop an essay idea and the whole idea of PH.D is to become an expert in one subject so start early.