Paper Writing

**berserkbishop** · 21st November 07, 01:42 AM

This isn't necessarily directly kilt related, but could be. For my English Comp II class we have an open choice research paper that needs to be around 12 pages long. I long ago decided that I wanted to write the paper over something to do with Scotland. I have just recently started getting into my heritage so the topic of Scotland is still very broad and I dont know how to begin narrowing it or what sort of topic would be a strong one. . . I have thought about doing the origins of the modern kilt, or maybe Clan Cunningham or MacLeod history (my clans), but I will have to back these topics with some (6+) strong sources. Input on any topics I mentioned here, or maybe something I havent thought of are appreciated, especially books. Also, any links or leads on strong kilt or Scottish heritage info are welcome. And yes, I have checked out Matt Newsomes site, one source down. . . Thanks!

Bishop

**James MacMillan** · 21st November 07, 01:54 AM

Heck, if you are only talking about 12 pages, you could just do a short paper on searching out your roots. Do it yourself, and keep notes, and the paper will pretty much write itself.

**berserkbishop** · 21st November 07, 03:05 AM

Originally Posted by James MacMillan

Heck, if you are only talking about 12 pages, you could just do a short paper on searching out your roots. Do it yourself, and keep notes, and the paper will pretty much write itself.

The idea did cross my mind but she is looking for a "research" paper. Yes, it would take research to search out my roots, but thats not what college professors are looking for in a "research" paper. Doesnt make a lot of sense but there is a formatting to it. . . thesis, thesis tie ins, APA formatting with well documents sources and all that which in my opinion a paper searching out my roots will not satisfy. Another thing is time. I imagine that finding 12 pages worth of my roots will take considerable time, at least what I have knowledge of now off the top of my head took forever to track down. I have only about 2 weeks. . . I procrastinate like none other. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Bishop

**macwilkin** · 21st November 07, 04:23 AM

Stop by the library today, or after the break. We have several books in the collection on Scotland, and you can always order more from other college/university libraries in the state via the MOBIUS system.

Sorry, gents, for talking shop in the mess.

Cheers

Todd

creativeaccents · 21st November 07, 04:35 AM

One potential topic that very few people are awre of, but one with plenty of easy to reach reference material is the amount of interaction between the Scots and the American Indian. Here's a bit of a teaser http://www.newworldcelts.org/celtic_indians.htm

Many of the Scots clearly identified with the Indians of all tribes, some intermarried freely and served as Chiefs and on tribal councils.

**macwilkin** · 21st November 07, 04:43 AM

Originally Posted by creativeaccents

One potential topic that very few people are awre of, but one with plenty of easy to reach reference material is the amount of interaction between the Scots and the American Indian. Here's a bit of a teaser http://www.newworldcelts.org/celtic_indians.htm

Many of the Scots clearly identified with the Indians of all tribes, some intermarried freely and served as Chiefs and on tribal councils.

We have in our library the book Scots in the North American West 1790-1917 which devotes a whole chapter to the relationship between the Scots and the First Nations:

http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...an_indians.htm

I can think of several other titles off the top of my head that are available in the MO state library system on this subject.

T,

**cacunn** · 21st November 07, 05:49 AM

If you were to consider a paper on the evolution of the kilt, from great kilt to x-kilt. You have Matt's information from the Tartan Museum, numerous web sites talk on the construction of a kilt as well as the information here. Start with the needs of and benefits of the great kilt. Ease of construction, sew two pieces of cloth together and you have a blanket, rain coat, and day to day wear all in one. The industrial age bringing on the need for the short kilt and then the recent changes from pockets and materials in today "modern" kilts.

Most if not all of the resources are on line and can be obtained in comfort of your dorm room.

**macwilkin** · 21st November 07, 05:52 AM

Originally Posted by cacunn

If you were to consider a paper on the evolution of the kilt, from great kilt to x-kilt. You have Matt's information from the Tartan Museum, numerous web sites talk on the construction of a kilt as well as the information here. Start with the needs of and benefits of the great kilt. Ease of construction, sew two pieces of cloth together and you have a blanket, rain coat, and day to day wear all in one. The industrial age bringing on the need for the short kilt and then the recent changes from pockets and materials in today "modern" kilts.

Most if not all of the resources are on line and can be obtained in comfort of your dorm room.

Most instructors want a wide variety of sources, not just Internet ones. It's been my experience as a librarian at the school that beserkerbishop attends that most of the instructors here ask their students for a variety of sources -- books, periodicals, etc.

A paper on the kilt is not impossible, but I would advise him to use more than just the Internet.

Regards,

Todd

**H. Hastings** · 21st November 07, 06:11 AM

It's not kilt related but my daughter once wrote a paper researching the disease behind the "Black Death" in Scotland. There is evidence to suggest that it may, in fact, have been anthrax and not the bubonic plague.