November 10th-16th
Okay. I’ve gone through Low’s diary in much greater detail this past week, figuring it would be helpful to look at it more closely since my larger argument and thought processes have really developed over the past week or so. And going through Low’s diary again has been a really rewarding experience. It fascinates me but also helps me link a lot of pieces, especially regarding the federal government’s intervention in the Dust Bowl region and how women perceived that intervention and its effects on them.I’ve picked up some new secondary sources that will help with little bits and pieces of my research. Things that I’ll discuss but not necessarily in great detail. They’ll just help place my argument in the broader context by connecting it to other historical topics, including the idea of gossip as a means of entertainment and communication.Other than that, I don’t really have anything new to report. Things are fitting together nicely; as a result, I’m not feeling too intimidated by the writing process.
November 22nd, 2008 at 12:42 am
Glad to hear that you’re feeling comfortable as we get on with the writing process, Sam! I had that same kind of realization this week–that primary-source reading is not a one-and-done kind of thing. We need to keep returning to key primary sources throughout the course of research, since our interpretations of the sources will develop along with our broader ideas and hypotheses. Actually, I found it kind of comforting to know that I can continue to draw from the same document.
Hope you have a fun and productive weekend