Early-stage historical research project topic brainstorming

Today, I’d like you to do some thinking not to choose a topic for your historical research project, but just to get your brain loosened up and open to possible topics. We’ll also be starting Great Expectations by Charles Dickens soon, and that book may also inspire some ideas. For today, we’re just thinking and generating possible ideas.

First, in your notebook:

·      Write down a list of any questions about history, nineteenth-century British culture, or daily life in nineteenth-century England that have occurred to you so far this semester

·      Mentally scan each of the two books we’ve read so far (Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre) with everything you know about history in mind. Take notes as you think through the basic plot/story of each book, and note down anything related to history, culture, or daily life that seems interesting or important to you. Then make a list of rough ideas for researching historical information related to Pride and Prejudice and/or Jane Eyre

Then, get into your groups from yesterday. Share your lists of questions and your list of rough ideas. Once everyone in your group has shared both, spend about eight minutes coming up with three ideas for possible historical project. Share and discuss your ideas with your group (including whether they make more sense as essay ideas or creative project ideas), taking notes on other group members’ ideas as you go.