How Can I Say It?: The Nitty-Gritty of Genealogical Pre-Writing

Are you at a loss for how to begin writing? Do you have difficulty transforming data into text? Do you know how to organize your findings and turn information into a narrative? In this class, we will practice pre-writing skills so that when you sit down to write the whole story, all the parts will fall into place.

Overview

Genealogy is more than research—it involves writing at every stage, from abstracting records to crafting narratives. Before producing a final research report, case study, or family history, genealogists engage in numerous forms of pre-writing. This course explores those essential yet often overlooked writing skills: describing documents and photos, creating captions, summarizing tables, transforming research logs into action plans, and developing concise narratives.

Course Outline

• Understanding Genealogical Pre-Writing: The range of informal yet critical writing skills genealogists use.
• Developing Descriptive and Analytical Writing: Exercises in summarizing, synthesizing, and crafting compelling genealogical narratives.
• Building Writing Fluency: Writing “on command” through guided prompts.
• Constructive Peer Review: Developing a judgment-free approach to self- and peer-evaluation.
• Applying Pre-Writing to Research: Integrating these skills into genealogical work.
• Final Portfolio: A collection of completed assignments demonstrating growth in pre-writing skills.

Skills you will learn

Participants will develop confidence in writing, transforming research into clear, engaging narratives, and practicing essential pre-writing techniques. The course emphasizes fluency in drafting descriptions, summaries, and structured genealogical storytelling while strengthening analytical skills and constructive peer feedback.

Format

Interactive lecture and free-writing sessions where participants write in response to instructions and a provided prompt or artifact.

JewishGen provides a private Canvas online forum where you will find assignments, materials, and directions and have the opportunity to communicate one-on-one with the instructor. Our classes offer flexible hours, allowing you to participate 24/7, regardless of your location or time zone. While the Canvas platform provides continuous access to course content, the main emphasis is on interactive Zoom meetings, where live discussion, guided exercises, and peer feedback enhance the learning experience.

Requirements

• Basic computer skills for document creation and online participation.
• Commitment to working on class projects during Zoom sessions and personal assignments at home.

Tuition

$200 for 4 weeks.

Contact Information

For questions, email: education@jewishgen.org