10:30 AM - Introductions

11:00 AM - Communicating Our Knowledge - The course will kick off with an essential overview of the primary goals of evidence-based writing—to translate and communicate complex knowledge and information in a clear and concise manner. We will also set the stage for understanding the “key takeaways” document that will be formed by the instructors and students throughout the week, and that will reviewed in the last session of the course.

12:30 PM - Organization: The Key to Success in Evidence-Based Writing - Complex evidence relies on mass amounts of information that derive from a large quantity and variety of sources. This session serves as an overview of common and innovative ways to keep information organized from the research phase to the pre-writing phase, including outlines, mind maps, tables, charts, trees, content management software, and more.

2:45 PM - Thinking About (and Writing About) Complex Evidence - This session will teach students how to look at evidence and construct a logical organizational structure and an effective, reader-centric layout for the intended final written product using a variety of tools and providing a case study as an example.

4:15 PM - Framework and Outlining Workshop - Students will work together to practice the concepts taught in today’s sessions to develop outlines and framework for their own writing projects.

11:00 AM - Writing Research Reports (Part 1) - Learn how to write research reports that communicate complex research, analysis, and conclusions, using several different formats. The session will focus on key elements of research reports, formatting, how to write clearly, use of tenses and voices, discussing evidence vs. events, introducing complex proof discussions, best practices for citations, and more.

12:30 PM - Writing Research Reports (Part 2) - Learn how to write research reports that communicate complex research, analysis, and conclusions, using several different formats. The session will focus on key elements of research reports, formatting, how to write clearly, use of tenses and voices, discussing evidence vs. events, introducing complex proof discussions, best practices for citations, and more.

2:45 PM - Proof Discussions: Simple to Complex (Part 1) - Learn how to write proof arguments that are clear, concise, and logical in structure. These sessions will cover best practices for writing in a technical format; analysis and correlation; indirect and negative evidence; discussing conflicts; evaluating the complexity of evidence; and presenting the evidence.

4:15 PM - Proof Discussions: Simple to Complex (Part 2) - Learn how to write proof arguments that are clear, concise, and logical in structure. These sessions will cover best practices for writing in a technical format; analysis and correlation; indirect and negative evidence; discussing conflicts; evaluating the complexity of evidence; and presenting the evidence.

11:00 AM - Genealogical Compilations: Proving Links Between Generations - Learn a three-part approach for developing compilations that include both information and context about research subjects. The focus of the session will be on meeting the Genealogical Proof Standard, weaving argumentative writing with narrative writing, and maintaining the flow for readers.

12:30 PM - Writing Narratives: Historical Context into Genealogical Writing - Writing about your family in the context of the time and place in which they lived, using social history and major historical events that impacted your ancestors, helps develop a meaningful and more accurate family history. Learn how to find and evaluate resources that will help provide historical context, and how to weave historical context into your genealogical writing.

2:45 PM - Writing & Citing: Conventions and Best Practices - Students will learn about the best practices for citing sources in different formats and styles for various types of written materials—reports, affidavits, case studies, and more. This session will cover basic theory about citations, reference note formats, source list formats, proper use, discussion notes, and more.

4:15 PM - DNA as Evidence in Genealogical Writing - Learn how to use DNA evidence and documentary evidence together to prove conclusions in writing, including best practices for documentation and meeting DNA standards in the field.

11:00 AM - Case Study: Different Ways to Prove Your Family’s Story - Compare and contrast how evidence related to the same family can be presented in a variety of formats (genealogical compilation, proof argument, research report).

12:30 PM - The Editing Process: Self-Editing & Being Edited - Yes, you need an editor! However, self-editing is an important part of every writing process. Self-editing involves more than correcting grammar and rephrasing sentences. Learn how to improve initial drafts by restructuring, tightening up the text, and improving clarity. Learn from judges’ and editors’ comments on drafts of various types of authored works.

2:45PM - Editing Workshop - Students will use their own writing samples to put self-editing concepts into practice, and will also edit a fellow student’s work.

4:15 PM - Templates, Macros, and More: Simplifying Your Writing - Many software programs have tools and shortcuts designed to help writers. This session will demonstrate how to create and use many of these tools—including templates, macros, and more—to maximize efficiency and maintain consistency.

11:00 AM - Scrivener, the Best Tool for Genealogical Writing - This session will discuss Scrivener as a tool that that can aid in productivity for genealogical writers focusing on evidence-based technical writing.

12:30 PM - Self-Publishing for Genealogists - Learn about the numerous options genealogists have for self-publishing their research in both print and digital means. The discussion will include self-publishing, as well as layout and style of books.

2:45 PM - Lessons Learned and Extended Q&A - Students and instructors will work through lessons learned via several mini case studies, present “key takeaways” that have been established from class interaction throughout the week, answer final questions, and issue certificates.

4:15 PM - Scrivener: The Best Tool for Genealogical Writing - This session will discuss Scrivener as a tool that that can aid in productivity for genealogical writers focusing on evidence-based technical writing.