Whole-Brain Post- by Krystal Roberts

For my US History Before 1877 class this semester we have a final research project that we are working on. The project is a five-page research paper and my assigned section is the American Revolution. In order to break up the research into smaller stages, we have been completing smaller assignments in which we pick a topic, do research on that topic, gather primary and secondary sources, develop a thesis, create an annotated bibliography, and then create an outline before writing our final paper. Much of the work we are doing to prepare for the paper is analytical and left-brain focused work. One way to add a right-brain dimension to this assignment would possibly be to tweak the research project a little to include both a research paper and an additional performative or supplemental work that physically and creatively demonstrates our research. For example, the assignment could be to write a 3-5-page research paper and also come up with a creative component that engages the class in learning about our topic. For my specific topic on the impact of education and literacy in the American Revolutionary War, one possibility for a creative supplement would be to create a short video or a PowerPoint presentation explaining how education and literacy were the key link between Enlightenment ideals and fostering the revolutionary spirit.