How to write a historical essay – Interview with Luigi Leona
Dec 20, 2023 0:38:14 GMT -5
Post by account_disabled on Dec 20, 2023 0:38:14 GMT -5
I interviewed Luigi Leonardi, a versatile writer and essayist, who I think I met here on the blog, if I remember correctly, and who has become a regular reader of mine. I read two works by him, a historical essay and a novel. Now I'll leave the floor to him, who introduces the interview. Luigi LeonardiI'll answer you according to my point of view. Obviously not all historians think the same way, especially on some points of your questions; some, p. e.g., they try to demonstrate truths that coincide with their ideas; others tend to omit, still others to please.
As for me, I'm narratively inclined; that is, to make the characters speak through the use of direct speech, and being free from ideologies of any kind I use irony. What is the biggest difficulty when writing a Special Data historical essay? The search for material, or rather the "hunt". In some cases you encounter reticence if not outright silence. An example for everyone: the story of "Gianna" and "Neri". It is the true symbol of the cover-up. Some topics, like those you covered in your book Purges , are still taboo in our country. How do you think they should be addressed? According to the most crystalline honesty. But, as per the premise, we must be free from ideologies or compromises.
Then your theses can also be refuted, but it is important to have stated them in good faith. That is to say, you cannot be accused of sectarianism. Where and how should you look for the necessary documentation to write a historical essay? Everywhere: archives, public and private libraries, bibliography, internet, newspapers, magazines, films, photographs, testimonies. How can you understand the reliability of the information found? This is a part that requires some skill that can come from experience. Meanwhile, for every fact it is better to have multiple versions; then you have to evaluate the possible falsity of a version by comparing it with others already known or plausible, and of course understand the nature of the source. A certain concentration is then necessary to capture every contradiction; know the official story to know if the context of the episode you are stating is plausible.
As for me, I'm narratively inclined; that is, to make the characters speak through the use of direct speech, and being free from ideologies of any kind I use irony. What is the biggest difficulty when writing a Special Data historical essay? The search for material, or rather the "hunt". In some cases you encounter reticence if not outright silence. An example for everyone: the story of "Gianna" and "Neri". It is the true symbol of the cover-up. Some topics, like those you covered in your book Purges , are still taboo in our country. How do you think they should be addressed? According to the most crystalline honesty. But, as per the premise, we must be free from ideologies or compromises.
Then your theses can also be refuted, but it is important to have stated them in good faith. That is to say, you cannot be accused of sectarianism. Where and how should you look for the necessary documentation to write a historical essay? Everywhere: archives, public and private libraries, bibliography, internet, newspapers, magazines, films, photographs, testimonies. How can you understand the reliability of the information found? This is a part that requires some skill that can come from experience. Meanwhile, for every fact it is better to have multiple versions; then you have to evaluate the possible falsity of a version by comparing it with others already known or plausible, and of course understand the nature of the source. A certain concentration is then necessary to capture every contradiction; know the official story to know if the context of the episode you are stating is plausible.