Preparing Your Stratagem

Reading over these very complicated relationships, the only thing that is immediately clear to me is that I need to do a lot more research. As such I have decided to attempt to visit Bodleian Library in Oxford, to see if I can look over their collection for any other information onto the Tudor siblings personal life’s and relationship.

However when dealing with the question of how to present this story as an engaging narrative, it is clear to me that I cannot simply write out their life’s stories. The events in question took place over a period of twenty-five years. With the available two thousand word maximum, it will be necessary to compress their lives, and only focus on the moments that truly capture their relationships. As well as the essential context to provide enough information on the matters that occurred, without it overtaking the essay.

Unlike Kate Summers, I am unable to recreate the world of the characters, or at least not to such a rich and vast degree. Likewise as Edward dies before the real crisis in Mary and Elizabeth’s relationship occurs, to prevent him receiving a lack of focus it is clear that it can’t be a chronological essay. As Gutkind puts it “…writers do not always frame in a strictly chronological sequence.”

He goes on to say “The best answer to finding a frame and where in the process to start it is to isolate a point in the story at which major action or conflict or ideal resolution is about to take place. Begin a little bit before that point so that you can easily work up to it. Starting…as close to the heat of the action as possible is the best way to invoke the readers and compel them onward.”

It is clear, that this is the best way to present my story. However choosing said action will require more research.