Writing a Biographical Essay Introduction

What were Alonzo Bump's words after confronting the powerful experience of war for nine months? Was not his expression, "I have seen the elephant?"

For some students, writing a biographical essay from primary source documents can be a similar larger than life undertaking. Questions, such as "Where do I look for information?" and "How do I approach my subject when writing?," may make the task seem unapproachable.

The following section offers places to look for materials, illustrates different types of primary source documents for historical research, and addresses ways to make a biographical essay richer by looking at nineteenth century materials on Alonzo Bump's friend Albert S. Green, a soldier also in the 77th regiment from Saratoga Springs, New York.

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