Date of Award

9-1-2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Rhetoric and Writing

First Advisor

David Fisher

Abstract

Despite the popularity of narrative oral history projects, there is a lack of discussion about the process involved in crafting an oral history transcript into a cohesive and engaging narrative oral history. The editing decisions made in this process impact the ethos of the narrator, placing the responsibility of representation on the oral historian, and complicate attribution. This thesis broadens the discussion of the ethical and methodological dilemmas encountered when creating a narrative oral history and will elucidate current theories on the effects editing choices have on representation. This discussion is illustrated by a case study of my experience as a graduate student completing a class oral history project. Finally, a process for developing an editing methodology for narrative oral history projects is offered using Allesandro Portelli's genre-defining parameters.

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