1. Eric Daniel, Madison Vaughn, and Claire Cooper
Mrs. Lester
Hon Lit/Comp 10
28 October 2011
Revised Proposal
1) Our multi-genre research paper topic
Our topic for the multi-genre research paper is the Rwanda genocide. This tragedy occurred in
April of 1994. We became fascinated in this topic after we had all three read about genocide in
our books for our fish bowl discussions. Since we were all in the same cohort we got to observe
each others viewpoints for the topic. Since the way we viewed genocide was a unanimous
decision we decided to team up. We feel like after reading the book, “Cry the Beloved Country”
which took place in Africa this would give us a chance to expand our knowledge even more.
2) What we already know
Sadly, we do not know a whole lot about this topic. The only previous knowledge we have
came from the teachings of the Holocaust through our past years of study. In previous years we
have done research projects and read books about the extermination of about six million Jews.
After reading stories like, “The Diary of Anne Frank” we were encouraged to learn more about
the subject. Especially since locations over seas genocide is still going on and having a major
impact on today’s society. Luckily, we can not really relate it to any personal experiences.
3) What I want to learn
As we have read articles relating to genocide in Rwanda we have gained a good amount of
knowledge on the topic. Although we still wonder whether or not our country has ever been
involved in a crisis such as this. Or if had ever attempted to help people in Rwanda. At the time
of the genocide in Rwanda, Bill Clinton was our president. Clinton came out and said that he
regrets not helping more than he did. We want to know what his reasons were for not helping
out in the process of the Rwandan genocide. Most importantly, we wonder what was the major
cause of the genocide. What happened, what was said, who started it, who ended it, and how
did it end are all questions that the group has.
4) The origins of my research
I think that the Holocaust in the 1940’s is what sparks every one's interest on genocide. It made
us want to travel the world and see how many place are in a similar situation. Our fascination
with genocide is based mainly not on the killings, but the cruel state of mind that is not afraid to
kill someone who has not done a thing in the world wrong. Tutsi people stated they felt helpless
and weak in some of the articles we skimmed over. The majority of the group was killed based
off of the fact that they were Tutsi. We found it emotionally sickening to read about these kinds
of tragedies. We have yet to reach the level of understanding of how a person could just sit
there and watch a sister or brother being murdered.
5) Some question we have about the Rwandan Genocide
1. How did they get away with this genocide?
2. Why could they not find a way to see “eye-to-eye”?
3. Where did the Tutsi go once they found out that the people they looked up to were now
murderers?
4. Did they ever find hope, if so, where and how?
5. How did people cope with the tragedies they saw and experienced?
6. How has the country recovered from such devastation?
7. How have they prevented more genocides from happening?

2. 8. Why did Bill Clinton not take any action?
9. What was with his lack of help in such a major crisis?
10. Were there any other interactions from other countries that played an important role?
11. Did the Tutsi ever protest? Madison Vaughn <--freak.
12. Were the children treated different or just as cruel as adults?
6) Our research plan
Our plan for collecting and organizing information about this topic is to continue my researching
for articles on school friendly sites. Ms. Hamilton has bundled a bunch of sources together in
one place on a site called Symbaloo. Sources like Global Issues in Context and SIRS are very
helpful sites to find information on genocide. Although those sites are great, we are not limited
there. We can also go to sources that have not necessarily been approved by the teachers, but
are still usable as long as we use the CRAAP test. To help get all of our sources in one place
and make a stress free citation we are using Noodle Tools. It is a lengthy project, but with all of
our opportunities to find information it should go quite smoothly.
7) Preliminary bibliography
Works Cited
“As We Commemorate the Genocide.” Global Issues in Context. Gale, 13
Apr. 2009. Web. 25 Oct. 2011. <http://find.galegroup.com/​gic/​infomark.do?
contentSet=GREF&docType=IAC&idigest=b527955b5caccdb4b4a2d40e86fe061a&type
=retrieve&tabID=T006&prodId=GIC&docId=A197650771&userGroupName=cant4804
0&version=1.0&searchType=BasicSearchForm&source=gale>.
Kayigamba, Jean Baptiste. “Haunted mornings, sleepless nights: Jean Baptiste
Kayigamba describes how he survived genocide in Rwanda. .” Global Issues in Context.
Gale, 1 June 2006. Web. 25 Oct. 2011. <http://find.galegroup.com/​gic/​infomark.do?
contentSet=GREF&docType=IAC&idigest=b527955b5caccdb4b4a2d40e86fe061a&type
=retrieve&tabID=T0
06&prodId=GIC&docId=A147292242&userGroupName=cant48040&version=1.0&sear
chType=BasicSearchForm&source=gale >.
Magnarella, Paul. “Extreme Poverty Led to the Rwanda Genocide .” Gale
Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Gale, 2007. Web. 25 Oct. 2011. <http://
ic.galegroup.com/​ic/​ovic/​ViewpointsDetailsPage/​ViewpointsDetailsWindow?
displayGroupName=Viewpoints&disableHighlighting=true&prodId=OVIC&action=e&
windowstate=normal&catId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ3010078229&mode=view&&
userGroupName=cant48040&jsid=275fa2f99552e9d341a3c9d651b9df0fGa>.
Mamdani, Mahmood. “Rwandan Genocide.” Gale Opposing Viewpoints
in Context. Gale, 2006. Web. 25 Oct. 2011. <http://ic.galegroup.com/​
ic/​ovic/​PrimarySourcesDetailsPage/​PrimarySourcesDetailsWindow?
displayGroupName=PrimarySources&disableHighlighting=false&prodId=OVIC&action
=e&windowstate=normal&catId=&documentId=GALE%7CCX3456600114&mode=vie
w&&userGroupName=cant48040&jsid=23230ee82fd9b9daa2003e81b5fd064c>.
Rudd, Kelly, Richard Hanes, and Sarah Hermsen, eds. “Genocide

3. in Rwanda.” Global Issues in Context. Gale, 2007. Web. 25 Oct.
2011. <http://find.galegroup.com/​gic/​infomark.do?
contentSet=EBKS&docType=EBKS.Article&idigest=b527955b5caccdb4b4a2d40e86fe0
61a&type=retrieve&tabID=T001&prodId=GIC&docId=CX2831400026&userGroupNam
e=cant48040&version=1.0&searchType=BasicSearchForm&source=gale >.