Book Outline Provides Direction for "Jefferson’s Masterpiece"

Developing the outline for Jefferson’s Masterpiece was easier than I had expected. The fact that I had taken care to prepare and organize the notes I made during the research process and to categorize the resource material – sometimes under multiple topics – made the task of preparing the outline a lot easier. In addition, since specific activities took place during the seven-week period the story will cover, the outline almost made itself.

The story will follow a day-by-day account of the events that led to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It will begin on June 11 when the Second Continental Congress appointed the Committee of Five (John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston and Roger Sherman) to draft a document that would explain why the colonies were declaring their independence from Great Britain. This declaration would be used if the delegates passed the Virginia Resolution that proclaimed the colonies independent. The outline also includes what I am calling “fill-in days.” These fictional situations will give me the opportunity to share vital information that will help complete the Declaration story.

With the 10-page outline complete and the research assembled, I am now ready to begin telling the story of Thomas Jefferson writing the Declaration of Independence, including the circumstances and people involved, hopefully, in a way that will entertain and teach 9-12 year-old children about this founding document. But before I begin the writing process, I need to retype my 1972 manuscript of Thomas Jefferson Writes the Declaration of Independence, which was written on a Smith-Corona portable typewriter.

After receiving a phone call from a friend last week, I have decided to add another character to the story. My friend called and asked if I was planning to include a young person as one of the characters. I explained that I was only going to use historical figures with an occasional fictional person when necessary. It didn’t take long, however, for me to see the wisdom of her suggestion to use a child that the young readers could relate too. A ten-year-boy will appear in several scenes with Jefferson. He will be the son of the owner of City Tavern, where Jefferson ate most of his meals. Jefferson will have several conversations with this inquisitive boy about what is taking place behind the closed doors of the Pennsylvania State House.

Next week I will share with you how the first days of writing have gone.

Thanks for spending time with me today,

Dennis