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Describing Archives: A Content Standard
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2.7.11 Tone and style of bio/historical notes #50

Open mfeustle opened 2 years ago

mfeustle commented 2 years ago

Principle 2. Users are the fundamental reason for archival description.

2.7.11 models good practice by example, but could give clearer guidelines on the tone and style of biographical/historical notes regarding collection creators. In general, the focus should be on verifiable facts, while resisting overly valorizing/superlative prose that would be more appropriate to promotional materials, advertising, press kits, and so on.

I expect that this will require a minor change to DACS.

2.7.11 Biographical History of Individuals or Families

searcy commented 5 months ago

I wonder if one strategy regarding style and tone might be a stronger framing on the purpose of the biog/hist note more generally? Perhaps more clarity on the role of this particular piece of archival description -- to contextualize the collection at-hand -- might help archivists avoid or address issues like undue praise for dominant identities, etc.