Talk:F. F. Bosworth

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[edit] Initial edits

I added a bunch of info and three sources over the last few days. I'm still learning about the rules on sources, notability and biographies. I'm open to suggestion on stuff this article still needs. I'm still working on finding some more info, and would love to have some more sources if anyone knows of any. My IM and email are on my user page if anyone wants to contact me about my work so far here. I'm aware that this article is far from complete. I'm just hoping to get the ball rolling. --User:Nswinton 10:42pm, 1 February, 2007


Hi, I'm still in the middle of working on this article and learning about the guidelines. I'll try and make some more progress today and get it more up to standard. --User:Nswinton 10:14pm, 31 January, 2007

[edit] Next round of improvements?

  • This article needs at least one more good image, if not 2-3 more.
  • This article could use some re-wording. I wrote most of it originally, so I'd appreciate someone else proof-reading for me. I can usually catch bad spelling/grammar/sentence structure, but prose can be tough for me...
  • "Early Years" and "Ministry" sections need to be fleshed out and expanded. They're basically just skeletal right now.
  • Add section on "Religious Beliefs"
  • Add section on "responses to "Christ the Healer""
  • Other suggestions?

Nswinton 16:18, 13 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] New Source!

Good job including another "Joybringer Bosworth" into this article. I do think we could do some cleanup after the inclusion of all the data. It seems like the introduction is now quite lengthy. What might help is if we re-wikify this and make the sections reflect the information we now have. I'm not sure how to weigh the sources against one another, but I do think if sources are compared, then "Christ the Healer" has the marks of at least the most notable one--if it is the most reliable remains to be seen. In general, I'd like to see the article simply cite its sources by template and be uncluttered when the sources do not contradict. Which will be hard for me to determine--I don't own either book. Input here? Finally, I'm going to see what edits I can come up with but definitely do not hesitate to revert me if I end up doing something that is original research as well. I am hoping that the material we have is also not originial research. It's important that we get the facts straight first and then discussion evaluation of those facts to determine if it is appropriate. With lengthy sources such as books, it's vital to keep to the main points. Thanks. ClaudeReigns 07:27, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

I think you'll now find a lot of new sources included since May, and the time lines are now becoming fairly accurate. The pieces are now coming together. The problem with FF Bosworth's history is that there really is no single reliable source, hence the number of references, etc. Most of the internet articles are based on only limited information, and don't even appear to have had access to Bosworth's Life Story pamphlet or 1921 / 1927 biography, and some simply have some of their facts wrong. For example, one internet article said he was a Presbyterian, when sources show all his early connections were Methodist. Even current authors who have written about Bosworth in a limited way appear to have only had access to part of what is available, and may not have gone through some of the information in detail and made a thorough comparison of materials, etc. Small details make a big difference in piecing things together. It took me months to begin to see exactly how things fit together, and some of the details are buried in obscure sources. For example, one key to timing for Bosworth's early life is his 8 years of lung problems, but even the early sources are not consistent (2 sources say 8 years, one says 10 years). Another key is the timing from then until his marriage at age 23 (based on the jobs he held, etc, the total time was at least 4 years, no more than 5 years). Based on Fitzgerald, Ga, internet site, the first people began to arrive in Fitzgerald (a new town) in 1895. Bosworth's employment after marriage before going to Zion City was at least a year based on the jobs he held, plus the fact that Zion City did not even have lots for lease until the summer of 1901. And some of the sources for Bosworth's connection with Parham and Zion City are the resources on Parham. Some of this information could probably use some streamlining, but the information is now there. And then there are the discrepancies created by some of the modern writers who don't appear to have tried to place timelines, etc, or didn't have access to some of the initial contemporaries, when not having all of the timing or history details before them. This summary is now the most complete and accurate I know of out there on FF Bosworth. --68.150.69.210 (talk) 04:32, 20 January 2008 (UTC) Appears I must have been signed out when saved these - comments are still accurate. --JGEdit4567 (talk) 04:46, 20 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Winner of the Wikipedia Most Drab Opening Sentences Award, 2007

Fred Francis Bosworth (1877-1958) was born on a farm near Utica, Nebraska. The book Joybringer Bosworth indicates Bosworth was raised in a Methodist home. As well, his conversion at the age of 16 or 17, and his healing from major lung problems a couple years later, had a Methodist connection, indicating that he was initially a Methodist.

I promise you, most readers have electively killed themselves rather than read on, after that inspired start. Is there any possibility you could explain, in a couple of pithy sentences, who this chappie is & why we should care. You can then return to your discussion of lung disease and methodism with relative impunity. See, for instance, News writing#Inverted pyramid. thanks. --Tagishsimon (talk) 20:51, 31 December 2007 (UTC)

sentence three also a winner
As well, his conversion at the age of 16 or 17, and his healing from major lung problems a couple years later, had a Methodist connection, indicating that he was initially a Methodist.

What does this even mean, LOL? How do you convert at the age of 16? Was he previously a Sikh? I'll rewrite without the awkward parentheticals. ClaudeReigns (talk) 22:04, 31 December 2007 (UTC)

You're right about the original lack of clarity - not a great opener, etc. Some of the confusion and akwardness was pulled out earlier, but not nearly enough. Claude seems to have done a good job of improving the start - I'm the one who has added most of the new materials and references since May. Initially began slowly, I didn't change some things like the start, just added information. Along the way I tried to avoid changing things, and just added to what was already there. Eventually I redid some sections for readability, but didn't redo the start, which obviously became even more akward with some of the additions, etc. --JGEdit4567 (talk) 03:31, 20 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Opener Rewrite

Seems like a lot of the problems with the opening paragraph concern minutiae that would be better handled in the chronological layout of the article. I agree with the criticism Tagishsimon brought, and we can best introduce the article by sticking to what's most important. We can discuss early experiences and demoniational shifts elsewhere. ClaudeReigns (talk) 23:51, 31 December 2007 (UTC)

Good rewrite of the first paragraph - it now flows a lot better - you seem to have maintained the context while at the same time making it more readable. I added a bit more to the first sentence since Bosworth's primary reputation actually began long before the depression days, but everything else looks good. --JGEdit4567 (talk) 03:31, 20 January 2008 (UTC)