Memory (written)

The Memory until the 18th century

The word appeared during the 12th century. At the time, it means simply that an explanatory text is written, which will present an idea. Gradually, and especially with the modern time, the term memory becomes synonymous with argumentative writing, which serves an idea. Thus Vauban writes memories with Louis XIV on the fortifications, such as the Mémoire to be used as instruction in the control of the seats and the defense of the places, by Mr. marshal of Vauban, presented to the King in 1704 , that the religious quarrels of time are regulated by the publication of many reports.

Evolution of the report at the 19th century

During the 19th century, the report takes a direction which approaches the current direction: it loses its character polemizes and becomes a scientific text, or which wants to be such, in order to expose a fact, a principle or an idea. The report is then increasingly short, it is used to inform the reader on a precise point, for example on a subject which should be treated by the administration or the policies.

It is still not question at the time of giving a university direction to this university written mot. Tout is then a Thèse.

The university report

The development of the university direction of this word is done during 20th century. Indeed, the organization of academic works imposes a more precise cutting, which creates the level of the Maîtrise. The work of a student of control (today Master 1), if it is an original research, cannot take the name of thesis because the student generally does not invent a concept or a new theory on this level. The term of memory is then usually employed, since he answers the subject well: to expose a fact, a research, in a relatively reduced format.

The continuation of the training of the research task implies for the students the drafting of a second report, in Master 2 (old DEA). This one is often the feasibility study of a Thèse. It is, him also, of a rather reduced format and exposes the tools which will possibly make it possible the student to launch out in a thesis. For one m2 in social sciences or literature, the report includes/understands the description of the sources which will allow the future work of thesis, the bibliography necessary, the talk of the problems defined by the student and one or two tests of written chapters, which show how the problems, the sources and the bibliography can lead to a true original research task.

On the other hand, one seldom speaks about memory of thesis, this one being too bulky, and the use wants that one qualifies thesis the work in itself.

One can find works helping with the comprehension of the step of research in itself (bibliographical cf Références at the foot of the page)

Memories

Another direction of the word memory is that of autobiography. It is then a question of telling its life, to consider its past. But with the difference of the autobiography, which enters readily the intimacy of the author, the Memories are generally rather a glance of the author over his time, a critical analysis of the world in which he lived. This literary kind was born mainly at the 17th century, with the corrodent memorialist Duc of Saint-Simon, who describes with precision, irony and sometimes spite the century of Louis XIV. During following centuries, the model is taken again and becomes a literary exercise to which lend themselves readily the public men. Charles de Gaulle, for example, recalls in its Mémoires of war and its Mémoires of hope all its public life.

For more details, to see the detailed article: Memories

References

the report, small guide with the use of those which finish… or resume their studies, Auteur: Magali CROCHARD, ED. Arnaud Franel, 2007.

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