Exploring Rhetoric and Resilience: Kieran Stenson’s Experience Writing an Honors Thesis on the Polish Constitution of 1791

For some undergraduates, pursuing an honors thesis is a significant part of their academic journey—a chance to study a topic deeply. Kieran Stenson, who graduated with a degree in History from Florida State University in Fall 2024, took on this challenge with his research on the Polish Constitution of 1791. His project examines the constitution’s historical significance and its rhetorical style, combining political history and literary analysis.

In an interview, Kieran reflected on his work, sharing thoughts about his motivations, challenges, and what he learned during the process. His experience highlights the values of independent research.

Interest in Polish History

Kieran’s interest in Polish history began before his thesis. “I’ve always found Polish history to be cool and kind of unique,” he explained. “It’s also a little bit understudied, at least in the United States.” This interest led him to the Polish Constitution of 1791, often compared to the U.S. Constitution and the French Constitution of 1791 for its forward-thinking principles.

What drew Kieran to the document was its rhetorical style. “Not a lot of constitutions have rhetoric,” he noted. “But this one is written very much in an argumentative style, and it tells you why the changes it’s making need to be made. I found that really interesting.”

This focus on rhetoric gave his research a distinct perspective, setting it apart from more traditional studies of political documents.

The Poland Experience

Kieran’s passion for his topic grew when he received a scholarship to study abroad in Poland. Being there gave him access to resources that were key to his research. “Once I got the scholarship, I knew I definitely wanted to study this topic,” he said. “Taking classes and doing my research at the same time was great.”

Studying abroad also brought challenges. “The hardest part about reading old sources wasn’t that they were in Polish—it was the handwriting,” Kieran admitted. “Some of these guys- I just had no idea what word they were trying to write. Working with handwritten sources versus transcribed ones was really difficult.”

Despite these issues, many of his sources were transcribed and digitized, which made the research process smoother. Still, working with primary sources in their original form gave him a better understanding of historical work.

Writing 50 Pages

Writing a 50-page research paper can feel overwhelming. Kieran described the process as a learning experience. “Just trying to keep track of what I’ve said is difficult when it’s that long,” he shared. “Writing and working with a paper this size is not something I’ve ever done before.”

His advisor, Dr. Grant, played a big role in supporting him. “I knew I liked his style because I’d taken three of his classes before,” Kieran said. “He was my guide along the way, offering advice about what I should be doing at any given moment.”

While Dr. Grant was less involved while Kieran was abroad, they kept in touch through email and Zoom. “Since getting back, I’ve tried to meet with him every week or every other week,” Kieran explained. “His feedback on my paper was super useful. I couldn’t have written it without that.”

Breaking Through

The turning point in Kieran’s project came over one weekend while in Poland. “I was really worried about starting,” he admitted. “But one day, I just sat down with all my research notes and started writing. By the end of Sunday, I had 20 pages written. That’s when I realized I could actually do this.”

That weekend changed Kieran’s perspective. “It was the moment I went from worried to confident,” he said. “I remember writing in my journal, ‘It’s going to be fine. I can do this.’”

Lessons and Plans

Reflecting on the process, Kieran mentioned several lessons. “This paper is in a league of its own compared to a class paper,” he said. “It taught me how to write a long research paper, keep myself accountable time-wise, and synthesize a new argument from existing research.”

One of the biggest takeaways was realizing his enjoyment of research. “I wasn’t sure going in if I’d enjoy the process, but I found out that I really do,” he shared. This discovery has influenced his future plans, though he’s not heading to graduate school immediately.

“I want to pursue history at the graduate level, but I’ve decided to take a break first,” Kieran said. “I think I’ll get more out of grad school if I come in with other experiences because I’ve been in school for so long.”

Advice for Other Students

When asked what advice he would give to students considering an honors thesis, Kieran said, “Just go for it. It’s a great experience that teaches you valuable skills. And in the end, you’re left with something you can be really proud of—something not everyone gets to do.”

He also stressed the importance of persistence. “The beginning is the hardest part. But once you start, it only gets easier,” he said. “And there’s no downside to trying.”

Looking Back

Kieran defended his thesis late in the fall semester. Looking back, he felt proud of his work. “It’s been tough, but it’s also been rewarding,” he said. “I’m proud of what I’ve created, and I’m excited to see where this experience takes me.”

For Kieran, his honors thesis was more than an academic project—it was an opportunity to grow as a researcher and student. Whether inspiring other students or pursuing his academic goals, his work on the Polish Constitution of 1791 has been a meaningful milestone.