User talk:Smuse40/sandbox

Hey Sam,

I think your research topic on expanding the 'Ancient Rome" section of the existing "Roman Brick" article is a great idea and very interesting. I also like how the beginning of your draft is full of facts about the origins of brick used in Rome, and when breakthrough developments started to be implemented.  I also think that your second paragraph is also a great addition, describing the brick monopoly and infrastructural boom occurring at this point in roman history.  I think that it could be a good addition to add more about important buildings that were created because of this.	I also think it was a good idea to add the section on brickyards.  Your draft goes into great detail about the factual information we know about these brickyards, but also includes information on the social class structure responsible for it.  	I would encourage you to possible think about adding a section comparing the invention of the fired bricks, and the production of these to the invention of cement happening in Rome at around the same time period, or maybe one was at a latter date and lead to a whole new period architecturally.

For the most part, this is a very well done draft. The first sentence needs some historical clarification. I am confused by the first line when it says, " The Romans only developed fired clay bricks under the Empire," so definitely clarify in what exactly that means. As I proceed to read your draft, i feel like you do a very good job of laying the details of the origins of the brick and the actual brick itself. In the brickyard section, i like how you included this as it gives a background to the actual brick paragraph we just read. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Mattygardiner50 (talk • contribs) 23:38, 20 April 2017 (UTC)

Sam, This is a really good addition to the article on Roman Brick. The article itself is not that long so your contributions through the draft will enhance the article. Good job focusing on changing specific sections of the article and describing those in your sandbox. Also, good job using outside sources. My only idea is that is there anyway you would want to make reference to other Wikipedia articles in your edits? For example, Roman bricks were used for architecture so could you make a connection to the articles about architecture or any other relevant topic? Other than that I don’t really have any other reviews and I think the draft looks good! Carolinefreeman (talk) 12:46, 21 April 2017 (UTC)

Hi Sam,

Great topic to choose from. Looks like the original article is lacking a lot of the information that you have included. I think it is definitely a good idea to change some of the specific sections of the article to make it easier to read. I like the sources that you have used thus far. Maybe look towards the JSTOR, they usually have some useful information that you might be helpful to you. Overall, the draft looks good just like you!!!!!! — Preceding unsigned comment added by Aquazi (talk • contribs) 13:46, 21 April 2017 (UTC)

Article Improvements
Sam,

I thought the improvements you made to the Roman Brick wikipedia article were very informative, clear, and helpful in making the information more credible and even expanding upon it. You made it clear how you wanted to emphasis the expansion or evolution of Roman brick making, which previously in the Ancient Rome section of the article, was not really touched upon. While the article touches on the "mud brick" your additional information on the evolution to "fire brick" and kiln-produced bricks is not only interesting but crucial to understanding why and how the Romans were able to build the Theatre of Marcellus. Understanding that the fire brick allowed the bricks to be stronger and less conducive to breaking, as well as increased brick production significantly to stimulate such massive brick projects like the Theatre, is a great addition to the article and highlights how the Ancient Romans used and evolved the brick-making process. Drawing upon two sources for your addition to this section, and checking those sources, they seem to be credible which sheds more positive light to your contributions. Nice job.

Furthermore, I think you adding the entire "Brickyard" section is really interesting and provides a great deal of information on where and how Roman bricks were produced, the socio-economic means of doing so, and further significant insight on Roman Bricks. I personally think it's a great addition to the article and is a great section that helps readers understand where and how these bricks were produced, which is important to gaining a better overall understanding of Roman Bricks and brickmaking. While the article touches briefly on Roman Legions operating kilns for instance, I feel like this section is more direct and informative on the production process of Roman Bricks which is pretty imperative to the article. The only thing I would say is to maybe find another source as you only draw from two, but I really like the additions you made and your article improvements a lot. Nice Job.

Jon Pacilio (talk) 17:08, 25 April 2017 (UTC)