I would think that beings that have mastered intergalactic travel to the extent of being able to travel to another planet would imply that their technology, and by proxy, their society is more advanced than any of those on Earth. Regarding their looks, it would stand to reason that if one ascribes life to the big bang theory (or any similar explanation for life) that we are all made up of the same or similar material and have evolved according to our respective environments.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.