I think if your main variable is a List that list could contain objects which are of type ArrayList themselves. So you may not need to define it as ArrayList, because you can define the same structure as ArrayList.
I had done this for ArrayList> you can change the string to object as well.
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.