It's not so easy as it seems. It's NP-hard problem in fact. Packing rectangles is similar you can start with that a little bit simpler problem.
This is actually a really complicated question you are asking. In Computer Science, it is known as a Packing Problem, and there are lots of possible algorithms and possible approaches, depending on the exact nature of what it is you want to accomplish.
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.