Try this....when you are going up to approach a guy just think to yourself that you're trying to be friends with him. Don't worry about anything else other than the fact that you want to try to get to know the guy and become friends with him. It's always easier to talk with guys once you are already friends.
And this way if it doesn't work out, you can always still be friends.
Just approach as many guys as you can (the hot ones) and keep talking until you get your words out right. Sometimes it is ok to say something goofy to break the tension ....laugh yourself...then get back on track with the normal conversation. This will work on guys but not the other way around.....guys are willing to give more time to a woman, than a woman is willing to give to a guy.
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.