I've given up on the Visual Studio XAML designer, even in 2010. There seems to be just too many legitimate techniques that it just cannot handle. I'd say learn XAML code and/or Expression Blend.
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.