WHAT IS IT? HOW DO WE DO IT? Multigenre Research Project

“A multigenre paper arises from research, experience, and imagination. It is not an uninterrupted, expository monolog nor a seamless narrative nor a collection of poems. A multigenre paper is composed of many genres and subgenres, each piece self-contained, making a point of its own, yet connected by theme or topic and sometimes by language, images, and content. In addition to many genres, a multigenre paper may also contain many voices, not just the author's. The trick is to make such a paper hang together.” - (Romano, Blending Genre, Altering Style i-xi)

What is a genre, anyway? There are two main classifications of genres: Traditional and Non-Traditional

Traditional Literature Genres Biography/Autobiography Fantasy Historical Fiction Myths and Legends Poetry Science Fiction Fairytale Folktale Mystery Non-Fiction Realistic Fiction Short Stories

Non-Traditional Genres Journal Entry Dialogue Greeting Card Family Tree Obituary Post It Notes Menu Book Jacket Top Ten List Collage Personal Letter News Story Instagram/Facebook/ Twitter Apology CD Cover Postcard Prayer Comic Strip Map I Am Poem Song

What is a Traditional Research Paper? A substantial piece of academic writing, usually done as a requirement for a class, in which the author does independent research into a topic and writes a description of the findings of that research.

Traditional Research Paper Multigenre Research Paper Single, extended prose piece Begins with a thesis Writer remains dispassionate about subject Approaches topic from a single perspective Follows conventions of formal writing Usually consists of only text Usually done as a solitary individual assignment Usually viewed as a pain in the neck by students Cohesive series of pieces in a variety of genres Begins with an interest Cohesion developed along the way Writer is personally engaged and opinions are encouraged Takes many angles on topic Broadens the range of acceptable writing styles Artwork, graphics, design, and packaging accompany text Often becomes students’ favorite and proudest achievement How is a Traditional Research Paper Different from What We’re Doing?

What Can We Research? Historical Events Apollo 13, Woodstock, Salem Witch Trials, Holocaust, Civil Rights Movement, September 11th Musicians Beatles, U2, Steven Tyler, Elvis, Tupac, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Dave Matthews Artists Leonardo da Vinci, Walt Disney, Norman Rockwell Current Events Columbine, Flight 800, Olympics Actors Chris Farley, John Wayne, Audrey Hepburn, Bill Cosby, Lucille Ball Directors Ron Howard, Tim Burton, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg Sports Tiger Woods, Venus/Serena Williams, Babe Ruth, Roberto Clemente, Hank Aaron, Lou Gehrig Topics of Interest Adoption, Autism, Barbie, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, Disney World, Dyslexia, Left-Handedness, Skateboarding, the Internet Historical Figures Princess Diana, Wright Brothers, Harriet Tubman, JFK, Jr. Writers Stephanie Myer, J.R.R. Tolkien

What is Required? A Title Page/Cover Sheet/Home Page An Introduction (letter to readers, table of contents, etc.) 7 genres/pieces A tying element End Notes Works Cited Page/Bibliography

Student Examples Project on Barbie

Student Projects Project on Judy Garland

Student Projects Project on the Salem Witch Trials

Student Projects Project on the Salem Witch Trials

Student Projects Project on The Masters Golf Tournament

Student Projects Project on Maya Angelou

Student Projects Project on Walt Disney

Multigenre Rubric Coversheet— /10 Introduction— /15 Genres/Pieces— /70 (10 per genre) Tying Element— /10 End Notes— /15 Bibliography— /10 Creativity— /10 Timeliness— /5 Neatness— /5 TOTAL= /150 *Can be modified to fit any teacher’s needs Grading Rubric