STEAMPUNK AUTHORS

Click on the feathers of the hats to navigate through the WebQuest. Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Click on the feathers of the hats to navigate through the WebQuest.

INTRODUCTION Steampunk is a subgenre of fantasy and science fiction. It can often be viewed as a hybrid of a few different genres like horror, fantasy, historical fiction, Cyberpunk, and alternate history. Steampunk writing is defined by the following characteristics: Steam powered inventions Set in Victorian era England Set in American Wild West Set in the 19th century Fictional technological inventions Real technological inventions (e.g. computers) before their time Alternate history-style writing Note: Steampunk writing does not have to meet all the characteristics above to be in the subgenre.

TASK For this assignment, you will select an author. Then you will research his/her life, writing style, and works. You will need to answer some questions and use your answers to help you write a newspaper article.

PROCESS Choose an author from the chart below. Mary Shelley Arthur Conan Doyle H. G. Wells Albert Robida Jules Verne G. K. Chesterton Mark Twain Robert Louis Stevenson Charles Dickens Mervyn Peake H.P Lovecraft K. W. Jeter Bram Stoker Edward S. Ellis Harry Harrison Michael Moorcock

Answer the following questions. What book(s) is the author known for? What inspired some of his/her works? Are there any recurring themes in this author’s work? Which Steampunk characteristics can be found in this author’s work? What kind of world(s) does this author write about? (e.g. society or setting) Are there any similarities between the author’s writing and real life? Is the author’s work similar to anything you’ve read before? What was an interesting fact you learned about this author?

Use the information you gathered to write a newspaper article about your author. Some ideas include a book review, an obituary, a wedding announcement, etc. Check the rubric for more information. Be creative! Since newspapers cite their sources differently, write a bibliography for all the sources you used in your article. Be sure to check the resources for more information.

EVALUATION Use the rubric below to help guide your writing.

CONCLUSION By the end of this assignment, you will know more about the Steampunk genre, writing style, and a particular author. There is more to Steampunk than just writing. It is often associated with fashion and Cyberpunk. Cyberpunk is a subgenre of science fiction that is set in the future and combines sophisticated technology and lower class living. The fashion part of Steampunk often involves Victorian style clothes like gloves, boots, corsets, and top hats. There is also a mix of goggles, tool belts, and aviator helmets. For more information about Steampunk, visit the Museum of Idaho’s Discover Steampunk Exhibit.

RESOURCES Museum of Idaho How to Write a News Article: Naming Sources https://spcollege.libguides.com/c.php?g=254319&p=1695316 Purdue Online Writing Lab https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/purdue_owl.html Biography https://www.biography.com/ LiLI https://lili.org/