Multigenre Writing Project

Context This project is meant to motivate writers and introduce them to multigenre writing while sharpening their research skills.

Brief Description For this project the student will select a topic and do research as if it were a traditional writing assignment. Instead of writing a traditional essay or paper, though, this project will consist of a number of creative pieces packaged together in a magazine.

Activities The instructor will begin by asking students to select a topic for a research project. Person Place Event Issue of Interest

Possible Topics Historical Events Musicians Artists Photographers Directors Sports Figures Current Events Topics of Interest Historical Figures Actors Writers

The instructor will explain to that the students are to research their topic just as they would for a traditional research paper. BUT…

Make it clear that this is NOT a traditional research project. Upon completion of the research the students will need to choose at least (7) genres to tell the story of their subject.

The writing pieces created should then be assembled in the form of a magazine. The magazine should have a cover that reflects the features of the chosen topic.

Possible Genre Choices Advice column Autobiography Advertisement Announcement Book jacket Campaign speech Cartoon or comic strip CD cover Character sketch Collage Descriptive paragraph Dialogue Diary Encyclopedia entry Eulogy Informative essay Narrative essay Persuasive essay Eyewitness account Graph/chart Greeting card Grocery list Illustration Interview Job application Letter Map w/ legend Math equations Memory

More Possible Genres Menu Monologue Movie review Newspaper article Obituary One act play Personal commentary Photo w/ description Photo gallery/album Poem Quiz Radio broadcast Recipe Resume Stream of consciousness Storyboard Song/ballad Travel poster To-Do list Wanted poster You are only limited by your imagination!

Obviously, this project is rather large. It will take approximately 4-6 weeks. Mini-lessons will be necessary! –Selecting a topic –Research techniques –Examples of different genres –How to unify writing pieces –Peer response –Writing workshops

For this project to be successful the instructor will need to: Allow students plenty of time Encourage students to take ownership of their work Provide enough guidance to ensure that students can be successful Mentor and conference with students Provide an appropriate writing environment Encourage creativity and risk taking

Your Turn!

Earlier this week we created a magazine cover about a topic we are familiar with – ourselves. Today we are going to work on what might go inside that magazine.

Types of Media Articles Advertisement

A Help-Wanted Ad Mr. or Mrs. Fix It Lelia Miller is seeking skilled contractors to assist in her latest home improvement project. Applicants may apply via at

A Current-Event Style News Item Elevated Prices Mean Reduction in Progress ARTHUR- Rapidly rising lumber costs are being cited as the primary reason why home improvement has slowed to a crawl at the Miller house. “When we installed the woodwork in the bedrooms the lumber cost around $400.00, but due to the recent rise in prices the kitchen cost us nearly $ ” Kenny Miller said when asked about the work slow down.

Letter to the Editor Dear Like New- I would like to thank you for your recent article, “How to Choose the Perfect Bathroom Fixtures”. I was in a panic when I realized how many choices I would have to make when we decided to remodel our bathroom. Your article really helped me get organized and gave me the guidance I needed. Now my new bathroom looks fabulous. Thanks! Sincerely, Suzy Q. Dardanelle, AR

Horoscope Libra (September 23 - October 23) Home improvement takes time. Quality home improvement takes even more time. Progress is slow but don’t give up. All things worth doing are worth doing right

Book/Movie Review Burn the House Down DIY’s latest blockbuster film, Burn the House Down is the gripping tale of a young woman who has become frustrated with home improvement. When she realizes her dream of living in a newly remodeled home might not happen she goes over the edge and decides to actually burn her house down. The special effects and skilled actors make this film a can’t miss.

Recipe Like New Home Ingredients: 10 gallons of paint 3 gallons of wood stain 15 rolls of wallpaper 3 gallons of polyurethane 15 cases of oak flooring Hard work 200 feet of oak trim Extra money Skilled laborers Combine paint, wallpaper, oak flooring, oak trim, stain, and polyurethane in a 3,000 square foot house. Add as much hard work and skilled labor as you can and mix vigorously for 8 months. Make sure to occasionally stir in sprinkles of extra money. Savor at a lovely open house party upon completion.

Advice column Comic Strip Interview Photo Collage w/ captions Other Possible Ideas