Multigenre papers "recognize that there are many ways to see the world, many ways to show others what we see." -Tom Romano
One of the goals of this course is to learn how to conduct research and use that research responsibly. The learning process includes finding a topic of interest, doing research, taking notes, using the writing process to produce multiple drafts, citing the sources of your information, and writing a bibliography. These skills will be important for you not only in your future classes, but also in careers and in every day life. In years past, you have probably written papers on people, general topics, and themes of your course all in a standard research paper format. In this course you will be trying something a little different: a multigenre research paper on a literary, historical, scientific, political, popular cultural, or technological topic.
What Is a Multigenre Paper?
A multigenre paper is just what the term suggests: it is a non-traditional paper using many different genres, depending on what the specific subject, facts or audience call for. It's a collection of pieces written in a variety of genres, informed by your research on a particular subject, that presents one or (more likely) more perspectives on a research question or topic. A multigenre paper is personal, creative, and can’t be copied from some other source. It involves you, as a writer, making conscious decisions about what information is important and how it should be presented to the reader.
Tom Romano who coined the term “multigenre” said that multigenre papers, “recognize that there are many ways to see the world, many ways to show others what we see.”
So. . . What's a Genre?
A genre is a type of writing. A poem is a genre. A traditional research paper is a genre. A newspaper editorial is a genre. So are plays and diaries and cartoons and billboards. Each genre is distinguished by a distinctive style, form, and content.
Why Aren't We Writing a Traditional Paper?
Because multigenre papers allow for student creativity. This is your chance to think outside the box, experiment with types of writing you may never have tried. You can write in multiple voices, compare, contrast, analyze, or argue multiple points of view. Multigenre papers challenge students to think, and hopefully it will be fun as well.
What Topic Do I Have to Research?
For this paper, you will research a topic related to literature, history, science, politics, popular culture, or technology.
Don't worry. It's not that complicated. We'll take this project one step at a time and consult all the way. As long as you take the steps with us and not fall behind, it will be all right.
What Are Some Genres I Might Use?
You could write an editorial, a poem, a dialogue between characters, a letter, a debate. You could include a collage, a poster, a book, a CD cover. You will have a lot of choice about what to include. But beware -- this should not be a haphazard collage of disjointed stuff; you must connect the genres and what they represent with a central, significant theme (a thesis). Your creative efforts must be informed by solid research, including research about the genres themselves.
For a more complete list of possible genres, see the "Genre Ideas" page.
Requirements
Your project will include:
such as, why you chose this topic and the genres, how the entries are related to one another, your experience
completing the project.
research to inform your audience about your topic.
writing. (If you wish to use a genre not listed, please approve it with me first.)
writer’s voice and have a string that carries through the entire piece. Using a repetend is like using a thesis to tie a
traditional research paper together.
Ideas for creating a repetend:
of five different sources are required. Websites must be of reputable quality and credible. Electronic sources which are
included as part of a database are preferred.
Presentation of Project
The final product will be presented as a Weebly website.
Planning Assignments
Over the course of the project, you will complete several Planning Assignments designed to help you generate, gather, and organize your ideas and information.
Grading
The final multigenre research project is weighted as 45% of the English 10H course grade. Planning assignments are weighted 20% of the English 10H course grade.
The final project will be evaluated using a rubric and will evaluate these areas
What Is a Multigenre Paper?
A multigenre paper is just what the term suggests: it is a non-traditional paper using many different genres, depending on what the specific subject, facts or audience call for. It's a collection of pieces written in a variety of genres, informed by your research on a particular subject, that presents one or (more likely) more perspectives on a research question or topic. A multigenre paper is personal, creative, and can’t be copied from some other source. It involves you, as a writer, making conscious decisions about what information is important and how it should be presented to the reader.
Tom Romano who coined the term “multigenre” said that multigenre papers, “recognize that there are many ways to see the world, many ways to show others what we see.”
So. . . What's a Genre?
A genre is a type of writing. A poem is a genre. A traditional research paper is a genre. A newspaper editorial is a genre. So are plays and diaries and cartoons and billboards. Each genre is distinguished by a distinctive style, form, and content.
Why Aren't We Writing a Traditional Paper?
Because multigenre papers allow for student creativity. This is your chance to think outside the box, experiment with types of writing you may never have tried. You can write in multiple voices, compare, contrast, analyze, or argue multiple points of view. Multigenre papers challenge students to think, and hopefully it will be fun as well.
What Topic Do I Have to Research?
For this paper, you will research a topic related to literature, history, science, politics, popular culture, or technology.
- Choose something that interests you! You'll be spending a lot of time on this paper, so you'll be researching something you enjoy.
- Choose a general topic so that you'll be sure to find resources on it, then narrow your focus to a particular aspect you discover through research.
- Have a few topics in mind before beginning your research. Some topics might not work out depending on the resources you can find.
- If you're stuck for topic ideas: talk with friends and family, surf the net
Don't worry. It's not that complicated. We'll take this project one step at a time and consult all the way. As long as you take the steps with us and not fall behind, it will be all right.
What Are Some Genres I Might Use?
You could write an editorial, a poem, a dialogue between characters, a letter, a debate. You could include a collage, a poster, a book, a CD cover. You will have a lot of choice about what to include. But beware -- this should not be a haphazard collage of disjointed stuff; you must connect the genres and what they represent with a central, significant theme (a thesis). Your creative efforts must be informed by solid research, including research about the genres themselves.
For a more complete list of possible genres, see the "Genre Ideas" page.
Requirements
Your project will include:
- A Preface: "Dear Reader" (250-300 words)
such as, why you chose this topic and the genres, how the entries are related to one another, your experience
completing the project.
- A Researched Essay (500-750 words)
research to inform your audience about your topic.
- Three Multigenre Elements
writing. (If you wish to use a genre not listed, please approve it with me first.)
- A Repetend
writer’s voice and have a string that carries through the entire piece. Using a repetend is like using a thesis to tie a
traditional research paper together.
Ideas for creating a repetend:
- include the same phrase, sentence, or passage in each genre page as a heading or somewhere else in the text
- include a description or design in each piece (written or graphic), placed strategically for easy recognition
- include a running commentary from you, the writer, following or preceding each genre piece
- Works Cited page
of five different sources are required. Websites must be of reputable quality and credible. Electronic sources which are
included as part of a database are preferred.
Presentation of Project
The final product will be presented as a Weebly website.
Planning Assignments
Over the course of the project, you will complete several Planning Assignments designed to help you generate, gather, and organize your ideas and information.
Grading
The final multigenre research project is weighted as 45% of the English 10H course grade. Planning assignments are weighted 20% of the English 10H course grade.
The final project will be evaluated using a rubric and will evaluate these areas
- Structure: Project includes: title page, table of contents, a preface "Dear Reader", an researched expository piece, three genre pieces (each from a different genre), Works Cited page, overall presentation.
- Quality of Content & Style: Each of the required elements is strong in its language, clarity, meaning, and information. The writing meets the intended purpose and matches needs of the audience.
- Creativity/Appropriateness of Genres:The paper shows thought, effort, and creativity on the part of the writer. The genres included are varied and appropriate for the content presented and specific genre conventions are met.
- Research: Research was thoroughly performed and documented and at least 4 sources were used and cited in the final paper. Sources are correctly listed on a Works Cited page. Documentation and Works Cited page follows current MLA format.
Here are some examples of past multi-genre research projects
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