MULTI-GENRE

RESEARCH PROJECT

English I Pre AP

Spring 2011

PURPOSE

The multi-genre paper asks students to see,

understand, interpret, synthesize, and know their

subject through multiple genres rather than a

traditional or linear research-based paper.

In employing genres as both a lens and a rhetorical

tool, the multi-genre research paper asks student to

be explicitly creative and scholarly, to pay close

attention to matters of style as well as matters of

research.

PREVIOUS RESEARCH PROJECTS

Probably looked like this . . .

TraditionalResearchMethods

Boring Paper

Copying Stuff

MULTI-GENRE IS THE OUTPUT

TraditionalResearch Methods

Processing

Genre #1

Genre #2

Genre #3

Genre #4

Genre #5

WHAT IS A MULTI-GENRE PAPER?

It is a collection of pieces written in a variety of

genres, based on your research.

It presents one or more perspectives on a research

question or topic.

A multi-genre paper is personal, creative, and

cannot 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.

MULTI-GENRE

Means that you present your research information through different genres.

Example: My research subject is named William and he was once arrested for picketing a company. In order to “show” this fact, I write an editorial in which William calls for change in the way certain companies do business. The editorial article is the genre.

TOPICS

Choose a person, event,

invention that you feel has

made the world a better place.

Your project will prove how this is true.

GENRES

Are constructed from the information you

found in your research.

They must connect and present a central

theme.

The collection of genres creates an overall

picture of your research subject/topic.

Genres DO NOT merely repeat the same

thing in a variety of ways.

TYPES OF GENRES

You must have five genres for this project.

You choose one from each group. (See table for specific types.)

Print Media

Visual with Words

Visual Display

Informational

Creative Writing

COMPLETE PROJECT

Title Page

An Opening/Preface that will greet the readers, introduce the subject, and provide any other information you think the readers should know.

Table of Contents

Five Genres from different categories

Genre Rationale (explanation as to why you used a certain genre and what sources you used.)

Epilogue

Annotated Bibliography (list of sources with notes)

Daily Research Journal (record of daily activities as you work on your project)

Sources

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

You must turn in your collection of sources.

Sources must come from the library databases.

ALL Pictures/Graphics/Images must include citations.

It is your responsibility to stay “busy” when we are in the labs or library. Failure to do so will result in loss of daily points and additional assignments.

SOME EXAMPLES

Here are some examples from previous years.

ADVICE

Choose wisely when it comes to a topic. If you don’t have enough information or you cannot find something to write about, you have made a poor choice.

Don’t choose topics/subjects that are too contemporary or not well-known.

Choose a specific topic. WWII is too broad, but WWII aircraft is specific.

Don’t choose a topic that you already know about. This is not a chance for you to show off; it is a chance for you to learn something new.

TOPICS

You can choose any person or invention you

would like for your research as long as it meets

the following requirements.

Must have adequate sources in the databases.

Must have at least one “Reference” source.

Must be school appropriate . . .

FIRST FEW REQUIREMENTS

Topics choices are due by the end of class

on Wednesday, April 6.

I will not accept any topic forms until you have

checked the databases

Topics are not “first come, first served”—I will

look at all forms before assigning topics.

Five sources are due Monday, April 11. They

must be printed and in your folder.

WORKING WITH COMPUTERS IN MY CLASS

You must sit in a desk where I can see your

computer screen.

Stay in your assigned seats.

No Music

Do not reprint something until you have

checked with me.

Keep talking to minimum. If you are too loud,

you will not be allowed to talk at all.

MULTI-GENRE IS THE OUTPUT

You find anArticle about

Your characterGetting an award

Processing

Genre #1

Invitation

Genre #3

Genre #4

Genre #5

TO DO LIST FOR TODAY:

Genre Plans due tomorrow.

List of the 5 Genres you are planning to do.

Brief explanation as to why you are doing that

and what you are going to put in it.

Reading Sources

Preface

Notes for Bibliography

Rough Drafts of Genres

MORE INFO

www.mrsb233.weebly.com

Can print copies of project guidelines, calendars,

and other info.

Links to databases

CREDIT DENIAL

Remember that this multi-genre project

is our research project. Students who

do not

complete the research project will not

receive credit for the class.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

List of Sources with Notes

Alphabetical Order by whatever starts first.

Format is Key

Basic Rule for citations

Author Last, First Name. “Name of Article.” Title of Magazine. Publication Company: Date, Location. Pages. <url> Note: This source explains Mrs. Smith’s career and rise to fame. I used this source for my invitation.

CHECKLIST FOR ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Do my citations only include required info?

Are my citations arranged in alphabetical

order?

Did I use 12-point Times New Roman?

Did I use a hanging indent on my citations?

Do I have 1-inch margins on my page?

Genre RationaleTell why you created that genre and

the sources you used.

Annotated BibliographyLists your sources with a note about

what it’s about and what you created.

Genre 1 Invitation—I thought this would be an

interesting way to show the award she received. I used

the UXL Biography and the Newsweek article.

Genre 2 Poster—I wanted to highlight her major

accomplishments. I used the UXL Biography.

Genre 3 Interview—I wanted to get a chance to hear

Mrs. Smith “talk” and the interview questions gave me

a chance to do that. I used the Newsmakers Biography

and the Time article

Genre 4 Poem—I kept hearing her story in my head and

the poem was an artistic way for me to retell it. I used

the UXL Biography and the Newsweek article.

Genre 5 Menu—I thought this would be fun since she

loved to cook. I used the Time article, Newsweek

article, and Newsmakers Biography.

see sample

PROJECTS DUE APRIL 27TH!!

Title Page

An Opening/Preface that will greet the readers, introduce the subject, and provide any other information you think the readers should know.

Table of Contents

Five Genres from different categories

Genre Rationale (explanation as to why you used a certain genre and what sources you used.)

Epilogue

Annotated Bibliography (list of sources with notes)

Daily Research Journal (record of daily activities as you work on your project)

Sources