Research and Response to an Author:

 A Multigenre Research Paper

Choose an author to study at length and in depth. Research the author by reading his/her work, by reading what has been written about him/her, by reading about what has been written about his/her work, and by following whatever research path that reading takes you to. As a result of your research and reflections, you will produce a multigenre research paper of 15-20 pages. This will be a kind of collage of work, in that the type of writing will be a blend of genres chosen to portray your response and understanding of the author you have studied.

 Objectives: By completing this multigenre research paper, the student will have the opportunity to

·        Learn about an author’s life, influences, and work
·        Experience an author’s work through reading it
·        “Build a bridge between a moment in the text and [his/her] own experience [with] it” (Sumara 207)
·        Write in a number of genres, improving understanding of each as a form
·        Prepare a product that reflects research in a creative manner
·        Use technology to create a variety of products in at least five different genres
·        Expand practice of creativity and open-ended assignments

 The research paper is to be 15-20 pages in content length, with the following required components:
1.      learning log
2.      preface
3.      five different genres (two of these are specified)
4.      a visual component within or beyond the paper
5.      an annotated bibliography which references resources used and how they have been used
6.      process reflection memo (Use the memo format. If you are uncertain of this format, use the template on your computer.)

Explanation of components:

The learning log is a notebook or process log that contains a summary of your research and your reflections on what you have found. This is not meant to be a formal paper, but it is meant to be an accurate record of your work. Reflect upon what you have read and how you might use it in your product

The preface of your paper must orient your audience to your product. Read the preface of a text (or several) to understand the content and purpose of the preface. Model your content and style after those you have examined. (Be sure to note what preface you have read and what you noticed about it in your learning log!)

Five different genres means just that. Your product must include at least five different types of writing. Two of these are required. One is an obituary (for an author who has died) or a resume (for an author who is alive). The second is an article written for a magazine or journal.. (You must identify the specific forum and understand its reading audience). This article is to summarize – in a way interesting to the readers of the magazine/journal you are using – the topics and themes, major works and style of the author. Your goal for this article is to encourage reading of the author’s work, so specific references to works would be appropriate, if not essential. This article will probably be at least two pages long. The more “authentic” the piece looks, the better your score! The other genres should emerge from your research as appropriate. The following are some suggestions to help you consider options. The list is not meant to be exhaustive: (These are to be your original writings based upon research you found.) Note: If you use your learning log effectively, I can see your research journey and your decisions regarding genre choices.

            newspaper article (feature story, birth announcement, want ad, news story)
            school essay on a summer vacation or an important event
            memo                           poem    (like a haiku, lyric, narrative, sonnet, villanelle,
           found poem, free verse, diamante, syllabic verse)                      
           conversation/dialogue                                        proposal (as in business)
            letter (to an editor, to a family member, to a friend, to a lover, to a publisher)
            short story                    character sketch           narrative essay
            journal entries               year book entry            board game                 
            lyrics for a song            play                              video
            PowerPoint presentation                                   time line, chain of events
            myth, tall tale or fable                                        picture book
            news program story      talk show interview       quotes
            an “unfound story” written in the author’s style
            speech                          debate with a critic        puzzle
            comic strip                    travel brochure science article or report
            business article or technical report                     personal ad
            biographical summary                                       web site
            inner monologue representing internal conflicts
            tabloid article                school newsletter         
           a scene with one of the author’s characters that did not get into the text

 The following options are intriguing in a different way. Limit to two of these unless we have talked about it:

birth certificate              award certificate           greeting card
            map                              receipt                          top ten list
           advertisement               recipe                           hospital invoice
           how to or directions booklet                             award nomination
           book cover                   photo captions              flyleaf from family Bible
           schedule                       things to do list future goals list
           wedding invitation         birth announcement       glossary or dictionary

 The visual might be a collage, a sketch, a piece of art work. It can originate from information on the author’s life or from the author’s work. It should add a visual component to the text. (If you add any visual components that are not original, be sure to cite your source.)

 The annotated bibliography is to list all research materials used in compiling your product. You may use either APA or MLA format. Organize this section by the pages in your paper. That is, for the first piece, list each reference you used to develop the page. List the references in alphabetical order. Then, after the list, explain how you used the references and why you have chosen the particular genre you have chosen.  For example, college student Mary Fielding Smith chose to write about Ben Hogan. In her final product she included three poems. In her endnotes Smith explains:

I chose the Hero Poem because that is what Ben Hogan became to me. Next I chose the Haiku, which are poems usually about the natural elements. Ben used to watch the trees move in the wind to find out which direction the wind was going. He also used the smoke from his cigarette. I thought that was neat that the slow-moving smoke from his mouth directed his shot. I learned this technique of Ben’s in the book Hogan. The last poem I wrote to show how Hogan was a product of his childhood. Living in poverty and facing the world without his father was something I saw affect Hogan’s entire perception. However, this was also something I did not quite understand. I figured by writing this type of poem I could touch on the idea or situation and still feel as though I expressed my true feelings. (Moulton)

So, each piece in your product will have an accompanying annotated bibliography entry. (Yes, you will no doubt use some of your resources for more than one piece. So, repeat the bibliographic entry each time you use it.) Your learning log will be invaluable here!

In a paper separate from you research product, write a process reflection memo. Reflect upon this assignment and your approach to it. What surprised you? What did you learn? What do you think of this process? How do you feel about your product? Tell me about the best piece of writing in your paper and describe why it is the best. Tell about the weakest piece of writing in your paper and describe why it is the weakest. What was the hard about writing your multigenre paper? Would you recommend this assignment be used in the future? Explain. This paper is required, but will not impact your grade as long as it is completed.

 Evaluation Rubrics

 Learning Log:                                                                                                   50 points
            (Describes research and thinking/designing)

Preface:                                                                                                             10 points
           (Tells the reader how to read the paper)                         

Multigenre section:                                                                                            150 points
           (A thoughtful and thorough collection of no fewer than five genres responding to the author, the author’s words and/or world. There may be some premise (e.g.) travel itinerary) connecting the whole piece. A repetend may be used to connect the genres as well.)

Content/historical accuracy                                                                               65 points

 Annotated Bibliography                                                                                   75 points

Reflective in nature, it describes the inspiration for each of the pieces in the project. This documents specific notes from sources. It might also provide explanation of what is fact and what has been created or assumed about the situation.

Mechanics                                                                                                       20 points

 Presentation      (includes a visual)                                                                   20 points

Reflection Memo                                                                                            10 points

References:
Moulton, Margaret R. “The Multigenre Paper: Increasing Interest, Motivation, and
           Functionality in Research.” Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy 42.7 (April 1999) 528-548.
Romano, Tom. Blending Genre, Altering Style. Portsmoutth, NH: Heinemann, 2000.
Sumara, Dennis. “Fictionalizing Acts.” Theory into Practice 37 (1998): 203-210.