Unit Three: The Multigenre Paper

Elizabeth Lester Barnes

Contact Info:336-0366 (please call if you have questions)

Overview of the unit work: At this point in the semester, you’re probably feeling overworked. (Believe me I know the feeling) however, I’m hoping that by doing a very creative, experimental, and in many ways self directed unit our class will get reenergized. Multigenre papers can be extremely powerful and are ultimately only satisfying if you really pour your creative soul into the piece. For the next few weeks we are going to work on finding ways to make writing and research interesting and engaging. The other aspect of the unit is the group project. Every semester I require a group project. I understand it is often painful attempting to navigate within groups however; there are many pedagogical reasons behind such an assignment. Part of your projects this semester will focus on creating curriculum and implementing lesson plans. Although you and your group will only be teaching half a class period this is the time to really make this class yours.

Readings: Multigenre paper handout

Exploration One: Free write about a topic you might like to explore for your own paper. Take your free write home and write a proposal for your multigenre paper:

Proposal: One page typed in Times New Roman Font

This typed proposal needs to include:

Your topic of interest and a one paragraph rationale of why you are choosing this topic

What genres you feel will best exhibit this topic and why

A list of at least three research strategies you might use to glean more information about this topic.

Instead of further explorations each group will present lectures on the different genres and an in class activity. These activities will be included in your final portfolio and act as explorations. (I’m leaving them blank so you can fill the activities in as they happen.)

  1. Activity 1:
  2. Activity 2:
  3. Activity 3:
  4. Activity 4:

Group Presentations: Once a semester I ask students to collaborate with one another and teach the class. These presentations are worth as much as a unit. (10 Points) Each person will be given points on an individual basis (that means if you are the only one working in your group you might receive full credit while the rest of the group will only receive partial credit.) These presentations need to be professional, well planned, organized, informative, and creative! Your lecture should engage everyone in the class and should result in some sort of writing activity. You will have a half hour for your presentation and activity so please try to stick to this time frame.

Main Writing Project: The Multigenre essay 10/10 points possible

A multigenre paper is a collaborative form of writing where one steps across genres to pull together a synchronous paper about a topic. In this unit we will focus on researching a topic and exhibiting different points of view or angles through various forms of writing. This is not a research paper. The purpose of the research is to inform your creativity.

This 5-page essay will include: 5 different genres= 1 page per genre

The paper should be double spaced, times new roman 12pt font, normal margins

Your papers need to be focused around one topic. Although your research may simply present itself in an idea, you will clearly explain your research in a 1 page research synopsis. Part of the research synopsis should thoughtfully analyze your decisions as a writer. Why did you choose the genres you did? How do they speak to the piece? Also include your favorite aspect of writing the multigenre essay and what difficulties you encountered doing this project.

Research synopsis: Clearly demonstrates the thought and research behind each mode of writing.

Part of the research synopsis should thoughtfully analyze your decisions as a writer. Why did you choose the genres you did? How do they speak to the piece?

Also include your favorite aspect of writing the multigenre essay and what difficulties you encountered doing this project.

It needs to be typed and one page in length

Bibliography:

Along with the research synopsis will be a bibliography citing all the sources you used and looked at for your project. Sources should be correctly cited using MLA documentation. (See your Longman pocket handbook for citation questions).

With your paper you will also be required to turn in:

  1. Exploration One, Activities 1,2,3,4
  2. A one page typed analysis of how well your group worked together, if there were problems what were they, the highlight of your teaching experience and lowlight, and if you have advice for the project in the future what would it be?

Writing Strategies we’ll be working on throughout this Unit:

  • Picking a topic or idea to explore through multiple genres and modes of research
  • Learning how to fluently use various forms of the written word
  • Developing curriculum and lesson plans that are goal directed
  • Tackling public speaking skills and presentation skills
  • Finding new and exciting ways of connecting to writing

Course Schedule

As a piece of writing, this course schedule is subject to change.

Unit Three: The Multigenre paper

Date / Due / Do in class
Week One
Tuesday Feb 27th / Due: Unit Two and copy of review
Homework:
Reading: / In class workshop
Thursday March 1st / Due: Journals
Homework:
Reading: / Finish workshops
Begin Unit Three: Multigenre
Introduce the idea of a multigenre paper.
Give class various genres paper and split the class into Genre groups.
Week Two
Tuesday March 6th / Due: Nothing
Homework: reading and exploration one: Idea proposal for your multigenre paper. Begin researching your personal topic.
Reading: read the multigenre paper that was given to you in class. / Minilecture on paraphrasing and plagiarizing.
Hand out unit sheets.
Do exploration one:
Plan lesson with group
Thursday March 8th / Due: Journal
Homework: continue researching your topic. Make sure your group is prepared and ready to present.
Reading: / Class will walk to the library together
15 minute library tour
Continue planning lesson. By the end of today you need your lesson plan solidified.
When people are done preparing their group presentations they can use class library time to further their own research.
Week Three
Tuesday March 13th / Due:
Homework: Begin writing your paper
Read: / Fiction presentation: Each presentation needs to have an activity incorporated in that presentation.
Poetry presentation
Thursday March 15th / Due: Journal entries
Homework: write a one page analysis of what happened in your group and how well you thought it went. This is an evaluative assignment and due on Tuesday.
Write your paper!!!
Read: / Newspaper/ media Presentation
Personal writing presentation
Week Four
Tuesday March 20th / DUE:
Homework: keep working on your 5 page paper.
Reading: / Digital story telling unit:
We will be walking to the Micron Building and working in Studio D.
Thursday March 22nd / Due: Unit Packet: 5 page paper, one page research methods paper and bibliography, exp 1, activities 1, 2, 3, 4
Journal
Homework: Spring Break! / In Class workshop: this will be self directed workshop and you do not need to bring extra copies to class.