Multigenre Research: A New Approach to an Old Topic

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Multigenre Research A New Approach to an Old
Topic

• Beth Hammett
• Greater Houston Area Writing Project
• College of the Mainland
• mbhammett_at_aol.com
• bhammett_at_com.edu

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What is a Multigenre Research Paper?

• Combination of many genres
• Authors Styles
• Voice
• Creativity
• Components of Research Paper
• Index Cards
• Resources/Research
• Bibliography

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• For most students, research writing is a
  perfunctory exercise in which they regurgitate
  information from the encyclopedia, with little
  analysis or interpretation. Multigenre research
  writing is different. When given the chance to
  select their own research topics, decide which
  genres to write in, and determine how to present
  their findings, students assume ownership and
  take pride in their work. They grow as writers.
• Tom Romano
• The Multigenre Research Paper

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The multigenre paper is much more than a
writing assignment. It is a multilayered,
multivoiced literary experience. Genres of
narrative thinking require writers to make an
imaginative leap, melding the factual with the
imaginative. Writers cant just tell. They must
show. They must make their topics palpable. They
must penetrate experience. Multigenre papers
enable their authors to do that. Tom
Romano Blending Genre, Altering Style
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Two Different Multigenre Approaches

• Middle/High School
• Imitating Authors Styles
• College
• Analyzing Authors Styles

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Middle/High School

• Materials Needed
• 1. Class copies of Stream of
  Conciousness piece(s)
• Girl by Jamaica Kincaid
• The Things They Carried by Tim OBrien
• Mark on the Wall by Virginia Woolf
• 2. Class generated list of genres
• 3. Lots of Paper/Pens/Pencils
• 4. Examples of Various Other Genres
• Fairy Tales, Recipes, Newspapers, Epitaphs,
  Eulogies, Myths, Comics, Cartoons, Journals,
  Letters, etc.
• Great Resource is the Reading Teachers Book of
  Lists

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Lesson Plan

• As a class, brainstorm a list of genres. Post
  where all can see.
• Read your selected Stream of Consciousness piece
  together.
• Each student brainstorms for topic ideas.
• Narrow your topic to only one.
• Teacher models his/her topic and begins three
  other pieces in different genres for all to see.
• Encourage students to review different genres
  before beginning.
• Students will produce four written pieces in a
  variety of genres.

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Be Sure to

• Use the writing process
• Publish writings
• Do class/group readarounds
• Publish in magazines, newspapers, etc.

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Assessment

• Scoring Guide
• 4 pieces (different genres) 25 pts. each
• 1 Type _________ ________
• 2 Type _________ ________
• 3 Type _________ ________
• 4 Type _________ ________
• TOTAL ________
• Comments

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College Multigenre Paper

• Materials Needed
• Different Styles of Writing by Many Authors
• Dickens, Allende, Nietzsche, Woolf, Ellison,
  Beckett, etc.
• Copy the introductory paragraph of each author
  onto a sheet of paper so that students can
  compare/contrast by looking at only one side of
  the paper.

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Lesson Plan

• As a class, compare/contrast two of the authors
  using a Venn Diagram
• Break into groups and have students do two other
  authors
• As a class, discuss findings
• Hand out Multigenre Research Paper sheet
• Go over thoroughly
• Do question/answer session
• As a class, brainstorm a list of genres
• Compare/contrast
• If possible, pass around examples of previous
  projects for students to review

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Be sure to

• Focus on the authors style
• Help students with the reflection page
• This page ties the pieces together
• Model, model, model!

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Assessment

• Multigenre Scoring Guide
• Name ___________________
• Cover Page __________
• Six Entries __________
• Reflection Page __________
• Bibliography __________
• Total __________
• Comments

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Works Cited

• Romano, Tom. Blending Genre, Altering Style.
  Boynton/Cook. March 1, 2002. ISBN 0867094788
• Romano, Tom. The Multigenre Research Paper.
  Heineman. January 31. 2001. ISBN 0867094788
• Strouf, Judie L.H. Reading Teachers Book of
  Lists. Center for Applied Research in Education.
  1997. Page 69. ISBN 08762285485