Multigenre Research: A New Approach to an Old Topic

Beth HammettGreater Houston Area Writing Project

College of the Mainlandmbhammett@aol.combhammett@com.edu

What is a Multigenre Research Paper?

• Combination of many genres

• Authors’ Styles

• Voice

• Creativity

• Components of Research Paper– Index Cards– Resources/Research– Bibliography

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

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 can’t just tell. They must show. They must make their topics palpable. They must penetrate experience. Multigenre papers enable their authors to do that.

Tom RomanoBlending Genre, Altering Style

Two Different Multigenre Approaches:

• Middle/High School– Imitating Authors’

Styles

• College– Analyzing Authors’

Styles

Middle/High School

Materials Needed:1. Class copies of Stream of

Conciousness piece(s):– Girl by Jamaica Kincaid– The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien– Mark on the Wall by Virginia Woolf

2. Class generated list of genres3. Lots of Paper/Pens/Pencils4. Examples of Various Other Genres

– Fairy Tales, Recipes, Newspapers, Epitaphs, Eulogies, Myths, Comics, Cartoons, Journals, Letters, etc.

– Great Resource is the Reading Teacher’s Book of Lists

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.

Be Sure to:

1. Use the writing process

2. Publish writings:Do class/group readarounds

Publish in magazines, newspapers, etc.

Assessment

Scoring Guide4 pieces (different genres) 25 pts. each

• #1 Type _________ ________• #2 Type _________ ________• #3 Type _________ ________• #4 Type _________ ________

TOTAL: ________

Comments:

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.

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

Be sure to:

• Focus on the author’s style

• Help students with the reflection page– This page ties the pieces together– Model, model, model!

Assessment

Multigenre Scoring GuideName: ___________________

Cover Page __________Six Entries __________Reflection Page __________Bibliography __________Total: __________Comments:

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 Teacher’s Book of Lists. Center

for Applied Research in Education. 1997. Page 69. ISBN: 08762285485