Multi-genre Writing Projects

by Paul Hankins

It may be that you have been thinking about the possibilities of extending student retention and identifying ways to move away from the abridged-style reports that mark the end of a literature unit. Perhaps you are also beginning to recognize the lure of the Internet as a “delivery tool” for students what with GradeSaver.com, Sparknotes.com, and, one of my favorites if for its moniker only, PinkMonkey.com. If this is the case, multi-genre writing projects might be exactly what you are looking for.

A Literature-Based Multi-genre Project (LBMP) allows the student to demonstrate “what sticks” in a piece of literature covered in class through multiple writing genres. The objectives of a LBMP address Indiana State Standards for reading comprehension, literary response and analysis, and the writing process and application. It permits the teacher to help students study and select genres for the purpose of analysis; at the same time, it also allows students to experiment with different genres in response to a piece of literature.

Consider the LBMP that our students complete after reading The Crucible by Arthur Miller. One method we use to approach the LBMP is a piece called the PostSecret card. This synthesis of writing, reading comprehension and media awareness requires students to study characterization and motivation, and apply their knowledge of symbolism to create an art-piece.

Without a doubt, multi-genre projects present new challenges; however, they also allow creativity and flexibility for students and teachers to express and assess what has been learned. And they may turn out to be exactly what you are looking for.

Sources

Romano, T. (2000). Blending genre, altering style: Writing multigenre papers.

In C. Allen (Ed.), The multigenre research paper: Voice, passion, and discovery in grades 4-6. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

Warren, F. (2008). PostSecret.

http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

Putz, M. (2006). A teacher's guide to the multigenre research project: Everything you need to get started.

Portsmoth, NH: Heinemann.

Paul Hankins

For specific information on his LBMP project, along with guidelines and assessment pieces, contact:

Paul W. Hankins
English 11 at Silver Creek High School
National Writing Project Teaching Consultant
(812)-786-0876
paulwhankins@aol.com

This featured article appeared in Volume 3, Number 3 issue of the Write Connections quarterly newsletter. View other archived newsletters , a topical organization of all newsletters, or sign-up to receive notification when the next newsletters are ready to download.