Multigenre Research Project

You may have written standard research papers in years past, but for this course you will be trying something a little different: a multigenre research paper on the person, topic, or theme of your choice. If you want to take a look at what a multigeneric paper looks like, here's one on chemical warfare during WWI, one on the Bracero Program during WWII, and one on Malcolm X.

“[Multigenre papers] recognize that there are many ways to see the world, many ways to show others what we see.” -- Tom Romano, teacher, author, and inventor of the multigenre paper

Finding a Topic: For this paper, you may choose to do your research on a person (historical figure, politician, songwriter, etc.), a general topic (the history of fireworks, ADHD, the War of the Worlds panic of October 1938), or any number of other possibilities. Some guidelines:

• Pick something that interests you. You’ll be spending a lot of time on this paper so you’ll want to be researching something you enjoy.

• Have a few topics in mind before starting your research. We'll brainstorm various topics on Wednesday, March 27. Some topics might not work out depending on the resources you can find.

• If you’re stuck for topic ideas: talk with friends and family, surf the net, browse through the library, anything to get your mind working and ideas flowing.

Research: You must cite at least nine sources in your final paper, including no more than five carefully-selected internet sources; the others must be taken from the library databases, available here. The nine sources that you cite must be used in some way in your final draft. We’ll be meeting in the computer lab several times over the next couple of weeks, so that you can do research on the internet and using the library databases. You can use Wikipedia as a guide to finding other sources, but do not use information from it directly, and do not cite it as one of your sources.

Writer’s Purpose: Your job is to inform a body of readers about a specific topic using research to back up your writing. Your paper may be strictly informational in tone, you may create an argumentative thesis and persuade your readers, or you can take on a more entertaining project. Just make sure that your paper is full of the important and useful information that comes out of your research. In terms of what you're trying to convey to me, your teacher: You're trying to show that you can write well in a variety of different styles, that you can do research and "orchestrate" information you get from various sources, and that you can gain for yourself and convey in writing an overall understanding of a relatively large intellectual topic.

Audience: You choose the audience that your paper speaks to. Depending on the genres and content, it could be an audience of a certain time period, a certain age level, or simply a contemporary audience. Keep this in mind while you write. Since it is a class assignment, your peers and teacher will be reading your paper.

• Either a table of contents or a preface that tells your readers what genres you are including and why

• At least five different genres. (See a list of possible genres here. If you wish to use a genre not listed, please approve it with me first.)

The five (or more) genres can be presented in any format you choose. You can present them separately or interweave them into a larger framework, however they should be connected by unifying themes, repeated motifs, genres that speak to each other, or topics that are mentioned in some genres and expanded in others. Do not simply cut and paste five genres and call it a paper. Use your own discretion as to the margins and font you wish to use for each genre. As you’ll see from the list, not all the genres will be completely non-fictional. You are free to merge the non-fictional research you do with fictional context, a la the film Titanic.

Structure (10%): Paper includes: preface/table of contents, at least 5 genres, and a correctly formatted bibliography.

Quality of Content & Style (50%): Each of the required elements is strong in its language, clarity, meaning, and information. The writing meets the intended purpose and matches the needs of the audience.

Creativity/Appropriateness of Genres (10%): The paper shows thought, effort, and creativity on the part of the writer. The genres included are varied and appropriate for the content presented and specific genre conventions are met.

Research (20%): Research was thoroughly performed and documented and at least 9 sources were used and cited in the final paper.

Grammar and Mechanics (10%): The paper has been proofread and corrected according to the usual paradigms of Standard American English.

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