Multi-Genre writing is the discovery of "truth through fiction".  The thesis of a multi-genre research paper is communicated through the creation of a variety of creative writing pieces that are then sequenced in such a way that the thesis and supports are clearly and effectively articulated and communicated. Like a traditional research paper, a multi-genre paper does involve outside sources. Like a traditional research paper, it is a vehicle for the communication of a unique and independently developed thesis. Unlike a traditional research paper, it is more often a powerfully moving paper filled to overflowing with the writer’s own voice.

A multi -genre research paper contains:

• Title Page
•  "Dear Reader Letter". This introduces the thesis and offers the writer an the opportunity
•  to speak directly to the readers. 
• At least ten multi-genre pieces (The genres have been carefully chosen. The pieces have been intentionally crafted.The specific sequence of the pieces has been  established.)
• End Notes (to explain the source and/or inspiration for specific pieces) and Bibliography (to credit any and all outside sources in MLA format. )            

Downloads:

• Proposal  
• Dear Reader Letter - Rough Draft
•  Bibliography -Rough Draft
•  Final Draft Checklist

Note to Teachers: My approach to multi-genre writing has been directly influenced by Tom Romano, author of Blending Genres, Altering Style.  While a graduate  student at UNH,  I was fortunate enough to take Dr. Romano's course on multi-genre writing. I can't recommend the course, Dr. Romano or the book enough.  Multi-genre writing is an exhilarating challenge. It is at once difficult and stimulating. It awakens the creative spirit within. After writing a multi-genre research paper, my students beg to have the opportunity to write another one - and that is the highest praise of all! 

 Genre Descriptions & Examples

These examples and definitions represent only some of many forms of creative writing that can be found in a multi-genre research paper. Additionally, each genre listed here can be expressed in more than one way. 

Which new genres (or variations of a genre) can you devise? If you would like to include a genre in your paper that is not represented here, download this rough draft form.

 Prose Fiction: narrative scene                     Click here to download draft & directions.      

The salt spray stung her skin as she crossed the deck for a better and final glimpse of Yarmouth, of home. Soon she could see nothing but gray sea behind her, gray sea before her, gray sea in every direction. Satisfied that there was now no turning back, she made her way to the interior of the ship where her sister, the chaperone was waiting for her on the crowded bench.

Once seated, she checked her purse repeatedly for her birth certificate – proof that a neighboring farmer had sworn testament to her birth – one of the King’s own subjects. Satisfied that her identity was intact, she trained her eyes on the horizon and focused on the moment. First, the day long crossing, then the simple wedding ceremony and finally, her future.

 Prose Fiction: dramatic scene                        Click here to download draft & directions.  

With a war brewing in Europe, the threat of deportation loomed large for any immigrant as yet unnaturalized. The only way to remove the threat was to pass the test. The test would be long and arduous – especially for a country girl with a third grade education. One misstep, one wrong answer could mean deportation. Who was the president? What’s the supreme court? As a citizen, will you swear to protect and defend the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic? Will you no longer sing “God Save the King” but “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”? Will you forswear  the Maple Leaf and cling to stars spangled? Will you say “state” instead of “province”? “President” rather than “King”?

 

Diary Entry                                                    Click here to download draft & directions.  

January 10, 1940

Dear Diary,

I have accepted John’s proposal and will soon be known as Dorothy Franklin no longer a Winchester. I know this means leaving home for the states. Home is now with John. I am sure that Sue will visit when it is time for babies. I hope I am making the right decision.

-Dot

Media Article: An Advertisement                     Click here to download draft & directions. 

 

 

 

 

 

Media Article: A Help-Wanted Ad                   Click here to download draft & directions. 

 

 

 

 

 

Media Article: A Current-Event Style News Item

Click here to download draft & directions. 

 

Media Article: Letter to the Editor                  Click here to download draft & directions.

 

 

 

 

 

Media Article: Horoscope                              Click here to download draft & directions.

 

ARIES (March 21 – April 19)

Your job prospects are looking up now

that you have found a place to call home. 

Soon you will have that second job.

 

 

 

 

 

Media Article: Book/Movie Review                   Click here to download draft & directions.

MGM’s latest Blockbuster The Second Generation is the gripping tale of a second generation American family as they finally see their American dream realized. Told through the eyes of the family matriarch, Gram, deftly played by Bea Arthur, this story follows the Franklin family from their arrival in the U.S. in the late 1930s to the college graduation of their first grandchild in 1986. It took two generations for Gram to finally see her American dream realized. Film goers need not wait that long to see their hopes fulfilled with this film. It delivers from beginning to end.

 

 

 

 

 

Media Article: Recipe                                     Click here to download draft & directions.

 

Opportunity Cake

 

Ingredients:

1 Skilled Laborer                           free public schools

1 Willing and Strong Wife            free public library

1 job sufficient to pay rent            two children free of disease

 

Combine skilled laborer, wife and job in a melting pot. Slowly add in children, library and schools. Savor at your son’s graduation from medical school and your granddaughter’s inauguration as governor.

Serves Many Generations

 

 

 

 

 

Media Article: Advice Column                         Click here to download draft & directions.

 

Dear Lady Liberty,

The American dream involves much more work than I ever anticipated. While I never really believed the streets were paved with gold, I had held out hope that there would be room for more dreamers than just the strong, the male and the white. What’s a young immigrant girl to do?

Signed,

No Longer Canadian

 

Dear No Longer Canadian,

There’s a reason why it’s called a “dream”. It’s not always based in reality but in what you might make a reality. You’ve taken the first step in the dream – you’ve crossed the border and started your life here. It’s up to your children to take the next step. Raise them to value education and respect women. They’ll raise children to do the same and by the time this second generation comes of age the dream should be a reality. What can I say?  These things take time.

-Lady Liberty

 

 

 

 

 

Media Article: Comic Strip                              Click here to download draft & directions.

 

Like all of these multi-genre pieces, the comic strip you create should communicate your thesis. Here's a link to my favorite comic strip -Zits .

 

List: To-Do List                                            Click here to download draft & directions.  

 

          Tuesday

1.   Vote in primary

2. Drop off books at library

3.  Bake cookies for school bake-sale

List: Shopping List                             Click here to download draft & directions.

 

     Marketing List

1.       Stew Meat

2.     Potatoes

3.     Laundry Soap

4.     Darning Thread

  Don’t forget Ration Book

List: Top-Ten List                                  Click here to download draft & directions.

Top Ten Reasons for Moving to the USA

10. Plenty of Jobs

9. Plenty of churches to choose from

8. Opportunity to Own a Home

7.  Free Public Library

6.  Public Parks

5. Public Museums

4. Public Schools

3.  Public Universities

2. Public Transportation

1. Opportunity

 

 

 

 

List: List of Rules                           Click here to download draft & directions.

Rules of The American Dream

1. Always insist to family and friends that this new world is much better than the old – unless you’re talking about food, sunsets or Christmas.
2. Never go back on your promise to support and defend the constitution of the USA.
3.  Remind your children daily of the sacrifices you made so that they could get an education and do even better.
4. Confuse your grandchildren with stories of "down home".

 

Playwriting: Character Sketch                    Click here to download draft & directions. 

Dorothy

40 years old. Strong willed and quick witted. Mother of three – two girls and one boy. The loss of her son at the age of one year has visibly hardened her and made her less openly affectionate. A handsome woman, she stopped attends church at least once a week and belongs to  the Temperance League. She stopped attending the village school-house in third grade and tries to hide the fact that she can’t read all that well – unless it’s a Bible or a hymnal. She often dresses in a house-coat and sensible shoes – unless she is dressed in her Sunday Best for church or a special occasion.

 

 

 

Playwriting: Dialog for Two Voices                Click here to download draft & directions. 

Why are you leaving sis?

John says he’ll marry me and I love him.

John just wants someone to keep house for him in the states. If he loved you he wouldn’t take you away from home.

He loves me and I love him. I’m going. I’m going.

Who will be there when you have babies?

I don’t know.

Who will be there if you get sick? John’s a man. He can’t help out the way a sister can.

I’m going.

I don’t know what’s so wrong about staying here on the farm.

I’m going. Promise to write?  The mail still works you know.

I’ll write.

So will I.

 

 

Playwriting: Dramatic Dialog              Click here to download draft & directions. 

 

LIZZIE: Why didn’t you go to college?

 

MA: (defensively) We couldn’t afford it. [crosses to window overlooking street] Grandpa had lost his job and I needed to help out.

 

LIZZIE: So, if you had had the chance to go to college, what would you have become?

 

MA: A teacher. I always wanted to be a teacher.

 

[Lizzie rolls eyes at hearing this.]

 

LIZZIE: So why not go to college now?

 

MA: It’s too late for me.

 

Spreadsheets/Equations: Checkbook Entry           Click here to download draft & directions.

 

Date	Check	Description	Debit	Credit	Bal.
12/5	123	Mortgage Payment	$82.00		$5.00
12/9		Paycheck		$30.00	$35.00
12/15	124	Doctor – Helen’s Medication	$20.00		$15.00
12/19	125	Food – 2 Weeks	$15.00		$0

 

 

 

Spreadsheets/Equations: If-Then Problem          Click here to download draft & directions.

IF you want something more than cows, fields of hay and the Bay of Fundy THEN you move to a place that you hope will offer more.

  

 

Poetry: Poem for Two Voices                       Click here to download draft & directions. 

                Canadian                                           American

 

There’s not much difference       There’s not much difference

       Between us                                   Between us

 

What I call bacon                          

 

                                                       I call ham

 

There’s not much difference       There’s not much difference

        Between us                                   Between us

 

 

I say a-gayn

                                                  

                                                         I say agen

 

 

There’s not much difference       There’s not much difference

        Between us                                   Between us

 

                                              

                                               Unless you consider your future

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poetry: Free Verse                  Click here to download draft & directions.       

 

I made it

Grampa

Made it.

 

Kindergarten, first grade

Second

Third, fourth and fifth

Six, Seventh, Eighth

Freshman, Sophomore and Junior years

Senior year and college.

 

College,

I made it to college

Grampa.

 

I made it.

 

Just like you said.

 

 

 

Poetry: Found Poem                       Click here to download draft & directions. 

 

 

Found Poem

The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald

 

I’m Glad

BEAUTIFUL

Fool

BEAUTIFUL

She’s a girl

BEAUTIFUL

The best thing a girl can be

BEAUTIFUL

Fool

 

 

 

 

Poetry: Haiku                      Click here to download draft & directions. 

 

Fog coming in fast

Closing hiding everyone

Anonymous fog

 

 

 

 

 

Poetry: Limerick                     Click here to download draft & directions.

 

Edward Lear was one of the most notable American limericists. Click here to link to a listing of his limericks and avoid the pain of reading one of my own.

 

 

 

 

Poetry: Photograph Poem                Click here to download draft & directions.

 

 

 

 

 

Poetry: Prose Poem                     Click here to download draft & directions.

keep moving ahead -don’t look directly in their eyes- maybe they’ll let you fade into the brick and concrete of this alley; there’s not time to curse yourself for choosing to take this shortcut to school…just keep moving…look angry…maybe they’ll fear you more than you fear them…focus on the bakery around the corner and on the big chocolate chip cookies still warm on the tray…almost there..when suddenly, the alley is done and the bright sunlight of the sidewalk and shops on Salem Street  lead you directly to the bakery; door dwings, bell jingles and you plunk down your ffifty cents for a cookie…warm and as big as two hands.

 

 

 

 

Poetry: Concrete Poetry                  Click here to download draft & directions.

 

The Curtis School has six concrete steps

cool steps that come alive in the summer when the

school bells don’t ring and deep, cool couches shaded by the

elms, pines and sugar maples. Calling to children to come and rest

here a while. Sit down and lean back, read, chew gum, wait for a friend or

just relax and watch the leaves turn dark green as the warm sun slowly drifts west