MGRP
Introduction:
Welcome to the multi-genre research project. You’re probably wondering: “What is a multi-genre
research project?” Well, rather than a single, extended piece of writing about a single perspective on a topic
(traditional research paper), a multi-genre research project is a collection of pieces—a cohesive series of
written pieces in a variety of genres that look at different angles on the same question, topic, or theme. A
multi-genre project is personal, creative, and can’t be copied from some other source. It involves you, the
writer, making conscious decisions about what information or ideas are important, and how it should be
presented to the reader.
The purpose of this project is to develop your research skills, strengthen your writing skills, review how
to document sources, explore writing in different genres, and examine your ideas about heroes and heroism.
At the end of this project, you will have a product of your learning and research that will show both critical
thinking and creativity.
Traditional Research Paper
• single, extended prose piece
• begins with a thesis
• cohesion imposed from the
start
• writer remains dispassionate
about subject
• approaches topic from a single
perspective
• follows conventions of formal
prose writing
• usually consists of only text
• usually done as a solitary
individual assignment
• handed in to teacher
• sometimes viewed as drudgery
by students
Multi-Genre Research
• cohesive series of pieces in
variety of genres
• begins with an interest
• cohesion developed along the
way
• helps researcher recover lost
voices
• writer personally engaged;
opinions encouraged
• takes many angles on topic
• broadens the range of acceptable
writing styles
• artwork, graphics, design and
packaging accompany text
• involves much small-group
work, peer response, and
sharing
• performed in readers’ theatre
celebration
• often becomes students’ favorite
and proudest achievement
Introduction:
Welcome to the multi-genre research project. You’re probably wondering: “What is a multi-genre
research project?” Well, rather than a single, extended piece of writing about a single perspective on a topic
(traditional research paper), a multi-genre research project is a collection of pieces—a cohesive series of
written pieces in a variety of genres that look at different angles on the same question, topic, or theme. A
multi-genre project is personal, creative, and can’t be copied from some other source. It involves you, the
writer, making conscious decisions about what information or ideas are important, and how it should be
presented to the reader.
The purpose of this project is to develop your research skills, strengthen your writing skills, review how
to document sources, explore writing in different genres, and examine your ideas about heroes and heroism.
At the end of this project, you will have a product of your learning and research that will show both critical
thinking and creativity.
Traditional Research Paper
• single, extended prose piece
• begins with a thesis
• cohesion imposed from the
start
• writer remains dispassionate
about subject
• approaches topic from a single
perspective
• follows conventions of formal
prose writing
• usually consists of only text
• usually done as a solitary
individual assignment
• handed in to teacher
• sometimes viewed as drudgery
by students
Multi-Genre Research
• cohesive series of pieces in
variety of genres
• begins with an interest
• cohesion developed along the
way
• helps researcher recover lost
voices
• writer personally engaged;
opinions encouraged
• takes many angles on topic
• broadens the range of acceptable
writing styles
• artwork, graphics, design and
packaging accompany text
• involves much small-group
work, peer response, and
sharing
• performed in readers’ theatre
celebration
• often becomes students’ favorite
and proudest achievement
What types of genres can you use?
Your multi-genre project will contain a variety of genres that are informative, literary/creative, and
functional. You will have a lot of choice about what to include. But BEWARE—this should not be a haphazard
collage of disjointed stuff; you must connect the genres and what they represent with a central, significant
theme or idea (thesis). Your creative efforts must be informed by solid research, including research about the
genres themselves.
Your multi-genre project will contain a variety of genres that are informative, literary/creative, and
functional. You will have a lot of choice about what to include. But BEWARE—this should not be a haphazard
collage of disjointed stuff; you must connect the genres and what they represent with a central, significant
theme or idea (thesis). Your creative efforts must be informed by solid research, including research about the
genres themselves.
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A Checklist for Research Papers
If there is a title, is it informative and appropriate? Is the thesis clear? Is the organization logical? If headings and subheadings are used, do they consistently follow an accepted format? Are sentences varied in length and structure? Are transitions smooth from sentence to sentence, paragraph to paragraph, section to section? Are credible sources and evidence used? Is the supporting material suitable and persuasive? Does it adequately support the thesis? Are quotations and paraphrased and summarized passages properly introduced with a signal phrase? Is proper credit given to sources throughout? Does the paper consistently adhere to the style used (MLA) in format and in documentation, both within the text and in the reference list or list of works cited? Were the instructions for the assignment – length, number and kinds of resources to be used, directions for title page or documentation – followed carefully?
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•Visit the following websites to see examples:
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•o http://www.users.muohio.edu/romanots/mgrpapers.htm
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•o http://www.pschulze.com/forms2003/fall_2002_multigenre_webs.htm
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•o http://cyberenglish9.pbworks.com/w/page/25144452/2010%20Living%20Histories%20Projects
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•o http://writing.colostate.edu/gallery/multigenre/toc.htm
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•o http://www.users.muohio.edu/romanots/mgrpapers.htm
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•o http://www.pschulze.com/forms2003/fall_2002_multigenre_webs.htm
•
•o http://cyberenglish9.pbworks.com/w/page/25144452/2010%20Living%20Histories%20Projects
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•o http://writing.colostate.edu/gallery/multigenre/toc.htm