Multi Genre research papers

Every year my students seem to dread writing a research paper.  The task itself just seems so overwhelming and confusing to them.  This year I decided to try something different and my students are just beginning research for their "Multi Genre Research papers."  After introducing the assignment, I asked the kids if they felt this would be more interesting than writing a regular four or five page research paper and almost every hand went up.  That alone is a promising sign!

The multi genre research paper requires students to conduct research on a topic (this year they are researching influential people) and then they get to choose four different genres of writing where they will creatively use their research.  For example, they can write three, one page diary entries from the point of view of their influential person.  In these diary entries they must use facts that they find in their research as well as adding their own creative writing to the piece.  Any information that is paraphrased must be cited correctly.  Other choices are to write a newspaper article, a recipe, a poem, create an advertisement,  make a collage, create a political cartoon, write dialogue, or write  a "best" or "worst" memory.  The assignment is broken down into four sections that are worth 50, 30, 20, and 15 points depending on difficulty.  Citations must be correctly used throughout each piece.

In addition to the four genre pieces the students must write an introductory paragraph introducing their topics and explaining briefly why this person is or has been influential. The introductory paragraph is their thesis statement.  They must also have a notes page where they write why they choose each genre piece and how their choice helped them relay information about their topic.  The notes section gives the students an opportunity for a little self reflection.  Students must also have a table of contents page and a works cited page. 

The multi genre research paper requires students to meet all the same objectives as a traditional research paper such as understanding the difference between paraphrasing and plagiarism, learning how to use in text citations, learning how to use quotes, understanding how to research and take notes, and correctly using MLA format to write a works cited page. 

I'm really excited to see how the students progress as they work on their papers and I am in love with the idea of really and truly mixing research with creativity! This allows the students to incorporate their own writing voice into the pieces.

I'll post some great student examples from their papers once they are handed in!