Multi-Genre Project Genres

Mini-Lessons

Word Cloud

Word clouds mix up the order of a text in a unique shape or form to give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently.

Great base to display personal narratives, interior monologues, poetry, prose, creative writing, speech/monologue analysis, news article analysis.

How do I create it?

wordle.net

Click “create” and copy and paste your text into the text box

Choose which settings, colors, layouts you would like to use for your text. Save when complete.

Write or type up the actual text that is within your word cloud and place beneath the word cloud image.

Write a paragraph about your process and observations of your word cloud on your “notes” page!

Example

Dream Sequence

A dream sequence is the retelling of what happened in a dream

Storytelling style

Everything (actions, items, colors) is symbolic– dreams reveal the “subconscious” and “unconscious” of our minds Ex: falling = feeling like you lack control in a

situation

Red = passion, love, anger

Dream Sequence, cont’d

Required components:

1. The story of the dream, with symbols coded (by color, font, size, underline, etc)

2. A “key” or “dream dictionary” that decodes the symbols in the dream

3. A clear explanation of the dream in the Notes page of the MGP, discussing the message and purpose of the dream and symbols. What things are in the character’s subconscious and unconscious, and why?

SEE EXAMPLE: Casey’s project

Recipe

A recipe shows the composition of something---how it is made and what it is made of.

Character? Relationship?

As a genre, you can be subtle or direct in the symbolism:

Direct: ingredients ARE the symbols clearly (ex: 1 tsp love)

Indirect: ingredients are normal items that symbolize (ex: 1 c. powdered sugar = sweetness, happiness)

Recipe, cont’d

Required components:

Title of recipe Ingredients and amounts (use proportions) Steps to combine ingredients (these can be

symbolic as well… ex: “mash” vs. “stir gently”) Bake time and yield Photograph of item created Could have a “baker’s note” at end about

process alterations or substitutions, mistakes, etc.

Dictionary Entry

A dictionary, similar to a recipe, shows what something IS– but in this case, instead of focusing on what things are combined to MAKE something, we focus on the different “sides” to the same item

Dictionary examplebroth·er [bruhth-er or for 9, bruhth-ur] noun, plural brothers ( Archaic  )

brethren; interjection

noun 1. a male offspring having both parents in common with another offspring; a male sibling.

2. Also called half brother. a male offspring having only one parent in common with another offspring.

3. a stepbrother.

4. a male numbered among the same kinship group, nationality, race, profession, etc., as another; an associate; a fellow member, fellow countryman, fellow man, etc.: a fraternity brother.

5. Ecclesiastical . a. ( often initial capital letter  ) a male numbered among the lay members of a religious organization that has a priesthood.

b. a man who devotes himself to the duties of a religious order without taking holy orders, or while preparing for holy orders.

Dictionary, cont’d

Required components:

Multiple definitions – at least 5 or some combination of 5 defined words

Part of speech(es)

Pronunciation

Example sentences

Antonyms/ synonyms

Origin

Celebratory Toast Toasts are generally offered at times of celebration or commemoration,

including weddings, certain holidays (New Year's Eve) retirement celebrations, housewarming parties, birthdays etc.

Things to do when writing a toast:

Introduction: Introduce yourself (or chosen character) and the relation to the person/people whom you are toasting.

Perhaps relate the reason for the toast to a famous quote or saying.

Tell a story about the person/people– may it be a fun or a sentimental experience – as long as that event highlights the main character and their relationships. KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE.

Closing: Thank the guests for their support, maybe acknowledge those who prepared the food, the venue, the decorations.. Etc.

Provide well wishes (or awkward moments) to the person you are toasting.

Example

http://weddings.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Sample_Wedding_Day_Toasts

Look up “birthday toast” or “wedding toast” or “retirement toast” on youtube.com for some good examples of live toasts.

Concrete Poetry

Involves arranging the letters or words that describe an object or symbol into a visual image that also describes what the text is talking about.

“Painting with words”

When creating: Think about what you want to say or convey about your subject. What makes it unique (shape, smell, taste)?

http://www.imagechef.com/ic/poem/

Concrete Poetry examples

Two-Voice Poetry

Has two narrators talking about one subject or event.

Poem format: two columns– one for each person who is reading. Each narrator reads the text in one of the columns.

When both readers are supposed to read at the same time, they appear on the same line.

Often sounds like a dialogue. Therefore, when creating this genre for your MGP, think about ideas that need discussion or shows the relationship between the two characters you are writing about.

Example

I am a polar bear

I eat fish

I must swim for my food

But I can’t swim forever

When I get tired

I depend upon

I am an SUV

I guzzle petroleum

People pump mineI burn gas pretty fast

When I pollute

I begin to destroy

written by NNWP consultant Campbell Pontius

Ice caps.

Found Poetry Created by taking words, phrases, and sometimes whole

passages from other sources and reframing them as poetry by making changes in spacing and lines, or by adding or deleting text.

Purpose of poem: imparting new meaning.

The literary equivalent of a collage-- found poetry is often made from newspaper articles, street signs, graffiti, speeches, letters, or even other poems.

A pure found poem consists exclusively of outside texts: the words of the poem remain as they were found, with few additions or omissions.

Teenink.com

Crest/Coat of Arms

A coat of arms is a unique design historically used to cover, protect and identify the wearer.

Often stated as “coat-armour” because it was anciently displayed on a coat of cloth.

Consists of a shield, supporters, crest, and motto.

Today, the design is a symbol unique to an individual person, a family, a corporation, or a state.

Coat of Arms Examples