2. What is Multi-Genre Research?
• A multi-genre research essay is a collection of pieces
written in a variety of genres, informed by your research
on a particular subject that presents one or more
perspectives on a research question.
• A primary goal is to “experiment” with genres or
“learning artifacts” to represent key learnings and
understandings.
• Alternative genres allow students’ creativity to shine
while still informing the audience of their research
findings.
3. What are the benefits of Multi-
Genre Research?
• Students are more engaged in the researching and
writing process
• Students learn, in depth, about their topic
• Students are excited about the process
• Students have more choice, and therefore more
ownership of their writing
• Multi-Genre research projects are more
interesting to read (and grade!) than “regular”
research papers
• Final papers are better written
4. What does it look like?
• Students select topics they’re interested in
• Students complete research as usual: works
cited page, MLA format, etc.
• Students examine published pieces written
in various genres
• Students incorporate research findings and
information in a creative way
5. Why Multi Genre?
• “All of us do need to learn how to write with
voice and energy when we work on nonfiction
texts.” ~ Lucy Calkins
• “The best nonfiction writing emerges from topics
the writer knows, cares, and wonders about and
wants to pursue.” ~ Stephanie Harvey
6. Why Multi Genre?
• “Individually, specific facts are fascinating, but
in the format of a terminal paper – I mean term
paper – they can lose their spark. They get
buried in lists of general information that read
more like an encyclopedia than a real juicy
report or story.” ~ Barry Lane
7. Benefits of Multi Genre
• Helps a researcher look at a topic from
many different angles/lenses.
• Includes traditional writing elements in
addition to alternative genres.
• Students are engaged in metacognition
• The multi genre paper easily allows for
differentiation for all learners
• Multiple literacies are valued.
9. Sample Elements of the Multi Genre Research Paper
•Cover page
•Opening/Preface •Multi Genre Artifact 4
•Table of contents •Multi Genre Artifact 5
•Traditional Research •Multi Genre Artifact 6
Paper Component (3-5 •Multi Genre Artifact 7
double-space typed •Multi Genre Artifact 8
pages with parenthetical •Multi Genre Artifact 9
references) •Multi Genre Artifact 10
•Multi Genre Artifact 1 •Self-Reflection/Self-
•Multi Genre Artifact 2 Assessment
•Multi Genre Artifact 3 •Works Cited Page
10. The Repetend
•Repetend is something added to a Multi Genre
project that repeats or continues
•The purpose of repetend is to create unity among the
various genre pieces and to give the writer an editorial
voice that the reader can easily relate to.
•The repetend guides the reader through reoccurring
images or phrases, a running commentary, or even a
narrative or story. This creates unity that will help the
reader better understand the central theme. This is
much like weaving a thesis throughout a traditional
essay.
11. Incorporating Repetend
• Include the same phrase, sentence, or passage in
each genre page as a heading or somewhere else in
the text
•Include a description or design in each piece
(written or graphic), placed strategically for easy
recognition
•Include a running commentary from you, the
writer, following or preceding each genre piece
12. Opening / Preface
The preface, forward, or introduction will
greet readers and give a bit of background
information about The project. You'll need to
introduce the subject and anything you think
the reader should know about you and/or
your project before they read it.
13. Things to Include in the Opening/Preface
How you came up with your idea
Why you chose your topic
Why your topic is important
An introduction to a main character
A description of a crucial setting or central
activity
A theme that will be carried through your genres
What you learned about your topic and/or
genres.
14. Sample Self Reflection/Assessment
•How writing about this topic has changed your perspective on
your topic
•What you learned overall
•How you felt about using the multi-genre medium to write rather
than just writing a traditional research paper
•What you hope your audience learns from your multi-genre
project
•What you feel you accomplished from this project overall
•Any information that would help clarify anything you wrote
