The document compares a traditional research paper to a multigenre research paper. A traditional research paper is a single piece of extended prose that follows conventions of formal writing and is handed into the teacher, while a multigenre research paper uses a variety of genres to allow the student's voice to develop and engages the student more through group work and sharing their work.

1. Traditional Research Paper and Multigenre Research Paper/Project: The Differences
Adapted from:
Putz, Melinda. A Teacher's Guide to the Multigenre Research Project: Everything You Need to Get Started. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann, 2006. Print.
Traditional Research Paper
Multigenre Research Paper
 Single, extended piece of prose writing (informational, persuasive, argumentative)
 Begins with a thesis statement
 Cohesion is imposed from the start
 Writer remains dispassionate about the topic or subject of the writing/research
 The writer/researcher approaches the topic from a single perspective
 Follows conventions of formal prose writing
 Usually consists only of text
 Usually done as a solitary individual assignment
 Handed in to the teacher
 Sometimes viewed as drudgery by students
 Cohesive series of pieces in a variety of genres
 Begins with an area of interest
 Cohesion is developed along the way through the inquiry process
 Helps the researcher find his/her voice or develop his/her voice
 Writer is personally engaged; opinions are encouraged
 Can take multiple angles on topic
 Broadens the range of acceptable writing styles
 Artwork, graphics, design, and packaging accompany the “text”
 Involves much small group work, peer reposnse, and sharing
 Usually involves a celebration or “research gallery” that invites students to examine each others’ work, to share out their project to the larger group in person and/or online
 Student has a sense of ownership of the project because of the menus of choices built into the processes and products.