The document provides instructions for a written task assignment related to the book Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut. Students must choose a topic and write an 800-1000 word creative assignment in the form of a specific text type, such as a travel guide, magazine article, blog, or letters to the editor. They must also write a 200-300 word rationale analyzing their understanding of the source text and chosen text type. The assignment aims to demonstrate comprehension of both the book and conventions of the chosen genre.

1. WRITTEN TASK (V4)
CAT’S CRADLE

2. WHAT IS A WRITTEN TASK?
• A creative assignment related to a text or topic studied
• 800-1000 words (no more, no less)
• Designed to demonstrate two things:
• Understanding of the text or topic
• Understanding of the text type used for the task.
• Plus Rationale (200-300 words, no more, no less)

3. CHOOSING YOUR WRITTEN TASK
• Topics organized per text type
• Choose one topic – no two people may choose the
same topic
• Exception: if you can prove to me beforehand how your version
will be different
• If you can’t agree, see me and I will decide

4. TRAVEL GUIDE:
Entry on San Lorenzo, including history,
geography, culture
•“VVV”-type travel guide on San Lorenzo
•“Lonely Planet” type travel guide on San Lorenzo
•Expedia-type entry for trip to San Lorenzo
•“Travel supplement” in magazine or newspaper
(specify) on San Lorenzo

5. OBITUARIES:
In the style of the NY Times
•Dr Felix Hoenikker
•Bokonon
•‘Papa’ Monzano

6. OPINION COLUMNS:
•Why America should give aid to
San Lorenzo
•Why America should try to topple the
‘Papa’ Monzano dictatorship
•San Lorenzo pro-government newspaper
attacking Bokonon religion
•American newspaper defending Bokonon
religion.

7. MAGAZINE ARTICLES:
•National Geographic article about the
Bokononist religion.
•Time Magazine interview with
‘Papa’ Monzano
•Magazine article about Dr Julian Castle’s
hospital (specify magazine)

8. NEWSPAPER ARTICLES:
• The arrival of the American ambassador in
San Lorenzo
• The ceremony in honor of the 100 Martyrs
for Democracy
• The defection and re-appearance of
Zinda in Moscow
• The discovery and rounding up of the smuggler’s ring
that Newt was working for.

9. BLOGS:
Autobiographical blog by one of the Hoenikker
children, about any period of their lives (multiple
entries must be within 3 weeks of each other).
•Frank
•Newt
•Angela

10. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
3 to 6 Letters to the Editor each (150-350 words)
responding to:
•Interview with ‘Papa’ Monzano
•Reports about persecution of Bokonon
religion in San Lorenzo
•Rumors about existence of Ice Nine

11. CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING (IN THE TEXT
AND RATIONALE)
• What register is appropriate for the text type?
• Do I sound like the person I am pretending to be?
• Character from book
• Famous columnist
• Text type writer
• Does the piece contain the correct information?
• Does the piece show a thorough understanding of the book?
• Does the piece conform to the conventions of the text type?

12. RATIONALE (200-300 WORDS)
• What is the context of the task?
• How does task show understanding of the text or topic
• What have you used from the book
• Why is what you have added appropriate?
• How does task show understanding of the text type
• What conventions specific to this text type have you use?
• Examples?
• Why is the language appropriate for the intended audience?

13. SCHEDULE
• Peer review: (hard copy) June 14th in class
• Electronic corrected version: June 16th 23:59
• Marked-up peer reviews: June 20th

14. QUESTIONS