The Multigenre Research Paper: Voice, Passion, and Discovery in Grades 4-6

by Camille Allen, Camille Allen

For most students, research writing is a perfunctory exercise in which they regurgitate information from the encyclopedia, with little analysis or interpretation. Multigenre research writing is different. When given the chance to select their own research topics, decide which genres to write in, and determine how to present their findings, students assume ownership and take pride in their work. They grow as writers. This is the first book to lead you through the process of developing multigenre research papers with upper elementary students. Camille Allen starts at the beginning and explains how to organize your classroom, help students choose topics, and introduce them to research. She provides concrete minilessons on the writing of poetry, character sketches, and nonfiction to help get your students writing. She also describes ways to tie together multiple genres to create flow within students' final papers. Because Camille believes that the multigenre experience should include much more than the writing of the paper, she stresses the integration of the arts and oral communication skills. These creative modes of expression play an integral part in the success of the whole project, and Camille devotes separate chapters to each of these topics. The final chapter focuses on evaluation and the many ways you can measure growth and evaluate progress. Student writing samples, journal essays, and two complete multigenre papers are also included.

Genres: Professional Development, Teaching

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 31, 2001

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

By now, I've read quite a few books and articles about multi-genre research papers, and they are all quality resources for filling in my understand of taking on such a learning exercise with students in high school and college. However, if I am to approach this assignment with my Writing Project colleagues, some of whom teach at the primary and middle level, I really felt like I needed to read through this book to get perspective. How is the age level of the audience going to impact the mentors texts used, the expectations for writing and length, and the assessment options? Apparently, the answer is quite a bit.

Although Allen says multiple times that she did show some of her college students' work to the middle grades students, the examples she offers in the book of the resultant work is not as awe-inspiring for me as a high school teacher. On the other hand, the mini-lessons Allen uses and explains to get the students to adopt a more critical lens on mentor texts and how they could be adapted was useful, especially for the first time I go through this process with students.

Overall, for the secondary/college teacher, this is not a must-read book to prepare for MGRP in your classroom, but maybe one to look at when you get a chance. On the other hand, for an elementary/middle school teacher, this may be where you want to start.