Reasoning:

New Media Argument Project Vanessa Alander Plymouth State University

A vast majority of the writing you will do in college, and beyond, will require research and have the writer defend a point-of-view or argument. This project will require you to do this. The argument and topic you choose is up to you. It is only limited by four things. 1. The issue must be inspired by your abstract word. 2. It must be an issue that is personal to you. 3. The issue must be local. No global issues. Think civil liberty issues, legalizing pot, drinking age, texting while driving, etc. 4. You must choose an issue that you can argue and defend your argument. The purpose of this assignment is dual fold: 1. Learn to write an effective research and argument paper and 2. Present your project digitally utilizing Web 2.0 tools. If your paper does not include a valid argument that you don't back up with sources and analysis, it will not meet a major objective of this assignment. Do not panic as you read this. We spend a chunk of time on this assignment and we break it up. That being typed...

Do not save this until the last moment.

If you do, you will not do your best. This assignment demands your best. We work together to get you through this. I know you are all capable of mastering this assignment. Intent: When we experience controversial issues in our everyday lives, no one hands us a ten-page research paper that outlines the issues that unequivocally tells us what to do. Instead, we have to wade through the controversy and the corresponding piles of paper, website, video and more to figure out what the issues really are and how we should best respond to them. You will accomplish this through a Multi Genre Argument (MGA). A MGA explores subjective thoughts and feelings, scenes collected and connected almost by accident. You blend all these genres together using essay, poetry, fiction, drama, visual art, music and more. Composing a MGA is an attempt to explain the unexplainable, to know the unknowable. In a Multiple Genre Argument (MGA), your task is to create this context, this collection of material that constitutes the paper trail surrounding your specific issue in relation to our texts and your line of inquiry. During this process, you will become familiar with all sides of the issue, and you will ultimately have to choose which side of the argument you most relate to. You will use traditional academic forms in your MGA, but the point of this project is to use your skills within the context of a tangible and specific controversy. In their book Multiple Genres, Multiple Voices, Cheryl Johnson and Jayne Moneysmith explain in more detail what an MGA looks like: In a [Multiple Genre Argument], writers create an argument that explores alternative perspectives by using multiple genres written from different points of view. Genres might include a letter, a dialogue, a report, or even a poem in addition to the traditional essay. Students bolster their argument with research that is reflected

within these genres, creating an organic whole, though the whole may not be linear. By combining an array of voices, with the rigor of scholarship, the [Multiple Genre Argument] offers a fresh and powerful approach to research and argument. (2) Their idea of combining an array of voices, with the rigor of scholarship might help you better understand what an MGA is. Your project will present the ideas of all sides while adding your own scholarly research, thus making your side of the argument the most convincing. This style of writing allows you to weave in your research while, almost demanding, experimentation and play in your writing. MGA's allow you to cast off the previously held notion about the limits of language and the idea of "just completing the assignment." This assignment is about getting serious in your writing and thinking. This type of project has the opportunity to change how you think about representation and writing, but only if you are willing to experiment and be open to new ways of seeing and knowing. Your task is to chose a tangible and specific topic that represents a local and personal controversy. Think of the example from class. Think about what genres you'll need to compile and the original work you need to create and finally, choose an online space to present your argument. Lost? Confused? Think I am crazy? That's okay. Bear with me. This makes sense and will all come together. I promise. Requirements: This is an academic project, you will have at least ten sources, five of which will need to be academic (books or journals). Our course texts do not count towards your total sources. Additionally, though there is no limit to the genres you can use, you are required to use six. This project is not intended to be a straight 2500 word piece of written text, although 50% of your clean draft needs to be written text (it is a writing class after all). Although, that written text could be the script for an audio podcast or documentary film. Think outside of the box. You may incorporate images, pictures, podcasts, audio, video and more (self-created or found...properly cited). This project needs to be housed online, through a medium you feel fits the scope of your project. Weebly, Wordpress, Google Sites, Blogger, it is up to you, the direction of your inquiry and "text" of your project. You may not use the same blog that your course blog is housed or your own personal blog. Process: No, I will not tell you what to write (you should know me better than that by now). Rather, there are several pieces to the whole project that are either due prior to the end of the project or need to be included in the final. This project is an enormous intellectual and academic endeavor. As such, there are several components that will be due at specific times. (Note: use the due dates on this Product Descriptor, not they syllabus. These dates are accurate.) This project has been broken down into manageable and sizable chunks. It is imperative that to do the best that I know you can do, you work on this throughout the rest of the semester. Saving this project until the day prior will result in you not succeeding in this project. In addition, if you do not complete this project, the likelihood of passing this course dwindles significantly. Rant: A 500 word rant of your research statement is due 2/24 via your Weekly Writing Journal. You will print out and bring in to class the following Tuesday as well.

Research Statement: On 2/27 (Wednesday) by 9:00 pm, you need to submit via the Google Form on the course website your Research statement and your plan for finding evidence to back up your statement. Research Journals: Research is a critical part of college writing, but it is also just a really great way to learn more and be able to think about things from new perspectives. The research journal asks you to do the following: Briefly summarize the main points of a single piece of research you may include in your Inquiry project. This might be a newspaper article, a scholarly journal, a credible website, a documentary, or any number of primary and secondary sources. If you arent sure if it is appropriate, ask. Is this piece credible? Why or why not? Critique the piece: How well was it written? Is the argument convincing? Is anything missing? Is the piece useful to your research? How and why? Or why not? If the piece is not useful for your purposes, what are the purposes for which it would be useful? Use a citation style of your choice

The complete journal should be 350+ words and you need 4 (four) of them total. They are due on 3/3 (Sunday) as your weekly writing journal. Outline or Notecards: On 2/28 (Thursday) we will meet in the library and I will review how the concept of notecards work. You will then spend the class time finding sources for your Writing Journals and eventual notecard development. These will be shared in class on 3/7 (Thursday) and a partner will help you develop these further and find any holes that you may be missing. Vomit Draft: Your vomit draft for this paper will be a summary of your thoughts to date knowing that we have not completed all course texts, etc. Again, I cannot stress enough the fact that you should not leave this until the end. It will be quite evident. And nally, your vomit draft needs to have a quick outline of the possible genres that you are thinking of including and why. This will include your line of inquiry. A larger, written paper is required for one of your genres, but you decide format. Seeing how half of the 2500 words need to be written and academic, I am thinking that one of your genres will be a more formal, longer length paper (which is fine). Whatever method of paper you decide on, it must contain the following: in text citations with hyperlinks to sources used, images and more to fully engage your audience. You will also need a MLA Works Cited page of all sources used in the paper itself. (The site/project will have it's own Works Cited on the site.) The essay must follow MLA style, have quoted and paraphrased information integrated within your own writing and parenthetically cited, links to nine sources used or the link to purchase the actual book, images, video/audio that demonstrate your point, links for further reading, headings that describe different parts of the essay. Your vomit draft must present the evidence for your argument and have in-text citations. Every time you cite, you will need to hyperlink to your cited source. You must also have a Works Cited Page. Please use the OWL at Purdue Writing Lab for information on proper citation, format and more. Every source you use, must be cited. This includes images, video, music and more. And no, you may not cite Wikipedia or Google Image Search. You need to use the original sources to cite.

Your vomit draft, should be a complete copy of your paper. If it's not, then the revision exercises, 1:1 meetings, partner work and workshop day is pointless. The vomit draft will follow the typical vomit draft procedure we've been utilizing thus far. You will need to drop it via dropbox prior to class and your 1:1 meeting or you will not earn credit. It is due at your 1:1 meeting. Please bring a hard copy & drop it PRIOR to your 1:1 meeting. The vomit draft is due 3/10 at 11:59 pm dropped, please. Genre Workshop Day: On 3/5 (Tuesday) we will have a genre workshop day in class. You will need to submit via the Google Form on the course website your six proposed genre ideas two hours prior to class. A genre is a type of expression. In addition to a digital, academic, research supported essay, you will create and then curate other artifacts that express and demonstrate your learning. This is your opportunity to think outside the box. You need to think about which genre would best express your learning. You will need to explain why you chose those particular genres and what you were hoping to show, express or convey through that genre. You must use Web 2.0 tools as ways of presenting your argument and research. These tools will help you with future courses, papers, projects and presentations. These tools can be embedded in many sites. It is highly suggested that each "tool" is given it's own page. The order of the pages may be in any logical order that you find best fits your topic and flow. I will require that one of your genres is a Prezi (not a PowerPoint). Developing an effective Prezi is a very valuable skill and one that will be immediately useful in your other courses. The other genres are at your sole discretion. (See ideas of possible genres at end.) 1:1 Meeting: On either 3/11 (Monday) or 3/12 (Tuesday) you will have a 1:1 meeting with me to discuss your paper thus far. If you do NOT attend, it will count as a class absence as there is no class on 3/12 (Tuesday). These will be held in the basement of the library, near the coffee shop (the side in the library). Plus, comfy chairs. You MUST bring a hard copy of your revision draft to your conference. I also ask that you attach any version of the vomit draft to this revision draft. If you do not show to the 1:1 conference, your MGRP will not be considered complete and you will earn a zero (0) for the entire project. If you earn a zero, your chances of passing this course are severely limited. Revision Draft: This is your vomit draft with the addition of it being heavily revised per the in-class exercises and our 1:1 conversations. It MUST be revised There is no way around it. On 3/14 (Thursday) your revision draft is due. This will be dropped & brought into class as a hard copy with your vomit draft attached behind it (stapled please). Remember, a revision is drastically different from the vomit draft. You must take into account, peer feedback, my feedback, revision activities and more when creating your revision draft. This revision draft must contain the same requirements as the vomit draft.

Complete Project: Deep breath... The entire project is due, no exceptions, excuses, complaints, hiccups, tech implosions, Armageddon's, roommate excuses, proverbial, yet non-existent pet consuming something, nor non-attendance maneuverings. It is due when it is due. You know the due date now, plan accordingly. Late submission will NOT be accepted. In addition, if you don't complete this assignment, your chances of passing this course are drastically reduced. Project Components: Think of each of these as their own "page" on your site. This is where Wordpress. Your final draft of this project must contain all these elements on your Wordpress site. 1. Dear Reader Letter: This will be the first thing that is visible on your site, but the last thing written. It is intended to not only guide your reader but also to demonstrate self-reflection on the process. It will provide the reader with how to navigated your site and what information they need to know prior to viewing your site. It will discuss your journey with the assignment and the challenges faced, your successes and your failures. This does not count towards your minimum word requirements. 2. "Multi-Media Academic Paper": A larger, written paper is required for one of your genres, but you decide format. Seeing how half of the 2500 words need to be written and academic, I am thinking that one of your genre will be a more formal, longer length paper (which is fine). Whatever method of paper you decide on, it must contain the following: in text citations with hyperlinks to sources used, images and more to fully engage your audience. You will also need a MLA Works Cited page of all sources used in the paper itself. (The site/project will have it's own Works Cited on the site.) The essay must follow MLA style, have quoted and paraphrased information integrated within your own writing and parenthetically cited, links to nine sources used or the link to purchase the actual book, images, video/audio that demonstrate your point, links for further reading, headings that describe different parts of the essay. 3. Genres: You need a minimum of six (yes, more are fine and encouraged). One of the six must be a Prezi. Some platforms allow you to embed, others only allow you to link. The other five genres are up to you. Each genre will have it's own page on your site, in most cases. 4. Genre Rationale: This page is where you defend why you chose the genes you did. And stating that I required you to complete the Prezi is not a valid reason. Think about how the structure, organization, medium and more affect the message of the genre and why this particular genre was the strongest choice for our project. This does not count towards your minimum word requirements. 5. Self-Assessment: Simply put, how well do you think you did? Tell me about it. This does not count towards your minimum word requirements. 6. MLA Works Cited: This is the complete works cited for the entire project...paper and genre combined. Last Thoughts: Please don't use Wikipedia as a source. Definitely use it as a starting point and review the resources they link to. Please don't use websites that are not credible and reliable. Work on this a little bit each week. Do not wait until the night before to complete a component of it. I know you are better and more than capable of succeeding with this. Stuck? I am more than happy talking with you about this project whenever. Have an idea for a genre, but not sure how to make it digital, contact me. I have an immense wealth of web tools that can help you develop your genres. Contact me and we can work it out.

Multi-Genre Argument Check List Because of the non-traditional structure of this assignment, you need to be very careful to follow this checklist so you don't miss a vital aspect. The criteria, checklist and what I'm looking for overall is included below. CRITERIA: Three major components. Here they are. 1. Presentation- ease of navigation and visual appeal. a. How easy is your webpage to navigate? b. Do the tabs or other navigation help or hinder your argumentative flow? 2. Argumentative Coherence- is an argument actually present? a. Is the background of the project obvious at the onset? b. Do you outline all sides of the argument throughout the process? c. Is it completely evident what side you are arguing for by the end? d. Do you meet the source requirements? e. Does your research actually supplement your argument? 3. Overall use of media- how each image, word, video, etc. adds to the argument. a. Do your genres successfully recreate the contact of the situation? b. Do you have a variety of genres? c. Is the reader/viewer engaged by the media you use? CHECKLIST: Most importantly, do you meet the source requirements? _____ 10 sources _____ 5 academic (peer reviewed journal articles or blogs) _____5 other sources (at a minimum, not including course texts) (newspapers blogs, magazines, web pages) _____ Did you cite your sources in MLA format throughout your project (genres included)? Next, do you have a variety of genres that recreate the context of your issue? _____ 6 genres including a Prezi. Be creative! More is acceptable and encouraged! Have you created enough content to meet the minimum word count? _____ 2500 words at a minimum (should be more) _____ Do you include the word count of each page at the bottom of each? _____ Previously published content (newspaper, not original video, music, etc. only adds 100 words regardless of length. Plus, I will only credit these sources 5 times (500 words). REMINDER When we have discussed other projects in classes, I have always stressed narrowing your focus down to something specific. I want to be able to feel the emotions and struggle involved with your project. Also, is your project academic and research orientated? Is the research powerful and pertinent? Do these things and you will succeed!

Below is a list of possible genres. No, you are not limited to this list. Yes, you could use a different genre if you think of one. Academic Genres: Book/film review Classical argument Biography/Autobiography Interviews Response papers Case studies Sermons Public Genres: Police reports Letters to public officials Memos Newsgroup exchanges Resumes Creative Genres: Poems Adventures Newspaper fillers Songs and ballads Childrens stories Screen plays Diary entries, dialogues Anecdotes Slide show script Visual Genres: Graphs/charts Photos with captions Collages Cartoons or comic strips Illustrations or drawings Advertisements Proposals/Abstracts Editorials Critical essays Commentaries Feature articles Research reports Technical reports Job application Email exchanges Letters to the editor Newsletter or pamphlet Field notes Stories, mysteries Telegrams Prophesies/predictions Letters to imaginary people TV/radio scripts Scenes from a play Riddles Recipes or menus Contracts Theory-based essays Written debates Speeches Mission Statement Point/Counterpoint

Letters to experts Instructions (how-to guide) Letters of complaint Lab reports or doctors note

Epitaphs, obituaries, wills Fables Lists groceries, to-do Newscasts Prayers Quizzes or surveys Advice columns Marriage contracts

Posters Puzzles Postcards Graffiti Web pages Bumper stickers

Family trees Maps Body art; tattoos Costumes Videos

Remember: All genres must be housed online. This means you will need to get creative, think outside of the box,
challenge yourself, have fun and experiment.