Genre descriptions
Click the red arrow to get back to the list of genres.
Remember, all genres are to be created by you. This are to be original works.
advice columns | Like the ones you find in
magazines or newspapers, an advice column features a letter from a reader
who needs advice or help and a response from the columnist whose expertise
allows him or her to sincerely give this help. You should consult a real
column in a newspaper to see how you could format yours.
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book jacket | This description of the book is
found on the cover. It may hint at the exciting parts of the plot or begin
to describe a character. A book jacket is also art that incorporates a
design that represents the book. The author's name and the title are also
on the book jacket. Look at the covers of books for real life examples.
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campaign speech | Politician who are running for
office give speeches that they hope will get them elected. These speeches
usually include the person's views on important issues as well as
statements that they hope will help voters understand what kind of people
they are.
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map w/ legend | Your map should be hand made to
represent the "geography" of your concept. Make a legend to help the
reader understand your map. Look at a highway map for an example, but
also, try to find old maps to see their artistry. You can model your map
after either kind. University of Georgia Libraries:
Hargrett's rare map collection.
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diary | A personal diary is a daily
journal, a recording of the significant moments of the day. It begins with
the date. Some diary writers begin, "Dear Diary," but that's not a rule.
Since a diary is meant to be personal, it often reveals feelings and
thoughts that people tend to keep private. You should include diary
entries for several days. This genre is a good way to show a process over
time.
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interview | When trying to figure out
appropriate questions to ask an interviewee follow this guideline.
First, get the facts. Next, ask your interviewee to clarify what
has been said. (What do you mean by...?) Then the
interviewer is supposed to verify information given, provide any
follow-up questions, and provide closure to the discussion.
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menu | Your menu might not include a
Friday night fish fry. Instead, a menu that you write for your
multi-genre web might include a pamphlet of various choices your topic
has to offer, followed by a description and a price guide based on
importance. For example, if your topic was a famous person in
history, each menu item might be listed as people and events that were
critical to that person's development. The price listed next to it
might be ranked according its affect it had on the development of the
individual.
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travel poster | A travel poster can use graphics,
photos, or drawings to reveal a certain place in the world relevant to
your topic. Make sure you use the space on you poster/web site
effectively. Capture the viewers attention and keep it. Your
travel poster should reveal the essence of the destination and what it
has to offer. Keep the design simple yet inclusive of all
necessary information. Achieve unity in the design by the use of
balance and repetition.
Examples.
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personal commentary | Most personal commentaries
fall into one of three styles: an amusing commentary, a description of
an event whose consequences are emotionally charged or easy to relate
to, and finally, a personal point of view about something serious. The
common elements that personal commentaries share are that they reveal
something about the author and they have a single, central theme.
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Informative essays | Informative essays explain
a process, an event, or a concept. It is writing characterized by
inclusion of sufficient details, reasons, or examples to allow the
reader to fully understand the process, event, or concept. For
help with this form of writing
click
here.
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photo with description | Use a digital or print photo
(then scan it). The image must be generic and one that you took. It cannot
be of you. The description can be a caption that tells who, what, when,
where, why and how, and of course, supports your main theme. Also, you
could write a short poem to accompany the photograph.
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job application | Click here to get a .pdf version
of a
city of
Madison employment application. You would need to print this and fill
it out and then scan it to add to your web page. See me for help.
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quiz | You've taken many quizzes, so you
know how they look. Make yours a multiple choice quiz with at least ten
questions. Then, at the bottom of the page, put a key to the answers and
any explanations you need. Quizzes are great places to put facts.
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advertisement | Create a one page advertisement
like you'd see in a magazine. You want to get your reader's attention,
demonstrate the need for what you are selling, and show how your
product/service will satisfy that need. Study professional ads to see how
these goals are accomplished and use those examples as your models.
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CD cover | Create the art work for the
front. Include the name of the band and the title of the CD. Then, on
another "square," include your list of song titles. CDs generally have
between 10-13 songs. Finally, include the lyrics to one song or liner
notes. Liner notes are notes about the making of the CD, the experiences
of the band, or other informative details that would be of interest to the
listener. See a real CD or album for a model of how yours might look.
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greeting card | A typical greeting card has a
specific purpose: wishing someone a happy birthday or anniversary or
expressing a feeling about another occasion. There is a sender and a
receiver. Also, the card itself has a cover with an illustration or
picture, maybe even a cartoon and an inside with the main message or the
punch line to a joke begun on the cover. See several real cards to get a
sense of how you could design your card. Be sure you also include a little
note to your sender to make the card personal.
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post card | A post card must have three
parts. On the front is the picture and a greeting, such as "Hello from
Ontario," or "Wish you were skiing with us." On the back are the address
and stamp to the right and the message to the left. People generally write
in small print on postcards to let them say everything they want to say or
they may write brief ideas. Be sure that each word in your message counts
or means something.
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grocery list | We can tell a lot about people,
sometimes, by what they buy at the store. For example, someone who never
buys any fresh fruits or vegetables may not be eating healthy, well
balanced meals. This list can also extend beyond the grocery store to a
different store or a list of things to do. Your list should reflect some
aspect of a person's preferences or habits. You should include a title at
the top, such as "groceries," or "camping supplies," or "what to pack."
You must have at least 20 items on your list.
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recipe | A recipe includes a list of
ingredients, directions for mixing, combining, preparing, baking or
cooking and serving. To create a recipe for something non food, such as
peace or health or a good marriage, think of the essential ingredients.
What does it take to be healthy or what are the things a couple must have
for a good marriage? List these ingredients. Then show how these
ingredients are used or managed. The recipe should be written in typical
recipe form. See samples of recipes from magazines or cookbooks for
examples. You must create your own, original recipe.
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memory | A memory is similar to a
monologue in that it is the reflection of one speaker. To write a memory
is to single out an important event from the past and recall its details
(who, what, when, and where) and to write also about why the memory is
important. How did the event change the person (speaker, narrator) or why
does it still come to mind? Why was this event important? Memories are
written in first person point of view and should be full of details that
make the event seem true to life. Your reader should be able to visualize
the event, almost as if he or she were there.
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collage | Create a collage of images that
represent the key ideas you are representing. The collage can include
words and phrases to reinforce ideas. You must also include a short
paragraph explaining the significance of the images in your collage. Do
not create your collage in Word. Use a photo editing program like
PhotoShop Elements. Some students have had success with Paint. You can
create a collage on paper (8 1/2 x 11) and scan it.
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graph/chart | Create a graph or chart in Excel
or on paper. Make sure that the graph or chart is complete with details,
numbers, percents, etc. The graph or chart should be able to be read
without additional explanation. See other charts or graphs in textbooks,
newspapers, or magazines to use as examples. Add a paragraph explaining
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one act play | A one act play introduces
characters in a conflict that is resolved in one act. Before writing your
own, read a one act play to give you an idea of how to proceed. The play
must be written using the typical conventions of a play or drama.
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announcement | We hear announcements each day in
school. There are also announcements in church or before a meeting.
Announcements alert people to important events that are coming up. Create
an announcement that gives critical information about an upcoming event:
who, what, when, where, why, and how. Top the announcement with an
attention-getting label, such as "Attention all athletes," or "important
information for all drivers."
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ransom note | A ransom note is written from a
kidnapper who demands money or something else of value before he will
release his captive. Things like addictions or obsessions or fears can
hold people hostage, too. It would be interesting to write from the point
of view of such a kidnapper. Be careful that you play with ideas here and
don't get carried away. Kidnapping is violent and illegal.
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song/ballad | Write lyrics to a song or ballad
(a song that tells a story). You should have several verses. Think of the
main ideas you want the song to express. Remember that songs are to be
sung, so think of that as you compose. If you're really adventurous,
record your song and make your genre an audio file. Look at the structures
of some of your favorite songs to use for examples.
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descriptive paragraph | When we read a descriptive
paragraph, its like we are there. The imagery allows us to see, smell,
hear, taste, and feel our surroundings.
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eyewitness account | When important events happen,
someone is generally there to see it happen. An eyewitness is asked to
give details about exactly what happened, when it happened and how it
happened. The eyewitness would provide specific, concrete details like
colors, sizes, distances, times, etc. that make the account as factual as
possible. While not everyone sees an event in the exact same way,
eyewitness accounts help us put the event into perspective. The account
could be prompted by a reporter's or a police officer's questions.
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illustration | An illustration is a drawing that
illustrates a concept or an idea. It is often accompanied by labels or
margin notes to explain aspects of the drawing. An illustration is often
done in ink on white paper and is detailed. Think of how a scientist
illustrates the process of cell reproduction or how a naturalist
illustrates the stages maples trees go through during the four seasons.
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Photo gallery/album | If you have
several pictures, you can create a photo gallery or a photo album where
you describe each picture.
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