Students take a written paper from a previous class essay assignment (a position paper—click to view that assignment), transform it into a multimodal presentation, and write about the differences created in changing mode.
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English 2150T
Spring 2018
Professor Joanne Grumet
Assignment #4
Essay #2 Remixed
In this assignment, you will take Essay #2 and rework it into a multimodal piece, using some combination of sound, video, audio files, pictures and some written text. The imagined audience for your work will be not just the teacher, but the class and possibly beyond the class as well. Your project will include 1) a piece that visualizes your argument and 2) a Writer’s Letter that asks you to 1) reflect on the differences between your written piece and the multimodal piece based on it and 2) analyze the process of transposing the piece from one medium (written text) to a multimodal platform. You may choose to do a PowerPoint or Prezi presentation or a short video using WeVideo or iMovie or a “mashup”, using images, videos, audio, etc. from other sources and using them in a new way to present your original argument or you may use a medium of your own invention, such as a game. If you use someone else’s material, such as YouTube, you must use more than one source.
Production and Assessment
Multimedia Argument (50 % of project grade)
Basic Assignment: Rework your Essay #2 for a different audience using different media.
Thesis : Present your argument in a new way, using other modes besides just texts. A person who has not read your original paper should be able to understand what you are trying to say.
Creativity: Select or create interesting images, video clips, etc. to engage the audience’s feelings and written texts, charts, etc., to support your argument.
Sources: Use Creative Commons for materials if possible and give credit to the creator or source of material. Use a Works Cited list if you do not have screen credits in your visual piece.
Proofreading: If you have any text, be sure that it is grammatically correct with no spelling errors (unless you intentionally want to use ungrammatical language).
Length: The final version should be no longer than 3 minutes.
Extended Writer’s Letter (50% of final project grade) ( 750 words (or more))
Discuss why you chose the particular new media to present your argument and how the use of the new technologies and media influenced your new piece.
Discuss the different audiences you had for each piece and how it influenced your work.
Discuss your experience with the new media, what you learned in the process and any problems you may have had.
Discuss the possibility of sharing your work beyond the classroom. Would it need more work?
Due Dates: In-class presentation of project is scheduled for April 24th. Extended Writer’s Letter is due on May 1st.