Ideas for Genre Sources

GENRE SOURCE IDEAS

Below is a list of genre sources to consider.  Each description details the source itself and how you can replicate it as your Creative Original or Parenthetical Original requirement. 

Literary Source

This is the easiest source to gather because for your class, it’s The Thirteenth Tale.

Advice columns

Examine one(s) found in magazines(s) or newspaper(s) as a primary source or create one as a Creative Original.  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.

Campaign speech

Examine one as a primary source or create one as a Creative Original.  If you create one, remember that politicians 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.

Map w/ legend

Examine a map as a primary source or create one as a Creative Original. 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.

Collage

Examine one as a primary source or create one as a Creative Original. Create a collage of images that represent the key ideas you are representing. The collage can include words and phrases to reinforce ideas.  

Diary Entry

Examine a diary entry as a primary source or create one as a Creative Original. 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.

 Interview*

Examine or conduct one for use as a primary source.  Determine appropriate questions to ask an interviewee by following 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. Interview either two different people on the same subject in order to draw a conclusion or interview the same person on the same subject at two separate times to see if their answers vary.

Personal Essay

Examine one as a primary source or create one as a Creative Original. Most personal essays 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.

Photograph

Examine as a primary source or take your own for use as part of a Creative Original work. Please do not include heirloom photography or pictures from your parents’ albums/collections.  Instead, please photocopy, scan, or print the picture in order to avoid losing or ruining the original.  If it is a picture from your own collection, please think carefully before submitting an original, as I can not guarantee its return.

Advertisement

Examine a magazine article as a primary source or 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.

CD cover

Examine a CD cover as a primary source or create art work for the front of one as a Creative Original. If you create, 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.

Post card

Examine one as a primary source or create one as a Creative Original. 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 is the address and the stamp is to the right and the message is 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.

Grocery list

Examine one as a primary source or create one as a Creative Original. 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.

Blog

Examine one as a primary source or create one as a Creative Original. A blog is a website, usually maintained by an individual, with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse chronological order

A Memory

Examine one as a primary source or create one as a Creative Original. 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.

Graph/chart

Examine one as a primary source or create one as a Creative Original. 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 the data, if you need it.

One act play

Examine one as a primary source or create one as a Creative Original. 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.

Announcement

Examine one as a primary source or create one as a Creative Original. 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."

Song/ballad

Examine one as a primary source or create one as a Creative Original. 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.

Eyewitness account/Interview

Examine one as a primary source or create one as a Creative Original. 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.

Illustration

Examine one as a primary source or create one as a Creative Original. 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.

Work of Art

Examine one as a primary source or create one as a Creative Original. A work of art can be incorporated as a primary source by including a picture of the work found in a book, online, or taken in person.  You can create your own work of art if you are an artist and it can take the form of print work, painting, sketching, drawing, sculpture, etc.