Category: Module 3 – Writing in a New Genre (Page 2 of 3)

Module 2 Reflection

Due on MON. NOV. 15 th

Write a reflection on Module 2 that is at least 250 words. Please include the word count on the top of the page. The reflection should be typed in Times New Roman 12 point font and double spaced. 

Questions to Consider: 

Metacognition is what we call reflection: an awareness of our learning process—both how and what we learn.

Transfer: Is the concept of how we can transfer this knowledge/ awareness/ learning into other aspects of our lives. For example, how can we use this learning in other classes (math classes, architecture classes, fashion classes) or in the world outside of City Tech (our careers, etc). 

We have talked a lot about the research and inquiry process. We have discussed the importance of letting questions guide our research and using sources in different genres to help us better understand our topics. Now, it is time for us to reflect on this learning! 

A Module Reflection asks you to reflect or look back at the Module and think deeply about the readings, the major project, and the short writing assignments you completed. 

First, let’s think about what each of these mentor authors taught us:

• Your 4 sources
• “Is Google Making Us Stupid” by Nicholas Carr
• “Wikipedia Pops Up in Bibliographies” by Larry Gordon
• “Backpacks vs. Briefcases” by Laura Bolin Carroll

Next, let’s think about what we learned from all of our different writing assignments, both short and long! 

• Reading Responses
• Research Questions
• 5 Ws and 1H Chart 
• Reflective Annotated Bibliography
• Freewrite
• Research Presentations

Guiding Questions: You do not have to answer each question, but rather use them as a guide or inspiration as you reflect or look back on the module! 

• Discuss what you learned about yourself as a writer and a reader in the process of writing your rhetorical analysis. 

• For example, what part did you find the most challenging? Or the most successful? Did you try anything new like analyzing the author’s craft or evaluating a source’s credibility?

• Which of the readings, if any, influenced you or inspired you? Explain the influence, USE SPECIFIC examples. Your sources, “Is Google Making Us Stupid” by Nicholas Carr, “Wikipedia Pops Up in Bibliographies” by Larry Gordon, and “Backpacks vs. Briefcases” by Laura Bolin Carroll
• The focus of the Module was on Genre and Research and Inquiry (asking questions), what did you find interesting? What did you learn? What would you still like to learn more about?
• What are your thoughts on the experience in general? Was it a useful learning experience? What specific skills or perspectives did you acquire as a result?
• How could you transfer something you learned in this module to other aspects of your life both in City Tech and outside of City Tech?
• Is there anything else you want me to know about you as a writer or reader or your work in this class?

HELPFUL RESOURCES

 The New York Times on creating a Podcast: 

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/22/learning/making-a-podcast-that-matters-a-guide-with-examples-from-23-students.html

The NYT has an entire list of “Mentor Texts” that help you write articles like a sports article and a personal health column. It’s quite useful.  It can be found here: https://www.nytimes.com/column/learning-mentor-texts

More resources for creating texts:

• Free music: https://www.purple-planet.com/
•  Free sound effects: http://soundbible.com/free-sound-effects-1.html
•  Copyright safe images (photos, clip art, etc): https://search.creativecommons.org/
•  Stock videos (and photos): https://www.pexels.com
•  Illustrations you can manipulate: https://undraw.co/illustrations
•  https://www.canva.com/ is a mostly free (especially if you upload your own images) design program that does everything from posters and banners to storyboards and comic strips. A real go-to tool for a lot of people.

To Create Posters, infographics, etc.:

•  https://www.canva.com/ The images with crowns on them are extra, but Canva is free if you use your own images.
•  https://piktochart.com/ The free version has a 40MB image upload limit.

Online comic maker:

• https://www.makebeliefscomix.com/

Audio creator/editor:  

• https://www.audacityteam.org/ [easy to use with a full range of tools, lots of videos about how to use it]
•  Here’s a review about free audio editing software https://www.techradar.com/news/the-best- free-audio-editor

 Screencasting/video recording:

•  https://screencast-o-matic.com/ Screencast-o-matic is free if you want to do screen capture videos from your laptop. Word of warning: if you really want to do some close editing work, it will cost, but for the basics, it’s fine. You can upload the resulting video to YouTube. A lot of faculty use it.
• YouTube Studio will give you lots of tutorials about how to create videos.

THE PROJECT STEPS

Step 1: Choose an AUDIENCE and A Genre and Write a Project Proposal

We have talked a lot about genre this semester, now it is time for you to choose an audience and a genre that best reaches that audience. It is very important to consider your intended audience (note: it is not me!), your purpose, the best way to reach that audience and what genre would meet those criteria. What are the elements of the genre that you must include?

**NOTE: Professor Coleman must pre-approve the genre. **

**DUE: Project Proposal**

Step 2: Using Your Research Write about Your Topic in the Genre

Using your research from Module 2 and the genre you selected, it is time to compose your piece! We will go over these details of what to include in depth during class!

Step 3: Write an Artist’s Statement

You will also create an Artist’s Statement. This will provide you with an opportunity to thoughtfully reflect on your final project and on the work you have done together in this unit. In an artist’s statement, the author explains the decisions and choices that they made when composing the piece such as the choices behind the genre, rhetorical situation, use of rhetorical appeals, mode, and medium.  The author’s statement should be at least 300 words.

Step 4: Present and Share

Let’s celebrate! You have worked so hard on your projects, now it is time to present them to a real audience, your classmates! Please be prepared to present some aspect of your project to the class!