Sherry Chlit12

Option 1: RIFF Research Into Fiction

Purpose
To practice techniques (which you might also use with students) for analyzing and composing in the styles/genres of childrens literature To understand childrens literature from an authors perspective Big Question: What literature should be taught to children? Why? How?

Process
1. Research on children Over the course of the semester, you will gather information about children in order to A) learn about their literacy practices and B) lend authenticity to your own writing (see step 3). As a class we will o Design questions for children about their reading/writing habits and interests o Analyze the results of this survey 2. Author/genre study: Over the course of the semester, you should choose a childrens author or genre to examine in-depth (i.e. read at least three related novels) in order to identify common characteristics you can imitate in your own writing (see step 3). For a list of suggested childrens authors/genres please see our syllabus. As you read, compile a list of characteristics you can imitate; you might do this by answering the following questions: o Content: What are common themes/settings/events/characters addressed? o Organization: What are common ways of arranging the text? o Style: What are common ways of using language to create distinctive effects? 3. Your own writing: By the end of the semester, you will write a picture book or first chapter of a childrens novel. This work should draw on your ethnographic research to create an authentic conflict and characters, and on your author/genre study to create its style. This chapter should be: o Annotated with your explanations of how you included your research from steps 1 and 2. o Accompanied by your materials from steps 1 and 2.

Assessment
Criterion Process All parts completed fully and on-time in professional manner Purpose Thoroughly and clearly interprets steps 1 & 2 into annotated product Audience Uses steps 1 & 2 to design a product suited to young adults Genre Uses techniques and conventions of the genre suited to the task Engagement demonstrates self-awareness and willingness to take risks 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0