Project 1: "My Story"

In this project, you will need to reflect about an important, personal, event or series of events  that are relevant to you and have shaped  your persona. You will then be required to portray these in a genre of your choice,  showing a comprehensive understanding of the genre. To help you decide on the genre which best adapts to your story,  we will read extracts from several biographical texts: “The Story of an Hour” by Chopin, Persepolis by Satrapi, Diary of Anne Frank, and Mockingjay –The Hunger Games- by Suzanne Collins. By reading these texts, we will focus on the genres of short story, graphic narrative, diary and young adult novel, exploring  how these genres affects the practice of life writing. Furthermore, you will be required to create a comprehensive list –together with a brief description– of (auto)biographical genres and analyze the two which trigger you the most.

Requirements:     

1. List and description of genres. Description of two of your choice. (20 points)

2. Genre Analysis of the genre chosen for your personal narrative. (30 points)
 Detailed description of genre features, information regarding the cultural/historical context of the genre, and CHAT analysis.

3. Personal narrative (30 points)
It should adapt to the conventions of the chosen genre and show an understanding of the made decisions.

4. Peer review. (20 points)
You will be required to provide significant feedback to one of your peers in the writing process.

Project 2: Pop Cult Journalists   

In this unit, you will explore a popular magazine of your choice as well as a cultural phenomenon usually (or likely) featured in that magazine– a popular band or musician, book, TV show, film, anime series, sport figures, etc. As you explore the magazine, you will be required to analyze its overall structure and subgenres, to finally choose a section for which YOU are writing an article.  Both printed and online magazines will be considered. Furthermore, you will need to show comprehensive knowledge on the cultural phenomenon by submitting a research report and list of your sources.