Why write our own
narratives?
Writing a narrative of your own is the best way to take what we have been discussing in class and put it into action.
Investigate the interviews with most writers and composers and they will explain that the reason they began working on their composition is because they had gone looking for a story and couldn't find it in existing material, so they wrote their own.
The world needs as many stories as
possible in order to make sure all point of views are taken into consideration. However having an interesting story is not enough. Being able to write that story in a compelling way so that readers, viewers, listeners cannot turn away from it.
But even well composed stories do no
one any good trapped inside the brain or the laptop of the composer. And waiting for an authority figure to deem a composition worthy of distribution is a frustrating process. Why wait for permission when the Internet already creates a space for distribution for those who dare to click publish?
Project #3: Multiple Genre Project. Write your own narrative and share it with the world
You are required to write, produce and promote your own narrative. You will be composing a piece of fiction or narrative nonfiction based on your research from P1 and written using the genre conventions you examined in P2. Once you have done that, you will be publishing this narrative yourself and using your persuasive skills to encourage others to read your story.
Where to start?
The narrative must be inspired by THE SAME RESEARCH FROM PROJECT #1 and written in the SUB-GENRE STYLE FROM PROJECT #2. Do not use the same characters or setting of any other narrative you have studied this semester. You should craft an original narrative inspired by your research this semester.
For example, if your research question from P1 determined that a work of fiction failed to accurately portray a certain type of technology, then craft a narrative which does it right. If your sub-genre curation from P2 was romance, then you'll need to make sure your technological marvel works under the romance conventions.
The project requires you to complete multiple components, including:
-
The narrative
-
Short Assignment #1: Narrative Proposal (500 words) -- What is the narrative you plan to write? What mode will this narrative take? What are the sub-genre conventions of this narrative? Who is the audience for this narrative? What tools and skills will be required to assemble this narrative? What two persuasive advertisements will you build to promote this narrative? Which two social media accounts will you design and maintain to reach your audience for this project? What is the time frame and requirements necessary to complete this project? Provide a detailed bullet point list of all the tasks required in order to complete this project (ex: finalizing the script, editing promotional art, recording vocal tracks, etc.) and how you anticipate managing your time for it. Assign deadlines for yourself (not class deadlines) for when each task should be complete in order for you to reach your class deadlines
-
Short Assignment #2: Character Sketch (200 words) -- Provide a detailed sketch of the characters within your narrative, making them as fully individualized and human as possible.
-
Short Assignment #3: Promotional Plan (500 words) -- Provide a detailed approach to marketing your narrative. How do you plan to reach your intended audience? What are the three social media accounts you plan to use? What art will you be using on these accounts to attract your audience? What times of the day will you post?
-
An additional page on your Class Wix page ONLY FOR THE NARRATIVE. (This means you will have 5 pages total on your Class Wix page).
-
Advertisement 1
-
Advertisement 2
-
social media account 1
-
social media account 2
-
After the project is complete, you must write 1,000 words on your decision-making process during the project.
1. What is the name of the narrative you created? List everything you were
required to do and everything you completed.
2. Who was the intended audience for this narrative? How did the strategies you
employed reach your audience?
3. What genre conventions did you utilize for the completion of my project?
4. What software, programs, and tools did you utilize to complete this project?
5. How did the project change from conception to completion?
6. How did you manage your time for this project?
7. What was the response of your social media campaign?
8. What was most challenging about composing Project #3 vs Project #2?
9. What advice would have given yourself before beginning Project #3 to make
the process easier?
Additionally, you will be required to complete a series of small assignments
Short Assignment #1: Narrative Proposal (500 words)
What is the narrative you plan to write? What mode will this narrative take? What are the sub-genre conventions of this narrative? Who is the audience for this narrative? What tools and skills will be required to assemble this narrative?
What two persuasive advertisements will you build to promote this narrative?
Which two social media accounts will you design and maintain to reach your audience for this project? What is the time frame and requirements necessary to complete this project?
Provide a detailed bullet point list of all the tasks required in order to complete this project (ex: finalizing the script, editing promotional art, recording vocal tracks, etc.) and how you anticipate managing your time for it. Assign deadlines for yourself (not class deadlines) for when each task should be complete in order for you to reach your class deadlines.
Short Assignment #2: Character Sketch (200 words)
Provide a detailed sketch of the characters within your narrative, making them as fully individualized and human as possible.
Short Assignment #3: Promotional Plan (500 words)
Provide a detailed approach to marketing your narrative. How do you plan to reach your intended audience? What are the three social media accounts you plan to use? What art will you be using on these accounts to attract your audience? What times of the day will you post?
Narrative options
The shape of the narrative you compose will be completely dependent on your audience, research question for Project #1, sub-genre conventions from Project #2 and the conventions of the mode which you are working. However, here are the narrative forms organized by mode and the minimums you are required to meet if select one of them. If you have other modes or genres in mind, you must meet with me before the proposal due date to get approval and establish minimum requirements.
Text Based Mode
-
Short story: Minimum of 10 pages.
Audio Mode
-
Narrative podcast (fiction): Minimum of 30 minutes.
Visual Mode
-
Comic panels: Story told in comic images. Length should be 22 pages.
Audio/Visual Mode
-
Short Film or documentary: 30-50 minutes.
-
Short, short film series: 7 short films connected with a common theme of around 5 minutes each.
Social Media Account Minimums
For your Social Media accounts, here are the REQUIRED MINIMUMS for a successful account. I want screen-shot evidence of these posts on your P3 Wix page with your narrative and your final report.
Twitter: A minimum of 80 Tweets. Tweets should be interesting and give the reader a reason to continue following your account. This is in addition to your class tweets.
Instagram Account: minimum of 40 posts before 12/1. This is a visual mode, so each image should be visually stimulating or interesting.
Pinterest account: Minimum of 10 boards with 30 pins per board which are relevant and relate to your campaign. Accessible before 12/1.
Snapchat: Because Snapchat stories disappear, you must download these every day in order to show that you promoted there. 10 photos per day before 12/1.
Facebook: minimum of 40 photos before 12/1. Posts should be a mix of visually stimulating and text-based posts. (I'll be honest, no students in the past have reported a good following from Facebook. Not one.)