How do teacher motivate their students to complete multigenre papers in all grades?
Romano: Teachers need to keep on students. Requiring bits of the assignment as they go, “checkpoint pieces,” keeps students accountable to doing their work. I also require a research design from students that usually helps jumpstart students into researching and writing. Once students start researching and writing, they become self-motivated because they’re interested in their topic. Q: Any insight on where multigenre papers are headed? Romano: Multigenre writing is developing everywhere. Many young adult novels are becoming more multigenre based. However, I see multigenre papers becoming more digital—a sort of digital storytelling. Q: Any specific do’s and don’ts when teaching multigenre papers? Romano: Definitely support kids the whole way. Do not assign the paper and then abandon the students. Show the students genres and subgenres they can try. Give them plenty of choices, and be prepared for surprise.
