Zack De Piero

Writing 2 Academic Writing Winter 15

Writing Project #3:

Genre Translation
How can big ideas in scholarly texts be translated into
non-academic texts for different audiences? What
moves can writers make to target an audiences (likely)
expectations? What are the affordances and limitations
of such translationswhats gained and whats lost?
PB3A:
Proposal for Your Genre Translation
Due: Monday, February 23rd

This PB is a pitch about what youd like to do for WP3. The first
step is to find a scholarly, peer-reviewed, academic publication that
youd like to work with. Once you settle on one, think about how you
can translate this genre into two new (and different) genresone
geared towards a younger audience and one tailored to an older
audience. This PB is meant to give you an opportunity to write to
learn (as opposed to learn to write) and explore connections between
your ideas. Were getting creative in WP3, so write freely and think
through your options. If you have questions for me or your
classmates, post them!

Please know that you arent committed to the ideas that you have in
this PB for your WP3. Changing ideas/topics is fine. (Its all a part of
the process. )

500-700 words
PB3B:
Commenting on Your Classmates Ideas for WP3
Due: Wednesday, February 25th

Take a look at your classmates PB3A blog posts and comment on

three of them. What sounds super-neat/cool/awesome about their

WP3 genre translation proposal? What isnt so clear to you? What

questions can you ask to help them think through their thoughts?
Make sure to include why the questions that youre asking are
important questions to consider.

150-200 words per post.

WP3:
Genre Translation: Moving From Scholarly to Non-Academic Contexts (and
Different Audiences!) and a Follow-Up Self-Analysis of Your Moves
First Draft Due: Monday, March 2nd
Final Draft Due: Wednesday, March 4th

Part 1: Find a scholarly, peer-reviewed, academic text that youd like

to work with.

Part 2: Translate this piece into two different genres: one should be
directed to a younger audience and the other needs to be tailored to
an older audience. These are somewhat vague parameters, so make
sure you explain to me who, exactly, your intended audience is for
each translation. Think hard about the existing conventions of the
new genres that youre producing (ie, what makes a Tweet a Tweet?)
and try to account for these in your work.
Each genre that you produce is negotiable, but it should require
substantial workie, one Tweet definitely isnt enough! Bonus points
for being creative and thinking outside the box.

Part 3: What were your goals for each piece? Who were your intended
audiences and how did you tailor each piece to meet their (probable)
expectations? What moves did you make in your translations? Why
did you make the moves that you did? Be as specific as you can, and
remember: moves can basically mean anything you want it to mean
were using it as a tool to think about the various choices that
writers make.
In describing your moves, make sure that you reference the
McCloud and Losh/Alexander pieces from our course readings. Their
use of framing, transitions, visual literacy, and the places/spaces in
which people write are all worth thinking about.
Your follow-up self-analysis paper should be 3-4 pages long, double-

spaced, MLA format, with 1-inch margins. Although you dont need a
thesis statement-driven argument, I would still like you to carve out
an Introduction, illustrate your major points in body paragraphs, and
finish up with a strong Conclusion. You can tailor this self-analysis to
an academic audience or maintain your own voice.

*Note: You can turn in hard copies of your rough/final drafts, but Id
also like you to find a way to upload your work to Gauchospace.
Take/scan pictures if necessary!

**Note #2: Have fun with this! Rock it out! Use WP3 as an
opportunity to apply what youve learned in our course!