A genre study is an in depth study of a specific genre and its special features. After reading several novels belonging to the same genre, written by various authors, a good reader is able to:

·        Compare and contrast the different settings, characters, plots, themes, and genre features found in the novels and examine how they impact the story development;

·        Examine the different writing styles of the various authors; and

·        Make an informed judgment as to the most accomplished author of the genre study.

The following genre study project will be done after reading a minimum of four novels written by various authors. The following is a guideline for the project:

• Each group will be composed of two students who have read the books of the specific genre
• The project will be displayed on a project/tri-board
• The project will have an oral presentation segment
• The display will be scored for neatness, content, writing mechanics, original format and technology, oral presentation, and eye-catching display

The following sections must be included in this project:

• The top of the middle board must announce the genre of the project
• The middle of the tri-board must have the following completed Genre Study chart:

• Short biographies and pictures of the various authors
• A book report for each novel
• A test for each novel
• A computer generated cover for each novel
• A persuasive essay explaining why one of the novels is the best example of the genre
• A map of an important area mentioned in each of the novels with an appropriate caption for each map explaining each map
• A completed Venn diagram comparing/contrasting two novels: themes/ conflicts, characters, special genre features found in both books, or a book to its movie
• A letter to an author of choice that includes:
• A summary of the project and its purpose
• Your personal reaction to the novel
• A question about the book/ characters in the book
• A personal question about the author’s life
• An explanation of how this book has affected you
• An art project that reflects one of the novels
• An oral presentation of the project that includes:
• A summary of each novel
• A reading of the most exciting/funny part of the book
• Reasons why one novel is a better representation of the genre than the other novels
• Parts of the book that directly correspond with the authors’ lives

Other work that may be included for enrichment purposes:

• A picture of a scene of one of the novels
• A poem about a specific character or setting of a novel
• An original short story written in the same genre as the novels of the project