This assignment involves two projects: 1.) a playlist and a written profile about a Major American Author. Remember that we have discussed expanding who might qualify as such a figure. Clearly, you could talk about Bob Dylan or The Coen Brothers as major figures in American Literature. For other figures, e.g., John F. Kennedy, you might need to do more work demonstrating the criteria you are using in selecting them for the profile. (Note: as a twist on this assignment, you can profile a character from a work of literature as well.)
Begin by identifying a figure for your profile. Next, conduct research to learn more about the person you are profiling. You can research online or through the Library database. You should also try to find a photograph or two that will help you illustrate your profile.
We will begin with the playlist as a way of getting to know the topic. Create a list of eight or more songs that represent key aspects or tell the story of the person, place or thing you are profiling. You might, for instance, gather topically oriented music—song relating to freedom, work, a place, or some other topic associated with your figure. You could also gather songs that help narrate the story you would like to get across in your profile. If your subject, for instance, had trouble in school, struggled with addiction, and then overcame those obstacles, you could collect a list of songs that represents that journey. For the playlist, you will need to take on the persona of the character you are profiling—imagine yourself as the figure making a playlist, and then choose songs that fit the persona you have taken on.
You will need to learn to create hyperlinks to songs (if they are available on the Web) or to samples through iTunes or Rhapsody. For each song on the playlist, link to a sound file or iTunes or Rhapsody sample. Then below each entry, compose a few sentences discussing the song. What matters about this particular piece of music? How does it fit with the rest of the playlist? What connects this song to the angle, or story you are trying to create with the playlist? (You can see some samples at http://teachmix.com/newmedialit/?q=taxonomy/term/2
Submit your blog entry with the playlist links and your annotations and explanations by the end of class on Monday. Also for the weekend, be sure to read the article “Downloading Empathy.”
The second part of the assignment calls for you to compose a profile essay. You may have read similar essays in magazines or on the Web—profiles often take the form of biographies, or interest stories about people. Before starting, think about the organizational structure of your essay. You may want to organize the essay chronologically to tell the story of the person, but be sure to select and interpret events that will give the profile interest. You can also think about themes or subtopics that might organize the essay—for instance a section on struggles, and then a section on triumphs. You don’t need to have the structure fully mapped out, but do develop a sense of the angle you wish to take in the profile. Also, think about the perspective you want to take in the essay—you might profile a person from an objective standpoint. Or, you could write the piece with a closer connection, adding a personal spin.
Next, be sure that you have conducted enough research to write authoritatively about the topic. Also, try to locate images that can be incorporated into the essay.
When you have a draft of the essay completed, open a blog entry and then paste the draft into the message and submit it before class on Tuesday.
Finally, collect feedback on the profile and revise it before class on Wednesday.
Here is a link with more information about writing profiles.
