Create a podcast that can be shared over the Internet. A podcast often takes a form somewhat like a radio show. There is usually the voice of a narrator/mc; there are often clips from interviews; and there can be samples from songs or other media that are played on the show.

Work together with a group of peers to
produce a 10-15 minute (could be a bit longer) podcast about a theme or topic relevant to the study of literature.

The podcast will take the form of a live radio show that blends recorded snippets
of interviews, poetry or music with your own commentary or discussion. You can listen to some samples produced by other classes to get an idea for what the podcast might sound like, including All Poems Considered, The Fruitbasket, and We Get Lit.

For the topic and some of the content of your podcast, your group might select a literary figure or a theme/motif--families, innocence, nature, work, war, culture, entertainment, etc.

Once you have a broad theme in mind, you might want to focus your discussion on a few of the works related to that theme or on some smaller topics. Brainstorm about ways you might use recorded readings of poems, song samples, and other audio tidbits, and then look for a creative topic that can organize what you want to do.

Next, conduct research to inform your work on the project. You might learn all
you can about authors, or track down interpretations of songs or poems you
will use. You can locate essays related to the themes you wish to touch on.
Imagine ways the podcast might function as an audio research project; the more
seamlessly you can incorporate engaging information into the podcast, the stronger
it will be.

Next, select roles for the various members of the group—you might choose
a host or co-hosts. You could then identify guests, callers, reporters, or other
ways for everyone to participate. As you identify roles, you will also be refining your thinking about the overall shape of the podcast session—how you might sequence the speakers and integrate audio into the show. You will also need to designate a person in charge of the media files--this person will be responsible for cueing up and playing the audio portions you will include in your broadcast.

Next, compose a script outlining the podcasting session. Your script should
use speaker tags and stage directions to indicate what will happen during the
podcast—something like:

INTRO MUSIC [Eddy Money—“Two Tickets to Paradise” (just kidding)]

HOST: Give podcast info (date, place, topic, etc. > introduce guests >
topic background and segue way to first poem

PLAY “Marginalia”

HOST: First question to Jennifer—relationship of poem to podcast topic

You can see that the script does not spell out what each participant will say.
Instead, it provides a map that will guide the live session. The key to doing a successful podcast is knowing your topic--research as much as possible and get to know the works you will discuss, and your conversation will be engaging.

Let me emphasize what will make the podcast strong: good research and knowledge of the works and the topic combined with an informal conversational recording session. Don't write out everything you intend to say.

Your group will deliver the live podcast to the rest of the class. We will conduct the live podcasts on November 5th.