End Notes: Reflections of the Genres
After reading Romano (2000) and Allen's (2001) reflections on the multigenre paper, I spent a lot of time deciding on the perfect genres to utilize in order to share information about the Skull and Bones.
Skull and Bones: An Informational Essay:
I chose an informational essay and positioned it first because facts are always at the base of any multigenre paper.
A Society of Our Own: A Letter from Founder to Founder:
I wanted the readers to "hear" from William H. Russell as the founder of the Skulls and Bones. As I reflected on the history of the founding of the Skull and Bones, I felt it was important to consider what he may have been thinking when he began the society.
Resume of William H. Russell:
Similarly to the letter from Russell, I wanted the readers to know about his life after his time at Yale. His time in the Skull and Bones shaped his future.
Members Wanted:
Although Skull and Bones doesn't actually advertise, the details surrounding tap night and what the society is looking for in its members are well known.
Diary of a Member:
I wanted the reader to get an inside look at the thoughts of a member. Through this fictional character, I shared what I knew about their initiation and tapping, but I also wanted to keep the secrecy.
Interview with a Former Member:
While there is no evidence that any members have ever left the club, with a history that long, it can be assumed that they exist I began thinking about the things they know and also the loneliness and maybe even the fear they have.
Stealing Old Bones: An Article from The Yale Tribune:
The theft of Geronimo's bones has been a part of the Skull and Bones controversy for years. Almost all of the information from the "article" is factual, including the lawsuit.
Secrets: A Double Voice Poem:
I chose to consider the idea of secrets from both a member's point of view and an outsider's point of view. On one side, the secrets are intriguing because the membership means a successful future. On the other side, the secrets keep out others and those others want to know.
Secrets are an Ocean:
When I considered what the secrets of the society could be likened to, an ocean quickly came to mind. They have much in common.
Photographs:
Photographs related to Skull and Bones are very difficult to find. That is not completely surprising, as one of its main goals is to keep itself a secret. I was able to find old group photos, however the society stopped publishing its member lists in 1971.
Skull and Bones: An Informational Essay:
I chose an informational essay and positioned it first because facts are always at the base of any multigenre paper.
A Society of Our Own: A Letter from Founder to Founder:
I wanted the readers to "hear" from William H. Russell as the founder of the Skulls and Bones. As I reflected on the history of the founding of the Skull and Bones, I felt it was important to consider what he may have been thinking when he began the society.
Resume of William H. Russell:
Similarly to the letter from Russell, I wanted the readers to know about his life after his time at Yale. His time in the Skull and Bones shaped his future.
Members Wanted:
Although Skull and Bones doesn't actually advertise, the details surrounding tap night and what the society is looking for in its members are well known.
Diary of a Member:
I wanted the reader to get an inside look at the thoughts of a member. Through this fictional character, I shared what I knew about their initiation and tapping, but I also wanted to keep the secrecy.
Interview with a Former Member:
While there is no evidence that any members have ever left the club, with a history that long, it can be assumed that they exist I began thinking about the things they know and also the loneliness and maybe even the fear they have.
Stealing Old Bones: An Article from The Yale Tribune:
The theft of Geronimo's bones has been a part of the Skull and Bones controversy for years. Almost all of the information from the "article" is factual, including the lawsuit.
Secrets: A Double Voice Poem:
I chose to consider the idea of secrets from both a member's point of view and an outsider's point of view. On one side, the secrets are intriguing because the membership means a successful future. On the other side, the secrets keep out others and those others want to know.
Secrets are an Ocean:
When I considered what the secrets of the society could be likened to, an ocean quickly came to mind. They have much in common.
Photographs:
Photographs related to Skull and Bones are very difficult to find. That is not completely surprising, as one of its main goals is to keep itself a secret. I was able to find old group photos, however the society stopped publishing its member lists in 1971.