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REMIX

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Remixing Your Remembered Event Essay

Remembered events are depicted regularly in genres and media besides the college essay. For example, Jean Brandt’s story about shoplifting could be remixed as an example in a proposal to curb juvenile delinquincy or as a scene in a coming-of-age movie. (A remix changes all or part of the rhetorical situation — the purpose, audience, context, genre, or medium — to create a new text.) After writing her essay, Brandt decided to remix her story as a graphic memoir for her college newspaper. She thought her chosen genre would appeal to a wide audience of college students, who would be drawn immediately to the graphic form. She also felt that the visuals would allow her to depict her feelings more powerfully and immediately than she could in words.

In the next section of this chapter, we ask you to craft your own remembered event story. After composing it as an essay, consider remixing your story by presenting it (or, a portion of it) in another genre or medium, or using it as part of an essay with a different purpose or audience.

CONSIDER YOUR RHETORICAL SITUATION

Purpose. The purpose of your story is to express an intense experience dramatically, so readers can appreciate the significance the event had for you and perhaps encourage them to relate the story to their own lives. If you remix your remembered event essay, which genre or medium would best allow you to depict your story dramatically, portray the people and places vividly, and convey the significance of your story effectively given your audience?

Audience. The original audience for your remembered event essay was your instructor and, perhaps, other students in your class. Who would be the audience if you were to remix your story in another genre or medium? What advantages would that genre or medium have in helping you grab and keep the attention of your audience?

Genre and medium. The genre of your remembered event essay was a narrative, and the medium was text, delivered either in print or digitally. If you remix your story, what genre or medium would best help you achieve your purpose and reach your intended audience?