Make Cycle 4: Motifs and Symbols

Oooh! I've fallen behind! I had hoped to post this last week, but time has become less and less my friend. Sigh. 

This week's challenge won't be due until Sunday, February 5th. You should be finished reading the book now, and we have one more challenge after this one . . . 

I am inspired by everyone who has been using collage programs! So lovely and evocative. So I decided to capitalize on what you are teaching me about manipulating images. For this cycle, I want you to select at least three (3) motifs or symbols, concrete images that represent an important topic of theme of the story. Don't pick abstract concepts (love, jealousy, patriotism, culture shock). Instead, select the images, actual, tangible items that represent those concepts. 

You'll notice that authors use lots of symbols and motifs in their work - so don't feel limited to picking the most important ones. Pick ones that strike you, that interest you, that you can find illustrative images that might help others get a sense of your novel. 

Here are a few resources you can use to clarify the meaning of "motifs" and "symbols." 

• Norton Anthology of World Literature: Literary Terms

• Literary Devices: Definitions and Examples of Literary Terms

• Lit Genius Editors: Glossary of Literary Terms 

Of course, you don't have to do a collage. You can try something else. If your super comfortable with making collages, try something new. Experiment! 

The written portion of your post should say a few words about why you chose those images. 

See my examples on our Google Plus Community page. I did three, using books I've read before (one I re-read this break!). I repeated the collage format to get used to the application. I'm on a big learning curve here! And I figure that practice makes permanent (not perfect!). 

Have fun. Do more than one. Comment on each others' work. Consider this an exploration, getting ready for the deeper project we will do this coming semester with you books. 

Make Cycle 3: Exploring Theme

This week's "make" has to do with topics and theme. You should have read the first 2/3rd of your assigned book already, so your "make" only has to be as accurate for as far as you've read. This time, instead of "remixing" a quote with an image - it can be a video, collage - that complements the theme you've identified. 

A word about theme. You'll remember from your high school literature classes that "Topics" are one word or noun phrase, but a theme is a complete sentence that expresses the author's "take" or point of view about that single word/phrase. Here are three examples. 

To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee

• Topic: Racism (single word - a noun!)

• Theme: Remarkable courage is needed to stand up to the evils of racism. 

All Quiet of the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

• Topic: War

• Theme: War brings out the best and worst in people. 

Kindred by Octavia Butler 

• Topic: Slavery 

• Theme: The legacy of slavery haunts contemporary race relations. 

Notice that the topic is a single word and theme is a complete sentence. Also, each of the texts we're reading have multiple themes: identity, diaspora, immigration, marriage, legacy, etc. The theme is more than naming the topic; the theme is your best interpretation as to the story's attitude toward one of those topics.

• Assignment: Read up to the second third of your assigned text. "Remix" two : 1) Complete sentence that expresses one of your book's themes; 2)  An image/collage/illustration/video that complements the topic/theme. In the message box, say what program/app you used, and say a few words about what the image you used and decisions you made. Decide whether or not you want to include the title of the book or not. Up to you. 

• Due Date: Sunday, January 22nd. 

You're welcome to make multiple submissions - and to comment! How else do we build intellectual  community. I'll post my contributions soon! Time hasn't been my "best friend" lately, and I'm doing my best to approach these with a spirit of exploration, play, and experimentation. No one will be marked down for making mistakes here - so use these "makes" as an excuse to learn new programs and apps (that you will use through the course of this semester!). If you need ideas about what apps to try, see instructions for Make Cycles 1 and 2. Or ask a friend! 

Make Cycle 2: Creative Quotes

For this week's “make,”  mine through the FIRST THIRD of you assigned text. Find a direct quote or short passage that resonates with you, something that speaks to you. Which one sparks your interests, hits a chord, tugs at your heart or mind. You cannot make a mistake if you are selecting what speaks to you! 

Your job is to represent that quote/passage in a new way, remixing it with visual elements. Blending words with image will create new meaning, add a twist that mere words or images alone  could signify. 

Suggestion: Think about your quote or passage as a “specimen on the table.” Look at it closely and dissect it before deciding how you can bring new meaning to it through your make. Then let your idea inspire your creativity, remixing your idea into a digital format. Find an image that represents its meaning, draw a picture that expresses your interpretation of it, or animate it to bring it to life.

There are many web tools that allow users to easily dress up written text with images, interesting fonts, borders, audio, and more. A few are suggested below:

Motivator – “Make your own motivational poster"

Quozio – “Turns meaningful words into beautiful images in seconds”

PicMonkey – “Take your pictures further”

Recite - Another free program to create posters

Fotobabble – Upload a photo and record your voice

You might also decide to experiment with one of the tools listed in the Introduction Make Cycle, or you might have one you would like to suggest. 

As you create and post your remixed quote, I encourage you to further connect with each other by commenting on the quotes shared by others. Developing an interactive community is an important part of the BAYAN experience. Let's learn with and from each other!  Remember, this is about experiment and play, not about perfection or being absolutely correct. 

• Assignment: Create at least one (1) "digitally remixed" quote or passage from the first third of your select test. In your post (one "remix" per post!), jot down a few sentences that name the program you used and describe why you chose your particular quote and image(s). Do more than one if you like! 

• DUE DATE: Sunday, January 15th. 

Here are three samples from another setting, where folks took a quote and invested them with visual meaning. Notice our attempt to create interplay between word and image work  produce meaning that someone who hasn't read the book can experience.  The first is an image created on Quozio. The second is my experiment with Powtoons, and the quote comes from the book The Writing Thief. The focus is wonky - learning curve! The third features a quote from the same book, using Haiku Deck. 

I write because there are mountains - Created with Haiku Deck, presentation software that inspires;