Introduction to Fan Fiction

Introduction

Now that you have considered Instructional Conversations in Computer Mediated Communication, you can keep these strategies in mind while examining Fan Fiction. Fan Fiction was created by the fans of popular novels. Though this began with science fiction and fantasy, the use of fan fiction has increased to include all genres of fiction and literature, as well as movies and television shows. Fan Fictions provides a perfect opportunity to engage students in literature by encouraging them to create new stories, background stories, prequels, sequels, alternate endings, etc. with the characters they love. They can also elaborate on minor characters and create new characters. Suffice to say, the possibilities are endless, and as we will see here, they have been examined by fans of every gender, country, and culture around the world.

Instructional Objective

Identify the ways in which Fan Fiction can increase student/text involvement

Prerequisite Skills

Content knowledge
Moderate computer knowledge of asynchronous discussions

Learning Activities

Activity 1: Read two articles about Fan Fiction

Read "Adolescents' anime-inspired 'fan fictions': An exploration of multiliteracies" This article has excerpts from interviews with two adolescents who write Fan Fiction, as well as the origins of the craft. It also discusses the multiliteracy aspects of Fan Fiction, such as artwork, the construction of web pages, and the creation of new genres of writing.

Read Chapter 7 of the New Literacies Sampler, "Blurring and breaking through the boundaries of narrative, literacy, and identity in adolescent fan fiction" This article follows two adolescent girls through the processes they use to create Fan Fiction. The girls met online and collaborate through different media, such as email and synchronous IM discussions. Each girl has taken on unique aspects of the writing process based on their personal writing strengths, but both contribute to the overall plot and character development.

Activity 2: Read some Fan Fiction from different sites

Activity 3: Reflection

Using the form in Google Docs, please reflect on what you have learned about Fan Fiction.

Continue on to Unit 3:Introduction to Google Docs

Return to Using Fan Fiction and Instructional Conversation to Increase Student/Text Involvement