Project 1: Hypertext

Project 1: Literary Hypertext

Purpose: to gain deeper understanding of the purposes, forms, technologies, and reading strategies associated with literary hypertexts; to experiment with composing practices for creating hypertexts; to use navigation tools, images, sounds, and text to create a literary hypertext; and to design and publish a literary hypertext

Description of assignment: create a literary hypertext where navigation is a significant component of the readers’ “reading” experience . You may use google.sites, frontpage, dreamweaver, storyspace or any composing tool which allows you to create a text with sufficient links to generate a layered, multifaceted reading experience. Your text may (but is not required to ) include: images, sounds, animations, networked links, and interactive elements.

The complete assignment will include:
- a short introductory statement or “abstract” to characterize what the text “does”
- any instructions or suggestions for readers to have a successful experience
- a readable/playable hypertext linked to or embedded in your blog
- a list of the lexia associated with the text
- a schematic or “map” of the hypertext as a whole

Criteria for grade: The hypertext itself will have:
- a navigation system of sufficient complexity to generate multiple paths for reading;
- a thematic, symbolic, narrative, or conceptual focus that allows for a “literary” reading;
- navigation that is integral to the text’s theme/focus
- lexia that are creative, well written, and appropriate to the text’s theme/focus

The abstract & suggestions for reading will be patterned on the introductory material in the Electronic Literature Collection, Volume 1.

Important dates:
Wed Feb 10 (Blog 4): Thematic / conceptual focus for your hypertext
W Feb 17: plan for short project 1
M Feb 22 (Blog 6) : Brainstorming text for Project 1 + story map
M&W Feb 22-24: in-class workshops + experimenting with online display
M Mar 1 (Blog 7) Due: Short Project 1