Navigating Genres - Notes
Navigating Genres by Kerry Dirk
This essay is a chapter in Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing, Volume 1, discussing genres in writing and their impact.
Available for free download from Writing Spaces, Parlor Press, and WAC Clearinghouse.
Print versions can be purchased from Parlor Press and other booksellers.
Introduction to Genres
The essay begins with a joke about country music to illustrate the concept of genre.
Understanding the country music genre is essential to "get" the joke.
Genres extend beyond types of books like mystery, horror, or action.
The purpose is to broaden your definition of genre and its application to your writing.
Understanding Essay Writing
The author discusses her own process of writing the essay, which provides a personal and concrete example of genre awareness.
She considered the features of essays written for composition students.
personal style, conversational tone.
The writer acts as a coach rather than an authoritative figure.
Mary Jo Reiff's experience writing about teaching composition is referenced.
Teachers rarely write directly to students in an informal manner.
The genre is still developing, allowing for more freedom.
Evolution of Genre Theory
Genre used to have a negative connotation, suggesting a rigid, fill-in-the-blanks approach.
Anne Freadman points out the discredit of the notion of genre.
Lloyd Bitzer argued that recurring situations lead to the creation of rhetorical forms and genres.
People create responses to new situations.
Those responses become the basis for future responses.
Eventually, a new genre is created.
Example: George Washington's first State of the Union Address.
He had complete freedom to pick its form and content.
Subsequent presidents used his address as a guide.
Amy Devitt notes that genres develop because they respond to recurring situations.
Genres allow for more effective communication.
The president doesn't have to create a new genre for each address.
Citizens know what to expect.
Genres as Social Action
Genres are now viewed as more than repeating rhetorical situations.
Carolyn Miller argues that a sound definition of genre must be centered on the action it is used to accomplish.
Genres are tools to help people get things done in their daily lives.
Devitt illustrates that genres can help or hurt human interaction, ease communication, or deceive.
Examples: small talk, sales letters disguised as sweepstakes entries.
Knowing a genre's purpose helps people accomplish goals.
Writing a good resume to get a job.
Writing a romantic love letter to win a person’s heart.
Writing an effective personal statement to get into college.
Application of Genres
The reader participates in different genres like telling a joke, writing an email, or updating a Facebook status.
By knowing how these genres function as social actions, one can predict how they function rhetorically.
It's more than filling in the blanks; it's recognizing the rhetorical situation and acting accordingly.
Devitt argues that people label a story as a joke based on their perception of the rhetorical action.
Formulaic features of genres can change, but the nature of the genre remains.
Engaging with Genres
Approaching a genre for the first time involves more than viewing it as a simple form.
Readers classify texts and make assumptions about their purposes, subject matter, writers, and expected readers.
People choose between horror movies and chick flicks based on the response they expect.
Miller argues that all genres matter because they shape our everyday lives.
By studying familiar genres, we can see how specific choices result in specific actions.
Our own writing must be purposefully written to be effective within a genre.
Practical Examples: The Onion
The Onion, a fictitious newspaper, uses real world examples to create humorous situations.
The headlines are a notable genre meant to make the reader laugh.
Headlines are tested on volunteers to see immediate responses.
They share no specific style but are a rhetorical action meant to bring about a specific response.
Examples of headlines:
“Archaeological Dig Uncovers Ancient Race of Skeleton People”
“Don’t Run Away, I’m Not the Flesh-Eating Kind of Zombie”
“Time Traveler: Everyone In The Future Eats Dippin’ Dots”
“‘I Am Under 18’ Button Clicked For First Time In History Of Internet”
“Commas, Turning Up, Everywhere”
“Myspace Outage Leaves Millions Friendless.”
“Amazon.com Recommendations Understand Area Woman Better Than Husband”
“Study: Dolphins Not So Intelligent On Land”
“Beaver Overthinking Dam”
“Study: Alligators Dangerous No Matter How Drunk You Are”
“Child In Corner To Exact Revenge As Soon As He Gets Out”
The writers are rhetorically aware of their audience—educated college students who understand politics, culture, and world events.
Challenges in Identifying a Genre
Two texts that fit into the same genre might look extremely different.
The location of the assignment shapes the writing.
You need to consider the context.
A research paper in freshman composition might be different than one in an introductory psychology class.
The goal is to recognize shifts in location and how they affect the writing.
Analysis of Thesis Statements
Consider the term "thesis statement."
People have different definitions of what a thesis statement should look like.
You may have heard never to start a thesis statement with a phrase like “In this essay.”
A thesis statement should have three parts.
I learned that many good thesis statements follow the formula “X because Y,”
Example: “School uniforms should be required because they will help students to focus more on academics and less on fashion.”
The particular situation in which the thesis statement is being used matters.
Hypothetical scenario: Ransom Note
A scenario about writing a ransom note is presented.
The writer is behind on mortgage and yacht payments and needs money.
Three drafts of ransom notes are provided:
Ransom Letter 1: If you ever want to see your daughter alive again, leave 1 million dollars by the blue garbage can at 123 Ransom Rd. at Midnight. Come alone and do not call the police.
Ransom Letter 2: Hav daughter. Million $. Blu grbg can 123 Ransom Rd. 12AM. No poliz.
Ransom Letter 3: Dear Bob, Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. You have a lovely house, and I very much enjoyed my recent visit while you were out of town. Unfortunately, I have kidnapped your daughter. As I am currently unable to meet several financial demands, I am graciously turning to you for help in this matter. I am sure that we will be able to come to some mutually beneficial agreement that results in the return of your daughter and the padding of my wallet. Please meet with me at the Grounds Coffee House on First Street so that we may discuss what price is most fitting. Your daughter, meanwhile, remains in safe and competent hands. She is presently playing pool with my son Matt (a possible love connection?), and she says to tell you “Hi.” Yours truly, Jim P.S. Please order me a skim vanilla latte, should you arrive before I do.
Ransom letter one is the best choice because it is well written and direct.
Letter three mimics a friendly manner and suggests the price is negotiable.
Letter two's spelling errors and choppy feel might suggest the writer is not intelligent enough to get away with the kidnapping.
Rules in Writing
There are particular challenges when students have learned that certain rules apply to all writing.
Examples of rules:
You must have a thesis statement at the end of the introduction.
Every thesis statement should introduce three points of discussion.
You cannot use “I” in writing.
You cannot begin a sentence with a coordinating conjunction.
Every paragraph should start with a topic sentence.
Formulas do not always result in good writing.
Rules change as the genre changes, and genres require more effort than simply following the rules.
Mastering Genres
Similarities within genres help people to communicate successfully.
Too much variation results in a lack of meaning due to mutual unintelligibility.
Genres help people make more efficient decisions when writing.
Mastering particular genres equips people to master genres they later encounter.
Conclusion
Learning about genres and how they function is more important than mastering one particular genre.
This knowledge helps people recognize and determine appropriate responses to different situations.
Teaching genre awareness is more valuable than acquiring particular genres.
Knowing about genres will make you more prepared to use genres that you won't learn in college.
The author wrote a letter about removing a late fee on a credit card.
The letter built credibility.
Reminding the bank that I have used their card for many years.
Asked them to check my records to show I am a responsible card carrier.
Hinted that if they do not remove the late fee, I might switch banks.
To be effective, writing should consider not only form but also audience, purpose, and genre—in other words, its rhetorical effectiveness.
Suggestions:
Determine what action you are trying to accomplish.
Learn as much as you can about the situation for which you are writing.
Research how others have responded to similar situations.
Ask questions.
Discussion Questions:
What are some genres that you feel you know well? How did you learn them? What are their common rhetorical features?
What rules have you been told to follow in the past? How did they shape what you were writing?
How much freedom do you enjoy when writing? Does it help to have a form to follow, or do you find it to be limiting?
Works Cited:
List of cited works by Bitzer, Devitt, Freadman, Miller, The Onion, and Reiff.