Analyzing My Genre

In this blog post, I will provide 5 examples of my genre, and then answer a series of questions from Writing Public Lives page 342.

Rockwell, Norman, "Perpetual Motion by Norman Rockwell." 06/29/09 via Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain License.

Examples

Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Example 4
Example 5

Social Context

1. Where is the genre typically set?

This genre is typically set in well-known blogs that focus on the subject matter of interest, which in this case involves science and technology. Many blogs of these types can be found in sections of larger, well-known online newspapers and magazines, such as the New York Times. They often feature specific opinions from well-respected authors. In my case, this blog is set in a more scientific magazine that caters to the general public.

2. What is the subject of the genre?

For my genre, the subject generally involves any scientific or technological current events. This blog generally publishes opinions and information about current scientific events that might be of great interest to the general public. For instance, the 3D printed "zoolophones" of example one are a new advancement that might be of interest to this particular audience.

3. Who uses the genre?

This genre is used by people who are trained in the scientific field, and who want to usually communicate some type of opinion or information about their subject of interest. This genre is not usually used by scientists and researchers, but the authors are still generally educated about the topic they are writing about.

4. When and why is the genre used? What purposes does the genre serve for the people who use it?

The genre is used to communicate some type of information or opinion about a specific topic or interest. It is usually used in this context as a way to keep up with current scientific events, and to help a broader audience understand these current events. For instance, example two gives background on a newly invented drone, and then provides a link and a video that the audience can go to for more information. In this way, its purpose is to inform and (sometimes) to persuade the audience.

Rhetorical Patterns of the Genre

1. What type of content is usually included and excluded?

This genre usually includes basic general background about the subject at hand. Depending on the subject, the blog post might include information about the subject, and then some type of opinion related to this. The genre often does not include very technical details that a broad audience might not understand.

2. What rhetorical appeals are used most often? Do you notice any patterns in the appeals to logos, pathos, or ethos?

This genre seems to mostly use appeals to logos and (sometimes) ethos. Logos is used to a considerable extent when the author provides background, facts, and statistics regarding the subject matter (as shown in example three). Ethos is sometimes used when the author chooses to quote experts, but it is a little difficult to establish credibility through a blog. While attempts at this are made, ethos is not the predominant appeal here.

3. How are the texts organized? Do they generally open in similar ways? Conclude in similar ways? What common parts do the samples share?

The texts generally open in a way that grabs the reader's attention (see, for example, the Star Trek reference in example four). They then give some context on the subject at hand to help the reader better understand the topic. The posts then conclude in slightly different ways, depending on their main purpose. Sometimes the post will link the reader to more information, add some concluding pieces of information, or forecast the future uses of the technology being written about.

4. Do the sentences in the genre share a certain style? Are they mostly active, passive, simple, or complex? Is there an abundance or lack of questions, exclamation marks, or semicolons?

This genre generally seems to utilize shorter, declarative sentences. These sentences usually use the active voice and have a simple sentence structure. Depending on the subject, there is generally a lack of questions, exclamation marks, and semicolons. Overall, this genre uses simple sentence structures to communicate its point.

5. What type of word choice is used? Do many of the words fit in a particular category of jargon or slang? Is the overall effect of the word choice formal, informal, humorous, or academic?

As shown by all of the examples above, the word choice in these blog posts generally consists of a a colloquial style of diction, without much jargon included. If there is a scientific term used, it is defined in a way that makes it accessible to a wider audience. Because of the way this type of diction is used, the overall effect is relatively informal, despite the academic nature of many of the subject matters.

Analyze What Those Patterns Reveal about the Social Context of the Genre

1. Who does the genre include and who does it exclude?

This genre includes a wide audience, generally made up of young people, educated (at least to the high school level) in science. These people might not be very academic people, but they still show an interest in scientific topics. The genre might exclude scientific experts and researchers, because it usually gives a broad overview of subjects that these people are already skilled in.

2. What role for writers and readers does the genre encourage?

The genre encourages writers to inform a broad audience of background on the issue, as well as some type of perspective on the subject, depending on the main purpose of the blog post. It encourages readers to learn about the subject and sometimes take action, again depending on the main purpose of that particular blog post.

3. What values and beliefs are assumed about or encouraged from users of the genre?

There is a distinct belief in the value of scientific and technological advancement that is both assumed and encouraged through this particular genre. Popular Science assumes that the readers care about scientific advancement, and the magazine and blogs perpetuate this belief.

4. What content does the genre treat as most valuable? Least valuable?

The genre treats background, facts, and statistics as the most valuable content of each blog post, as demonstrated by all of the aforementioned examples. Generally, tables and graphs are least valuable in this genre due to the nature of the audience.

Reflection

For this reflection, I read Hallye and Chelsea's posts regarding their genres. Hallye chose a genre that is different from mine in that it is a little more academic, and aimed at a well-educated, financially well off audience. I found this really interesting to read about, since my genre and topic is so different from her's. Even so, there were definitely some similarities with how we are approaching this project. We are both adjusting our writing to appeal to a specific audience that reads a specific genre, and we are going about this in similar ways.

On the other hand, Chelsea is also planning to write a blog post like me. We came to similar conclusions regarding the purpose and possible audiences of our posts, so this reaffirmed my ideas regarding this genre. It does seem like the flexibility of this genre allows for a variety of different purposes, so it will definitely be possible to include my opinions regarding my argument in my post.