Analyzing My Genre

In this post I will be answering a couple questions that are found on page 342 of Writing Public Lives.

Here are five examples of my genre:
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Example 4
Example 5

Social Context

• Where is the genre typically set?

The genre, since it is a news-magazine piece, is generally published in a newspaper or in a magazine. Most, if not all of them, can be found by searching on the internet as well.

• What is the subject of the genre?

The subject of my genre is comparing listening to an audiobook vs. reading the book.

• Who uses the genre?

Almost everyone - since everyone reads. However,  not everybody listens to audiobooks and it is more consumer driven than anything.

• When and why is the genre being used? What purpose does the genre serve for the people who use it?

The genre is being used in order to inform people about something in a professional manner while also being interesting. People who read newspapers or magazines generally want to glean new information or learn more about a subject they are already interested in.

Rhetorical Patterns of the Genre

• What type of content is usually included and excluded?

It is critical for journalism and magazine articles to include sources and interviews in order to make the article newsworthy and credible. The five W's are usually a good idea to follow by: who, what, when, where, why and how.

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

If news articles are written in the first person they are generally trying to appeal through character and emotion because they are speaking directly to the reader. Almost all news articles try to appeal to logic because they are presenting factual information as well as credible sources.

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

News articles are usually organized with the most important information in the beginning and the less important information towards the end. It is set up that way because people only usually read the first couple sentences and then will move on. If they are interested, they will keep reading. The examples share this quality because they are all published in The New York Times, a popular and established newspaper.

• Do 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 points, or semi colons?

News articles are usually written in past tense and the sentences are not too lengthy. In addition, not very long or complex words are used in order to not make the sentences too long. There is not much question marks, exclamation points or semi colons.

• 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?

Most news articles are written in a formal tone because they are professional. Even when the writer is writing in first person he or she still retains a professional tone. 

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

• Who does the genre include and who does it exclude?

The genre includes almost anyone that has an interest in audiobooks. It does not really exclude anyone.

• What roles for writers and readers does the genre encourage?

It encourages diversity of thought because writers are most often times trying to incite a reaction from their readers. 

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

The reader of this genre is prompted to either side with the author or form their own opinion based off of the information presented by the author.

• What content does the genre treat as most valuable? Lease valuable?

The news genre treats the most crucial information pertinent to the story as the most valuable. Small details or opinion may not be as important unless it is an opinion piece.

"Hibiscus flowers and leaves." 01/02/2010 via Wikipedia. Creative Commons License.

EDIT:

For this reflection I read Casey and Andrea's blogs. It was interesting read theirs and comparing it to my own because they both are writing in news genres. Andrea however is writing in a scientific news genre but it turns out it is pretty similar to writing a regular news genre. Casey and I pretty much said all the same thing considering the way the news genre is written and formatted.