Genre AnalysisGenre Analysis

Steven T. VarelaSteven T. Varela

Department of EnglishDepartment of English

University of Texas at El PasoUniversity of Texas at El Paso

GenreGenre

Genre is a category used to classify discourse Genre is a category used to classify discourse usually by form, technique, or content.usually by form, technique, or content.

Genre changes discourse by the format the Genre changes discourse by the format the information is presented—the information is information is presented—the information is shaped by the genre.shaped by the genre.

What are some common genres?What are some common genres?

Some Examples of GenresSome Examples of Genres

Oral: Public speaking, podcast, radio show/program, Oral: Public speaking, podcast, radio show/program, class lecture, interviewsclass lecture, interviews

Typography: books/textbooks, magazines, newspapers, Typography: books/textbooks, magazines, newspapers, websites, primary source documents (diaries, essays, websites, primary source documents (diaries, essays, etc), memorandums, laws/policy, editorials, etc), memorandums, laws/policy, editorials, instruction sets, transcribed interviewsinstruction sets, transcribed interviews

Iconography: webcast, video, media, posters, Iconography: webcast, video, media, posters, cartoons/comics, photography, instruction sets, cartoons/comics, photography, instruction sets, interviews through mediainterviews through media

Genre Analysis AssignmentGenre Analysis Assignment

Full assignment sheet found in “Additional Full assignment sheet found in “Additional Materials” –Chapters 6-10 in CDA.Materials” –Chapters 6-10 in CDA.

Choose one subject/topic, and analyze how Choose one subject/topic, and analyze how two different genres present/discuss that topictwo different genres present/discuss that topic—how is the discourse different depending on —how is the discourse different depending on what the genre is?what the genre is?

Example #1: “The Immigration Example #1: “The Immigration Debate”—viewer created media Debate”—viewer created media

on Current TVon Current TV

Example #2—Western Union TelegramExample #2—Western Union Telegram

Other Typography: Interview ArticleOther Typography: Interview Article

PhotographyPhotography

Vectors of attention: arrangements in Vectors of attention: arrangements in photographs (what our eyes are drawn to)photographs (what our eyes are drawn to)

Framing: what is included in the photo and Framing: what is included in the photo and what is notwhat is not

Cropping: what is cut to provide focus and Cropping: what is cut to provide focus and emphasisemphasis

Example #3—”Baths” on the BorderExample #3—”Baths” on the Border

Vectors of AttentionVectors of Attention

Example #4—Poster (pg. 342 in Example #4—Poster (pg. 342 in CDA)CDA)

WebsiteWebsite

Anti-Immigration Group—www.fairsu.orgAnti-Immigration Group—www.fairsu.org

How racism can be covered up by rhetoricHow racism can be covered up by rhetoric

Domain nameDomain name

.org -- Ethos?.org -- Ethos?

Oral DiscourseOral Discourse

George Lopez—on immigrationGeorge Lopez—on immigration

Stand up comedy as genreStand up comedy as genre