As we examined in our first project builder, various types of writing differ in their conventions, audience, purpose, style, tone, etc. A genre of writing is defined by its specific rhetorical features and conventions. In this project builder, I will discuss the different characteristics of three different “genre generators”.
Firstly, the Sci Gen generator creates computer science research papers and helps us to examine the different conventions and rhetorical features of research papers. A research paper typically regards academics and scholars as their audience and therefore usually takes on a more formal tone. The purpose of a research paper is to describe an experiment that was done and state the conclusions that was made from the experiment. Research papers typically outline the procedures that the experimenters completed and how it differs from previous experiments. Research papers cite their references at the end of the paper place the title and the authors of the paper at the beginning. Research paper authors typically divide the paper into different parts in order to give it a more organized and readable feel.
Secondly, the Pandyland generator creates comic strips and helps us to examine their unique conventions and rhetorical devices. The audience of these particular comic strips are geared to a more adult audience because they contain swear words and graphic imagery. The purpose of the comic strips is to be funny and make the reader laugh. The tone of the comic strips leans towards absurdity in order to make them funny. The first scene of the comic typically starts out with one of the characters saying something to the other. The second scene usually serves to move the plot of the strip along and sometimes contains the punchline. The third and final scene is typically something completely unexpected and contributes to the absurd tone of the comic strips. The text is typically located in speech bubble, when the author is trying to denote that someone is talking, or in a box in the corner, when the the author is providing additional information to what is going on in the scene (for example, “30 seconds later).
Thirdly, the meme generator helps us to analyze the conventions and rhetorical features typically present in memes. The audience of the meme is anyone on the internet, but typically only reaches a younger audience that is familiar with memes. Memes are usually geared towards users of websites like Reddit, 4chan, Tumblr, and sometimes Facebook and Instagram. The style of a meme is typically an image that is designated as a “meme” by the internet community, with block-like white text that pertains to the image. The first part of the text is usually on the top of the image, while the punchline to the meme is typically located at the bottom. The captions of the memes are typically pretty short and do not need to be complete sentence. The purpose of a meme is to express an idea or expose a truth about a situation that others can relate to or find funny. The ideas expressed in memes change depending what meme is being used. For example, a convention of the text in the “first world problems” meme is that it is supposed to be about a problem that people in the first world complain about, but really isn't a problem at all relative to the rest of the world living in poverty and disease. An example of this would be, “told my friend ‘good night’ over phone…cant go on Facebook or she might find out I lied”.
Thinking about what’s happening in these genre generators can help to understand genre because they help us see the various conventions and rhetorical devices used in each type of text and how they contribute to creating a unique genre. By comparing and contrasting the conventions of the different genre generators, we can see that there are a unique set of guidelines and procedures to every genre that help make that genre what it is.
Bruckner,
ReplyDeleteFor starters, I liked your bio. You come across as a very compassionate, mature, and directed person. All great things. (Editor for the paper too, huh? Not bad! ☺)
Although I’m not a Snapchat user, it sounds to me like you identified the major “rhetorical factors” involved in it. It definitely seems to be casual, as evidenced by slang and profanity. The character limitation—and what this means for communicating/expressing ideas—is another way of looking into this as its own distinct genre.
On PB1B, I want you to remember that it’s important for us to take a look at “every little thing” that exists in these genres. From the bigger/bolder font of the section titles to the appearance of graphs/figures/tables, these all play a role in the conventions of a genre. You never know what kind of important details exist beneath the surface (or, actually, on the surface). Ditto on the importance of attending to all the details in the comic genre—what are you basing your claims that it was “absurd” or for “adults” on? I want you to be as specific as possible and give (always!) evidence to back up your reasons.
Grade for both PBs: 4/5
PB1A: “Check.”
PB1B: “Check/check minus.”
Z
First of all, I spoke to you in class today about this specific PB and I must say that listening to your analysis showed me ways I could have delved deeper and improved upon my own PB. You analyzed each different genre generator to its core, and I thoroughly enjoyed how thorough your work was. Second, as for your writing itself, I loved that you didn’t only focus on the cookie-cutter versions of what “conventions” lie within each set of genre generators. Instead of settling for the wide-screened view full of generalizations, you delved into the underlying and hidden pieces of the genres themselves. Also you very efficiently answered the most important question, “what makes this thing this thing?” Your writing was a breath of fresh air, great work!
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