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
