Analyzing My Genre

In this post I have analyzed different aspects of the genre I have chosen for Project 3 and the role it will play in my public argument. All of the questions can be found on page 342 of Writing Public Lives.

James, Josh. "Tumblr". August 4, 2011 via flickr.
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Although I was originally considering creating a YouTube video for this project, I feel like a blog post will be much more effective for my audience. Some examples of blog posts addressing important issues or debates can be found at any of the following five links:

• Killing Bugs With Fire
• Unexpected Volcano Eruption in Chile
• Even Avogadro didn't know Avogadro's Number
• Here's the Most Important Rule for Science Writing
• Antarctica Might Be Gaining Ice, But Global Warming Ain't Over

Social Context:

Where is the genre typically set?

• The genre is typically set in online places where controversies can be easily accessed and discussed. It is more common in places where individuals are able to freely comment and express themselves.

What is the subject of the genre?

• The subject of the genre ranges anywhere from creative expression, like explaining why setting ants on fire is a bad idea, to expressing opinions on controversial issues such as Antarctica gaining ice.

Who uses the genre?

• Anyone can use this genre, but it is primarily used by younger adults, usually in their 20's.

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

• As previously stated, this genre is often used to discuss controversial issues. They spark the most conversation after a debate is revealed. This genre allows users to express their opinions and to receive feedback freely.

Rhetorical Patterns of the Genre:

What type of content is usually included and excluded?

• In  all of the examples provided the issue or topic at hand is briefly introduced. They address the impact or topic these issues will have on their lives and why they matter. The nitty gritty details are often excluded, or if they are present they are simplified.

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

• Pathos are the most notable rhetorical appeals used in this genre. Blogs, being very opinionated, are full of emotions. They often end up evoking emotions out of their audience and are the primary way of getting the audience involved.

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 are generally opened by stating the issue being discussed and the viewpoint the author has. The texts are organized based on what the author feels is the most important thing to address. They also tend to conclude by stating why the issue matters. The examples I have included all contain some form of imagery and most use hyperlinks to refer to more information.

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

• Sentences in the genre are typically more active. Depending on the author, sentences go back and forth between complex and simple. For example, in the blog post about writing about science, a large portion of the sentences were simple and active. In the other examples there was a mixture between complex and simple. In this type of genre question marks are often used to appear more cynical or to ask rhetorical questions.

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?

• The word choice also depends on the author. Typically less jargon is used because people are just trying to express their opinions on an issue. Opinionated blog posts tend to fall on the less formal side of things, working to connect to younger audiences and to seem more relatable.

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 many individuals who pride themselves in being on the internet. Although they are interested in the typical news story, they are more excited and interested to hear others opinions on the stories. This type of genre excludes many older individuals who typically receive their news from more standard news outlets like television shows or newspapers.

What roles for writers and readers does the genre encourage?

• The genre encourages writers to express their own opinions on the matter and to see how others are feeling about the same subject. It encourages readers to support the author's cause and to try and make a difference in their life.

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

• This type of genre encourages users to make their beliefs on issues known. When using this genre it is assumed that users want feedback from their audience and it encourages readers to go out and make their own opinions known.

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

• This genre considers content with the most likelihood to spark emotion to be the most valuable. It wants to show why the author's opinion matters and why the audience should care. Depending on the issue, content with large amounts of data and numbers are often excluded because they are likely to bore the audience. Rather than explaining all of the details they are simply hyperlinked to be used at the reader's discretion. 

Reflection:

For this reflection I read through the posts of Casey and Elliot. Casey and I are both formatting our projects after articles published on Wired, however we noticed different rhetorical appeals being used. In the subsection I was in, which was science blogs, I noticed a larger appeal to pathos, while she noticed a larger appeal to logos. It was interesting to see how the same website can have such a different approach depending on the section you were in. Elliot has chosen Slate as his model for this project. This website, much like the section I am writing in, appeals more to pathos and is much more informal.