Genres create identities for people. For example, somebody who writes a long, dry, detailed research paper and publishes it for outside critique is creating a professional, scholarly moniker for themselves. They want to be seen as relevant and credible. On the other hand, when using the genre of informal communication that has become so popular in the last number of years, we want to be seen as friendly, clever, understanding, and polite. When I refer to informal communication I am talking about text messaging and emailing. These two digital platforms for interaction continue to dominate, especially among the younger population.
Depending on who is being addressed, text messaging allows the user to create their own informal identity. Oftentimes, this identity is much closer to the actual nature of the user than that created by a structured, five paragraph essay. By the same token, it is possible that extensive text messaging has hindered our ability to form coherent, relevant thoughts and trained us to use improper grammar and punctuation. Another form of cyber-communication is electronic mail, a genre that is commonly utilized in a more formal setting. Although some choose to send emails in the same way they might word a text, it is clear that a teacher is more likely to boost your grade if your plea isn't a slang ridden mess. Through email, we create a cleaner, more composed alternative to our text message identities.
Through her essay "Teaching Critical Genre Awareness", Amy Devitt attempts to show us that genre is not simply black and white. There isn't one specific way of teaching it, and rarely does a genre simply materialize without having grown from another one. Genres morph from culture to culture, shaped by differing ideals and values but coming from the same foundation. Devitt challenges us to study and teach the intricacies of genre so that we might expand our views not only on the written word, but on culture as a whole. In the end, everything seems to come back to music for me. I know it may be a cliché way to analyze genre, but the cultural impact that music has had on the world is immense. Music is, and always has been, a way for people and cultures to express themselves in a way unique to where they come from. I used to scoff at genres of music that I didn't initially like, wondering how somebody could listen to something so different from what I'm used to. But it doesn't matter if the sounds are foreign and the language is different, there are people out there who connect with that genre and draw enjoyment from listening to it. Differing styles of music bring out contrasting emotions within every single one of us, similar to writing genres, movie genres, book genres, and pretty much anything else you can think of. Its all about perspective.
So I believe this is how I am supposed to comment. My apologies if I am mistaken.
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you brought up how certain types of people are drawn to certain genres. I agree, and while I didn't mention it in my blog, I can see why certain ideologies have formed around certain genres. These stigmas probably come from the personalities of those authors who manifest themselves within these genres. Communication comes across very differently and in many forms and we have to maneuver our way around the rules of communication based on what form, or genre, we will be writing in. Texts aren't like emails which aren't like research papers - but they all have the core purpose of publishing one's thoughts. It is up to us to determine the best avenue to take when we want to communicate.
--Meghann Vallecillo
I too had never really given "genres" so much thought. I also found it enlightening to read about how the structures of different genres is just as important as what the author is actually saying. I also found Devitt's piece a little difficult to follow due to her high level vocabulary and scholarly style of writing. I agree that school systems should try to teach more of this full understanding of genres as opposed to giving us templates to follow. I feel that every genre of writing I have had to do I was still given a general guideline to follow but never was told why the guideline was setup the way it was.
ReplyDeleteI love when you bring up how texts and emails are like different genres. I think that is so true how I write with a different style when typing an email to a professor as opposed to texting a friend despite how similar they both are. In my blog I talked about how I feel different social media platforms are almost like different genres. Things I would post of Twitter aren't necessarily the same thing I would post on Facebook.
-Nicholas Thompson
Hello Sam, I can relate to you in the opening of your blog. It was such a difficult reading; I lack much of high level vocabulary English. That’s because my first language was Spanish so many of the words that were used were difficult to understand. I feel like I spent more time googling definitions than reading the article.
ReplyDeleteAnyways that’s not the point of this comment. Your sentence “Amy Devitt attempts to show us that genre is not simply black and white. There isn't one specific way of teaching it, and rarely does a genre simply materialize without having grown from another one.” Really stands out to me because I feel that she tried to express this too and I agree with her. I feel that there’s more than one way of teaching and writing a genre but like she says, society has an ideology for every format of writing. It would be difficult to change it because it’s been taught as the “right” way to write. They have unconsciously created a structure for every genre that it automatically changes even our identities when we come across any sort of writing for anything.
-joshyo arredondo
I really like the way you pulled Devitt's ideas together to show how genres actually can structure our identities. Sadly, if all my writing is about academic research, I start feeling like being "relevant and credible" is what matters most in life. Or if my entire life is tweeting, I feel like being clever and concise is what's most important. Great real world examples. EF
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