Genre
Analysis
Writing Response #2
Make a copy of this Google Doc. Complete the table and answer the questions below. Submit your completed assignment to the Assignments page on D2L before class on Tuesday, February 15th.
Step 1: Find a text from two different genres used on campus. Think about written texts, social media posts, posters, signs, flyers, emails, webpages, etc. Then, complete the table below to analyze each text.
Add the texts you found to analyze here. Consider adding a picture if your genre is a visual text, like a sign or a poster. You may also include a link to the text if it can be found online.
Sample 1:
Sample 2:
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Analysis questions |
Genre Sample 1: |
Genre Sample 2: |
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BASIC INFO |
What is this text’s genre? |
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How do you know what genre this is? (What conventions characterize this genre?) |
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FORM |
What is the basic format of this document? Describe the material, the layout/design, size, color, etc. |
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How would you describe the language style in this document? (Is it formal, informal, vulgar, plain, elegant, academic, idiomatic, etc.?) Give specific examples from the text! |
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CONTENT |
What content/information is included in this text? |
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What content/information is EXCLUDED in this text? Why isn’t this information included? |
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SOCIAL ASPECTS |
How does this document’s location affect the document’s design, content, and language style? |
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Who uses this genre? Who is the author? Who is the audience? |
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What kind of relationship do you think exists between the author and audience? (Are they close friends, strangers, enemies, etc.?) How do you know about their relationship? Give specific evidence from the text. |
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What is the purpose of this text? How do you know? |
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RHETORICAL APPEALS |
What kinds of rhetorical appeals (ethos/ pathos/ logos) does the author use to communicate the message? Explain why this is effective/ineffective |
Step 2: Choose the campus organization and genre you want to analyze for the genre analysis essay (attached pdf). Remember to review the project prompt to make sure you understand what this essay will ask you to do. Of course, you may choose one of the texts you have analyzed for this assignment in the table above. You may also choose a different genre from a different organization. Either way, make your decision before class on Tuesday. We will start writing the essay in class next week, so you will need to know what you are writing about.
· Campus organization:
· Genre used by this organization you will analyze:
· Specific sample of this genre you will analyze in your essay:
· Consider adding a picture if your genre is a visual text, like a sign or a poster. You may also include a link to the text if it can be found online.
University of Arizona
Project Prompt – Genre Analysis Essay
“Exploring our Communication”
Assignment:
Analyze a specific example of a writing genre being used by an organization on campus.
Explore how this example is designed to accomplish its particular purpose.
To do so, you will need to determine how the document both:
● Follows its genre’s writing conventions
● Is also modified/designed for its particular context, users, and audience
Steps:
1. Identify a writing genre on campus and collect samples of it.
○ Some ideas: Posters, newsletters, brochures/pamphlets, flyers, reports, websites,
apps
2. Select one specific example of the genre that you want to focus on analyzing.
○ Identify the specific organization that created this example. (Who created it?)
○ Also identify the specific users and audience for this document. (Who uses it?
Who is it designed for?)
3. Find additional information about your example. Some suggestions:
○ Interview someone from the organization to discuss it from the writer’s
perspective.
○ Observe/Survey the document being used by other readers to get an audience
perspective.
○ Research information about the organization and/or genre to give an outside
perspective.
4. Analyze the genre and its use. Explain how the genre is shaped by its context and users.
5. Connect your analysis to concepts and vocabulary from the course, especially readings
from the Student’s Guide digital textbook.
6. Plan your essay. Decide what information to include and how you will organize this
information.
7. Write and revise your draft. As you draft, review the grading rubric.
Important Due Dates:
Introduction: Feb 22nd
First Draft: Feb 24th
Revised Draft: March 1st
Final (Complete) Draft: March 3rd
Assignment Details:
Length: 5-6 pages, 1,200 – 1,500 words
Audience: Academic audience
Formatting: MLA Style
(12pt size, Times New Roman, double-spaced, 1-inch margins)
University of Arizona
Tips for this essay:
● Consider the writers, readers, and purpose of this genre:
○ Who writes in this genre? For what purposes?
○ Given these goals, what information/content is included for the readers?
○ What content is excluded?
○ What are the writer’s goals in producing this genre? What are the readers’ goals in
using it?
○ Given the readers’ expectations, how does this genre meet their needs?
● Genre Conventions: What does the genre typically look like? Why does it look this
way? Consider:
○ Design/layout of the document
○ Organization of information
○ Length
○ Tone: language formality
○ Visuals: Use of color, photos, videos, and/or graphics
○ Text: Fonts types, font sizes, effects
○ Citations (How is outside information referenced?)
● Analyze the rhetorical strategies used:
○ What rhetorical strategies/appeals (ethos/pathos/logos) are used?
○ How are these strategies/appeals effective for the genre’s purpose/function?
○ How do the genre’s audience and contexts influence the rhetorical strategies it
uses?
● Process: How is the genre carried out (written, distributed, performed, etc.)? Is this
process effective? Why or why not?
● Community: Is the genre unique to this organization?
○ If so, why does the genre only exist in this organization? How does it relate to the
community’s specific needs?
○ If not, how is this organization’s version of the genre similar to other versions of
this genre? How is it different from other versions of the genre? Why is it similar
and/or different?
Get FREE help!
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hours to get help on the writing and revision process.
University of Arizona
https://thinktank.arizona.edu/writing-center
https://wsip.arizona.edu/
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