Analyzing My Genre

In this blog post, I will be giving examples of the genre that I chose for my own public argument. I will also be providing answers for the "Questions for Genre Analysis from Chapter 6" in Writing Public Lives on page 342.

Editorial Examples (All from The New York Times)

Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Example 4
Example 5

Coffee. "Newspaper."  01/14/2015 via pixabay.
CC0 Public Domain License Agreement. 

Questions (pg. 342)

Social Context:

• Where is the genre typically set?
• The genre is usually included in newspapers or major magazine publications. 
• What is the subject of the genre?
• The subject of the genre is persuade and present a personal opinion about a topic.
• Who uses the genre?
• Anyone can use the genre, however, only certain, talented and successful authors get their editorials published. 
• When and why is the genre used? What purposes does the genre serve for the people who use it?
• This genre is used after a political, social or economic issue is introduced. It is used so that people with knowledge of the background of the issue can be presented with an opinion about it. Then, they are able to decide where they stand personally on an issue.

Rhetorical Patterns of the Genre:

• What type of content is usually included and excluded?
• While there is some background or context included, there is not a whole summary or explanation on an issue or topic. The author includes a lot of personal pronouns. There are very few "raw" statistics because the author often writes them into his thoughts in a new and interesting fashion.
• What rhetorical appeals are used most often? Do you notice any patterns in the appeals to logos, pathos and ethos?
• Pathos and ethos are used most often, as these are often the most persuasive techniques. However, logos is included when trying to back up a claim. Normally, the author will start out with emotional language and topics and then will incorporate logic.
• How are the texts organized? Do they generally open in similar ways? What common parts do the samples share?
• There are short paragraphs, around two to four sentences long. There is a lot of white space in between paragraphs and thoughts. Normally, there is a very opinionated or assertive claim at the beginning of the editorial, that is filled with emotion. The samples all do this, as well as include hyperlinks to other sources and use an extensive amount of images. 
• Do sentences in the genre share a certain style? Are they mostly active, passive, simple, or complex? Is there an abundance or lack of questions, exclamation points or semicolons?
• The sentences are generally more simple than complex, but they are always in an active voice, to help encourage an emotional response. As far as punctuation goes, there is very little usage of anything but periods and commas. 
• What type of word choice is used in the genre? 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?
• Again, to elicit an emotional response, the author includes heavy and exaggerated language. There is no slang or jargon in editorials, however, sarcasm is used frequently. The word choice gives off an informal and humorous effect, as the author embodies a sassy tone.

Analyzing Patterns: 

• Who does the genre include and exclude?
• The genre includes those who know a certain amount of information about a topic and are willing to discuss the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of it. People who know nothing or very little about something are excluded from this genre. 
• What roles for writers and readers does the genre encourage?
• The writer is supposed to come off as this intelligent, strong and brusque author, and the audience is supposed to engage in a conversation with them, almost denying or contend with the author.
• What beliefs or values are assumed or encouraged from users of the genre?
• The users of this genre are politically and socially aware, as they are knowledgable of issues in today's society. Also, authors of editorials generally value honesty and sincerity from their sources and those involved in an issue.
• What content does the genre treat as the most valuable? Least valuable? 
• The genre views direct quotes and information from the source as most valuable, along with photos. The genre views statistics as less important, however, they are still used and included sometimes. 

--Jenny Bello

REFLECTION:

I read through Rachel's and Addie's "Analyzing my Genre" blogposts. Rachel and I are both planning on writing an editorial, so our posts and the information were very similar. She seems to know the exact roles that the audience and the author are supposed to take in this genre, and I was reminded of these roles when I read her post. Addie is choosing to write an article that would be included in an online magazine or newspaper. I liked how she related this genre back to one that she already feels comfortable with, the QRG, when trying to analyze the genre. I need to do that when I am approaching this genre for this project, because most genres are similar in a handful of ways. Overall, I think all three of us have a good grasp on the genres that we chose.