SRR: Dirk

By: Matthew Borelli

The chapter Navigating Genres by Kerry Dirk from his book Writing Spaces: Readings on
Writings discusses the various ways in which genre and context effect the way in which a paper
might be written. Dirk discusses the ways that the average college student already uses these
tools without thinking about why, and explains the mechanisms behind each principle. He argues
that genres are useful tools for conveying a message, since they allow writers to research
writings of the same genre to understand what works and what falls flat. Next, he discusses how
the context in which a genre must be written not only changes the meaning of the message, but
blurs the line of how the genre is defined differently than other genres.
My initial response to this piece was that I now better understand the different ways genre and
context can be used to form a coherent message to the reader. The examples used, such as the
ransom note and country songs, were funny, engaging, and simple to understand, while still
demonstrating complex writing concepts that are present at nearly all times when writing. This
chapter seems to complement what we have been learning in the classroom as well, not just
reciprocating ideas, but building upon them to come to a better understand of not just what, but
why as well.
For me, understanding the way that context should be used to change the message is the most
important part of the chapter. Even if I were to know the genre that I will write a specific piece
in, the context of who Im writing it for and for what purpose completely transform what the
genre is being used for. The whole genre of satire is made up of context for example. Satire is the
use of one genre and subverting its meaning to create a comedic effect, which I find truly
interesting as a huge fan of satire in general.