Genre Analysis

Steven T. Varela
Department of English
University of Texas at El Paso
 Genre
 Genre is a category used to classify discourse
usually by form, technique, or content.

 Genre changes discourse by the format the

information is presented—the information is
shaped by the genre.

 What are some common genres?

 Some Examples of Genres
Oral: Public speaking, podcast, radio show/program,
class lecture, interviews

Typography: books/textbooks, magazines, newspapers,

websites, primary source documents (diaries, essays,
etc), memorandums, laws/policy, editorials,
instruction sets, transcribed interviews

Iconography: webcast, video, media, posters,

cartoons/comics, photography, instruction sets,
interviews through media
 Genre Analysis Assignment
 Full assignment sheet found in “Additional
Materials” –Chapters 6-10 in CDA.

 Choose one subject/topic, and analyze how

two different genres present/discuss that topic
—how is the discourse different depending on
what the genre is?
Example #1: “The Immigration
Debate”—viewer created media
on Current TV
Example #2—Western Union Telegram
Other Typography: Interview Article
 Photography
 Vectors of attention: arrangements in
photographs (what our eyes are drawn to)

 Framing: what is included in the photo and

what is not

 Cropping: what is cut to provide focus and

emphasis
Example #3—”Baths” on the Border
Vectors of Attention
Example #4—Poster (pg. 342 in
CDA)
 Website
 Anti-Immigration Group—www.fairsu.org

 How racism can be covered up by rhetoric

 Domain name

 .org -- Ethos?
 Oral Discourse
 George Lopez—on immigration

 Stand up comedy as genre