Journal 4 - Desiree DeMarco

Looking across our three genre texts, it is easy to see that Devitt, Miller, and Wysocki each have their own unique views on what a genre really is. Devitt thinks about genre as a “whole pattern made up of smaller parts” that, when pieced together, add up to something more. Miller, on the other hand, states, “genres change, evolve, and decay,” and that we must see genre in relation to kairos. Wysocki takes an arguably less profound stance on genre and simply asserts that visual representation of a page or screen is what gives you an immediate sense of its genre.

I believe that when we create or read texts, genre is always present. Relating it to Devitt’s point of view, genre can be found in the context of a work. She gives the example of an apology as a genre. While it does include the basic words “I’m sorry,” it typically requires much more than that. A true apology has many moving parts- it’s a “complete package of genuineness, regret, and the action, the whole experience of apologizing.” So when we create or read a text, it pays to read between the lines. When composing, we must always be aware of the overall meaning we create. A good audience will be able to piece together all the moving parts of a text to find the hidden meaning.

In relation to audience, I think Miller said it best: “genres change, evolve, and decay.” To stay relevant, a genre adapts to the times surrounding it. Every genre must express space/time relation “that reflect current social beliefs.” For example, with the recent election and the reveal of our nation’s newest president, things have been tense. Comedians don’t know how to perform anymore. An IndieWire article states, “Actor Brian Huskey said he worries modern comedy’s now-familiar trope of faux-ironic detachment could backfire. By mocking ignorant viewpoints, you risk misinterpretation by people who actually hold those views.”

Finally, genre choice can have a major impact on the circulation and distribution process. Choosing whether to have a work represented on print or digitally is a big decision. While they both have pros and cons, they also both visually represent something and can therefore be analyzed. It really just depends on the type of audience you’re aiming for, the length of your work, and the content.