The Writing Trinity: Genre, Purpose, and Audience

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The Writing TrinityGenre,Purpose,and Audience
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Genre

• pronounced john-ruh

Fancy word for TYPE CLASSIFICATION SUB-CATEGORY
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Have you two met?
Most likely. . . Maybe in your car when you
chose a radio station to listen to? Maybe at a
video rental store when you decided which movie
to rent?
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Writing Genres

• Genre also applies to different kinds or
  categories of writing.
• Youve written two this semester
• ESSAY
• Youve also written in other genres too Research
  proposal, cover letter, artist statement, and
  more!

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Yah, so?

• Why divide things up into categories?
• Each genre has a different set of expectations
  and conventions.

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• What do you think of when you hear these genres
• Horror movie?
• Emo music?
• Poetry?

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Purpose

• The purpose of a horror movie is different than
  the purpose of a chick flick.
• Similarly, writing in a different genre forces
  you to consider genre conventions and to think
  deeply about WHY your chosen genre supports your
  content.
• (Although I think a harmonica in a techno song
  could be interesting. . .)

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Audience

• Were all looking for a little recognition,
  right?
• Audience is who you are writing for (rather real
  or imaginary) consider your audience when
  choosing a genre and purpose.
• For example, would the governor be the ideal
  audience for your poem?
• (Try a business letter instead.)

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All in all. . .

• Consider what genre will be best for your message
• Think about your purpose and how your genre
  choices support your ideas
• Determine your audience and appeal to their
  expectations and needs
• (Are you ready to brainstorm some ideas?)