Writing in Different Genres

WRITING IN DIFFERENT GENRES

Genre? The denotation of the word genre is

(noun) a class or category of artistic endeavor having a particular form, content, technique, or the like: the genre of epic poetry; the genre of symphonic music.

In other words, a genre is a type or category of writing.

Examples of different genres in writing might include poetry, novels, letters, articles, manuals, etc.

News ArticleDenotation: an article published in a print or Internet

news medium such as a newspaper, newsletter, news magazine, news-oriented website, or article directory that discusses current or recent news of either general interest (i.e. daily newspapers) or on a specific topic (i.e. political or trade news magazines, club newsletters, or technology news websites).

News ArticleNews articles contain several elements: Headline

The headline is the “eye-catcher” that makes the someone read the rest of the article

Lead The lead is the first sentence, the “hook” of

the article. It can be a quote, an anecdote, a shocking statement, or something similar.

News Article Body

This is the main part of the article, and it actually relates what’s going on. Quotes can be used to strengthen the article, and facts and details should be used to prove the point.

Conclusion The conclusion sums up the article, and

may end with a final quote, a restatement of the hook, or just a summary statement.

Hot Dog Deficit Ravages the City

September 27, 2010: Atlanta - It has recently come to the attention of this newspaper reporter that some customers have been receiving packages of hot dogs without the promised number of hot dogs inside. What could this tragedy mean for the fate of the nation? As one dissatisfied customer put it, “It just ain’t the same without ten hot dogs in the pack!” What is the country to do with this information? Should we stand idly by and watch our hot dogs disappear before our eyes? Or is it time to stand and fight to have all ten hot dogs in our ten hot dog pack? Oscar Meyer declined to comment on this atrocity, but one thing is for sure – the hot dog travesty will change the course of the world.

News Article Can anyone think of an example of when

to use a newspaper article instead of another genre?

Formal LetterDenotation: A formal or business letter is a letter

written in formal language, usually written from one organization to another, or between an organization and their clients or customers.

Formal letters have a specific format, called full block, which includes things like the addresses of the sender and receiver, the date, etc.

Formal Letter: Full Block Style

September 27, 2010Jane Doe123 Fake StreetAnywhere, USA

Oscar Meyer123 Somewhere StreetBolognaville, USA

Dear Oscar Meyer,I am writing to inform you that I recently received a package of hot dogs that contained nine hot dogs instead of ten hot dogs. Although I appreciate the attempt to more closely align the number of hot dogs in a pack with the number of buns in a pack, I paid for ten hot dogs, and would appreciate being compensated for the missing hot dog.Respectfully,

Jane DoeA dissatisfied hot dog customer

Formal Letter When should you use a formal letter

instead of a casual one or an email?

One thing, many genres? Most topics are not limited to a single

genre. As we have discussed, sometimes a

specific genre is best for a specific situation, but…

…you can often write about one topic in many different situations, and using many different genres, like my hot dog example.

King Arthur We are going to be reading some

Arthurian Legends in class, so for example, let’s look at how King Arthur and his Knights of the Round table pop up in different genres.

King Arthur Legends

As you have probably noticed, there are many legends about the Knights of Camelot. We are reading “Arthur Becomes King” and “Morte de Arthur.”

King Arthur Film

Another famous example you might be familiar with is the movie King Arthur.

King Arthur Satire

Here’s another one you might be familiar with, but not know what it’s called: King Arthur in satire, in Monty Python’s Holy Grail

King Arthur Cartoons

This is a poster for a cartoon movie, Quest for Camelot, which is a children’s King Arthur story.

King Arthur Video Games

King Arthur and his Knights have even made it into computer games!

King Arthur Novels

Of course, there are tons of examples of Arthurian novels, like this one, The Road to Camelot, by Marti Phillips.

King Arthur Toys

King Arthur is so prolific that you can even find King Arthur action figures!