Activity 4: Thinking Critically
Genre is a form of social action. That means writers and communicators make decisions about genre based on what they want to do in the
world and what they want to communicate to others. You make decisions about genre all the time-for example, when you decide to write a
text message versus a social media post. Now it is time to make those decisions more explicit and potentially, try on some new genres.
Use the below two-part sentence "equation" to brainstorm possibilities for something you would like to communicate. You might
already have a sense of what genre you will use, but the equation will help you to put that communication within a rhetorical situation and
highlight your choice of genre.
Note: Your writing assignment for this module is to do a genre analysis, which means you will need to collect samples of a genre and analyze
them, similar to what we did with the Wanted posters. This is an opportunity to start thinking about what genre you want to analyze. After all,
the idea is to analyze a genre you would like to use but might not be completely familiar with. How can you make use of that genre to
effectively reach your audience and accomplish your purpose?
Equation:
. As a
I am concerned about/interested in (topic) (EX: As a high school senior I am interested in GRADUATION)
AND/OR
After experiencing/learning about I am concerned about/interested in (topic).
Therefore, I could write a/an (genre) to (audience) in order to (purpose)
Example: As a young man, I am concerned with the body images of men my age in magazines such as GQ. Thus, I could write a personal essay
to parents and teachers in my community in order to explain the effect these images have had on my personal identity. OR I could write a
comic to my peers where I make fun of these magazines and their unrealistic representations of men.
Example: As someone who likes to make jewelry and do other crafty things, I am interested in how to get my ideas and products out into the
world. Therefore, I could write a blog about how to make certain kinds of bracelets so that others can make them too, ORI could create a web
page to try to sell my merchandise. Brainstorm three possible rhetorical equations.
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