What is the Genre Approach?
Writers write for a purpose,
from a particular author role,
to a particular audience,
in a particular context.
Genres are socially-defined conventional forms of
texts used by writers to achieve their purpose(s) in
different situations. (ex: cover letter, resume, reflection paper, lab
report, note to babysitter, Tweet)
Genres have particular linguistic features (structure,
language, grammar, content) that students can be taught to
make their writing more effective.
What is a Genre?
How Do We Teach It?
5. Linking related
texts and genres
1. Introducing the
genre
4. Independent
Construction
2. Analyzing model
texts
3. Collaborative
Construction
Adapted from Feez, 1998, as found at http://dc224.4shared.com/doc/it27SNVZ/preview.html
1. Introducing the Genre
i.e. the Purpose, Context, Author, Audience
Explicit Methods
0 Dossier
0 Lecture
Implicit Methods
0 Role Play/Case Study
0 Student-led Analysis
0 Pre-Writing Activities that focus on the genre
2. Analyzing model texts
Explicit Method: Dossier
http://www.sbcc.edu/journalism/manual/checklist/briefs.php
http://www.sac.sa.edu.au/Library/Library/Topics/Literacy/information.htm
2. Analyzing model texts
0 Student Analysis
0 Compare another Genre
0 Labeling Parts by Function
0 Move Analysis (at sentence, paragraph or section
level)
0 Guided Questions
2. Analyzing model texts
0 Identify features in all, some, and only one model text
3. Collaborative Construction
Writing a Section, Editing, Inserting, Planning
0 Writing Frames
0 Editing an Ineffective Model
0 Outlining or Reverse Outlining
0 Language Skills Practice
0 Grammar or Vocabulary Practice
0 In context
0 With purpose in sight
3. Collaborative Construction
Tenses to Tell a Story in the Past
We often use present perfect to announce a piece of news:
A passenger plane has crashed in Long Island Sound
We use the past simple to give more details.
The plane was on its way from New York to London. Three hundred people
were on board.
Use the prompts below to tell a short news story using the correct tenses:
Town meeting on new theater held last night.
300 people.
Disagreement about parking.
Residents don’t want roads blocked.
Head of theater promises there is enough parking. Residents not convinced.
4. Individual Construction
0
Writing Process (Brainstorm, outline, first draft,
final draft)
0
Authentic Situation
0 Lecture notes -> Paraphrase Essay (Final Exam)
0 Table -> Research report
0 Interview notes -> Interview
0
c.f. Collaborative Construction
4. Individual Construction
Notes
Lauren Bacall dead
Age 89
Natural causes.
New York Presbyterian Hospital, 5:21 Tuesday evening
Famous movie star, “To Have and Have Not”, “Big Sleep”
most famous movies
Married to Humphrey Bogart, also famous movie star
Very beautiful, model before moving to Hollywood.
3 children
5. Linking related texts and genres
0 Deeper into the Genre
0 Related Context
0 Features article, opinion article,
0 Key Feature
0 Abstract, policy brief, blog post
0 Logical Procession of Genres (genre set)
Read press release -> Write article -> Read research/conduct
interviews -> Write in-depth article -> Read user comments
Thank You
walton@englishadvantage.info
http://www.englishadvantage.info
@EnglAdvantage