Student 1
Student Sample
Christopher Susak
English 3010
July 1, 2015
Genre Analysis
Identification:
The two articles I have chosen to analyze are from the sociology research discourse and
the writing studies discourse. The sociology research article is a peer reviewed, scholarly article
from a journal used by the sociology discourse. The title of the article is located at the top along
with the author. Its entirety is divided into titled sections that consist of smaller paragraphs with
titled subsections. The first section is the abstract, which serves as a brief summary for the entire
piece that outlines the main sections of the piece: Introduction, Methods, Results, and
Discussion. The abstract introduces the purpose of the research and is followed by key words
related to the research. The section that is most distinguishable from the rest is the results
section. It is littered with several tables full of numerical information. The writer’s purpose is to
solve a social problem by communicating their research and results with one another in their
discourse. The article cites using ASA style and the references used vary 5-10 years in
difference from one another. The introduction section has the most significant amount of citing
in the article (Sherman).
The piece from the writing studies discourse possesses a main title and author credit at
the top of the piece, but lacks an abstract. Although is also made up of sections, it does not flow
as chronologically as the sociology discourse article. Both of the pieces utilize subtitles to
identify different sections, with the exception of the writing studies discourse piece’s beginning
Student 2
lacking any identification besides the main title. The writing studies piece, in comparison, is
more superfluous than the writing studies piece. The writing piece possesses an extravagantly
larger number of quotations than the sociology piece. In turn, this wealth of quotes in the writing
studies article leaves the sociology research article to be perceived as more objective and
passive. The writing discourse used MLA format citing and citing dates range a larger time
frame than the sociology article (Miller).
Analysis:
The characterizing factors and recurring rhetorical situations that help identify the genre
from specific discourse communities play a role much larger than just being able to decipher
between them. They are critical for the representation of the goals, practices, and values that a
discourse maintains.
The subtitled sections of sociology research articles, Abstract, Introduction, Methods,
Results, and Discussion, are labeled in a uniform manner throughout most pieces of work. This
serves the purpose of making the article’s information easily accessible to other discourse
members. The Abstract and key words have a specific purpose in the genre. These two are used
as an efficient way to search for, retrieve, and communicate relevant data and research to its
discourse members. If a member of the discourse was interested in how the study was performed
they would glance at the Methods section. If a member was interested in knowing the outcome
or numerical date of the research they would glance at the Results section. This genre feature of
having a uniform format for recording knowledge provides a more fluid way for exchanging
knowledge. The writing studies piece is more full bodied and divided into subtopics less
frequently, which may come off as more intimidating for non-discourse members.
Student 3
The rhetorical situations differ between the two articles. To build off of prior knowledge,
history, and research the Introduction section in the sociology article has a significant amount of
citing. The sociology article uses a logos approach, providing facts and statistics used to help
support the argument. These are heavily concentrated in the Results section of the article. These
statistical tables cue the reader in knowing that the piece has an element of researching or of an
experiment. It can also serve as a genre tool to retrieve information quicker that is otherwise
sandwiched into the text. The writing studies article relies more on ethos or the source's
credibility. Throughout the article, it uses in-text citing with the source’s origin or author’s
name. By doing this, it provides the opportunity for the audience to further investigate work or
research done by this group or individual on topics relevant to their needs.
The references used in the research sociology article are closer in date to each other than
the writing studies piece. Research in sociology is typically done on hot topics of the current
time. In the last decade the topic of healthcare, HIV/AIDS, and its stigma, have been brought
back into the limelight. AIDS and HIV became known back in the early 1980’s and more
research and media coverage made it a hot topic throughout the late 1980’s to 1990’s
(AIDS.gov). This would explain the dates of the majority of the references used by the
sociology article. It is important for the members of the discourse to understand when hot topics
took place in their field to understand relevancy and meaning.
Reflection:
Genres are mechanisms that we use either consciously or mindlessly. As I searched for
the genre of peer-reviewed articles in my future discourse, I knew that I had to use keywords.
Student 4
After I punched in these terms, I then began to skim through these articles Abstracts. Finally, if I
found an abstract that fit my needs, I skimmed the article to ensure the sections were sub-titled
appropriately. Before being exposed to the expectations and agenda of my future discourse, I
would have not been able to utilize this genre. On the other hand, some genres seem so obvious
that they go without notice or mention. I would not have to be at restaurant to be handed a menu
and understand what it was. Its genre features, such as format and prices, allow it to successfully
fulfill its purpose, even out of its context.
This genre analysis was a combination of the two situations previously described. By
analyzing a genre used by two different discourses it was possible to take the obvious and make
it abstract. I knew what keywords to search for, I knew what sections would be present, and I
knew that it would more than likely include a few tables or charts with numerical data. By
honing in on the crucial questions of how and why behind these rhetorical features it was easier
to understand the values and goals of each discourse, even as an outsider or novice. Through this
genre analysis, I understand that one of my future discourse’s ultimate goals is to disseminate upto-date and relevant scientific knowledge about the way society works.
Genres and discourses are constructed by human interaction, and in turn, can produce and
encourage interaction. It is critical to learn how genres and discourses function in order to
understand why they exist or, perhaps, why they should not. Since these mechanisms are
constructed and not innate, we also have the power to destruct and reconstruct them. A discourse
can titrate its rhetoric in different genres to better meet its values and agenda. Knowledge is not
sacred; it is designed to share and evolve in order to stimulate growth and prosperity.
Student 5
AIDS.gov. 2015. “A Timeline of AIDS.” Retrieved June 30, 2015 (https://www.aids.gov/hivaids-basics/hiv-aids-101/aids-timeline/).
Miller, Carolyn R. 1984. “Genre as Social Action.” Quarterly Journal of Speech 70: 151-167.
Sherman, S.G., German, D., Cheng, Y., Marks, M., Bailey-Kloche, M. 2006. “The Evaluation of
the JEWEL Project.” AIDS Care 18(1): 1-11.