Genre

A genre can be defined as a category used to sort and describe varying types of compositions. It is important to recognize that genres are flexible, meaning that they can overlap in order to serve different purposes/audiences. Two texts can fit into the same genre while looking remarkably different (Dirk 255). Certain situations require their own appropriate responses. Understanding what a genre is used for can help people accomplish their goals. Effectively using genres can help people get a job, get accepted into a particular college, win over a lover, etc.. Genres shape our everyday lives.

“Every time you write –or compose anything, in any genre, you do so for a reason. […] There are many reasons to write and sometimes they overlap” (“Understanding Genres” pg. 8). The last time I composed, I wrote about a song that I identified with and how that song related to my life. I wrote to inform. I provided biographical information on the band that released the song. I also wrote to tell a story. I explained certain events from my life and how it related to the song’s lyrics. Rhetorical situation involves the context in which writers create rhetorical discourse (Bitzer 1). The mode of delivery I chose was in the form of written essay and audio. I played the song out loud to my audience (classmates and teacher) before presenting my essay. My paper could be categorized as many things: non-fiction, essay, personal narrative, and audio.