- Find an example of the genre you are working in for Unit 3. For example: if you are writing a new article, read at least three New York Times articles to get a sense of the genre conventions.
- Below, write at least 200 words about what you notice about the genre conventions. For example: what tone does the publication/genre use? How long are the articles/videos? How is evidence used? (with quotes, images, data?) What kind of language do they use? Are there images? How do they hook their audience? (with a statistic, an strong opinion, an image?)
Prof. vK | ENG1101-D149 | Fall 2024
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Blog posts and articles about fast fashion often have an educational and persuasive tone.They aim to inform the reader while encouraging them to change their habits. The tone is generally conversational to keep the reader engaged, but also authoritative to convey the seriousness of the issue and help create change. These posts are usually 500 to 1,500 words long, with clear sections and subheadings to make the content easy to follow.
Evidence is used to strengthen the argument, often in the form of statistics like “The fashion industry produces 10% of global carbon emissions”, quotes from experts, or real-life examples. Images, such as infographics or photos of textile waste, are often included to provide visual context and make the issue be easily pictured.
The language is simple and accessible, avoiding technical terms and big words to appeal to a wide audience. Articles often start with a shocking statistic or strong opinion to grab attention, like āEvery second, a truckload of textiles is wasted.ā This hooks the reader and emphasizes the urgency of the topic. At the end, there’s typically a call to action, encouraging readers to make more ethical choices or consider sustainable alternatives in their fashion consumption.
In general, infographics are meant to make dry data into information digestible for the average person. They come in various forms (e.g., maps, statistics, comparisons, illustrations, timelines, etc.), and I have settled on an information infographic. Informational infographics are different from other types of infographics in that they have more text and are used to explain a topic with the aid of visuals. Infographics are traditionally limited to one page, allowing viewers to scan and grasp key information quickly.
Evidence (statistics, research findings, and other factual info) is incorporated via the use of tables, graphs, and other visuals that may pertain to the topic discussed. Language is plain and simple, meant to be as concise as possible. Clarity is essential in an infographic and to ensure it, key words and related graphics are included. Images in particular are a big part of infographics due to the priority for easy understanding being greater than explaining complex details. In informational infographics, text plays a bigger part than in normal infographics, but images used to clear up any confusion.
Hooking the reader is just as important for an infographic as it is for any piece of media. Infographics do this through the use of attractive visuals, interesting titles, and a short concise story that condenses worthwhile insights and data. The end goal of all infographics is to stimulate the readerās curiosity and to prompt them to dig deeper.
The article on Yale Medicine about how social media affects teensā mental health is written to be helpful and easy to understand for most people. It has a serious but friendly tone, so it feels trustworthy but not too complicated. The article isnāt super long, just enough to explain the topic clearly without boring the reader. It uses facts and examples to back up its points. For instance, it includes quotes from doctors and psychologists who know a lot about mental health. It also shares statistics, like how many teens use social media or how it might affect their feelings. This helps make the article more believable and trustworthy. The words are simple and clear, so you donāt need to know a lot about mental health to get it. If there are tricky words, they explain what they mean. There are usually pictures, charts, or graphs to help show the information in a way thatās easy to see and understand. To grab your attention, the article might start with a surprising fact, like how much time teens spend on social media, or a story about how itās affected someoneās mental health. This makes you want to keep reading to learn more. They also like to use parents to set out ground rules for teens using social media so they don’t get addicted to it.
TikTok videos offer tips and guidance on various topics, from life advice to practical tips. The tone is usually friendly and supportive, aiming to help viewers with their queries. Evidence is often presented through personal anecdotes, expert quotes or data, and the language is simple and relatable. Images and videos are used to illustrate points, and creators often hook their audience with relatable questions or surprising facts. I think it’s going to be more than 500 words for people and readers to express their feelings about TikTok. Everything in TikTok is visual storytelling because In TikTok, I can see that Everyone using the platform’s editing tools to enhance engagement. TikTok’s genre conventions are shaped by its fast-paced, visually driven platform. The content is designed to be engaging, relatable, and easy to consume, making it a powerful tool for connecting with a wide audience.
Tiktok videos are a very funny thing, in my opinion. There are many conventions that could be used in any one given video, and at the same time, there could be someone who’s just really really good at using the same convention over and over again. There’s always a humorous tone, a good hook, something to smile at, before it fully draws you in and all of a sudden you’ve been laughing at the same tiktok for at least 5 minutes. Being between 30 seconds and 2 minutes, usually it’ll be a series of funny things or just one extrmemely funny one.
There are other sides, however. Let’s say a story is being told, or information is being given–knowing that most people don’t have a very good attention span (because of tiktok), they will start the video immediately with something interesting going on in the background, like minecraft parkour or gameplay of some sort (this is reminiscent of commentary/story time youtubers who have their gameplay in the back while talking) before they begin to convey what they want to convey. It’s very ingenious, because it plays on the fact that we will keep our attention on the most stimulating thing at the time, so having something like interesting/satisfying gameplay play immediately definitely works.
If they’re trying to get information across, they might make a slideshow: they’ll have some psychedelic music in the background, something ethereal sounding, while you swipe and swipe to keep reading and finding out more about the information presented to you; not only are you interested, but the music is also keeping you grounded to the information until you finish reading and realize there’s nothing left for you to look at. It’s kind of funny to me, because there’s definitely a science behind it, and if it were explained in a tiktok slideshow I’d probably pay attention.
The news article genre in publications like The New York Times often maintains a formal yet accessible tone. The articles typically range between 800ā1,200 words for standard reporting pieces, though feature stories or investigative journalism can extend significantly longer. Evidence is integral to the genre, and it is presented in various forms: direct quotes from experts or witnesses, statistical data, embedded images, or graphs that contextualize the story.
The language used is precise and objective, avoiding overly emotional phrasing unless itās an opinion piece. News articles also tend to prioritize clarity, keeping sentences concise and paragraphs short to enhance readability. This structure aligns with the genreās primary goal: informing readers efficiently while maintaining engagement.
Hooks are a critical element of this genre. Articles often start with a compelling ledeāan engaging statistic, a surprising fact, or a vivid description of the sceneāto capture the reader’s attention. Visual elements, such as relevant photos or infographics, often accompany the text to provide visual context and make the story more digestible.
Finally, the conclusion usually circles back to the broader implications of the story, leaving the audience with something to consider, even if itās a question or a call to action.
Genre conventions vary across different types of media, and analyzing them reveals how writers form their work to engage specific audiences effectively. For example, articles from health-focused publications like NIH News in Health are often factual, straightforward, and evidence-based. These articles tend to use a professional yet accessible tone, offering clear explanations of complex topics. They use and rely on data and quotes from experts to establish credibility. Visuals, such as infographics or images, might support the content but are not overly flashy, maintaining a professional appearance.
In contrast, editorial articles like those in the Harvard Gazette blend an authoritative tone with storytelling techniques to engage readers emotionally. These pieces often use anecdotal evidence or compelling narratives to complement statistics or expert quotes. The length of these articles is moderate, striking a balance between being thorough and concise to hold the readerās attention. They might include high-quality photographs to humanize the topic or break up the text visually.
Other genres, like YouTube videos or social media content, prioritize engagement through dynamic visuals, conversational language, and hooks such as surprising statistics or intriguing questions to keep the viewer interested from the start. Videos may include music, animations, and captions to keep viewers invested. Evidence is usually presented succinctly, often as text overlays or verbal highlights.
Across these genres, the common goal is to captivate the audience quickly while maintaining the credibility and relevance of the information. Writers and creators tailor their tone, structure, and evidence presentation to meet the expectations of their target audience.