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| See-ming Lee "'Have and opinion. Elaborate' /SML.20130408.PHIL" 04/08/2013 via Flickr CC BY 2.0 |
Examples:
What We Can Learn From the Epic Failure of Google Flu Trends
We Should Have Seen This Refugee Crisis Coming
Cancer Screening Can Do More Harm Than Good
Crowdfunding is Good for Science. Selling Space is Not.
With G.M.O. Policies, Europe Turns Against Science
Social Context:
Where is the genre typically set?
The genre is found on the websites of magazine publications and newspapers, usually under a directory marked "opinion."
What is the subject of the genre?
The subjects discussed within the genre are widely varied. I am limiting my examples, and genre settings to opinion columns with scientific topics.
Who uses the genre?
People who read the publication are the most likely to read or write the opinion columns found online. People will not read the column unless they have an interest in its topic.
When and why is the genre used?
The genre gives people outside of the realm of reporters and journalists a chance to voice their opinions in a medium that has a large audience.
Rhetorical Patterns of the Genre:
What type of content is usually included and excluded?
The majority of an opinion column consists of presentation and analysis of supporting evidence. The evidence is used to support the author's overall opinion of the topic.
What rhetorical appeals are used most often?
Logos is the primary rhetorical appeal used in opinion columns especially for columns with scientific topics and publications.
How are the texts organized?
All of the examples have titles and single pictures at the start of the column. The paragraph structure is similar to that of a blog post, but the paragraphs are generally longer than the paragraphs in a blog post.
Do sentences in the genre share a certain style?
Sentence structure is varied with a fairly formal or academic style.
Sentence structure is varied with a fairly formal or academic style.
What type of word choice is used?
Technical terms are used with the assumption that the reader is fairly familiar with the topic. Words with positive or negative connotations are used to develop the author's opinion on the topic.
Technical terms are used with the assumption that the reader is fairly familiar with the topic. Words with positive or negative connotations are used to develop the author's opinion on the topic.
What Patterns Reveal About Social Context of the Genre:
Who does the genre include and who does the genre exclude?
The genre includes the scientific community, and casual scientific magazine readers. People with less than a college education are less likely to read the publications.
The genre includes the scientific community, and casual scientific magazine readers. People with less than a college education are less likely to read the publications.
What roles for writers and readers does the genre encourage?
The genre encourages readers to connect and sympathize with the author, because the author is typically a reader just like them, or a writer taking a personal stance.
The genre encourages readers to connect and sympathize with the author, because the author is typically a reader just like them, or a writer taking a personal stance.
What values and beliefs are assumed about or encouraged from the users of the genre?
It is assumed that readers are invested in general scientific topics. Readers are encouraged to develop their own educated opinions.
It is assumed that readers are invested in general scientific topics. Readers are encouraged to develop their own educated opinions.
What content does the genre treat as most valuable? Least valuable?
The most valuable content is supporting evidence that justifies the author's opinion. The least valuable content is speculation, or discussion outside the scope of the topic.
I commented on Ayra and Jayni's genre analyses. Jayni's genre is a blog post, which has similar genre conventions and employs similar rhetorical strategies as an opinion column. Ayra's genre is a video, specifically for activism. Her genre requires heavy use of pathos. The broad spectrum of genres for project three demonstrates the versatility of rhetoric. I feel fairly confident about my ability to work in the genre I have selected.
The most valuable content is supporting evidence that justifies the author's opinion. The least valuable content is speculation, or discussion outside the scope of the topic.
I commented on Ayra and Jayni's genre analyses. Jayni's genre is a blog post, which has similar genre conventions and employs similar rhetorical strategies as an opinion column. Ayra's genre is a video, specifically for activism. Her genre requires heavy use of pathos. The broad spectrum of genres for project three demonstrates the versatility of rhetoric. I feel fairly confident about my ability to work in the genre I have selected.
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