+1 862 207 3288 Informative Genres
Examples of Genres that Inform: maps, reports, brochures, memos, advice columns, recipes, encyclopedias, manuals, newspaper article,
magazine article, research essay, chart/graph, lab report, instructions, web site, recipe, timeline, documentary film
Create a genre piece where the main purpose is to inform. You are creating a genre piece that’s related to the topic you are researching.
When choosing a piece to create, think about what your research is revealing. What genre might be best for conveying a particular aspect
of your research? Are you wanting to show something that is predominantly visual to help your reader picture the aspect? What mode might
be best? You will need to first carefully understand your selected genre’s conventions, so that your creation will match the genre. If you
choose to break convention, you will need to articulate that in your explanatory note. Keep in mind that a feature that all informative
genres have in common is their need for accuracy and clarity.
Use the process we went over in class for choosing your genre. First decide on your purpose, audience, rhetorical appeals, mode and
medium. From that, narrow down your choices to three possible genres. Then explore those genres, figuring out which one best fits what
you’re trying to achieve. Consider how you will use sources. Review Chapter 8 for the process.
Your genre piece will be accompanied by a Writer’s Statement (in the examples you may see it referred to as an Explanatory Note/Author’s
Statement/Artist’s Statement). Your statement is a 2-4 page essay that explains the rhetorical choices you made in composing that
particular piece; defines your audience(s), purpose(s), and intended effect(s); discusses how you used sources in creating the piece; and
articulates the choices you made as you created and revised your genre piece.
Use the following set of questions to guide your explanation.
• Why did you choose the genre you did? How did you use or subvert the conventions of the genre?
• What choices did you make in terms of organization, word choice, tone, approach, style, design, etc.? What did you consider in making
these choices?
• What is your intended rhetorical message? What message or rhetorical effect do you hope your intended audience leaves with after reading
this genre piece?
• Who is your intended audience for this particular piece? Why? How will this particular piece speak to your particular audience?
• How did you appeal to your audience? Did you use ethos, logos, pathos, and how did they help you achieve your purpose and reach that
audience?
• Which sources informed this piece? How did you integrate information you got from sources into this piece?
As you put the essay together, make sure that you are fully conveying these ideas. Don’t simply list the question and answer it. The
questions help you generate material. The essay should flow. Make sure that it includes research throughout, with appropriate
documentation.
The Writer’s Statement should conclude with a list of works cited using the appropriate documentation style for your area of research.
Make sure to cite within the genre piece if appropriate. **Review the samples provided for you on the course web page under Examples.
Grading Criteria (100 points)
Genre Piece (50 points) Piece meets the conventions of the genre (purpose/audience, style, design, sources)
Piece is clearly informed/based on research
Writer’s Statement (50 points) Meets the criteria (rhetorical choices you made in composing that particular piece; defines your audience
(s), purpose(s), and intended effect(s); discusses how you used sources in creating the piece; and articulates the choices you made as you
created and revised your genre piece.) Accompanied by a works cited in using appropriate documentation style
Sources are correctly cited/attributed
