Understanding Genre Theories and Practices

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Questions and Answers

How is genre defined according to Miller?

By a list of typical forms and contents.

Based solely on the substance of discourse.

Through the action it is used to accomplish. (correct)

By its formal characteristics and stylistic elements.

What does typification in genre refer to?

The classification of genres into rigid types.

The process of creating new genres without restrictions.

Typical forms, content, and actions recognized within a genre. (correct)

A method for analyzing the effectiveness of a genre.

Which statement summarizes the view of genre that incorporates both choices and constraints?

Genres provide expected ways of acting while allowing some flexibility. (correct)

Genres are static and should not evolve over time.

Genres allow complete freedom in their use without any rules.

All genres have a single correct way of being implemented.

How does Bhatia compare practicing a genre?

To playing a game with established rules and conventions. Signup and view all the answers

In what way can the use of one genre depend on other interrelated genres?

By citing and drawing from multiple related genres. Signup and view all the answers

What did Uhrig's research reveal about genre use among students?

Genre differed significantly between Law and MBA students in assessments. Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical aspect of genre's role in social and cultural settings?

Genres function as social agreements about language use. Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the dynamic and open to change nature of genres?

Genres evolve but still follow established norms. Signup and view all the answers

What does polysemy in the context of the Democratic Unionist Party's use of the word 'deal' indicate?

It encompasses both political and economic negotiations. Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential downside of genre-based teaching as suggested by Luke (1996)?

It leads to uncritical reproduction of texts. Signup and view all the answers

According to Christie and Martin, what is a significant consequence of not teaching genres of power?

Disadvantaged students face further disadvantages. Signup and view all the answers

What limitation can arise from genre-based teaching according to the information provided?

It may constrain individual student voices. Signup and view all the answers

Devitt (2004) highlights a challenge in how students use genre knowledge. What is this challenge?

It is not straightforward and varies greatly. Signup and view all the answers

Why is contextualization important in teaching genres according to Kay and Dudley-Evans?

It clarifies the purpose, audience, and values associated with genres. Signup and view all the answers

What advice is given regarding the application of genres by students?

Students should avoid applying one genre technique to another. Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential aspect that genre-based teaching must consider according to Swales (2000)?

Incorporate students' individual voices in genres. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a genre in the academic context?

A type of discourse used in specific contexts. Signup and view all the answers

How do genres influence student admission processes for vocational colleges?

They create complex interactions between various written and spoken forms. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of genre emphasizes its role in social outcomes?

Genre as a vehicle for social interaction and structures. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of job applications, what indicates the interconnectedness of genres?

The requirement of a cohesive narrative across various documents. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the CARS framework in genre analysis?

To outline the structure of research article introductions. Signup and view all the answers

What should students understand to successfully navigate the application process for a course?

The specific genre conventions and their contextual significance. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'interrelatedness of genres' imply in academic writing?

Different genres can communicate and complement each other. Signup and view all the answers

What is one key characteristic of the application process for vocational college admissions?

It includes a walk-in component that requires early action. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Critical Discourse Analysis (ENG 524)

Zelling Harris first introduced Discourse Analysis (DA) in 1952.
DA examines language beyond the sentence level, relationships between language and non-linguistic behavior, and patterns of language within texts.
DA includes social and cultural contexts for texts.
Aspects of DA include discourse as the social construction of reality, identity, performance, and intertextuality.
Key assumptions of DA: language is ambiguous, always 'in the world', and inseparable from social identity.
Language is always combined with tone of voice, facial expressions, gestures, fonts, layout, and graphics used.
Meaning is the most important aspect of a text.
The concept of genre in DA expands beyond simply examining the conventional structures of texts to considering what these structures reveal about the people who use them (and why).
A genre is a recognizable communicative event characterized by a set of communicative purposes.
Genres are communicative events with cohesive devices, structured in a conventional way, and including elements like summaries (at beginning) and details (later).
Critical Discourse Studies (CDS) originated from Critical Linguistics (CL).
CL emphasizes ideology and power relations in language use.
CDS is practiced in a range of fields beyond language studies.
CDA views discourse as socially determined.
CDA is a type of discourse analytical research that primarily studies the abuse of social power, domination, and inequality enacted in text and talk.
CDA assumes that language use is always social, and discourse reflects and constructs the social world.
Scholars like Norman Fairclough, Ruth Wodak, and Teun van Dijk are key figures in CDA.
Discourse-Historical Approach (DHA) is a prominent critical approach to discourse.
DHA emphasizes the strong historical research interest of discourse analysis.
Key figures in DHA developed it between 1987-1993 in Vienna.
Four main features of the DHA: interdisciplinarity, historical alignment, teamwork, applying empirical findings.
The DHA is particularly concerned with the historical dimensions of discourse concerning identity politics.
CDA as a Method of Research examines texts to determine ways in which discourse consolidates power and colonizes people.
CDA aims to identify hidden values and perspectives in texts and the role of discourse in social and cultural issues.
CDA analyzes both verbal and nonverbal activities in texts.
CDA involves a three-dimensional analysis of texts, including linguistic aspects, interdiscursive processes, and social and cultural reality.
The Socio-Cultural Approach is a three-dimensional framework for analyzing text and discourse, encompassing text, discourse practice, and sociocultural practice.
The Socio-Cognitive Approach examines social cognition and its relation between a text and society.
CCDA (Cultural Critical Discourse Analysis) aims at exposing the ways cultural codes are embedded in discourse, arguing that discourse helps sustain social/political inequalities.
CDA focuses on cultural aspects of texts.
CCDA includes concepts like 'cultural memory', 'cultural narratives', 'cultural representation,' and 'cultural discourse analysis'.
Cultural Codes and Discursive Strategies use methods from cultural studies, such as decoding codes, to expose symbolic annihilation of social objects.
Critical Narrative Analysis (CNA) is a tool for re-articulating the status quo to a desired version within which identities acquire new positions.
Collective Narrative is a narrative that forms a part of a group's identity, often driven by political interests.
‘War-Normalizing' and `Peace-Estrangement' strategies are examined through textual analysis.
Strategies of normalization, abstraction & distancing are crucial to CDA.
Discourse features such as euphemization, naturalization, and justification are included in Strategies of Normalization.
Strategies of Abstraction (in the Israeli Peace-Estrangement discourse) are prominent.
Distancing discourse (literal, conceptual, metaphorical) is another approach.
Discourse is a form of social practice.
Studies in CDA often delve into complexities and multifarious theoretical backgrounds.
Discourse is about social problems and is historical.

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Description

This quiz explores key concepts in genre theory as discussed by scholars like Miller, Bhatia, and Devitt. It covers the definitions, typification, and teaching implications of genres in social and cultural contexts. Test your understanding of genre's role and its challenges in education.