The Bedford Book of Genres: Chapter 1 (Annie Whiddon)

I found chapter one to be incredibly insightful and valuable both as a reader and a novice writer. In my opinion, the reading was emphasizing how to produce the greatest amount of success for your composition. This can be achieved by evaluating aspects of the genre that will best fulfill a purpose while also reaching a maximized audience. It was interesting to read the two entries on the arch collapsing; they discussed the same topic but for different purposes and audiences. Overall, the case study simplified the topic of genre for me and made me think critically about the circumstances of the two messages being presented and how the slight contrast separates them in genre. The reading also made me aware that every aspect of someone’s composition serves a purpose, specifically the use of ethos, logos, and pathos. While we may not notice, the simplest details (tone, voice, design, media, etc) make our composition more solid and successful. Additionally, I found that evaluating the audience was a major key stressed in this chapter. We must realistically analyze the audience in terms of where they come from, who they are, and why the message being presented matters. What do we bring to the table, and why is it important? Lastly, the reading left an impression on me to reflect on genres that are best fit for me, as doing so will create a more favorable outcome for my composition. By utilizing our strengths in terms of genre, our composition becomes far more personal, powerful and effective.