Summary:
My
scholarly article is “How Students Use Prior Genre” by Mary Jo Reiff and Anis Bawarshi.
The goals of this experiment were to determine what genres students already
know, to observe how students use this prior knowledge when presented with new writing
assignments, and to understand student’s methods of transferring genre into new
ideas to fit their needs. Reiff and Bawarshi also endeavored to determine how
one may predict if a student would be a “boundary crosser” or a “boundary
guarder.” Reiff and Bawarshi defined boundary crossers as “students who engaged
in high-road transfer as they repurposed and reimagined their prior genre
knowledge for use in new contexts”, and boundary guarders as “students who
seemed to guard more tightly and engage in low-road transfer of their prior
genre knowledge, even in the face of new and disparate tasks.” They identified
these two types of students based on their answers to set questions that
answered the research question presented above. Reiff and Bawarshi categorized
students who were less confident in their abilities to identify genre, and were
more open to new ideas of genre as boundary crossers. They categorized students
who were confident in their ability to define and identify genre, and therefore
more set in their ways as boundary guarders.
One
specific question that was asked of students participating in the experiment
that Reiff and Bawarshi conducted was about what genre students used when
writing an assigned essay. The students were asked to list the genres that the
paper reminded them of and the genres that they were able to use to help them
complete the assignment. The researchers noted that some students appeared less
confident in their definition of genre and provided more rhetorical strategies
than genres when asked. This was another indicator of a boundary crosser. Other
students were far more confident in their abilities and listed more genres than
rhetorical strategies when asked the same question – an indicator of a boundary
guarder.
Younger:
Dearest Parental Units,
It is I, your beloved child. School is
going pretty well so far; it’s really weird to be so far away from you guys. I
already miss the animals! My roommates have been really nice so far, luckily.
I’ve already heard some stories of people trying to get roommate changes. I
think I’ll be fine. Campus is absolutely beautiful, but of course you guys know
that already. I really think I need to start stocking up on school gear! Guess
what everyone is getting for Christmas this year!! Lucky you guys!
Haven’t really made too many friends yet,
but there’s time, right? There’s a few clubs that I should probably join, but
meh. That means leaving my room! Where I have a bed! And blankets! One of my
roommates goes out a lot more than the other. The one who stays in more is a
lot more my speed. I think I can become pretty good friends with her. I shall
keep you updated. Hopefully next time I write I’ll have made some friends from
some class or another.
Even though we’re only in the first week
of school I have a midterm next week for Calculus! That’s just ridiculous,
right? I think I’ll do pretty well on it – it’s just supposed to be basic
algebra review and we’re allowed a note card. The professor is weird; he’s way
to energetic for an 8am lecture. He bounces all over the stage while he’s
lecturing. I wonder what kind of coffee he drinks… Anyway, Chemistry has been
going well so far. It’s all just review of high school, so I’m good! I think
this class will definitely be interesting! The professor is pretty funny but
his jokes are almost as bad as dad’s. My other class is this writing class. I
guess it’s okay. It just seems so repetitive of AP Lit last year. The only
really different thing is we’re actually talking about genres. The idea of
genres is pretty interesting – they’re basically just how you classify things.
Like our sci-fi movies, topic within a genre right there. Movies are a genre
and sci-fi is the topic. Or sci-fi is a genre and you can use it for movies or
books! I’ve never actually thought about using genres when I was writing, but
here we go. They’re asking us to think about it. There are actually people conducting a survey
on some of us. They ask us what genres we think of or use when they give us
assignments. It’s interesting really. I mean, the essays were pretty easy to
write, they really reminded me so much of AP Lit last year. Of course there
were a few differences, but using different genres to write is quite easy. Ah
well, hopefully the rest of the writing is as straightforward as this genre
nonsense.
I should probably go and study for that
midterm, huh? I’ll send some pictures next time, just to make you guys jealous!
Love you guys! I miss you already. Be
home before you know it! Talk to you soon. TTFN.
-
Your loving
daughter
Older:
Can
You Guess It? Manuscript
Camera pans in to Can
You Guess It? studio
Camera pans the
audience, then focuses upon the stage where the host is standing. To the side
are 3 people standing behind podiums.
Host
Welcome back to another episode of Can You Guess It?!
Crowd applauds wildly.
Host
Today we have with us 3 new
contestants. Hailing from Sacramento, California we have Arnold Jones. Arnold,
tell us about yourself, who did you bring with your today?
Camera pans to each new
contestant as they are introduced and their family in the audience.
Arnold
Hello, Bill. I brought my beautiful
wife as well as my mother and mother-in-law today. They all love this show and
were so excited when I made it on!
Host
Well that is just wonderful! And
what is it that you would like to do if you won tonight?
Arnold
Well, my twin daughters’ birthday is
coming up and if I win I think I’d like to take them to Disneyland for their 11th
birthday!
Crowd cheers and
applauds
Host
What a magical birthday that would
be! We wish you luck tonight Arnold. Now for our next contestant, Brianna Yu
from Twin Falls, Idaho. Brianna, how are feeling?
Brianna
I’m feeling great, Bill, thank you!
I’m ready to get this show on the road!
Host
That’s the right attitude! Tell us,
Brianna, who did you bring with you tonight?
Brianna
Tonight, I brought my father and
little brother with me tonight. My mom would have loved to come, but she was
assigned overseas a few months ago.
Host
That is truly unfortunate. Are you
trying to win for her tonight, Brianna?
Brianna
Yes, I am, Bill. I want to make her
proud tonight.
Crowd cheers loudly.
Host
That’s a beautiful thought, and good
luck Brianna. Our final contestant tonight is Amelia Johnson from Chattanooga,
Tennessee. Amelia, who did you bring with you tonight?
Amelia
Tonight I brought with me my parents
and my adopted daughter, Anabelle.
Host
How lovely! And what are you
planning to do if you win tonight?
Amelia
Well, Bill I am going to take my
parents on a Caribbean cruise if I win tonight, heaven knows they deserve it!
Audience applauds loudly
Host
Don’t think you’d take me too? [laughter] I’m kidding, of course. That
would be a wonderful trip! Good luck, Amelia!
Camera focuses on Host
to begin the game
Host
Well ladies and gentlemen, you know
the drill. These fine contestants are going to be given 3 conventions or other
rhetorical strategies that describe one genre and the first contestant to
provide a suitable genre for those conventions will get 50 points. The first 2
contestants to 100 points advances to the
final round where the genres will be harder to guess. In the final round, each correct
answer will be worth 100 points. The first contestant to 300 points will
advance to the bonus round where they will be given 4 conventions. They will
have 10 seconds to tell me the genre that fits the strategies. If they get it
correct, they win $20,000 and a weekend get-away to the Bahamas! Let us begin
the game!
Host moves to stand
behind his podium and pulls out an envelope.
Host
Contestants, are you ready? [contestants nod] Let us begin. The first
three conventions of this genre are: it is usually a 5 paragraph essay, it
contains an argument, it references multiple sources.
Amelia is the first to
hit her buzzer
Host
Amelia?
Amelia
Is it an essay?
Host
I’m afraid that isn’t specific
enough Amelia.
Crowd sighs as Amelia
shakes her head.
Arnold was the next to
hit his buzzer
Host
Arnold?
Arnold
Is it an argumentative essay?
Host
Correct, 50 points to you. We would
have also accepted a compare and contrast essay or a pros vs. vs cons essay.
Cheers from the audience
Host
The next genre has the following
conventions: it uses multiple references, it is written in a very formal tone,
and it has multiple sections.
Brianna hits her buzzer
Host
Brianna?
Brianna
Is it a research paper?
Host
That it is, 50 points to you.
Applause from crowd
Host
Our next topic is used to excuse
oneself from something. It requires a signature from a person of the proper
authority and it frequently contains the dates for which someone is excused
from something.
Brianna is the first to
hit her buzzer
Host
Brianna?
Brianna
Is it a doctor’s note?
Host
Correct again! That makes you the
first person to advance to the final round, we will now inactivate your buzzer
so that you will not compete with the remaining competitors.
Raucous cheers and
applause as Brianna’s buzzer is inactivated and her podium’s spotlight is
turned off and her point tally is wiped clean.
Host
Arnold, Amelia, one of you will
advance to the final round with Brianna, and the other will go home. Prepare
yourselves. Here is the next genre. The exigence of this genre is personal loss.
This genre is frequently about life and family. It is also usually sorrowful.
Amelia repeatedly hits
her buzzer
Host
Amelia?
Amelia
Eulogy! I mean, is it a eulogy?
Host
Correct! You’re back in the running!
The crowd cheers as
Amelia applauds herself.
Host
Here is the final genre of this
round. Good luck to the both of you. This genre tends to rhyme. It is
considered an art form, and similes are frequently used throughout the works of
this genre.
Arnold hits his buzzer
first
Host
Arnold?
Arnold
Is it poetry?
Host
Right you are, Arnold! 50 points to
you makes you our second contestant in the final round.
Cheering for Arnold as
his point tally is wiped.
Host
Amelia, I’m sorry, but you didn’t
make it to the final round. As a parting gift, we’d like to give you $1,000!
Thank you for joining us tonight!
Audience applauds as
Amelia exits the stage. Camera follows Amelia’s exit. Camera returns to Host as
the final round begins.
Host
Brianna, Arnold, you are our final
two contestants. In this round, you need to provide the genre for three sets of
topics. Each correct genre given is worth 100 points. The first one of you to
300 points will advance to the bonus round and have the chance to win $20,000
and a trip to the Bahamas!
Crowd cheers and
contestants applaud.
Host
Alright then! Let us begin the final
round. The first conventions are: this genre is personal, informal writing, the
works of this genre contain expressions of gratitude, and are frequently
handwritten.
Brianna hits the buzzer
Host
Brianna?
Brianna
Is it a Thank You note?
Host
Correct!
Applause throughout the
studio
Host
100 points for you, and let’s get on
to the next genre. The conventions of this genre are that the writing of this
genre is very formal. It frequently contains expressions of regret, and it also
expresses appreciation for time spent and opportunities provided.
Arnold hits the buzzer
Host
Arnold?
Arnold
Is it a letter of Resignation?
Host
Precisely! 100 points to you!
Vigorous cheers and
applause as the points are added to Arnold’s podium.
Host
Our next genre tends to contain
contact information, a schedule of events, due dates, and required materials,
and it is frequently handed out in schools.
Arnold hits the buzzer
Host
Arnold?
Arnold
Is it a work schedule?
Host
Ah, I’m afraid that is not correct,
Arnold, we are looking for something that is handed out in schools, as well as
containing contact information, due dates, required materials, and a schedule
of events.
Crowd laments as Arnold
sighs.
Host
Brianna? Do you know?
Brianna
Is it a syllabus?
Host
Yes, it is! 100 points headed your
way.
Crowd and Arnold applaud
Brianna’s success.
Host
On to the next topic with Brianna in the lead
with 200 points. If she can get this genre then she advances, but Arnold still
has a chance to make a comeback and even the playing field! Let’s continue,
shall we? This next genre is a work that is rewritten many times in your life.
It is highly structured, and contains important information about your prior
experiences, education, and skills - including your contact information.
Brianna hits the buzzer
frantically
Host
Brianna?
Brianna
Is it a résumé?
Host
Correct again! We have our final
contestant! Brianna, you will be advancing on to our bonus round in just a
moment. Arnold, you played a hard fought game, so we will be sending you home
with $2,000 as a thanks for your effort. Tell your daughters to have a Happy
Birthday!
Crowd applauses and
cheers as Arnold shakes hands with the host and exits the stage. Camera
refocuses on Host and Brianna.
Host
Alright, Brianna, are you ready for
this bonus round?
Brianna
As I’ll ever be!
Crowd chuckles
Host
Then let’s get on with it! I will
give you 4 conventions this time, rather than 3. You will have 10 seconds to
tell me what the genre is. If you are correct then you head home with $20,000
and a Bahama vacation.
Cheers of encouragement
from the crowd
Host
I must ask that the audience remains
silent so Brianna has a fair chance to provide us with the correct answer. Here
we go. The conventions of your genre are that it is an impersonal work. It
contains an offer of congratulations, a schedule of future dates to keep in
mind, or other similar information, and it occasionally includes some type of
paraphernalia – such as confetti – to represent the authors of such a work.
Your time starts now.
Brianna
It’s a, uh, it’s… Is it an
acceptance letter?
Confetti and balloons
come from the ceiling. Briana’s father and brother swarm the stage as the crowd
erupts into cheers and applause.
Host
You’ve won! Congratulations Brianna,
you have won this episode of Can You
Guess It? And a Bahama get away for two as well as $20,000!
Camera pans out and
scans the cheering audience, then going back to the stage as Brianna and her
family celebrate. Credits roll.
Self-analysis:
Some of the steps in identifying if a
student was a boundary crosser or a boundary guarder came from asking what
genres were drawn upon by students to perform a task. It was noted that many of
the students who were considered to be boundary crossers listed more rhetorical
strategies than genres in the areas that they drew upon to write their papers.
This topic led to my idea for the transformation of my older genre. The idea of
drawing upon genres or other rhetorical strategies to build upon a previously
established genre or domain made me think of how conventions relate to genre.
Rhetorical strategies used within genre can be conventions of that genre, so I
decided I could use that connection to relate my idea to “How Students Use
Prior Genre.” I tried to think outside of the box for this genre
transformation. I knew that we had to use a written genre, but I didn’t want to
do a magazine or book like so many other people. I realized that I’ve seen
movie scripts that contain dialogue and action descriptions, so why not make my
own? I knew a movie would be ridiculous – who has time to write a movie
script?! – So I figured I could write the manuscript for an episode of a game
show! Even though I wasn’t able to use a visual frame as McLoud does (164), I
was able to frame my work by describing the actions in italics and aligned to
the left hand side of the page. My rationalization for a game show for an older
audience is that game shows are generally on during the day. The only people
who have time to sit down and watch TV during the day (who aren’t toddlers) are
retired people or students on break. The goal of my game show was to make it
similar to those that you would watch on TV. I based my gameshow on Wheel of
Fortune and Jeopardy because I watch both of these shows with my mom when I am
home. The goal of my gameshow is, obviously, to win by getting more responses
correct than your opponents. The contestants are tasked with providing a
response in the form of a genre that utilizes primarily the conventions given
by the host of the show. I would imagine an audience would expect there to be a
major prize for winning the show, so I included a pretty amazing prize for the
amount of work required to win. I also included participation prizes similar to
what is done on Wheel of Fortune.
My idea for the younger genre was even
more abstract. I decided to take the place of the younger audience and write to
my parents. Given that my article contained an experiment conducted on first
year college students, I determined that I could adapt the persona of one of
the students involved in the study. Since I planned to adopt the persona of one
of the students surveyed for the experiment, I had to decide how I could be one
of the students and talk about the experience. I realized that whenever I have
something interesting to talk about, I talk to either my boyfriend or my
parents, so why not write a letter home talking about my first week at school!
In order for this to actually be something that a student would write home, the
entire letter couldn’t be about the writing experiment. I do that occasionally
to my parents, but it’s when I call them to rant about it, and even then there
is still outside discussion. My letter home talks about the new college,
friends made, and classes so far. I focus more on the writing class than I do
on the other classes discussed. It was really quite difficult for me to write
as one of the test subjects when I’m not supposed to know what it is that the
experimenters are looking for. I tried to give off the overly confident persona
that describes a boundary guarder by talking about how easy the task was, and
how I really didn’t have to venture out and try anything new. I also focus on
my wording because as McLoud wrote “Words can be a powerful ally in the
struggle to communicate.” (167) I described the experiment about genres as
“straightforward” and “nonsense” to emphasize that I didn’t think of genre any
differently now than I did prior to this survey.
“Writing means always changing – changing
to meet the needs of different audiences!” (Losh and Alexander, 144) This
project was about transforming an academic article on writing into something
completely different but still closely related. This could have been as easy as
changing the frame in which the work is presented. I changed the experiment
into a gameshow. It could have been transforming the image. Instead of being
the experimenter, I became the experimentee. The academic article would have
only met an audience of scholars. By manipulating it as I did, I transformed it
into works that could be seen by a much larger variety of both older audiences
and younger audiences than the intended audience.
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