Inclusion of different kinds of graphs or visuals, shorter or longer paragraphs, use/disuse of technical terms, etc. can all be found within one issue of a journal.
Knowing this, I analyzed the same issue of Geology and looked for different genre styles.
- How many different kinds of genres seem to be published in this particular issue of the journal you selected? (Remember, genres are usually identifiable by their form, content, techniques and/or social function.)
There seem to be several kinds of genres in the journal. For the most part, the genres are determined by the content within each article. The form, techniques, and social function within each article do not vary much.
- If you don't know the 'official' names for these different genres, come up with names for the yourself. Identify at least three different genres within the journal issue and describe the significant formal differences between the three genres (that is, what are the key differences or characteristics that seem to be unique and distinguish them from other kinds of texts?). If you made up your own name, explain why you chose the name you invented. If you'd like, provide snapshots of the different genres (clearly labelled) to help your reader see how they look different (or are organized differently, with different conventions) on the page.
Three major genres found within this journal are: Earth Structures, Earth Systems, and Earth History. The main differences between these three genres is the content that is within.
Earth Structures articles tend to focus more on landscapes or land forms on Earth and their evolution. An example of this genre is "Experimental slip distribution in lentils as an analog for scaly clay fabrics," by Matthew Tarling and Christie D. Rowe. The abstract explains that the article communicates information about scaly clay fabrics. These fabrics are networks of shear surfaces in regions full of clay or silt. The researchers who authored this paper wanted to know how the fabric land forms evolved and deformed.
Earths Systems articles focus on climate science, tectonic action, volcanic activity, etc. An example of this genre is "Morphological evolution of a new volcanic islet sustained by compound lava flows," by Fukashi Maeno, Setsuya Nakada, and Takayuki Kaneko. This article is studying the current eruption of a volcano in Japan and how the volcanic islet that is being created is evolving. The researchers for this article were studying an important earth system: volcanic eruptions.
Finally, Earth History entries investigate events that happened in geologic (or even human) history. An excellent example of this genre is "Devonian subduction and syncollisional exhumation of continental crust in Lofoten, Norway," by Nikolaus Froitzheim, et al. The information in this article discusses an event that happened millions of years ago in geologic time. The researchers are trying to piece together what happened in this event, and what repercussions this event could have on future geology in the region.
Earth Structures articles tend to focus more on landscapes or land forms on Earth and their evolution. An example of this genre is "Experimental slip distribution in lentils as an analog for scaly clay fabrics," by Matthew Tarling and Christie D. Rowe. The abstract explains that the article communicates information about scaly clay fabrics. These fabrics are networks of shear surfaces in regions full of clay or silt. The researchers who authored this paper wanted to know how the fabric land forms evolved and deformed.
Earths Systems articles focus on climate science, tectonic action, volcanic activity, etc. An example of this genre is "Morphological evolution of a new volcanic islet sustained by compound lava flows," by Fukashi Maeno, Setsuya Nakada, and Takayuki Kaneko. This article is studying the current eruption of a volcano in Japan and how the volcanic islet that is being created is evolving. The researchers for this article were studying an important earth system: volcanic eruptions.
Finally, Earth History entries investigate events that happened in geologic (or even human) history. An excellent example of this genre is "Devonian subduction and syncollisional exhumation of continental crust in Lofoten, Norway," by Nikolaus Froitzheim, et al. The information in this article discusses an event that happened millions of years ago in geologic time. The researchers are trying to piece together what happened in this event, and what repercussions this event could have on future geology in the region.
- Now come up with your own definition for each genre (using the name you coined, if you weren't sure what the 'official' name is for the genre). Be sure to explain what you perceive to be the purpose of each genre and how each genre might meet the needs and expectations of a target audience.
Earth Structures: Writing with emphasis on studying geologic landscapes and land forms and their evolution. Purpose: explain the characteristics of geologic land forms and how they evolve.
Earth Systems: Writing with emphasis on researching climate, tectonics, volcanic activity, or other important systems that exist on Earth. Purpose: explain each system clearly and discuss what changes are occurring.
Earth History: Writing with emphasis on piecing together the geologic history of a particular region. Purpose: explain what geologic event occurred, how long the event took, and if the event can still be seen as happening today.
Earth Systems: Writing with emphasis on researching climate, tectonics, volcanic activity, or other important systems that exist on Earth. Purpose: explain each system clearly and discuss what changes are occurring.
Earth History: Writing with emphasis on piecing together the geologic history of a particular region. Purpose: explain what geologic event occurred, how long the event took, and if the event can still be seen as happening today.
Nic McPhee. I tend to scribble a lot. January 26th, 2008. Attribution license.
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