SSR 4 (Deviit) Vanessa Vaquerano

In her essay title Generalizing about Genre: New Conceptions about an Old
Concept, Amy J. Devitt suggest that the new developing conception of genre can
change the way one goes about writing. Devitt begins by stating that the
conventional thinking of genreone that focuses on formis very limiting to the
wrier as well as the reader. She believes that the new definition of genre that
focuses more on the context has the ability to create a positive conception on the
topic of writing.
Devitt had many interesting points in her essay. To be honest, I had trouble
understand just exactly what genre was before I read this. I used to think genre was
just affiliated with a type of music, movie, or literature piece in its general form
(what was seen as obvious to me). When I goggled the definition of genre, it said it
was a category that was characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject
matter(Devitt 574). Like Devitt believed, Ive usually described a pieces genre by
its form. Music by its instruments, a writing piece by its structure, I was seeing
genre through its conventional definition. When the author brought up the fiveparagraph theme, it instantly took me back to elementary and middle school. Thats
mainly what I focused on when I would write a piece. I had to make sure that I had
an intro, a thesis, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion because this is what a
good essay included. I never once questioned that an essay could be formatted in
different ways and still be called an essay. After reading her essay, I find that genre
does have more to it than what I initially saw. And its not that I was clueless about it,
I was just so used to hearing teachers say what makes this and what makes that. I
believe Devitt hits that mark when she says the meter, the layout, the organization,
the level of diction dont define or constitute the genre (Devitt 575). That was of
thinking is good for libraries and archives, its too restrictive. It doesnt really let the
reader or writer focus on content. With the new concept of genre, one that focus on
the form AND context, a writer can understand the content by using the genre to
create a response and readers can use genre to expect what will happen. As complex
as it may seem to add up everything together, I agree with Devitt when she believes
that this understanding of genre can help capture the essence of writing(Devitt
584). One should not restrict oneself to think of writing in just one way. Its
important to approach writing in a holistic way. That is what makes a great writer.
Some readers may challenge the view that composition experts back in the day
purely focused on form. What evidence would you have to back up your argument?
What do you believe is the most significant difference between the new and old
conceptions of genre? Twenty years later from this publication, do you believe that
there has been a difference in the approach to genre?