TrajectoryTracing genres through space and time

Genre Conventions ChangeNo genre is fixed, stable, or static.Genres are influenced by cultural and social

practices and technological developments.Genres are also affected by the changes that

OTHER genres undergo (especially genres that work closely with one another).

*By genre conventions, I am referring to the features that affect a specific type of genre (i.e. flyers, comics, resumes).

Individual Genres, or “Texts,” Change Through processes of production, distribution, and

use Through institutions and spaces In relations to different people Through different interpretations and

understandings

*By individual genres, I am referring to specific texts that can be classified as a genre production.

Why Pay Attention to Change?Gain a more complex understanding of the

genre, or text.Recognize that genres and texts are

understood and interpreted from a variety of different perspectives.

Predict or speculate about future changes that the genre may incur.

Produce genres and texts with the understanding that they will change.

Identifying and Analyzing ChangeHow do we begin identifying and analyzing the

shifts and changes that a genre or text will incur over time and space?

TrajectoryTrajectory: the path that a moving object

follows through space as a function of time.Trajectory Tracing

Describes the ways that texts move and change Provides a visual map of these changes Explicitly shows changes that have already

occurred and implicitly references changes that may occur in the future

Antecedent GenresDon’t limit a genre’s trajectory to it’s personal

lifespan. Look to the antecedent genres

Predecessors of the genre (evolution) Example: Telegram Text; Mailed Letter Email

Related genres that influence production, distribution, and use (similarities) Depends on personal experience with genres

Caution: Antecedent genres may be similar to the genre in question in a few ways, but they will not be entirely alike. Notice subtle differences.

Begin with Original ProductionPay attention to the genre’s origin:

First, the author(s)/producer(s) encountered a specific situation.

Because of the situation, the author(s)/producer(s) decided to create a message. The particular message that is created may or

may not be the author/producer’s idea. Consider other actors who may influence the message (supervisors, teachers, etc.).

Then, the author(s)/producer(s) chose which genre s/he would use to create this message.

Author/Producer’s Intended PurposeThe author/producer had a certain purpose in

mind when planning and producing the genre.The author/producer produced the genre

according to his/her intended purpose: First, the author/producer had to choose which

genre type would best fit the message that s/he was creating.

Second, the author/producer had to construct the message within the genre. Constraints include genre conventions, language

use, ability to explicate intentions

Production of Genre Think about CHAT elements Tools/materials used in production Conventions of the particular genre being produced Medium of production (print, digital, oral, etc.) The context (setting) that the producer is in affects

the production. Cost Resources Knowledge/skill base Time frame

Producer’s Intended AudienceWhen producing the genre, the

author(s)/producer(s) have a certain audience in mind.

What they know or assume about the audience influences the production Choice of genre Information included Language use Layout/design

Reception: Intended Audience Intended Purpose

The genre/text is used in a way that reflects the author(s)/producer(s) intentions.

The genre successfully works to fulfill the author(s)/producer(s) intended purpose.

Unintended Purpose The genre/text is not received as the

author(s)/producer(s) assumed/intended it would be.

The genre does not fulfill its original purpose.

Intended Audience & Unintended Use: Changes in GenreWhen a genre is used in an way that goes

against the producer’s intentions, changes may occur.

Changes are multifaceted and will affect various aspects of the genre: Format Purpose Audience Context

Unintended AudienceAny individuals or groups of people that are not

included in the producer’s intended audience.People who use/receive/interact with the genre

even though it is not geared towards them.May be caused by errors in distribution, genre

traveling to unexpected contexts, or the intended audience’s use of the genre in a way that the producer did not intend.

Reception: Unintended Audience Intended Purpose

Producer’s intended use may still occur May reach an audience that extends farther than

originally planned Genre may function according to the producer’s

intention even though it appears in a different context

Unintended Purpose Genre may be used in a way that the producer is not

intended. The unintended audience may or may not be aware of

what the producer’s intentions were or what the genre’s original purpose was

Unintended Audience & Unintended Use: Changes in GenreSimilar to intended audience & unintended useHowever, unintended audience may be

unaware of the original/intentional context, purpose, and audience of the genre.

Negative reception from an unintended audience may result in negative changes being applied to the genre (by negative changes, I am referring to changes that conflict with the producer’s purpose).

Tracing Trajectory:UCLA Student Ranthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9785ryOlg

8&feature=player_embedded

Video Posted March 13, 2011Original Message?Original Genre? Intended Purpose?

Antecedent Genres:UCLA Student RantWhat are some antecedent genres that may

inform the production and distribution of this video?

Intended Audience: UCLA Student RantIf the video reached the intended audience: Intended Reception? Intended Use?

Unintended Reception?Unintended Use?

Unintended Audience:UCLA Student RantUnintended Audience

Local UCLA Students UCLA Faculty UCLA Asian Community

National/Global News Program Viewers Viral video viewers

Unintended Audience Reception:UCLA Student Rant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6feGp0GQVJ

8&feature=player_embedded

Posted March 14, 2011Chancellor BlockContext: Attached to a university-wide email

and posted on YouTubeWhy is the genre of his apology important?

Unintended Audience Reception & Use:UCLA Student Ranthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zulEMWj3sV

A&feature=player_embedded

Posted March 15, 2011 Jimmy WongHas over four million viewsWhat aspects of the original video are

changed/adapted in this response video?

Unintended Audience Reception & Use:UCLA Student Rant

Unintended Audience Reception & Use:UCLA Student RantUCLA Chinese food delivery service June 20, 2011What from the original genre has been

adapted? What are the effects of this adaptation/re-use?

Effects of Trajectory:UCLA Student Rant“I made a mistake. My mistake, however, has

lead to the harassment of my family, the publishing of my personal information, death threats, and being ostracized from an entire community. Accordingly, for personal safety reasons, I have chosen to no longer attend classes at UCLA.” – Alexandra Wallace

Trajectory TracingQuestions