Andy McCalla
Dr. Kevin Oberlin
English Composition Sec. 23
14 July 2013
The Oxford Dictionary defines a genre as, “a style or category of art, music, or literature.” Genres can mean many things to many people, from movies to music and much more. They are an important part of communication from different cliques or groups of people as well. Devitt, Reiff and Bawarshi argue, “Genres, then, can reveal how people communicate and behave within certain scenes, but they can also reveal the potential and sometimes less obvious tensions and limitations within certain scenes; such tensions and limitations can lead to misrecognition, miscommunication, and unequal practices.” (Devitt et al). They are a way of communication that help identify learning points. And every genre is different for different scenes. “Audiences expect different things from different genres. And each genre is a unique experience with different conventions and expectations.” (Losh et al, 7). You would not expect that same type of genre from a classical symphony as you would from a heavy metal band. People are different all over the world and every person subscribes to different genres.
One genre in particular that I am very familiar with is water gardening. There are many different types of gardening, from growing vegetables, to backyard landscapes, to flowers and many more, but the one I know about is water gardening. Most of the ways people communicate with water gardening is through packets of information, and just written out instructions. Many times, pictures are included to show demonstrations to help with as a visual aide. Below is a brief sample of how people who are interested in water gardening would communicate through a starters information packet.
Water Gardening is a great way to add that little extra flare and excitement to your backyard. It is a place where people of all ages can enjoy, from watching the gold fish swim around to relaxing and having the sound of a waterfall in your own back yard. Before creating your own pond, it is important to learn about water gardening and what you are getting yourself into before you grab a shovel and start digging. Plan out what you want in your pond, and steal ideas form other ponds, weather it is online, at a store, or a neighbors. You should also know that ponds require a little maintenance and can sometimes get messy. About twice a year (spring and fall) you will need to clean out your pond so that it will be enjoyable for the summer and winter. This will also make your fish happier and your plants healthier. It is also important to consider what types of plants you will want in your pond. You will want approximately 2/3 of the surface area of your pond to be covered with plants. Lilies are a great way to do this, because they spread as well as creating a beautiful flower that both looks great with a lot of accent colors, as well as a wonderful fragrance. Keep in mind that some plants may prefer some sunlight over others which will be more shade tolerant. This is a good thing to keep in mind when selecting the location in your yard for the pond. You will want at least five hours of sunlight each day to be considered “full sun.” (Most plants are “full sun” while only a hand full are shade-tolerant) One other thing to remember is that when you have a pond, you are creating an ecosystem, and a habitat for these plants and fish, and sometimes-even frogs, (they will find your pond naturally). This means that it is not a pool, so you should not expect crystal clear water all the time. It is not unreasonable to want clear water and to see all the way to the bottom, however this will take time, and you will need to have just the right balance of good bacteria, and plants in your pond. This can take a while, but don’t get discouraged. The final product is much worth the effort. This is just a fraction of the information needed to start a pond, but if you have any questions about WG or ponds in general, you can always contact an expert!
The above is just a small example of what you would see while researching water gardening, or the common backyard man-made pond. This is a very specific genre because it is very different from any other type of gardening. It is something that I am very familiar with and have a lot of experience with, and is even part of my summer job however, few people know about it. However, the people that this caters to would be anyone interested in installing a water garden, anyone who has a pond, or anyone who is an expert with ponds.
Some of the characteristics of this type of communication are the overall style. It is a very relaxed and informal type of communication. I think the biggest reason for this is because ponds are meant as a hobby, and to be enjoyed, and they want to keep the communication light and friendly. Another characteristic is how friendly it is. I think it is usually written like it would be said in a conversation from one person to another. Also, the fact that it is written using the pronoun “you” shows it is very personal and informal. One final characteristic would be the abbreviation of water gardening, reduced to WG.
The relaxed feel of the entire piece is very important to the genre. “Water Gardening is a great way to add that little extra flare and excitement to your backyard. It is a place where people of all ages can enjoy” (McCalla, 1). Just like the piece says, it is meant for enjoyment, and is most commonly used as a hobby. It is not meant to be a stressful topic, but rather a relaxing hobby to enjoy. There is also a very natural flow to this writing, like it is meant to be spoken in conversation rather than read like an essay.
Water Gardening communication is friendly as well. “It is not unreasonable to want clear water and to see all the way to the bottom, however this will take time, and you will need to have just the right balance of good bacteria, and plants in your pond.” (McCalla 2) This line shows understanding and compassion for people. It is also a way of telling the consumer what they will need, but not making it sound like they are forced to get them, but rather that it is for the good of their pond.
The use of the pronoun “you” throughout the entire piece shows that it is very friendly and informal. Along with the use of the abbreviation, “WG” (McCalla 2) towards the end shows that it is informal and friendly.
If you were to research other similar water gardening info sheets, you would find very similar characteristics to the piece above. One example is from the Aquatic and Garden Décor website, which a local leader in water gardening. One example is pulled straight off of their website, and the info sheet they provide for customers in the store. “We split the majority of our plants in late summer and early fall. If you divide them them, just make sure you complete the process two to three weeks before you close your pond.” (Aquaticgarden.com common questions) This is similar to my format where they show examples of what they do in the store and then give recommendations using the pronoun “you” to keep it informal and relaxed.
My connection to this genre is that I love working in ponds. I find them very fascinating, as well as very beautiful if maintained and planned out correctly. I have had a pond myself in my backyard for 5 years now. I have also worked for a local pond shop, primarily selling pond plants and assisting customers who are looking to start a pond of their own.
One of the things I learned in this process was how different genres have different characteristics of communication. This is not something that I had really thought about before, but an English essay, or a resume, or a desk job is very different from water gardening. I also learned how to analyze the type of communication and what characteristics made it unique.
Works Cited
Devitt, Amy J., Mary Jo. Reiff, and Anis S. Bawarshi. Scenes of Writing: Strategies for Composing with Genres. New York: Pearson/Longman, 2004. Print.
Losh, Elizabeth. “Going Public.” Understanding Rhetoric: A Graphic Guide to Writing. 1.7 (2014): 245-66. Print.
McCalla, Andy J. Water Gardening 101.
"Oxford Dictionaries." Oxford Dictionaries. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 July 2013.
Sparnell, Carrey. "Common Questions." Aquatic Garden Decor. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 July 2013.
Andy McCalla
Dr. Kevin Oberlin
English Composition Sec. 23
30 June 2013
Rhetoric: An Art
There are many different types of writing styles, all with different messages that are being conveyed. In the comic-style writing, “Why Rhetoric?” by Losh, it is a very informal writing, which still conveys a serious message with a lot of meaning. It is also educational, as well as historical with facts including how rhetoric has changed, and how it has meant different things to different people in the past. Losh’s article focuses on the history of rhetoric as well as some of the meanings. She goes into depth about ethos, pathos, and logos, defining them as well as describing why they are important to rhetoric. This is contrasted by KIllingsworth’s “Rhetorical Appeals: A Revision.” Killingsworth focuses on many other topics with a lot more depth about rhetoric.
Killingsworth goes into topics such as the three positions, of the author, audience, and value. Killingsworth also just touches on the idea of ethos, logos, and pathos, as well as the history. This author displays a much more formal type of rhetoric with examples to back up what they are claiming.
One piece of formal writing I had was a speech I had given my senior year of high school. I gave this speech at the baccalaureate ceremony a few days prior to graduation. I think a few things I could have done to improve this piece of writing would be to include more ethos, pathos, and logos. I think that when you are giving a speech, pathos and logos are very critical to sounding well rehearsed, and that will give you ethos so your audience will listen. Even if you do not have the most interesting topic, or one hundred percent of the audience’s attention, understanding the audience and making a connection is critical. This is one thing I would have changed if I could have in my speech. I think my speech was well thought out; it just could have had more relation to my audience. It was a very personal speech, focusing on my endeavors, and my accomplishments. Although it was short, I think the audience would have had more interest if I were to have connected with them better. This speech was a tribute to my parents for all their help through my many years of growing up, leading up to my completion of high school.
I began the speech with a quote from John Wooden, ‘“A coach is someone who can give correction without resentment." I think that is exactly what a coach is for.’ (McCalla 1). My initial intent was to relate this back to how my parents have coached me throughout my lifetime and helped me through some very tough issues growing up. I was able to talk about particular events, but did not rhetorically convince the audience of anything. I told them stories and examples, but I had almost no persuasion in my speech or any room for discussion. I had no opposing opinions or any discussions.
I was trying to get my audience, which was a cluster of my fellow peers, and their parents, family members, mentors, and faculty members, to believe what I was trying to convey. I was trying to get my peers to think of someone who has influenced their lives, someone who has made a difference and made them who they are today. I suppose you could say there was a little bit of rhetoric going on internally within my peers as they were contemplating who to choose to give a rose to at the end of my speech. Overall, I think my pathos was my strongest point of my speech, as my mother was in tears at the end of the speech. However, you can always have stronger rhetoric, as conversation and communication are the basic building blocks for all of humanity. Although that sounds like a bold statement, relationships, both professional and personal, as well as business, education, and just about everything in the world depend on some form of communication. Rhetoric truly is a form of art, originated with the Greeks, and still being perfected to this very day.
Works Cited
Dadas, Caroline. “Killingsworth, M. Jimmie. Appeals in Modern Rhetoric: An Ordinary-Language Approach. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 2005. 192 Pp.” CF 17: Review of Killingsworth, APPEALS IN MODERN RHETORIC by Caroline Dadas. Composition Forum, 2007. Web. 25 June 2013. <http://compositionforum.com/issue/17/appeals-modern-rhetoric-review.php>.
Elizabeth, Losh, Jonathan Alexander, Kevin Cannon, and Zander Cannon. Understanding Rhetoric. 1st ed. N.p.: Bedford St. Martin’s, n.d. Print.
Killingswroth, Jimmie M. Rhetorical Appeals: A Revision. Vol. 24. N.p.: Taylor & Francis, 2005. Print.
Dr. Kevin Oberlin
English Composition Sec. 23
14 July 2013
The Oxford Dictionary defines a genre as, “a style or category of art, music, or literature.” Genres can mean many things to many people, from movies to music and much more. They are an important part of communication from different cliques or groups of people as well. Devitt, Reiff and Bawarshi argue, “Genres, then, can reveal how people communicate and behave within certain scenes, but they can also reveal the potential and sometimes less obvious tensions and limitations within certain scenes; such tensions and limitations can lead to misrecognition, miscommunication, and unequal practices.” (Devitt et al). They are a way of communication that help identify learning points. And every genre is different for different scenes. “Audiences expect different things from different genres. And each genre is a unique experience with different conventions and expectations.” (Losh et al, 7). You would not expect that same type of genre from a classical symphony as you would from a heavy metal band. People are different all over the world and every person subscribes to different genres.
One genre in particular that I am very familiar with is water gardening. There are many different types of gardening, from growing vegetables, to backyard landscapes, to flowers and many more, but the one I know about is water gardening. Most of the ways people communicate with water gardening is through packets of information, and just written out instructions. Many times, pictures are included to show demonstrations to help with as a visual aide. Below is a brief sample of how people who are interested in water gardening would communicate through a starters information packet.
Water Gardening is a great way to add that little extra flare and excitement to your backyard. It is a place where people of all ages can enjoy, from watching the gold fish swim around to relaxing and having the sound of a waterfall in your own back yard. Before creating your own pond, it is important to learn about water gardening and what you are getting yourself into before you grab a shovel and start digging. Plan out what you want in your pond, and steal ideas form other ponds, weather it is online, at a store, or a neighbors. You should also know that ponds require a little maintenance and can sometimes get messy. About twice a year (spring and fall) you will need to clean out your pond so that it will be enjoyable for the summer and winter. This will also make your fish happier and your plants healthier. It is also important to consider what types of plants you will want in your pond. You will want approximately 2/3 of the surface area of your pond to be covered with plants. Lilies are a great way to do this, because they spread as well as creating a beautiful flower that both looks great with a lot of accent colors, as well as a wonderful fragrance. Keep in mind that some plants may prefer some sunlight over others which will be more shade tolerant. This is a good thing to keep in mind when selecting the location in your yard for the pond. You will want at least five hours of sunlight each day to be considered “full sun.” (Most plants are “full sun” while only a hand full are shade-tolerant) One other thing to remember is that when you have a pond, you are creating an ecosystem, and a habitat for these plants and fish, and sometimes-even frogs, (they will find your pond naturally). This means that it is not a pool, so you should not expect crystal clear water all the time. It is not unreasonable to want clear water and to see all the way to the bottom, however this will take time, and you will need to have just the right balance of good bacteria, and plants in your pond. This can take a while, but don’t get discouraged. The final product is much worth the effort. This is just a fraction of the information needed to start a pond, but if you have any questions about WG or ponds in general, you can always contact an expert!
The above is just a small example of what you would see while researching water gardening, or the common backyard man-made pond. This is a very specific genre because it is very different from any other type of gardening. It is something that I am very familiar with and have a lot of experience with, and is even part of my summer job however, few people know about it. However, the people that this caters to would be anyone interested in installing a water garden, anyone who has a pond, or anyone who is an expert with ponds.
Some of the characteristics of this type of communication are the overall style. It is a very relaxed and informal type of communication. I think the biggest reason for this is because ponds are meant as a hobby, and to be enjoyed, and they want to keep the communication light and friendly. Another characteristic is how friendly it is. I think it is usually written like it would be said in a conversation from one person to another. Also, the fact that it is written using the pronoun “you” shows it is very personal and informal. One final characteristic would be the abbreviation of water gardening, reduced to WG.
The relaxed feel of the entire piece is very important to the genre. “Water Gardening is a great way to add that little extra flare and excitement to your backyard. It is a place where people of all ages can enjoy” (McCalla, 1). Just like the piece says, it is meant for enjoyment, and is most commonly used as a hobby. It is not meant to be a stressful topic, but rather a relaxing hobby to enjoy. There is also a very natural flow to this writing, like it is meant to be spoken in conversation rather than read like an essay.
Water Gardening communication is friendly as well. “It is not unreasonable to want clear water and to see all the way to the bottom, however this will take time, and you will need to have just the right balance of good bacteria, and plants in your pond.” (McCalla 2) This line shows understanding and compassion for people. It is also a way of telling the consumer what they will need, but not making it sound like they are forced to get them, but rather that it is for the good of their pond.
The use of the pronoun “you” throughout the entire piece shows that it is very friendly and informal. Along with the use of the abbreviation, “WG” (McCalla 2) towards the end shows that it is informal and friendly.
If you were to research other similar water gardening info sheets, you would find very similar characteristics to the piece above. One example is from the Aquatic and Garden Décor website, which a local leader in water gardening. One example is pulled straight off of their website, and the info sheet they provide for customers in the store. “We split the majority of our plants in late summer and early fall. If you divide them them, just make sure you complete the process two to three weeks before you close your pond.” (Aquaticgarden.com common questions) This is similar to my format where they show examples of what they do in the store and then give recommendations using the pronoun “you” to keep it informal and relaxed.
My connection to this genre is that I love working in ponds. I find them very fascinating, as well as very beautiful if maintained and planned out correctly. I have had a pond myself in my backyard for 5 years now. I have also worked for a local pond shop, primarily selling pond plants and assisting customers who are looking to start a pond of their own.
One of the things I learned in this process was how different genres have different characteristics of communication. This is not something that I had really thought about before, but an English essay, or a resume, or a desk job is very different from water gardening. I also learned how to analyze the type of communication and what characteristics made it unique.
Works Cited
Devitt, Amy J., Mary Jo. Reiff, and Anis S. Bawarshi. Scenes of Writing: Strategies for Composing with Genres. New York: Pearson/Longman, 2004. Print.
Losh, Elizabeth. “Going Public.” Understanding Rhetoric: A Graphic Guide to Writing. 1.7 (2014): 245-66. Print.
McCalla, Andy J. Water Gardening 101.
"Oxford Dictionaries." Oxford Dictionaries. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 July 2013.
Sparnell, Carrey. "Common Questions." Aquatic Garden Decor. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 July 2013.
Andy McCalla
Dr. Kevin Oberlin
English Composition Sec. 23
30 June 2013
Rhetoric: An Art
There are many different types of writing styles, all with different messages that are being conveyed. In the comic-style writing, “Why Rhetoric?” by Losh, it is a very informal writing, which still conveys a serious message with a lot of meaning. It is also educational, as well as historical with facts including how rhetoric has changed, and how it has meant different things to different people in the past. Losh’s article focuses on the history of rhetoric as well as some of the meanings. She goes into depth about ethos, pathos, and logos, defining them as well as describing why they are important to rhetoric. This is contrasted by KIllingsworth’s “Rhetorical Appeals: A Revision.” Killingsworth focuses on many other topics with a lot more depth about rhetoric.
Killingsworth goes into topics such as the three positions, of the author, audience, and value. Killingsworth also just touches on the idea of ethos, logos, and pathos, as well as the history. This author displays a much more formal type of rhetoric with examples to back up what they are claiming.
One piece of formal writing I had was a speech I had given my senior year of high school. I gave this speech at the baccalaureate ceremony a few days prior to graduation. I think a few things I could have done to improve this piece of writing would be to include more ethos, pathos, and logos. I think that when you are giving a speech, pathos and logos are very critical to sounding well rehearsed, and that will give you ethos so your audience will listen. Even if you do not have the most interesting topic, or one hundred percent of the audience’s attention, understanding the audience and making a connection is critical. This is one thing I would have changed if I could have in my speech. I think my speech was well thought out; it just could have had more relation to my audience. It was a very personal speech, focusing on my endeavors, and my accomplishments. Although it was short, I think the audience would have had more interest if I were to have connected with them better. This speech was a tribute to my parents for all their help through my many years of growing up, leading up to my completion of high school.
I began the speech with a quote from John Wooden, ‘“A coach is someone who can give correction without resentment." I think that is exactly what a coach is for.’ (McCalla 1). My initial intent was to relate this back to how my parents have coached me throughout my lifetime and helped me through some very tough issues growing up. I was able to talk about particular events, but did not rhetorically convince the audience of anything. I told them stories and examples, but I had almost no persuasion in my speech or any room for discussion. I had no opposing opinions or any discussions.
I was trying to get my audience, which was a cluster of my fellow peers, and their parents, family members, mentors, and faculty members, to believe what I was trying to convey. I was trying to get my peers to think of someone who has influenced their lives, someone who has made a difference and made them who they are today. I suppose you could say there was a little bit of rhetoric going on internally within my peers as they were contemplating who to choose to give a rose to at the end of my speech. Overall, I think my pathos was my strongest point of my speech, as my mother was in tears at the end of the speech. However, you can always have stronger rhetoric, as conversation and communication are the basic building blocks for all of humanity. Although that sounds like a bold statement, relationships, both professional and personal, as well as business, education, and just about everything in the world depend on some form of communication. Rhetoric truly is a form of art, originated with the Greeks, and still being perfected to this very day.
Works Cited
Dadas, Caroline. “Killingsworth, M. Jimmie. Appeals in Modern Rhetoric: An Ordinary-Language Approach. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 2005. 192 Pp.” CF 17: Review of Killingsworth, APPEALS IN MODERN RHETORIC by Caroline Dadas. Composition Forum, 2007. Web. 25 June 2013. <http://compositionforum.com/issue/17/appeals-modern-rhetoric-review.php>.
Elizabeth, Losh, Jonathan Alexander, Kevin Cannon, and Zander Cannon. Understanding Rhetoric. 1st ed. N.p.: Bedford St. Martin’s, n.d. Print.
Killingswroth, Jimmie M. Rhetorical Appeals: A Revision. Vol. 24. N.p.: Taylor & Francis, 2005. Print.