Each and every genre is considered its own category simply
because of the unique characteristics or conventions that compose the piece.
Conventions are the basic pieces that a particular genre consists of. For example,
in the SCIgen generator, the system generates a random research paper based on
Computer Science. Even though the paper wasn’t actually written by actual
people, the essay does in fact contain conventions created by people such as a
title and subtitles. If not for these conventions, what would prevent the
generator from generating other genres? The SCIgen would no longer generate
research papers if it included comics from the comic generator. The meme
generator would no longer be funny if it included an essay talking about the
Deployment of Checksums. What separates each genre into its own category is the
conventions under which it follows.
The
SCIgen generator is a generator specifically tailored to generate research
papers for the users. However, what separates these research papers from the
meme and the comic strip generator? Unlike those two, the SCIgen generator
generates a paper that contains words rather than pictures. The paper has a
specific title that provides the topic of the paper. The paper first provides a
quick abstract introduction to the paper and then provides the table of
contents. Simply observing the paper shows that the piece is split into
chapters based on topics and these chapters are split into subsections, making
the work more organized for the reader. In addition to the structure, the paper
provides a variety of diagrams and graphs in order to bolster and support the writer’s
topics. Finally at the end, the writer cites his/her sources to not only
acknowledge his references, but it also evidently depicts the fact that this
piece was written based on a collective assortment of information. The
combination of the structure, diagrams, and references help to also build the
writer’s ethos and logos. By having an organized work, the readers have an
easier time reading and understanding the entire idea, thus helping to
establish ethos. Including diagrams and references helps to show the reader
that the writer cited sources and used a wide range of data to back up his/her
statement, helping to establish logos. The combination of the two makes for an
effective, convincing essay.
Completely
different from the SCIgen generator, the meme generator and the comic strip
generator have completely different conventions. One of the first things that
appears on the meme generator website is a list of different advertisements;
Fantasy Games, AT&T, etc. The same goes for the comic strip generator where
the advertisement is listed above and below the comic generator. Another characteristic
of the two websites is the link to social media. The use of social media is the
main way for the websites’ popularity to spread. However, one of the main
differences between the two websites is the structures. The comic strip is very
simple showing only the comic generated, social media links, a donate button,
and other comic templates. This simplicity helps to keep the viewers
concentrated on generating and reading the comic strips. These comics are
obviously intended to be read by teens or young adults as some of the comics
aren’t appropriate for younger audiences. However, the main idea of the comic
is to cause the reader to chuckle or laugh. The brevity of the comic is
intended to keep the viewers wanting to see more.
Unlike the comic strip, the meme
generator is structured a little differently. The meme generator website has
different subsections for viewers to click on. The front page contains “hot
images” or some of the most popular images on the website. By doing so, viewers
have easy access to some of the most popular and “funny” memes. By making the
viewers laugh, the website establishes an emotional connection, or pathos, with
the viewers. This strategy to attract viewers once they see the popular memes
is an effective way of hooking viewers onto the website. In addition to the “hot
images,” the top bar of the site contains links to creating memes, logging into
the website, viewing the blog, and search bar. This keeps the website organized
making it easier for the viewers to access. Many people don’t actually consider
how important the site’s structure plays in persuading their interest in the
website. No reasonable person would want to look at a website with the sign up
information, memes, and blog post mashed together. This logic plays a huge role
in convincing the viewers to come back to look at funny memes while having an
easy time navigating the website.
Each of
these three websites has its own unique set of conventions solely for defining
what the website is used for. The specific conventions of each website, like
the references from SCIgen, are tailored to define the website. There aren’t
memes on the SCIgen website or comic strips on the meme generator because then
the SCIgen would no longer be classified as a research paper generator and the
meme generator would no longer be a meme generator. The addition of the various
conventions within the specific generators truly defines the genre. By being able
to understand all the little parts of the website, people are able to literally
piece together the genre, almost like a puzzle.
