PB1B Describing Genre Generators

               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.