The topics discussed in this chapter are writing genres . On completion of this chapter students will know how to: identify key features of academic and business texts; recognise the difference between formal and informal register; use language appropriate to business settings, taking into account issues of power. | Chapter 6 Writing genres ‘How we are expected to write affects what we can write about.’ Learning objectives On completion of this chapter students will know how to: identify key features of academic and business texts recognise the difference between formal and informal register use language appropriate to business settings, taking into account issues of power. What does ‘genre’ mean? ‘Genre’ means style, kind or type. Usually, ‘genre’ refers to a type of art or literature. It can also refer to ways of speaking, types of movies or plays, or any written document. In this context, ‘genre’ refers to the various types of texts that students need to learn and master. Academic genres The most common genre (type of text for assessment) at Australian universities is the essay. In business there are other genres which are just as important: reports business letters email communication. Context and genre Factors that impact on genre: context situation audience purpose of . | Chapter 6 Writing genres ‘How we are expected to write affects what we can write about.’ Learning objectives On completion of this chapter students will know how to: identify key features of academic and business texts recognise the difference between formal and informal register use language appropriate to business settings, taking into account issues of power. What does ‘genre’ mean? ‘Genre’ means style, kind or type. Usually, ‘genre’ refers to a type of art or literature. It can also refer to ways of speaking, types of movies or plays, or any written document. In this context, ‘genre’ refers to the various types of texts that students need to learn and master. Academic genres The most common genre (type of text for assessment) at Australian universities is the essay. In business there are other genres which are just as important: reports business letters email communication. Context and genre Factors that impact on genre: context situation audience purpose of the text. Consider each factor in relation to the essay genre. Now think about the business context. How is it different to the academic context? Business context Business reports written in workplace: audience = supervisor or ‘superior’ usually someone with power much at stake for the organisation All documents have ‘regular, predictable patterns of organisation’ (Swales & Feak 1994, p. 10). Activity 1 See Activity 1 on pp 133–140 of your textbook. Work in pairs. Divide your page into five columns with the headings ‘personal email’, ‘business email’, ‘business letter’, ‘essay’ and ‘report’. Examine each text and identify the different features. List the features of each text, using the suggestions in the annotations and at the bottom of the activity. Applying knowledge of genres In your business studies you will need to write in different genres, depending on the course, assessment and preference of your lecturers. Sometimes the genres will be ‘mixed’. Always be very clear .
