GENRES IN CONVERSATION

Reflective Writing Informative Writing Analytical Writing Evaluative Writing Problem-Solving Writing Argumentative Writing

Despite recent trends toward eliminating recess in elementary schools, scientists have long suspected play is crucial in children’s cognitive development. Imagine you are a member of a school board trying to decide whether or not to eliminate recess from local public schools. In the process of researching evidence of the connection between children’s play and learning, you discover a magazine article, a webcast, and a professional report. Each document focuses on children’s need to explore their world through play but uses a distinct genre to do so.

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Magazine Article
This magazine article about children’s innate ability to develop theories about the world around them came from an ongoing university study and cites particular studies, even though it is intended for a general audience.
Webcast
This webcast released to the public by UC Berkeley provides experts’ commentary on behind-the-scenes footage of children in action.
Professional Report
A professional report by a coalition of educators and health professionals places “play” in a historical and international context in order to analyze focused, playful classrooms in a test-driven society.

Thinking About Genre

  1. Question

    Analytical writing is usually driven by questions about a specific situation. The writers in this conversation are intrigued by children’s ability to process complex information during play. What questions are they attempting to answer?

  2. Question

    What kinds of sources do the writers of these documents use to support their analysis? How does each document’s genre dictate which types of sources are appropriate?

  3. Question

    How does the design of each of these documents help interpret the subject for a particular audience?
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