"Audience" and "Genre" in the Context
of Writing Free Write
Some people I have met have claimed that genre and
audience are two separate ideas and do not coexist but, I believe they do. When
looking at the definition, provided by Webster Dictionary, for audience the
first definition is "a group of spectators at a public event; listeners or
viewers collectively, as in attendance at a theater or concert".1 Nothing
about writing is every mentioned. However, when the word genre is defined it
states that genre is “a class or category of artistic endeavor having a
particular form, content, technique, or the like”.2 Here any
artistic work whether it is writing or music has some category it can be placed
in. So, if genre can also be used to describe music and since the most
according to the most common definition of an audience therefore, genre and
audience must be somewhat connected. If, you did not get my logic on that don’t
worry I will further my thinking process for you.
To make it more personal I am a musician and I play
different genres of music almost every day. Now the type of music I craft
attracts a different group/ audience of people. Whether its rock or pop the
crowd is never the same. It is the same with writing and the audience that the
writer/ crafter/ creator wants to attract. Writing has many different genres
like fiction, non-fiction, mystery, horror and the list just goes on and on.
But, with all these categories, comes a different audience and requires a
different style of writing. If I am going to a rock concert I would not play
rap. It would not make sense to the listener. The same rules apply to writing.
I wouldn’t write in a more formal stiff tone if I am writing a children’s book.
I mean imagine if Dr. Seuss, did not write in a rhythmic tone would it still
have the same effect. Probably not. Therefore, one can only surmise that audience
and genre must be connected because, not all music, art or writing is the same
and not everyone likes all the same things; so, they must coexist together because,
without one there is not another.
1 "The
Definition of Audience." Dictionary.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Sept.
2016. < http://www.dictionary.com/browse/audience?s=t
>.
2 "The
Definition of Audience." Dictionary.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Sept.
2016. < http://www.dictionary.com/browse/audience?s=t
>.
Interesting use of music genres as an analogue for writing genres: this is a creative and accessible way of explaining the connection between audience and genre. The examples ("fiction, non-fiction, mystery, horror") you give for writing genres, however, seem more like literary genres, which are slightly different; genres in the context of writing might be more like "reviews," "research papers," or "blog posts."
ReplyDeleteIn addition, I would caution you to not use phrases like "some people," especially to start a piece of writing. Always try to be more specific!
Grade: Check