Genre Theory: Teaching, Writing, and Being (Theory and Research Into Practice

by Deborah Dean

Synthesizes theory and research about genres and provides secondary-level teachers with practical classroom applications.

Contemporary genre theory is probably not what you learned in college. Its dynamic focus on writing as a social activity in response to a particular situation makes it a powerful tool for teaching practical skills and preparing students to write beyond the classroom. Although genre is often viewed as simply a method for labeling different types of writing, Deborah Dean argues that exploring genre theory can help teachers energize their classroom practices. Genre Theory synthesizes theory and research about genres and provides applications that help teachers artfully address the challenges of teaching high school writing. Knowledge of genre theory helps teachers challenge assumptions that good writing is always the same, make important connections between reading and writing, eliminate the writing product/process dichotomy, outline ways to write appropriately for any situation, supply keys to understanding the unique requirements of testing situations, and offer a sound foundation for multimedia instruction. Because genre theory connects writing and life, Dean’s applications provide detailed suggestions for class projects―such as examining want ads, reading fairy tales, and critiquing introductions―that build on students’ lived experience with genres. These wide-ranging activities can be modified for a broad variety of grade levels and student interests.

Genres: Teaching, Writing

119 pages, Paperback

First published February 20, 2008

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a nice introduction and course through the approach of genre theory. One idea that I found intriguing was the "flexibility of genres" or that, not every piece written in a specified genre needs to follow the same patterns and structures. This idea is follows closely the notion that writing is not formulaic, but, rather, an artful depiction by the author. I strongly believed prior to this that writing is not formulaic, and this book expanded that thought by introducing the flexibility within genres. Just one of the many gems in this book.

This book also makes the case for helping students understand the concept of genre, and how that helps them in future writing situations: "The more genres they know, the more potential antecedent genres hey have for addressing new situations" (as cited in Dean, 2008, p. 40). I've found that helping students understand that different situations call for different types of writing is beneficial to their learning. Knowing that there is not a one-size-fits-all writing structure is important to understand. Genre theory helps make explicit how teachers can instruct their students of that concept.

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a long bibliographic essay--nothing new here, but the old presented in a concise, accessible way. And it's more than a little ironic that what I have to say about the book is my attempt to locate it within an existing genre.

[NWP Site Leaders]

From Tom Fox: Dean's book provides an accessible introduction to the rich set of articles and books on genre theory. Genre theory has undergone an exciting revision in the last decade. Dean (who is the one of the new directors of the Central Utah Writing Project) addresses the full complexity of this exciting area. This book is an ideal choice--and first step-- for a study group interested in learning about genre theory and its potential for writing projects.

[Robin Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greatly expands the way we look at genre-- not just a type of text but a way to operate in particular situations, cultures and relationships,including the words and texts we use.