Academic Discourse and Genre

1. There are various genres present in the journal that all fit under the umbrella term: "essay". In terms of structure, some are in paragraphs, as you'd expect. Yet, others are numbered and some are more poetically formatted. Moreover, the purposes of the essays vary with the form as some are narrative, some reflective, some informative, and some lyrical.

2. The Different Genres Present:

1. The Narrative Essay
• Typically made up of a various paragraphs
• First person
• Past or present tense
• Meant to illustrate a major life experience
2. The Rhetorical Essay
• Occasionally satirical
• Typically made up of various paragraphs
• The voice of the narrator is not always the voice of the author
• Meant to persuade the reader
3. The Lyrical Essay
• Occasionally written in numbered segments
• Meant to be reflective
• Purpose is not determined by the genre

3. My Definitions

1. The Narrative Essay
• A first-person essay aimed to tell of an important life event of the author in attempt to make the audience sympathize with him/her.
• Targeted Audience: People who have not experienced anything similar to what the author is describing because the author aims to make them understand his/her unique experience.
2. The Rhetorical Essay
• An essay that through satire or other persuasive methods attempts to make the audience side with them on an issue.
• Targeted Audience: Anyone without a stance on the issue or a malleable opinion because the author is aiming to persuade them.
3. The Lyrical Essay
• An essay that employs various structures to poetically or reflectively discuss a topic.
• Targeted Audience: Anyone with the ability to comprehend the structure of the piece because the varying structures can be confusing for some. 

INeverCry. "Bacon Essays". 5/9/12 via Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain.