Dirk notes, "genres often have formulaic features," which we touched on briefly in Tiffany's presentation on plagiarism. How do we help our students recognize the line between genre conventions and plagiarism? Do you think that line blurs and if so when is it crossed?
BONUS QUESTION: Did everyone think ransom letter #1 was most fitting? I am a strong advocate for ransom letter #2.
Devitt writes, "For our scholarship, a new conception of genre might fill some significant gaps in our existing theories of writing." Where do you think those gaps exist and, based on the reading, how do you see genre helping to fill them?
Hi Aram,
ReplyDeleteYour first question has left me questioning the creative nature genre. I think that when introducing genre it should be made clear that you don't just plug in new words to a mystery story. There is room for creativity, and Devitt tells us that, "genres often have formulaic features, but these features can change even as the nature of the genre remains". There is no need to copy another person's work to fit genre conventions. The rules of genre may appear static, but they shift and can overlap. An activity that could help students understand the difference between genre conventions and plagiarism may be to actually have them copy another person's work and then make it their own based off the conventions that they think determine the genre of the original piece. I would then lead a discussion where we talk through the difference as a class. The lines may blur when the students are not taught how to recognize varying genre conventions and how to point out differences between differing forms.
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DeleteHey Aram,
ReplyDeleteI hadn't even considered the implications for plagiarism in the genre conversation but it seems like a really obvious question now that you mention it. I definitely think that the lines blur (we don't point fingers at fantasy writers for plagiarism of Tolkien when they use elves and dwarves) and it can definitely be hard to tell how much of "observing conventions" actually results in copied ideas. I think it comes down to recognizing that certain genres come with inherently attached ideas/content and to recognize that as being observation versus less "strict" genres where fewer writers play by all the same rules.
Also, clearly ransom letter three was the optimal choice
Aram,
ReplyDeleteRansom letter two was really more effective. I think letter two shows the personality of the kidnapper differently and makes a more scary scene in my mind. This person is so calm, and clearly super twisted. "Padding" his wallet...? What? How much is that? The fear continues because of the uncertainty. I love it.
Aram,
ReplyDeleteI strongly believe that ransom letter 3 was the way to go. The tone of the letter seems too polite for a ransom letter, and, as a result, the piece becomes very unsettling. If someone could be this calm when kidnapping and requesting ransom, they obviously do not fear being caught. They are too confident; clearly they have something planned that the reader does not quite understand yet. The writer and kidnapper is clearly a sociopath who does not understand the conventional norms of a ransom note.