Page 18 - A Handbook Genre Studies in Mass Media

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Introduction

Overview

We are all familiar with TV reality shows such as The Apprentice, Sur-
vivor, or Big Brother. But what exactly is a reality show? What elements
are common to all of these programs? Their shared characteristics are
what define the reality genre.
The word genre simply means “order.” As applied to artistic works, a
genre is a type, class, or category of presentation that shares distinctive
and easily identifiable features. Examples of genres include romances,
science fiction, situation comedies, and news programming. Even popular
music falls within basic genres—or, as they are more commonly known,
formats. Radio stations are organized around particular formats, such as
country, rhythm and blues, hip-hop, and talk radio.
A genre can be identified by its own distinctive patterns in premise,
plot, structure, character, worldview, style, and conventions. Because of
these characteristic elements, genric programming (that is, a program
that belongs to a particular genre) can be considered as a body of work.
Brian G. Rose explains: “The term genre implies that these groups of
formal or technical characteristics exist among works of the same kind,
regardless of time or place of composition, author, or subject matter.”
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(For a discussion of formula, see Chapter 3.)
Because most media programs belong to a particular genre, such as
science fiction or romantic comedy, a genre acts as a portal through which
the audience typically receives media messages. Each genre presents a
consistent worldview that shapes the ways we think about our world.

A Media Literacy Approach to Genre Studies
A media literacy approach to genre studies presents a range of approaches
to the study of genres. Becoming familiar with these various approaches
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