Page 74 - A Handbook Genre Studies in Mass Media

FORMULAIC ANALYSIS

10. Examine the titles of a sample of programs belonging to a particular
genre (e.g., horror or romances). Can you identify any patterns with
regard to the worldview of the genre? Do any patterns emerge with
regard to areas of interest, concern, or worldview?
11. The premise of a genre begins with a describable worldview that
is being threatened. Examine a sample of programs falling within a
particular genre and consider:
a. What is the worldview of the genre at the beginning of the pro-
grams?
b. What (or who) is threatening this worldview?
c. What messages are being conveyed with regard to the threats to
this worldview?
12. Examine the premise of the following:
a. A genre
b. A subgenre within the genre
c. A specific series within the subgenre

What does this analysis reveal with regard to themes and messages
contained in the genre?

13. Analyze the premise of a genre, subgenre, or individual series. Does
the premise furnish perspective into cultural issues, preoccupations,
or myths?
14. Analyze programming that comprises a franchise.
a. What are the guideposts that establish a connection to the original
program?
b. In what ways are the “satellite” programs distinguishable from
one another?
15. Using a selection of programs from a genre, conduct a morphology
to identify the essential structure of the genre.
a. What is the characteristic structure of the genre?
b. Identify any points of departure from the essential structure:
1. Embellishments within the particular series
2. Embellishments within the specific episodes
c. Identify any manipulations of the structural elements that
occur:
1. Reordering of the elements
2. Omissions
3. Interpolations

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