Thlog week 1

First, during this week, we discussed genres in many aspects. Not only did we look at genres in writings but also in other field of art, where genres play an important role as well, such as music and movies. Then I gradually started to realize that how meaningful the concept of genres is. Actually, genres are established and called upon every day in our mind, albeit we do not notice their functions at all. As I was asked questions like what makes a country music a country music or what makes a horror film a horror film, I realized that everyone can name a few features of a country music or a horror film without listening or seeing one because we have already encountered these genres before. We have already know what elements make a music typical of country music and what elements make a horror film horrifying; however, what we do not know is how to use our knowledge about genres purposefully and effectively to work for our writing. According to our reading Navigating Genres, by Kerry Dirk, genres guide writers to write what should be written. In another word, we should write what our audience expects and therefore create an efficient communication between us. In reading, Kerry Dirk fabricated a scenario of kidnapping and writing ransom notes. In class, we went through examples of recommendation letters. Both of them demonstrate the importance of writing in accordance with the rhetorical situation. There are rules about a certain genre, whereas writing requires more than simply following rules and filling blanks. We need to adjust genres to our situation. Also, variations of genre must follow its conventions. These are usually restrictions we should not break. Otherwise, we cannot convey our ideas successfully.

Second, despite we did not spent the majority of time on this topic, it is still what I have learnt: two types of thinking. First-order thinking is what you think subconsciously, just without thinking twice. They are intuitive and creative but subject to unaware assumptions, unconscious prejudices and unexamined points of view. Second-order thinking is to examine what you think. It is to control your mind but not the other way around (like you do in first-order thinking). But the way you think about thinking also hinders your thinking and often induces foolishness. Hence, when write, we need to combine both type of thinking together.