Identify and Describe Patterns in the Genre’s Features
- What content is typically included or excluded? How is the content treated? What sorts of examples are used? What counts as evidence (personal testimony, facts, etc.)?
There is usually a specific subject included, such as a direct address of the message (i.e. you can do anything; show them what you got) followed by a supportive saying. Names are usually excluded, and oftentimes if there is a well-known quote used the piece will omit a citation as well to credit the author of the quote; this also occurs if the quote is an original, which could create some confusion. However, if there is a biblical quote there is often a citation at the end, or some little denotation “from God” at the lower corner of the message. There is also a goal, either implied or explicitly stated, to be fulfilled by the reader, as the message may serve as a reminder.
- What rhetorical appeals are used? What appeals to logos, pathos, and ethos appear?
Pathos is the strongest rhetorical appeal used, ethos coming in second because it only really applies if a quote is used with citation (i.e. God) and then only works if that person is religious or values the person saying it. Logos doesn’t often apply because the reality of whatever situation a person may be going through to need more motivation may be off-putting (i.e. you’re broke and have a sign saying “Stop spending money” to keep you on track doesn’t inspire you, or give you a reason to stop spending money.) Inspiration is arguably as much a feeling as any, and leads to productivity accordingly, using more feelings to sway obstructive feelings (i.e. hopelessness) and incite more productive ones (i.e. confidence.)
- How are texts in the genres structured? What are their parts, and how are they organized?
There’s a lot of variation for structure, but it’s often comprised of a specific address to the reader and the uplifting statement following after it; the rhetoric of the statement might imply there needs to be action taken, or someone has taken a similar action and succeeded, or may outright say it. It’s often in this order, seemingly to grab attention as if the piece is directly talking to the reader.
- In what format are texts of this genre presented? What layout or appearance is common? How long/big is a typical text in this genre?
Often the writers are working with a square frame to fit all of their words in, although the size varies, and if it fits a little too well it will be centered to make it look more poetic than it actually is. The sentences will be short and choppy, also mimicking poetic structure, but there will also be random capitalizations and weird angles if there are too many words to fit comfortably on the layout, bringing attention to too many things at once. Gleaning motivation from some of the décor resembles a Where’s Waldo? puzzle in more ways than one.
- What types of “sentences” do texts in the genre typically use? How long are they? Are they simple or complex, passive or active? Are the sentences varied? Do they share a certain style?
There can be sentences—like actual, coherent, thought-depicting statements—and there can be a confused jumble of words that each denote some relevant thought or feeling to the overall message of the piece, which may be just as hard to discern (i.e. the focus is family and it’s surrounded by words like love, support, kindness, etc.) They have varied lengths but are more often short to convey a quick message, and are almost always active to incite a feeling or action that would be beneficial to the reader.
- What diction is most common? What types of words (or symbols, images, etc.) are most frequent? Is a type of jargon used? Is slang used? How would you describe a typical writer’s tone?
Small, easily recognized understood words are often used, and especially slang; it connects with the reader more personally, mimicking conversation with their possible peers. However, there is again much variety and therefore varying slang to accommodate the different generations, lifestyles, and even occupations (i.e. Gen X; vegan; student.) The tone is stern and supportive, pushing the reader towards whatever behavior or thinking the statement is trying to promote.
Analyze What These Patterns Reveal About the Situation and Scene
- What do these patterns reveal about the genre, its situation, and the people who use it?
The patterns reveal a sense of expectation, a sort of reconfirmation of what the audience already knew but needed more proof or support to support it themselves. The second-hand audience uses the information to overview the owner of the piece; the language, style of the piece and what it is actually saying relays information about what the owner may feel they need to improve upon, what they believe, and what they are struggling with. The pattern of “do this to overcome this” is very revealing in these pieces.
- What do participants have to know or believe to understand or appreciate the genre?
They may have to know who wrote it, if it is religious or an infamous quote, to appreciate who is saying it and put the meaning into context for themselves. If not, they may just need to experience the downfall of whatever the quote is trying to bring them up from.
- Who is invited into the genre, and who is excluded??
I don’t think there are necessarily any exclusions because this genre is so diverse and written by people of varying generations/affiliations for others like them. People who rely on or benefit from this type of support and motivation are certainly included in the genre.
- What roles for writers and readers does it encourage or discourage?
Writer-wise, it encourages an insufficient type of writing; saying the least and using the least amount of words as long as someone can relate, but make it look pretty; it discourages in-depth, original writing. Reader-wise, it discourages independent thinking and self-discipline (if you rely on home furniture to motivate you to do something); it encourages (possibly) an eagerness to do whatever it is the statement tells them to do.
- What can you learn about the actions being performed through the genre by observing its language patterns?
I can certainly discern that decorative inspiration works because the patterns don’t vary all that greatly, other than that they are geared for the person/environment they intend to impact. They supply motivation to some, and imply a persona to second-hand viewers because the algorithm switches the placement of the parts rather than the parts themselves (i.e. subject, motivation, rhetoric; rhetoric, motivation, subject) and succeeds similarly.
- How is the subject of the genre treated? What content is considered most important? What content (topics or details) is ignored?
Considering the subject of the genre is an uplifting comment from a predisposed, obstructing situation, addressing why the motivation is needed is directly avoided and replaced with a gentle redirection of focus with supportive statements. The inspirational statement itself is the most important because it may not resonate with every reader, but if it’s a more general struggle it will impact the reader more greatly.
- What values, beliefs, goals, and assumptions are revealed through the genre’s patterns?
There’s an assumption of a struggle, that the reader requires motivation to keep pushing forward, or has overcome something difficult and is trying to keep moving. The goal is revealed through the statement itself, often self-improvement of some kind.
- What actions does the genre enable? What actions does the genre constrain??
Self-improvement is the main action this genre enables, relapse of an unnamed struggle constrained by the providence of progression. It may also enable a way of thinking that could not be beneficial to the self essentially, but makes the person feel better about the way they think.
