Do genres say anything about the people who like them or the times in which they are made?

PROMPT:
To begin, we will explore the concept of “genre” and how it has been understood by
literary historians. Here are some questions you may choose to respond to in your first
writing assignment. While I would like you to think about, discuss, and respond to what
you read in these introductory discussions of genre, you might engage by considering
your relationship to genre. What interests you and why? Or, to put it another way, do
you think your taste in types of literature (or other kinds of genres) says anything about
you? Why do you think genres are organized the way they are? Do genres say anything
about the people who like them or the times in which they are made?

TIPS
This is a very preliminary response that can be quite personal and informal. You don’t
have to answer all the questions (please do not try to!). They are given simply to give
you some choices about how to approach the assignment. If you have a lot to say in
answering one of these questions—well, that’s more than enough. Do not focus on
writing well or making it seem like an “essay.” It is not. The point of this exercise is to
relax and explore or discuss what you’re reading//thinking/learning without the anxiety
associated with formal writings. The goal is to produce a variety of arguments or
modalities that are meaningful to you. They need not make sense or be consistent. Skip
the introduction and the thesis statement. Rants are great, so feel free write whatever
comes into your head! Excessive summaries will cost you points (see rubric).
Make sure you summarize a little or quote directly from whatever texts you engage with
– even a little – so you can work on MLA citation and work cited.

Citation: MLA in-text citation and work cited list required.!!!

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