1. VRI Google Wave – Communication track
Genre theory as tool for
communication analysis and
requirements mapping
Marius Johannessen
Research fellow information systems
28.01.2010

2. Agenda
• Genres
• Constructs
• 5w1h method
• Genre systems mapping
2

3. Genre Theory
• Based on Giddens’ structuration theory (production,
reproduction and structuration of social institutions, enacted
through use of social rules)
• Definition: A typified communicative action invoked in response
to a recurrent situation, characterized by similar substance and
form
• Research proposal, housing application, job application – recurring
situations where conventions are needed for proper communication
• Genres evolve over time in the interaction between institutional
practice and the people communicating
3

4. Genre Theory
4

5. Genre Theory
• The medium is not the message!
• Genres are different from the medium they are enacted
within.
• E-mail/blogs/newspapers are tools that contains several possible genres
5

6. Genre theory
• But with Google Wave, the distinction is blurred
• The medium can affect the genre, and new media can also
revolutionise the way genres are used
• (www – interaction not possible in print/broadcasting)
• Robots and gadgets + the fluid nature of a wave  need for
agreeing on genres used in a wave.
6

7. Genre constructs
• Genres are recognised by similar
• content
• themes, topics and motives for communication
• form
• physical and linguistic features
• functionality
• Offered by medium
7

8. 5W1H method
• clarify expectations about the purpose, content, participants, form,
time and place of the communication.
• Ask
• why – purpose of comm.
• what – content needed to achieve purpose
• who – participants
• how - medium, structure of contents and language
• when – if system: sequence of genres.
single genre: time frame/rules for calling on genre
• where – Location and place. ie where to send a letter, what system to use
• Helps create genres for our current communication needs
8

9. Genre systems mapping
9