1. Genre InvestigationGenre Investigation
Leah FisherLeah Fisher

2. What is genre?What is genre?
 Genre is a way of categorising text through style and form. GenresGenre is a way of categorising text through style and form. Genres
are formed by conventions that change over time as new genres areare formed by conventions that change over time as new genres are
invented and the use of old ones are discontinued. Often, works fitinvented and the use of old ones are discontinued. Often, works fit
into multiple genres by way of borrowing and recombining theseinto multiple genres by way of borrowing and recombining these
conventions.conventions.
 A text is classified in a genre through the identification of keyA text is classified in a genre through the identification of key
elements which occur in that text and in others of the same genre.elements which occur in that text and in others of the same genre.
These elements may be referred to as paradigms, and range fromThese elements may be referred to as paradigms, and range from
costume to music to plot points to font (depending on the medium).costume to music to plot points to font (depending on the medium).
Audiences recognise these paradigms, and bring a set ofAudiences recognise these paradigms, and bring a set of
expectations to their reading of the text accordingly: the criminal willexpectations to their reading of the text accordingly: the criminal will
be brought to justice at the end of the police thriller. Thesebe brought to justice at the end of the police thriller. These
paradigms may be grouped into those relating to iconography (i.e.paradigms may be grouped into those relating to iconography (i.e.
the main signs and symbols that you see/hear), structure (the way athe main signs and symbols that you see/hear), structure (the way a
text is put together and the shape it takes) and theme (the issuestext is put together and the shape it takes) and theme (the issues
and ideas it deals with).and ideas it deals with).
 Genre provides key elements for an audience to recognise, so thatGenre provides key elements for an audience to recognise, so that
they may further appreciate the variation and originality surroundingthey may further appreciate the variation and originality surrounding
the representation of those elements.the representation of those elements.

3. Genre theoristsGenre theorists
 Daniel ChandlerDaniel Chandler : Chandler proposed that: Chandler proposed that
conventional definitions of genres areconventional definitions of genres are
normally based on the notion of the contentsnormally based on the notion of the contents
an form of a film. These are then shared byan form of a film. These are then shared by
the media texts which are regarded asthe media texts which are regarded as
belonging to them. So this means that for thebelonging to them. So this means that for the
audience to get a better understanding of theaudience to get a better understanding of the
film, the producers need to stick to themes offilm, the producers need to stick to themes of
other films in that genre for it to beother films in that genre for it to be
successful.successful.

4.  David BuckinghamDavid Buckingham: Traditionally when thinking: Traditionally when thinking
about genres, they tend to be regarded as fixedabout genres, they tend to be regarded as fixed
and permanent, but the contemporary theoryand permanent, but the contemporary theory
emphasises that their forms and functions areemphasises that their forms and functions are
dynamic. Buckingham contradicts this idea anddynamic. Buckingham contradicts this idea and
suggests they are not fixed and the conventionssuggests they are not fixed and the conventions
will change over time.will change over time.
 DeborahDeborah KnightKnight: Knight suggested that: Knight suggested that
satisfaction is guaranteed with genre; the deferralsatisfaction is guaranteed with genre; the deferral
of the inevitable provides the additional pleasureof the inevitable provides the additional pleasure
of prolonged anticipation. Within each genre,of prolonged anticipation. Within each genre,
there are many emotional pleasures which canthere are many emotional pleasures which can
feature, such as empathy and escapism.feature, such as empathy and escapism.

5.  Steve NealeSteve Neale: Neale believes that: Neale believes that
pleasure through films is derived bypleasure through films is derived by
repetition and difference.repetition and difference.
 David BordwellDavid Bordwell: Bordwell contradicted: Bordwell contradicted
all ideas about categorising genres as heall ideas about categorising genres as he
said that any theme can appear in anysaid that any theme can appear in any
genre. This can also be considered asgenre. This can also be considered as
hypobirdising which is a mixture of genres.hypobirdising which is a mixture of genres.

6. Genre in horror filmsGenre in horror films
 Most of these theories can be related toMost of these theories can be related to
the horror genre as there are certainthe horror genre as there are certain
conventions that are used in horror filmsconventions that are used in horror films
that tell the audience what to expectthat tell the audience what to expect
through the use of iconography and otherthrough the use of iconography and other
elements.elements.

7. Genre in horror filmsGenre in horror films
 Most of these theories can be related toMost of these theories can be related to
the horror genre as there are certainthe horror genre as there are certain
conventions that are used in horror filmsconventions that are used in horror films
that tell the audience what to expectthat tell the audience what to expect
through the use of iconography and otherthrough the use of iconography and other
elements.elements.