Introduction to the study of Genres: Lesson 4 and 5

We've made it to the end of the lesson series! Thank you all for being such wonderful students. I hope you have learnt as much as I have done throughout the lessons. In the last two sessions, we have discussed many new ideas in the Recount Genre. As you know, Genre-mixing is one of the most interesting development in new writing. I introduced to you the concept of the Fictional Diary, which is a technique used by many writers. The Fictional Diary allows the writer to focus more on the thoughts of the characters, rather than the events or actions taking place. It also allows the readers to know the intentions behind someone's actions. I think you have done the in-class activity extremely well, and most of you were able to see through the eyes of the Mad Man in his diaries. Many of you said that the story was extremely interesting, and I think it is an idea worth exploring in your own writings. Well, the Madman's Diary was left unfinished. Do post your own final entries on the blog when you have finished.

In the last session, we explored the use of Photographs as a Recount Genre. Photographs are amazing records of history, and some of the photographs I have shown you record some of the most important events ever. It has always been my dream to be a photojournalist, recording the important events of history and writing about it. I am glad that I have had the opportunity to do so for many publications when I was younger. Photojournalism is an exciting career, and I have many wonderful memories from my days travelling the region taking photos and writing news reports. Good photographs also need good captions, and your homework during the break is to write short captions for the photographs, as well as post some links to some interesting pictures that you have seen.

Anyway, we have come to the end of the series of lesson on Genres, and I hope that you will remember some of the important things that were taught. All texts have their own point-of-view, and tell you some things while leaving out others. Do think critically about what you read, and consider both the "why" and the "so what" behind the things that you read. It is important to have a critical mind as you will encounter countless texts in the future. Ask yourself if the texts are telling the truth, and if you should consider another point-of-view. In short, that is the primary purpose of the whole session. Do continue to post your thoughts, comments or questions on the blog, and I will try my best to reply to them. Thank you once again, and I hope you all will have a good year ahead!

Thomas Lim