Communications Studies A Comprehensive Look at the Communications Field

Through Genre and Writing

By Rebecca Dykes

Table of Contents

Introduction……………………………………………………pg. 3

Field Guide………………………………………………………pg. 4-9

Genre Investigation………………………………………….pg. 10-18

Proposal for Change…………………………………………pg. 19-23

Interview 1 and 2 Summaries & Transcripts………pg. 24-29

Creative Commons Licensing Information…….....pg. 30

Works Cited………………………………………………….....pg. 31

Introduction Communications Studies is a broad field that encompasses a variety of subjects. Since I myself am studying to major in this field, I wanted to create a guide for incoming freshman to help them better understand this field. The portfolio includes all kinds of useful information, from interesting statistics to an in-depth look at how communications genres are crafted. Hopefully, this portfolio will serve as a road map for all students wishing to learn more about Communications Studies, including what genres are a part of this field, what elements are important to those genres, and how genre theory relates pulls everything together.

The first section is a Field Guide, which is mean to give a general overview of Communications Studies. It includes a list of research resources that are helpful in finding more information and archives of samples of pieces written for communicative purposes, graphics that explain the growing importance of technology in the field through statistics, flow charts, and pictures, and a list of the top ten print publications that readers will recognize as the leaders in communications genres. The Guide also features two Additional Elements, one of which is a sort of checklist for readers that evaluates whether or not the communications field is a good fit for them and the second provides examples of different careers in which a communications degree could be useful.

The Genre Investigation is the true essence of the portfolio because it explores the communications field through the lens of genre theory. Borrowing from authors Carolyn Miller and Lloyd Bitzer’s theories that the rhetorical situation is the most important aspect of any piece of writing, the investigation looks at how those situations supply the subject from which communications genres are crafted. By dissecting a few specific examples of common genres, the investigation is mean to help readers better understand how communications genres are created, which elements are part of the writing process, and what greater context these genres fit into.

The Proposal for Change follows the Investigation and addresses one of the main issues within the communications field. The issue that is addresses in the lack of connection between many communications pieces and a greater purpose or some social action that is meant to be fulfilled. The issue is presented to the body writers, reporters, and journalists responsible for the creation of most communications pieces and calls on them to take steps to improve their work.

The Interviews of the professor and graduate student provide primary information and insight that could never be offered in a book or internet resource. The communications field, its construct, salient elements, and application of genre theory are explained through the perspectives of the subjects and is based on their knowledge and personal experience in the communications field.

Finally, the Works Cited page gives credit to all resources used in providing the information presented in the portfolio and are available should readers wish to do further research. The Creative Commons license explains the purposes for which the information in the portfolio can be used and what restrictions surround the material for reasons involving intellectual property and copyright.

WHAT IS COMMUNICATIONS? To communicate means to

(1) impart wisdom on; make known or (2) to give or interchange thoughts, feelings, information, or the like, by writing, speaking, etc. Communications studies focuses on just this- the importance of expressing and sharing these things that make our day-to-day existence meaningful. Communications genres seek to do this by using eye-witness reports, first-hand experiences and involvement, participant feedback, and research to create a story out of an event. These events are crafted into works of writing that are then published in popular media such as newspapers, magazines,

journals, and online forums to be disseminated to the public for the purpose of increasing their knowledge and awareness of the occurrences taking place in the world around them. Communications covers a broad range of topics, including politics, public policy,

international relations, business, local and national happenings, sports, and entertainment; essentially,

communications genres cover the material found in a newspaper. Regardless of the topic, the rhetorical situation is the seminal part of any communications genre, because without it there would be no event, occurrence, happening, or news to share with the public.

A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT HOW INFORMATION IS SHARED

COMMUNICATIONS STUDIES

TOP RESEARCH RESOURCES

1. Lake

Communicators at

www.lakecommuni

cators.com/resource

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2. Business Marketing Association at www.marketing.org

3. Bloomberg Business Week at www.businessweek.com

4. Public Relations Society of America at www.prsa.orgNational 5.Communication Association at www.natcom.org

6. Association of Professional Communication Consultants at consultingsuccess.org/wp/

COMMUNICATE (V.):

TO INTERCHANGE

THOUGHTS, FEELINGS,

INFORMATION, OR THE

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1. Time 2. Sports Illustrated 3. People 4. Entertainment Weekly 5. National Geographic 6. Cooking Light 7. Men’s Health8. Bloomberg Businessweek 9. Wired 10. Cosmopolitan

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1. USA Today 2. The Wall Street

Journal 3. The New York Times 4. Los Angeles Times 5. The Washington Post 6. Daily News 7. New York Post 8. Chicago Tribune 9. Newsday 10. Houston Chronicle

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Is Communications Studies Right For You?

The communications field is one that relies on writer involvement since writers are the creators responsible for the output of genres. Communications combines reporting, research, journalism, and often participation on the writer’s part in order to gather the information necessary to build a story. While working as a reporter or journalist might sound glamorous and exciting, working in this field requires a lot of time and effort, which may not be suited for everyone. Here are a few things to consider when thinking about studying and working in the communications field.

1. What do you want to do with a Communications Studies degree?

It’s important to have a specific field in mind when entering communications studies. Communications covers a broad range of topics and therefore a variety of fields can be chosen from. These include politics, business, sales and advertisement, education, and public relations, to name a few. Knowing which field you want to apply your degree to will help shape the type of writing, audience, content, and intended purpose or social action of the genres you study and later create.

2. Are You Prepared for Hands-On Learning?

Internships are one of the key components of communications studies. Participating in on-the-job learning gives students a feel for the kind of work they will be doing and offers them insight regarding the inner workings of the communications industry. The goal is to build experience and hone one’s writing, speaking, and personal skills by practicing in a realistic setting.

3. Are Your Personality Traits Compatible With the Field?

The best communications majors are outgoing, enjoy public speaking, and have good organizational skills. To succeed in this field, you will need to develop good inter-personal skills and learn to use dialogue effectively. Good research habits and an interest in teaching others are also desirable qualities.

4. What Does the Job Outlook for Communications Students Look Like?

Communications, for the most part, is a free-lance field. Employment mainly depends on your location and the field you want to use your degree in. One pathway could lead to a successful, steady career while another might require a lot of sacrifice and possible side jobs to earn a living. Taking these factors into consideration, it’s crucial to find a field that you’re passionate about. Make sure you properly research the industry and field to decide which path you think is truly best for you and in which you be successful.

Let’s Talk Jobs!As a Communications major, a variety of fields are available for you to work in. It can be difficult to know how you can apply your major to a career path, so here are some areas that could use a degree like yours!

Politics

Business

Sports

Entertainment

Public Relations

Education

International Relations

Finance

Social Media

Non-Profit Groups/NGOs

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A Comprehensive Look at Genre Theory, Its Relationship to Writing in Communications, and How Communications

Genres Play a Greater Role

Genre theory refers to how the writing for a particular subject is created. It encompasses

everything from where the genre originated, what is being written about, why the subject is being

written about, and who it is being written for. Genres have rules and constraints that shape how

the writing is developed and what can be said about the subject. A situation creates the subject

matter on which the writing can be based on, but the writing must also serve a greater purpose or

fill a need, not simply talk about what happened. That need or purpose is dictated by the motives

that the author has for writing about the event in the first place, which also influences what they

write and how they say it. Finally, the entire piece must be directed towards a target audience, or

the people for whom the article is intended.

One of the important things to note about genre theory is that it is not unique for each

instance; in fact, prior pieces of writing, or antecedents, in the same field influence the content in

later pieces. The idea is that experience builds on itself to create a formula that becomes the point

of reference for subsequent authors. Someone pioneered the first discourse in the genre and the

person afterwards looked to their example for guidance. When this instance has repeated itself

many times, the formula becomes the format for writing in the genre. However, this limits the

amount of creativity an author can work into their piece because deviating too far from the

beaten path might weaken the discourse by disassociating it from the previous examples,

potentially even categorizing it elsewhere. Now, the formula could not exist without a rhetorical

situation to create a need for the different elements of a genre to come together. A rhetorical

situation is the action or event that occurs that gives an author a reason to write; the rhetorical

situation, then, is the subject matter. The author must then find a reason to write about the

situation, for without a purpose to fulfill the writing would have no greater meaning. The writer

must also consider what it is they want the piece to do, or determine the social action they want

the piece to perform. Motives direct the style of the discourse the writer chooses and help shape

the overall response to the rhetorical situation.

To figure out how writing is developed in communications and marketing, I will turn to

Carolyn Miller and Lloyd Bitzer, who emphasize social action and the rhetorical situation as the

key components of genre theory. Miller’s main argument is that genre should not focus on

discourse, or the content of the writing, but on the action that the genre is used to accomplish.

She discusses how genre could not exist if not for a situation to create the need for discourse, so

the basis of genre lies with the rhetorical situation. She writes that “…if genre represents action,

it must involve situation and motive, because human action, whether symbolic or otherwise, is

interpretable only against a context of situation and through the attributing of motives”. This

supports her main argument that rhetorical situation is the most important factor in genre theory.

Bitzer shares a similar point of view and also focuses on the rhetorical situation but adds the

element of exigence to the discussion. Exigence, as defined by Bitzer, is “an imperfection

marked by urgency; a defect, obstacle, or something that must be done”. Bitzer talks about how

reaction is important to the rhetorical situation and how it is that response, that human interaction

with the event, that truly identifies a situation as being rhetorical, or worthy of discourse.

Miller and Bitzer’s focus regarding genre theory offers good insight into the writing

involved in communications and marketing. In these fields, the events generate the articles and

press; without the movies, operas, plays, ballets, music, social events, or entertainment, there

wouldn’t be anything to write about. The genres that surround communications and marketing all

need a situation or event to provide subject matter to write about. The event necessitates a

reaction in an author, as it is their job to share their experience with the public. The public then

has a secondary reaction to the writer’s piece and whose response determines whether or not the

social action of creating publicity and inspiring participation is achieved. The critical rhetorical

situation is the point of conception for genres involved in communications and marketing, as it is

the stimulus behind the reaction and response that generates the discourse for the genre.

After discussing the components of genre, let’s look at how genre theory applies to

common real-life genres. To begin, let’s look at a report, common in any newspaper or news

magazine. The rhetorical situation that conceived the report is the need to inform the public of a

given topic or event. They usually have a serious tone, as a report is meant to communicate

important information. A report can either be written or oral, depending on the urgency of the

news that needs to be shared. Written reports usually include an introduction to the piece and a

thesis statement on what will be addressed, followed by the body of the work that goes into the

reporter’s findings. Quotes from witnesses, participants, or experts be incorporated, as well as

any figures or data that are relevant to the report and could validate the information. Oral reports

also begin with some kind of introductory statement that lets the audience know what will be

covered, usually some kind of headline that alerts the audience. The speaker then talks about the

news, often with the help of visual aids like pictures or a video clip. Oral reports are briefer than

their written counterparts because the reporter’s purpose in this situation is to briefly update the

public on some significant matter that has occurred.

Next, we arrive at professional genres, the pieces most commonly seen in publications

and used for mass consumption. These genres make up the bulk of writing in communications

and are worth exploring further. One such genre is newspaper articles. The articles are written to

explain about or inform the public of some kind of happening that is separate and more important

than regular, everyday occurrences. These happenings can be anything involving politics, local,

national, or international news, entertainment, business, sports, or the like. The big idea behind

newspaper articles is that the information being reported is, in fact, newsworthy; that is, it is out

of the ordinary or deviates from the norms of everyday life, positive or negative. These articles

are intended for wide range of readers as part of a genre of mass consumption, so they must be

accessible. The discourse cannot be too scholarly or include too much jargon, but instead must

be clear, concise, and easily readable, especially because newspaper articles are limited to a few

short paragraphs. The idea is to give readers a brief overview of what events have taken place so

that they have a general understanding of the world around them, both local and in a broader

context; thus, the social action fulfilled by newspaper articles is to keep the public informed and

up-to-date on daily events. The newspaper article’s design is constructed to maximize the

available space to achieve this: a headline instantly alerts the reader and announces the article’s

content in a single, simple line. The article then give a summary of the event, including dates and

names so that the event is contextualized, rather than being some ambiguous description. The

articles want to be engaging and report as much information in a short space as possible, so

action verbs and descriptions are commonly used, which also helps make the content news as

opposed to a story. Newspaper articles also employ discourse that is dramatic or exciting in order

to make the event stand out. Of course, newspaper articles are a professional genre which means

that they must be written with some degree of formality and be accurate when discussing events,

since the article is supposed to be based on facts from what was observed by eyewitnesses, those

involved, and what was gathered during reporting. Additionally, the article must be written in an

objective manner without the writer’s “voice” or opinion discernible; the purpose of these

articles is to be informative and give unbiased reports.

Another major genre in communications is a press release. These are commonly issued

when a company, business, or enterprise want to be in direct dialogue with their audience. Like

newspaper articles, press releases are written for a large audience as they are meant to be pieces

of mass consumption. The purpose of such a genre is to generate publicity about an event or

development in order to inspire reader, or audience, participation. To do this, the press release

uses discourse that is upbeat and descriptive, which is more likely to produce a positive response

in readers. The issuers want the public to be enthusiastic about the project, product, or event that

they’re promoting so they want to appeal to them in a way that’s approachable; often, the content

will be directed specifically at the reader by including “you” combined with a directive statement

(for example, in a Museum of Modern Art press release for a new exhibition, it says that “you

are invited to explore the roles that science, technology, and human ingenuity can play in

stabilizing our environment through this multisensory experience”). Another release from the

Houston Grand Opera Company entreats readers to “enjoy the spectacle of rising young talents

performing a rich operatic sampling of Mozart, Debussy, Johann Strauss, and more” in their

spring Studio Showcase for up-and-coming talent. By describing the sensory experiences and

details involved in an event, press releases connect with their audience and encourage them to

take an interest in what the genre has to offer.

Now, communications is a broad field that spans everything from reporting and politics

to blog posts and reviews. Professor Darrin Hicks explained that the writing in these fields was

primarily to get a message across. “Most of the writing we do focuses on rhetoric and how to

persuade audiences through verbal and written communication”, explained Professor Hicks. He

also stressed the importance of the message and suggested that authors use positive language and

specific examples to engage their readers and persuade them to pay attention to what the article

had to offer. He added that “an author should try to be fair and unbiased [and] shouldn’t say

anything too extreme in either direction. The piece needs to have mass appeal and needs to have

an angle or direction that it’s going in, but that angle can’t be too sharp”. Interestingly, Professor

Hicks cautioned not to focus too much on the writing itself, as that was not (ironically) the main

point of writing in these fields; he suggested that “the main point was the action itself, since

action shapes how the author reacts and what the author chooses to say after that”. Professor

Hicks summarized the essence of communications genres well with this comment on the salience

of the rhetorical situation.

After learning more about genre theory and writing in communications from Professor

Hicks, I wanted to look at a few specific examples to contextualize my research. I decided to

examine a front page article from The New York Times and a main feature from Time magazine

to unpack the construction of these genres in relation to the main components of genre theory.

Both articles conveyed news stories about current events which, although they might not be

locally relevant to most people, are important for the public to know about because they concern

critical issues. The New York Times Article addressed the recent kidnapping and rescue of three

women in Ohio; this article provided an update on a disturbing news story that the nation has

been following and the subsequent closure needed for concerned readers. The report contains

background information on the context of the situation and briefly profiles the kidnapper. It also

includes details on the women he kidnapped, the living situation they were in for ten years while

being held hostage, and quotes from relatives. The article’s construction is forward and concise,

with succinct sentences and short paragraphs that make the story more accessible by focusing on

the significant information. Factual material like the names and ages of those involved, dates,

street addresses, and statements from witnesses substantiate the story and turn it into a piece that

readers can better identify with. The Time magazine article addressed the recent attack on a U.S.

diplomatic compound in Libya and, like the New York Times article, contained an update on a

situation of current interest to our nation and its foreign policy. Since this piece was a feature

article as opposed to front-page news, it contained more information and analysis of the

situation. The entire situation was explained from beginning to end and also included a break-

down of the event’s key plot lines and an examination of what (possible) role those plot lines

played in the outcome of the situation. Quotes and research from officials helped solidify the

claims and clarify the report. Again, like the New York Times article, the Times magazine piece

served as a medium of communication between the reporters and the public audience to keep

them informed about the nation’s current events. For these genres, the key element was the

rhetorical situation; without the topic event, the reports would have no reason to exist. These

pieces were created to share those events with the public and write about them in a way that

would interest readers and work to fulfill the genres’ greater purpose of updating and informing

the audience.

Throughout my genre investigation, I not only learned what it meant to define a genre,

but also how a genre was constructed, what elements were central to this construction, and how

my understanding of genre theory applied to the genres involved in communications. Genre is

not just about a piece of writing, but rather is about creating a piece of information that is useful

to the public. The genres involved in communications are especially important because they link

the larger world to the local one around us. Communications is all about creating dialogue

between industry and the public and the transfer of information from the former party to the

latter. By finding events that are newsworthy, things that would be subjects of interest to the

public, and reporting on them through a medium that effectively gets the word out, the audience

becomes privy to a greater stock of knowledge and understanding of their surroundings.

Ultimately, the genres involved in communications are effective tools in using a rhetorical

situation to successfully fulfill a social action and become part of something more important and

meaningful than simply existing as a piece of writing. Communication genres are instrumental in

informing the world about what’s going on around them and linking the audience to whatever

news the genre has to offer. They perform a variety of important tasks, from reporting to

publicizing to updating and through those tasks inform readers and the public of the occurrences

and events that make life colorful.

Genres in communications have always been an

important medium for sharing information and

informing the public. Reporters, journalists, writers,

and analysts record the facts, details, and responses

surrounding the events that occur in daily life that

warrants a news story which is then circulated

throughout the public in newspapers, magazines,

reports, and popular articles. However, one major

problem with genres in communications is that they

are rarely connected to a greater purpose or

objective. Most pieces in communications are

simply a report and while this may be useful in

conveying information, there is no real outlet for the

public to get involved or view the piece in a larger

context once they’re informed. This issue primarily

concerns the authors who are responsible for

producing the articles, for it is their job to frame

their work in a more expansive scope, one that helps

the work become an impetus for further knowledge,

social action, or participation. The authors of these

communications genres should incorporate the

greater implications, effects, policy changes, or

simply even a conclusion of the event that lets the

public know the reach of the story and how that

news fits into a bigger picture. If the genre is sharing

information regarding an entertainment, social, or

political event, then that piece should also connect

the article to a cause outside the mere existence of

the article itself and include details or make

suggestions on how the public can participate. On

their own, communications genres fulfill a

meaningful purpose by informing the public and

keeping them posted on the goings-on that make up

the news of our daily lives. Though when connected

to a greater purpose or objective, those genres can

become instrumental in inspiring social action and

increasing public participation.

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I propose that genres in communications

should be correlated with a purpose more significant

than simply existing as a report. They should

explain the outcomes of the occurrence and what

effects they might have or, if the piece is written for

an event or form of entertainment, they should tell

the audience how they can become involved.

Communications genres shouldn’t just report the

information provided by an occurrence- they should

also follow up the report with additional information

about what changes or further action these

occurrences could have. Primary fodder for

communications genres are news that makes

headlines and feature articles; these include a variety

of things like war zone updates, international

relations, finances, politics, natural disasters, and

civic crimes like kidnapping. Now, while it is

necessary for the public to know about these

occurrences, what purpose does that serve other than

to arm them with knowledge (a worthy cause, but

with nothing to perpetuate it)? The problem is

solvable: the genres just have to incorporate why the

information is being shared (rather than merely

reporting the facts) and what, if any, ways in which

the public can respond or get involved.

Although this solution seems manageable,

there are a few points of opposition that must be

taken into account. Linking the genre to a greater

purpose might impose a sense of action or

contribution on the audience, who may or may not

be offended or bothered by the fact that they are

now being given the means to participate. Perhaps

they only want to read the article without feeling

obligated to react. Other issues include the

possibility of narrowing the rhetorical audience for

which the piece was intended or disinterest people

who usually scan over the news as opposed to

reading the extra content. The most important thing

to acknowledge about these problems is that they

might negatively affect the audience in a way that

causes the proposed change and new social action of

achieving audience participation to backfire. These

potential problems must be considered if the

solution to the problem is to be properly solved.

Despite the plausible hindrances, the solution

is feasible. The goal of connecting communications

genres to a greater purpose can be achieved by

simply including that greater purpose as part of the

article’s conclusion; chances are that purpose has

already been factored in as a motive while writing

the piece. It would require minimal extra research

and effort on the reporter’s part because the only

additional material would be the “after”- what

changes the news might cause, updates, and way for

the public to get involved. Nothing would be asked

of the readers, just additional information provided

that would allow the audience to know what greater

context the piece has and how it affects them. By

including content that explains the purpose of the

article in terms of something more important than

the article itself, the public would therefore know

the outcome of the report. Knowing the “after”

allows the public to react and participate, which is

necessary in giving communications genres their

significance and power to do more than simply

report.

In conclusion, my proposal is this: genres in

communications need to fulfill a greater social

action than merely informing the public. Given that

these genres already contain important information

about the events that affects our lives on a daily

basis, communications genres have the power to

influence social change and audience participation.

The have the power to invoke reactions and

responses, but only with the inclusion of what

affects the news will have on the public or in what

ways they can become participants. Although these

details might bother some readers because they

might feel wrongly prevailed upon to do something,

it’s essential for the genres in communications to be

connected to a greater purpose if they are to be

involved with any social action outside of their

existence as reports. It’s up to the readers to push for

this additional content; the audience has the power

in this argument because without the support of

readers, genres in communications would become

meaningless. Readers need to advocate for more

content in these genres- what happened after? What

does the situation look like now? Will this change

anything? How can I become a part of this? All of

these questions should be answered by reporters in a

conclusive “after” note that connects the piece to the

framework that surrounds daily life. Without that

connection, genres in communications will remain

reports and fail to inspire reactions, responses, and

participation from their readers.

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Conversations with a Professor and Graduate Student of Communications Studies That Shed Light on the Field

Summary: Revealing how communications genres were crafted and used in the real world.

Communications Studies professor Darrin Hicks has an extensive background regarding communications genres. He majored in Speech Communication and has done work for various academic departments, including Human Communication Studies, Debate and Forensics, Civic Ethics, and Sociology. He has taught an array of classes, some of which are Rhetoric and the Public Sphere, Critical Discourse Analysis, and Communication and Popular Culture. His considerable doctorate work, research, and experience made him an excellent resource for understanding the fundamentals of communications genres and the field in general.

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RD: So, Professor [Darrin] Hicks, what type of writing to you generally find in the communications field?

DH: Most of the writing we have deals with things like news and announcements, which makes sense because they directly involve some sort of dialogue between industry and the audience. As for the topics that are covered, these can include almost anything. So you have subjects like politics, international relations, public policy, local news, national news and the like, entertainment, sports, even the weather. Some of those are a bit shallow, yes, but I’m just trying to give you an idea of what can be considered sharable information.

RD: What types of mediums or forms are communications genres usually found in?

DH: The most common and probably the most familiar forms are print media, so mediums like the newspaper, magazines, journals, newsletters, flyers, and so on. Then you have digital media where you’ll find communications genres in online versions of print media, webinars, blogs, archives, and social media. The whole concept of technology really changes how we share and find information since it deviates from the traditional ink-and-paper format. With technology you can learn something almost instantly and it can be updated just as quickly. There’s also the possibility of the audience getting involved, you know like commenting on a post or joining a chat section or something. I think that’s great because it gives those genres a whole new level of importance.

RD: What features can be found in most communications genres?

DH: Well, you’ll usually see some kind of headline or simple summary of what the piece is going to be about. Sort of like a teaser for what’s to come, to alert the reader and call their attention to whatever important information is coming. Then there’s the body of the text which included a summary of the event or new, often with details like names, dates, and places to solidify the information a bit more. There are usually a few quotes thrown in to confirm the accuracy of the information and there might be a picture or graphic that supports the information.

RD: What do you think is the most important aspect of any communications genre?

DH: Tough question. I guess I’d have to say that the event itself is the most important thing. The occurrence, situation, happening, news, whatever you want to call it that sparks the whole thing. I think they call that the rhetorical situation, if I remember correctly. I like to look at it like a spiral: the event, or rhetorical situation, is in the middle and from there the spiral moves outward, where elements like discourse, or the content, audience, purpose for writing the piece, and final goal of that piece are added in. All of those parts then come together to create a genre, with the specifics of course varying depending on the information or specific topic being addressed.

RD: What should the “target audience” be when writing for communications?

DH: The author should keep in mind that this is a popular audience piece and should assume that many people will be reading it. Whether it’s an address, public policy statement, newspaper article, or press release, as you mentioned, the medium doesn’t really matter; the written work will reach a mass of people and thus should have mass appeal.

RD: When writing for such a large audience, what are some things an author should and should not do?

DH: An author should try to be fair and unbiased; while this might seem contrary to anything related to a rhetorical analysis, I simply mean that the author shouldn’t say anything too extreme in either direction. The piece needs to have mass appeal, so it needs to have an angle or direction that it’s going in, but that angle can’t be too sharp. The author should try to be concise and make his or her point, or thesis, clear from the beginning. It’s imperative to let your audience know what you will be discussing from the start, or else there isn’t a clear direction for the argument to go in from there.

RD: Technology is becoming an increasingly larger part of the communications field; how has this impacted the type of writing that you do and how your audience is reached?

DH: It’s certainly changed the way we do things now. Before the technology boom, the most common ways of reaching an audience were through newspapers and magazines, print material. Now, we use online mediums like web sites, blogs, online articles and versions of the print material to communicate. Obviously, a much larger number of people can be reached this way,

which can increase the support behind a topic or argument given the greater number of people that could be persuaded to agree with the author. We’ve also had to adapt the way we write to fit with these technological mediums; this means keeping the content more concise and using smaller paragraphs to make it more visually appealing.

RD: Can you describe the process that surrounds the publication of writing in your field? What steps does one typically take?

DH: Well, one usually starts by researching the topic or issue to gain a better understanding and gather hard evidence; one can’t write on opinion alone. Most of the time this involves primary resources, since those provide better evidence for building a case, more concrete. So after you have enough research to adequately support your argument, then you try to talk to a few people involved in the issue and try to get a quote from them. Statements from experts or people well-versed in the issue are highly valuable in rhetorical situations. You then write a manuscript or rough draft of the piece, which must be edited several times and checked for accuracy- you wouldn’t want to be published with an incorrect statement. The majority of these pieces are written by reporters, journalists, or writers and are intended for mass consumption but involve research, input, or commentary from experts in the field, maybe even an eyewitness or participant, too.

Summary: A peer’s perspective on writing in communications

Graduate student Mollie Braen is majoring in Communications Studies and minoring in Marketing. She first decided that she wanted to major in this field after working on her high school’s newspaper staff during her sophomore, junior, and senor years. She is currently interning at The Denver Post and wants to work as a magazine contributor or publicist after she graduates. Mollie’s foray into the communications field and her studies helped me understand communications genres from a relatable, accessible perspective that I think resonates with most other students on the path to learning about this field.

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RD: So Mollie, what types of writing have you had to do in your communications classes?

MB: Lots of rhetorical analysis! Basically, my professors want us to practice being persuasive and learn how to argue effectively. We’ve also done some popular audience pieces, which are supposed to help us learn how to write for large audiences.

RD: What does your professor want you to focus on when you write for his class?

MB: One thing that’s really been a focus is the relationship between the rhetor and the audience, like what the rhetor needs to say to appeal to their target audience and, in turn, what type of

audience will respond to what type of rhetor. Sort of like “who’s saying what” and “who’s going to be interesting in what that person has to say”.

RD: What’s your process for writing a piece for one of your communications classes?

MB: Well obviously understanding the topic is most important, like what you’re going to talk about, what your stance is on the topic, who you’re writing for, that sort of thing. Those are the basics. Once you figure that out, you need to think about what specific tactics you’re going to use to get your point across to the audience, things that relate to them. After that, you have to build your argument, usually using research or some kind of support that strengthens your argument.

RD: I was told that writing in communications revolves around the rhetorical situation. What do you think is the most important part?

MB: Oh I agree, I think the situation is the most important part. That situation is the cause for the genre in the first place. Without an event or something that happened, there would be no need for someone to react to it and share it with others. Communications is really about dialogue and action, sort of like an announcement. You need something to announce, which is the news that inspired the sharing of that information.

RD: What do you think is the most common type of writing done in the communications field? Can you give me a few examples of things that you see often?

MB: I think that press articles are the most common. I mean, open a newspaper or magazine and you’re guaranteed to find all kinds of news stories, updates, announcements, or some kind of press release in it. That goes for the online versions, too. Social media is becoming really popular too, so you’ll see a lot of posts on Twitter or on blogs or something that convey something to the public. Actually, I think more people check social media or online press to find the news and keep themselves updated.

RD: Do you thing that writing in the communications field has changed in any way due to technology? Is there anything to keep in mind given this new medium?

MB: Certainly, technology has changed a lot of things. Like now those articles can reach so many more people than print versions and they can be updated instantly, too. That means that whatever’s written has to be really on-point and relevant, otherwise people will go somewhere else to hear about it. The writing has to be more concise and reader-friendly, people don’t want to spend a lot of time reading a post or scrolling through an article. Oh, and people need to remember that they’re writing for a much bigger audience, so they need to make the piece interesting and appealing to engage all of those readers.

RD: If you were to choose one thing, one piece of advice to give to someone, that you think is essential to writing a successful communications piece, what would that be?

MB: Just one? I think I’m going to go details. That sounds kind of trivial, but when you’re telling someone about something, teaching them so to speak, you need to make sure that you have accurate information. Also, those details bring the piece to life by connecting it to actual people, dates, and places, rather than having it be some distant and ambiguous thing. Writers should use support and facts and create an angle for readers to get behind, some bit of resonance or connection that speaks to them. If people didn’t respond to communications genres in some way, the piece really has no power.

RD: What do you think is the most common method or medium of communicating nowadays?

MB: Probably anything online. I was going to say social media, but then I thought of my parents and how out of it they are with those things. There are still a lot of people, older people mostly, that don’t check Facebook, Twitter, blogs, whatever regularly so that leaves them out of the loop. I think most people use online press, like the online versions of newspapers and magazines, to read articles. It’s easy, more accessible than the print versions, and is more familiar to them than social media ways of getting information.

RD: Who are some of the major leaders in communications (that you know of)?

MB: The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, TIMES magazine, The New Yorker, Bloomberg, Newsweek, USA Today, The Huffington Post. Those guys have all been really popular in print and they all have web sites too, which goes with what I said earlier about online versions being more popular and accessible.

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Works Cited Miller, Carolyn R. “Genre as Social Action”. Quarterly Journal of Speech 70.2 (1984). Print.

Bitzer, Lloyd F. ‘The Rhetorical Situation’. Philosophy and Rhetoric 1 (1968). Print.

Morse, Jodi. “Should You Pursue a Degree in Communications Studies?” Yahoo Voices. Written August 18, 2008. Accessed May 21, 2013. voices.yahoo.com/should-pursue-degree-communication-studies-1813925.html.

Holbrooks, Glenn. “Jobs with a Communications Degree”. About.com. Written 2013. Accessed May 20, 2013. media.about.com/od/mediacareer/a/Jobs-With-A-Communications-Degree.htm

Davis, Jonita. “What is a Communications Writer?” Yahoo Voices. Written April 26, 2012. Accessed May 22, 2013. voices.yahoo.com/what-communications-writer-11254486.html?cat=31.