In thinking about the idea of genres, genre sets, and genre ecosystems, I’d argue that the radio essay is perhaps more mysterious as a genre than some of the more typical, written-style genres out there. Take the doctor’s form used in Bickmore’s article – the fact that it usually asks uniform, consistent questions, and acts as a record for the patient as well as a legal document. Even essays have standardized headings, the typical five-sentence paragraphs, introductions, hooks, conclusions, etc… When we can comment on the merits of these essays, we usually approve of specificity. This concrete example here, or a cited statistic there. Even journalistic genres have very specific rules – the who, what, when, where, and how, for instance. Yet, with the radio essay, it always seemed quite a challenge to nail down the specifics of the genre system. You have the story, the “trouble”, perhaps some music cues, maybe some sound effects if you want. But it’s not required. Even when d...
Hi Kelli,
ReplyDeleteI think this has a lot of potential, but you might flesh out the idea a bit more. In general, of course, our identities are, as you note, often shaped by where our ancestors came from. But of the many influences, what are some that most interest you? Which seem particularly troublesome, or raise interesting questions? And what's your stake in this? Do you find that your own ethnic or cultural background is something that appears on your radar from time to time? If so, how? Why do you find interesting about it when it does? One of the things that I find particularly relevant about the general topic is that we are a nation of immigrants, as is often noted, and that idea is increasingly complicated these days. Do you see an angle there?
I really like this idea! It's something we actually hear more than we think, someone doing something because of where their ancestors were from. I think you could find some really good evidence and interviews towards this topic.
ReplyDeleteInteresting idea, Kelli. I think this would take you down a path of not only finding out a lot about how people identify based on these things that they are often times several generations removed from but I think you would also find some interesting things on the side of people that don't have much knowledge of a clear background.
ReplyDeleteThis seems like a good start, but how are you going to interject yourself into the story? What, as BB's post states, is your personal investment into this story?
ReplyDeleteDo you think much about your cultural heritage? Is it something that is important to you, or--like in Dante's pitch--is it rather the absence of tradition that has made you curious about where people come from?
I'm curious how much ancestral knowledge survives in the digital age, as I couldn't even tell you my great grandparents names let alone my family history. However, this may just be unique to me, though I still think that family title don't carry the same weight they used to.
ReplyDelete