Each Genre Has a Defining Style That Is Discernable

The Appendix and its importance in showing how genre is discernable are stressed. Ted Underwood’s work in determining the genre of a text is highlighted. DocuScope’s role in genre studies is gone over in more detail. Coh-Metrix and the use of the Thisted-Efron tests are discussed. The problem of computer-generated texts in the identification of genre is introduced. Many studies using a variety of techniques to identify genres are put forth. Other studies that met with problems in identifying genres are given to give as balanced a picture as possible. The use of stage props to identify genre is mentioned. A study that used experienced linguists to discern genre is discussed. Several studies that give examples of genre differences in the same author – both in the author’s oeuvre and in an author’s individual text – are explicated. The importance of the construction of the corpora is considered. The family concept of genres is further discussed. The stunningly powerful illustration of Rybicki’s separation of Moliére’s prose and versa dramas with the mixed prose and verse dramas in the middle is displayed. A short discussion about the idea that genre cannot be categorized is given.