Contextualization

We are surrounded by texts, whether in the form of books or newspaper articles, blog posts, instant messages, tweets, among others. These texts are not just pieces of paper or words on a screen; they are examples of the current genres that permeate our daily lives. But what is a 'current genre'? How does it differ from more traditional genres? And why is it important to study them? Let's find out.

Genres have evolved over time as technology has advanced and communication styles have changed. Current genres are widely used modes of communication in modern society, many of which are heavily mediated by technology. This includes digital genres such as blogs, instant messages, tweets, among others. They are characterized by new forms of writing, including word abbreviation, words with a combination of letters and numbers, pictograms, graphic symbols, and much more.

Studying these current genres is essential to understand how we communicate in today's world. They reflect how language and communication adapt and evolve over time to meet the needs of a constantly changing society. Furthermore, knowledge of these genres can help us develop more effective communication skills, allowing us to participate more effectively in various spheres of our daily lives.

Understanding and mastering current genres is an essential skill for all of us. They are a vital part of how we communicate in our personal, professional, and academic lives. In an increasingly digital world, the ability to navigate effectively through these genres will only become more important.

For this project, I invite you to immerse yourselves in this fascinating world of current genres. Use reliable online resources to deepen your understanding of the topic. I recommend the article from the Electronic Journal of Linguistics (RELIN) titled 'Digital Genres: characterization and teaching' (available here) and the TEDx Talks video 'Textual genres and the digital age' (available here) as starting points for your exploration.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: Exploring and Creating Current Genres

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to understand and explore current genres, recognizing and producing examples of these genres. Students will work in groups of 3 to 5 students, and the project will take between two to four hours to complete.

Detailed Project Description

In this project, each group of students will select three current genres to study. These may include, but are not limited to, blogs, instant messages, tweets, memes, social media posts, etc. After selecting the genres, students will research them, followed by creating their own examples of these genres. Finally, each group will present their findings and creations in a written report.

Required Materials

• Computer with internet access
• Text editing software (Microsoft Word, Google Docs, etc.)
• Image creation software (Canva, Adobe Photoshop, etc.) (optional)

Detailed Step-by-Step Guide for Activity Execution

1. Genre Selection: Each group will select three current genres to study. Conduct initial research to understand the characteristics and uses of these genres.

2. Research: The group will deepen their study of the selected genres. Use reliable sources to understand the characteristics, rules, and uses of the chosen genres. You can use the recommended article from the Electronic Journal of Linguistics and the TEDx Talks video as a starting point.

3. Creation: Each group will create examples of the chosen genres. Use text editing software for genres that are predominantly textual (such as blogs, tweets, etc.) and image creation software for genres that require images (such as memes).

4. Written Report: Each group will create a report documenting their research and creation process. The report should include an introduction, a detailed description of the selected genres (including their characteristics, rules, and uses), the examples created by the students, and a conclusion. It is recommended that the report be between 5 to 7 pages.

Project Deliverables

At the end of the project, each group of students must deliver:

1. Created Examples: The examples of current genres created by the group. These should be attached to the report.

2. Written Report: The report should follow the suggested report structure above, presenting a clear understanding of the selected genres and the examples created. The report should be written clearly and concisely, with a detailed discussion of each of the selected genres.

When writing the report, students should focus on explaining their understandings and findings in a way that is accessible to a reader who may not be familiar with current genres. This will help develop their communication skills, allowing them to express complex ideas clearly and understandably.