Mode and Genre

“Mode” refers to the way in which language is used in a text. It ranges from spoken to written language and, increasingly, to multimodal texts which combine both.
It is also important to understand different types of mode, such as synchronous (happening in real-time, e.g. face-to-face conversation) and asynchronous (not happening in real-time, e.g. emails or letters).
The ‘genre’ of a text is essentially its category or type - for example, poetry, fiction, newspaper articles, and so on. This is influenced by factors such as content, form and audience.
Genre conventions are the accepted rules or norms associated with different types of text. For example, a romantic letter may use warm and emotional language, while a news report would maintain a formal and objective tone.
Both mode and genre can significantly impact how a message is conveyed and received. Understanding these can provide valuable insights when analysing texts of all sorts.
It is integral to recognise that both mode and genre can blend together. Consider an online news article (mode) which falls under the genre of journalism. It can include elements from other modes or genres, such as embedded video clips or personal blog-style commentary.
Both mode and genre are shaped by and interact with context. This relates to factors such as when and where the text was produced, who produced it, who the intended readership or audience is and what the purpose or function of the text is.
Fluent comprehension of mode and genre provides vital tools for text analysis, aiding understanding of why certain language choices have been made and how these impact the reader or listener.
Always consider the impact of a change in mode or genre on the given text. For instance, how would a formal written report read if it were transformed into a casual spoken conversation?