Chapter 2 of The Bedford Book of Genres elaborated on the topic “Narrative Genres,” exploring the concept from different levels of analysis---purpose, audience, rhetorical situation, rhetorical appeals, style, design, and sources. Before I read the chapter, I figured I was an expert in regards to narrative genres, but I was mistaken. I used to associate narratives strictly with stories.
I was surprised to discover, through reading, that an obituary is a narrative genre as well. I’ve read a plethora of obituaries and never once noticed that they too tell a story, not the typical “story,” but a story nonetheless.
Which leads to my next point—narrative genres aren’t confined to many boundaries or restrictions. Of course, to be a considered a narrative, a composition must “tell a story,” but that’s about it. It’s no strict rules on how you must the tell the story, what format you must incorporate, or etc. Narrative genres can be fun, they can be serious, they can be sad; they’re just supposed to cause the audience to feel something, feel emotion, whether it be a subtle emotion or an overwhelming one.
Mat reviewed in class what makes a good story, yet he also made sure to emphasize the personal aspect involved in it— in making the story you, especially in a personal narrative.
So what did I get out of Chapter 2 of The Bedford Books of Genres, along with our class discussion on “What makes a good story”? I got out of it that, YOU, your experience, your emotion, and how you choose to compose your story makes a narrative, and a good one at that.
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