Genre Analysis Exercise for E-Portolio Project

As Price and Price explain, a genre is a

familiar pattern, a way of organizing information that has become so common that readers will probably recognize each new instance as belonging to a genre, such as a catalog, a romance novel, or a FAQ. (p. 272)

Price and Price continue with:

visitors generally prefer that you write in a recognizable form, because as soon as they spot the genre, they can anticipate the information you'll be providing, the basic structure, and the point of view you will probably adopt. . . . Basically, a genre makes a promise to the user, and as you write, you have to fulfill that contract. (pp. 272-273)

Price and Price's discussion of genre begs the question: what are the "promises" writers should keep when designing an online or "e" portfolio? What are the generic conventions of e-portfolios?

For this assignment, write a 500-750 word analysis of the e-portfolio genre.

1. Go to Google's directory of resumes and portfolios listed by industry and find 3-4 portfolios from several different industries. Remember that portfolios are collections of documents and evidence of a person's relevant skills and experience, so don't pick sites that are just resumes.
   
   
2. Next, review the examples according to the distinguishing features of genres outlined by Price and Price on p. 273 and discussed throughout ch. 11:
   
   
   1. What is the point of the genre? (What purpose or need does it address?)
   2. How is it organized? (What is the conventional structure of the genre?)
   3. What is the right style? (What is appropriate tone, language, etc.?)
   4. Who am I in this context? (What role(s) is the writer expected to play?)
      
      
3. Write up your analysis, with a section/heading for each of the four features discussed by Price and Price in ch. 11.
   • Pay attention to similarities and differences between the 3-4 samples you analyze. What features are shared by the samples you chose? How are they different and how do you account for this difference? Which samples seem to more effectively address/approximate the genre? Which don't? Why?
   • Provide specific examples to illustrate your analysis. Simply saying that the purpose of all the portfolios is "to get a job" is not enough. Consider the needs, for example, of the readers of the various portfolios you examine. Are there any differences by industry, for example?
   • When you consider the style of page (item #3 discussed by P&P) also include an evaluation of each sample's visual/graphic design as well.
     
     
4. At the end, include a source list of the sample sites you visited. Include information about the industry and the site URLs.
   
   
5. Be sure to bring a print copy to class next week to submit to Dr. J. (Your final e-portfolio must include a link to this analysis as well.)