Genre Theory: An Overview

___Definitions of genre tend to be based on the notion that they constitute particular conventions of Content and/or Form which are shared by, and belonging to the texts studied. For the purposes of this project, the texts discussed are television programs so our definition of genre theory will be within the context of the television episode.

___Content is understood as themes or settings. The content of a particular television episode would be the issues or subject matter dealt with, temporal and geographical settings, and possibly an underlying message the episode may be attempting to convey. Form includes structure and style. The structure may be how the subject matter is presented and discussed while stylistic aspects are the technical features such as camera angles, lighting and other uses of special effects. No one characterization is sufficient to classify a text within a genre as the theory postulates classification is a compilation of several defining aspects, no one more important than the next. Contrary to popular belief, subject matter is not the strongest criterion for generic grouping as it fails to take into account how the subject discussed is being treated; that is to say it disregards form.

___In general, genre labels are commonly defined by the author with little regard to the validity of their position; not everyone treats the classification of genres as a theoretical debate. This causes for ambiguity in definition. It is difficult to make clear cut distinctions between one genre and another because genres overlap and can appear as mixed (such as the horror-mystery).

___There may always be ambiguity when it comes to defining genres. When treated semiotically, a genre can be seen as a shared code between the producers and interpreters of texts included within it. This suggests that communication is impossible without the agreed codes of genre. Within genres, texts embody authoritative attempts to position readers. Genre constrains the possible ways in which a text is interpreted, guiding readers of a text towards a preferred reading which is normally in accordance with the dominant ideology. More often than not, the dominant ideology is replaced by personal or public opinion.

___Defining genre theory is unquestionably problematic, however there are common elements that authors note of key textual features within genres in the context of film and television. These distinctive textual properties include:

Narrative - similar plots (sometimes formulaic) and structures, predictable situations, sequences, episodes, obstacles, conflicts and resolutions;

Characterization - similar types of characters (sometimes stereotypes), roles, personal qualities, motivations, goals, behaviour;

Basic Themes - topics, subject matter (social, cultural, psychological, professional, political, sexual, moral), values;

Setting - geographical and historical;

Iconography - echoing the narrative, characterization, themes and setting. Also, familiar patterns of dialogue, characteristic music and sounds, and appropriate physical topography;

Filming techniques - stylistic or formal conventions of camerawork, lighting, sound-recording, use of colour, editing etc.

___Thus, we can assume how genre theory appears as a set of formulaic conventions that may be embedded too deep within ambiguity to ever have a clear definition, but simultaneously share characteristics common with different texts. Far from offering a concise definition of genre theory, we hope to have shown that although a singular definition may not exist, there is a general scheme to which authors' interpretation and understanding must not differ so that a text may still resemble the genre classification it is to represent.

 

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Mark Rinella

We would like to thank The University of Wales, Aberytwyth for their assitance in the above definition of Genre Theory.