Writing Homework Help

This is a research essay in which you will collect language use online (to be attached at the end of the
paper as an appendix) and analyze its functions and the properties of the genre. This paper will explore
a data set consisting of 10-30 examples of a genre of CMC.

Definitions:

A mode of computer-mediated communication, for the purposes of this assignment, is one type of
communication. Examples of modes include SMS/texting, Twitter, e-mail, Facebook posts, Instagram
posts, blogs, instant messaging, chatrooms, web forums, etc.

A genre of computer-mediated communication is more specific than a mode. Androutsopoulos (2006:
421) writes:

Rather than identifying e-mail, chat or weblogs as new genres per se, the question is how
these communications technologies are locally appropriated to enact a variety of discourse
genres. Characteristic features of ‘the language of CMC’ are now understood as resources that
particular (groups of) users might draw on in the construction of discourse styles in particular
contexts.

The idea of genre for this paper will be understood as a ‘discourse style in a particular context’. For this reason, the data that you collect should not only be from the same mode of CMC, but have other things
in common, like context, audience, purpose, etc.

Assignment:

In this paper, you will establish and characterize some genre of computer-mediated communication,
drawing on Susan Herring’s article and at least three other academic articles or book chapters dealing
with the chosen mode of computer-mediated communication. I suggest using Google Scholar and other resources.

Your essay will consist of:

• * an introduction providing some background information and a thesis that argues for the
  existence of this genre,
  
• * a paragraph outlining the history of your chosen mode, where you will discuss previous
  literature that discusses this mode.
  
• * 3-5 paragraphs discussing in detail, using examples from your data set, what the properties of
  this genre are in terms of its function, its purpose, and its context. Think about why this genre
  exists, what its function is for the writers and the audience, and where it appears and why.
• * 1-2 paragraphs of discussion about why this genre is of interest from a research perspective and
  providing a conclusion summarizing your argument.
  1. Format: The paper should be 5-7 pages long (not including references or the full data set attached as an
     appendix). Times or Times New Roman font, double-spaced, with margins no larger than 1”.

  References and citations: All quoted and paraphrased material must be properly identified both in the
  text of the essay, e.g. “Quote” (Author: page) and in the References/Works Cited list at the end. MLA
  or APA format is fine. Plagiarism (using other author’s words or ideas without citing them properly)
  will not be tolerated, and papers found to include plagiarism at the draft stage will lose the 20% draft
  grade; papers found to include plagiarism in the final submission will receive a zero. Please contact me
  if you have questions about what constitutes plagiarism.