QRGs: the Genre

QRGs: the Genre

In this post I will be discussing Quick Reference Guides which are a type of online article. QRGs provide information and their opinions to their targeted audience about and issue. Typically, the issues are widespread and currently. The ones we have studied so far in class tend to be about social issues or celebrities. They could also cover many controversies in health, fitness, politics, or a special gathering. The controversy is explored through the author's opinions and context information on the issue either biased or unbiased.

What do the conventions of this genre - the Quick Reference Guide - seem to be? [Remember, convention in this context meaning “a custom or a way of acting or doing things that is widely accepted and followed”] How are those conventions defined by the author’s formatting and design choices?

QRGs are similarly formatted to newspaper articles. Therefore, they need to be concise and eligible for the reader to read easily and smoothly. The author should utilize the space in an effective matter that will not make the reader feel as if there are many words just thrown on a page. From my experience, I have learned that it is best to begin the QRGs with some sort of lead or introduction so that the reader is aware of what they are about to read.

In addition, headings are useful conventions because the help guide the reader. Headings separate the text which allows the reader to gather information that they could be specifically looking for based on a heading. Also, headings are an effective way to use space in the QRG because they break up the text and decrease any feelings of overwhelming felt by the reader due to the huge cluster of words

Lastly, hyperlinking is a very important convention because it is a form of citing and crediting other sources of information. It is beneficial to the reader because they can explore any given topic further if it is hyperlinked. This gives the reader a sense of knowledge because they are able to explore something they do not understand instead of continuing to read the QRG without any idea of what a topic or word important to the text perhaps even means.

Foxy Dingo. "Bakura-Opinions-Motivational Poster." 07/21/12 via Deviant Art. 
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

What does the purpose of these QRGs seem to be?

QRGs's purpose are to inform and persuade the general public to believe that the author's opinion is valid. They also utilize a method of informing that is more informal and appealing to the general public because they are very opinionated yet explanatory and informational. It is best to approach them by not focusing too heavily on the opinions of the author, but to analyze the information that is provided and create your own standpoint on the controversy.

Who is the intended audience for these different QRGs? Are they all intended for similar audiences? Or different? How & why?

The intended audience for all of the general public. They have the same audience because they all are issues that many run-of-the-mill person will follow. For instance, the tone across all of these articles is informal with a slight story-telling sense to them. I feel as if these tones appeal to the commoner because it is casual and not formal. Even though e-cigarettes, Gamergate, Greece's economic crisis, Sochi's Opening Ceremony, and Bernie Sanders are different topics of interest they still appeal similarly to the general public. These QRG's all give way to information and opinions of the authors which creates a sense that they are all intended for the same audience. 

How do the QRGs use imagery or visuals? Why do you think they use them in this way?

QRGs use imagery or visuals in order to convey sympathy for the topic. For example, Gamergate's article has a picture of an innocent looking women who has received death threats and has leaked nudes. This woman does not appear to be deserving any of this cruel treatment because she does not look like any threat. In other words, images are supposed to create some for of emotion or passion in the audience about the topic in order for them to choose the same side that the article preaches.

Reflection

Firstly, Lia Ossanna's post taught me that we essentially believe that these important conventions are the same. However, she is very elaborate, which I like; I got a better sense and understanding than I had before. Secondly, Jovanka Potkonjak's post taught me that it is possible to be concise and still get the message across! It was very refreshing for me to read because I feel like I always over explain things. She was able to state and explain the conventions without overdoing it. Thirdly, Olivia Wann's post taught me that our own sources tend to seep through on how we feel about QRGs. I think she also is studying nutrition, so her topic could have a heavy science load as does mine. Overall, everyone's QRG's taught me that these conventions are all very important in writing a QRG.