PB1B

PB1B: Inspecting Genre Generators

#1 SCIgen

pdos.csail.mit.edu/scigen

This website allows you to create a random research paper based of computer science data. However, the information in the paper is not meant to be accurate or even coherent, for that matter, because it is supposed to simulate the format of a research paper rather than provide accurate material. Each paper is constructed into several parts, usually 1-6, which includes an introduction, experiments, observations, and a conclusion. The generator even provides “References” section as works cited. Some other conventions include graphs and figures to represent data that resulted from whatever experiment was conducted. Additionally, each paper has in text citations from outside, “scholarly” books, journals, etc. If you just scan the text it seems legit because the generator uses words that are relatable to the sciences. Yet again, the information presented is not really credible and might not reference real people in the field of that study. But the generator does a good job at showing us what a computer science research paper should thoroughly look/sound like.

#2 Comic Strips

pandyland.net/random

Well this website brought one term to mind….wtf. Pandyland is a comic generator that allows you to create a new scene with the click of a button. I say “wtf” because each time I clicked the generate button I read a comic strip that was either violent, crude, or uncomfortably sexual or all of the above. Each scenario is between two males, one with brown hair and the other is blonde. There are several conventions that makes all of these a comic. First, the characters are drawn/illustrated. Secondly, there are 3 individual boxes that separate each scene from the last that you read from left to right. In each of these boxes, there is a text bubble that indicates which character is speaking which is an element that is iconic in comic strips. Thirdly, it plays on humor, or is supposed to. At least this website gives you an idea of the elements that make up a comic strip. Although one does not necessarily have to use the same topics as the one on this website.

#3 Memes

memegenerator.net

This website allows you to create your very own “meme.” A meme is a picture of a person or cartoon with witty text written on top that circulates around the internet. Usually, a popular image is reused over and over again with different sayings that apply to the picture. Memes have generated our society in recent years, especially among the younger generation. Memes are a specific genre because they use a specific lettering that is capitalized and has white with black outlined letters. Some of the more popular memes on this website include Kermit the Frog and Fry from Futurama. You know that you’re looking at a meme if it has these characteristics. But you can make a meme with any picture that you want really, as long as it has a saying on top of it. They are a simple concept to grasp and only take a few words to get the point across and to create humor.

Bonus

Another generator that I thought of was easybib.com that allows you to generate bibliographies. A bibliography is a compilation of citations that is included at the end of essays that require outside sources. Easybib gives you the option of MLA, APA, and Chicago formatting from books, websites, and journals etc. All you have to do is enter the title of a book, for example, and the website automatically cites it for you at the click of a button. You don’t even have to enter the author or any information at all because Easybib pulls the information from the internet.

Carroll, Lewis, and Josette Frank. Alice in Wonderland. New York: Random House, 1955.    Print.

These websites allow us to better understand genre because they provide examples. Although each individual example may differ from the previous one, they all include the same elements and conventions that make it easy to identify the genre.