Sam DiGiovanni Professor Wolcott ENC 1102 2013 September 19th Genre If you were to ask someone to explain

what genre means they would give a traditional definition of saying that it is when one categorizes a subject into a category where they have attributes that are similar to each other. To be honest a couple of weeks ago I would have given you the same exact explanation on what genre is until I read Devitts article on genre. Devitt claimed, The common understanding of genre is a relatively trivial concept, a classification system deriving from literacy criticism that names types of texts according to their forms. (Deviit 574). I do agree with her that this is the basic understanding of what genre is because thats how I always established the different types of movies and music. I do not agree with her when she states that this common conception is destructive where it conflicts with an individuals understanding of how writing and reading works (Devitt 574). The reason being is because everyone has a different view on reading and writing and how they comprehend it; this could be shown by when Devitt said the common form of genre is set up in a categorized filing system, which is a form of learning some people prefer to help understand text. My definition of genre now is the idea of a discourse community giving discipline and focus to the study of the unities of language and society. (Devitt 542). This definition shows me that genre is shown within a specific discourse community and how they communicate between themselves through their own language and their role in

participating society. In this analysis the discourse community I chose is a Veterinarian Hospital and the three genres I observed are animal hospital boarding sheets from different hospitals. Appendix A When looking at this sheet the first thing one would notice is the bold lettering everywhere and all the little circles that cover the sheet. This format can be a bit intimidating because its a single sheet with a lot of small text with little blank lines for one to fill out and little circles to be checked off. The beginning of the boarding sheet starts off with a list of bullet points that explain what the requirements for an animal to board there are and what will be carried out while the dog is in boarding. The animal boarding sheet for this hospital shows participation by the Veterinarian because if the animal hasnt had the required vaccinations the Doctor will look at this sheet and see which ones the animal will need prior before being brought to the kennel to board. The vet techs participate with this sheet by handling a issue with the animal before the Doctor does because sometimes they may be to busy to handle the situation. The receptionists are in charge of distributing this form to the owner to fill out and to make sure to file it within the animals chart. The owner participates within this discourse community by communicating with the kennel techs that take care of the animals in boarding by giving the information needed to take care of that animal while in boarding. For example the owner has the chance to put their dog in an indoor run or an outside run depending on how much theyre willing to pay (bestfriendvets.com) which shows communication to the kennel tech in where to place them. Even the groomer participates in this boarding sheet because it has if the owner wants their animal to be groomed and when the groomer

needs to be done with the appointment. Any one is able to obtain this boarding sheet because I found this on Google and no body is restricted from reading it because its simple, but doesnt look appealing. Appendix B This boarding cage card is a lot simpler than appendix A because all it is, is a chart. This cage card is for the kennel tech to fill out instead of the owner this time. The kennel tech fills out the certain subject box either with their signature or by writing yes or no in the box to show if the animal did what they were suppose to for example if they were feed, if they ate, if they went out for their walks, etc. (vetrimark.com). The veterinarian and the vet techs also participate by using this cage card because if the animal hasnt eaten or has abnormal stool the kennel tech will tell the vet or their tech about it and they rely back on this cage card to see the animals behavior lately. This shows more communication between the hospital staff and shows the language between them with the charts and how they are filled out. With these cage cards you normally see many abbreviations for things such as TID meaning three times a day or like ROA meaning right ear only. The receptionist and owners also can participate with this cage card because what happens often is an owner will call checking up on how their animal is doing in boarding so the receptionist may look at this card to help explain things to the owner over the phone. Anyone can obtain this boarding cage card because in many hospitals they are similar looking and can find these online easily. The only restrictions this card has on people is if they dont know how to read charts and many people that are not affiliated within this discourse community may not understand the hospital abbreviations and how the staff communicate between each other.

Appendix C This dog boarding form is something that I was used to using when I worked in an animal hospital. The structure of this boarding form is separated by colored headings and subheadings. This form is for the kennel tech to fill out when the animal comes back to boarding, but prior to the animals chart coming back to the boarding the owner has to fill out all the information such as the animals medications, feeding information, playtime, etc. (freeprintablemedicalforms.com). This gives the kennel tech all the information they need to have to take care of animal. The receptionists are in charge of giving the owner this form and filing it in to the animals chart for the hospital boarding to have. The veterinarian and the vet techs are also involved with this chart because if the animal is having any issues the vet or tech relies on going back to look at the animals behavior over the past few days. With this form the hospital staff can use abbreviations just like in Appendix B where the hospital communicates in that way to understand certain procedures. Anyone can obtain this form from the Internet or even from the hospital itself. This dog boarding form is a common form hospitals use and is simple to read so no one is restricted from reading it unless they dont understand charts. Conclusion Looking at all three of these boarding forms they are similar and different, but in the end they have the same purpose within the Veterinarian Hospital. Without all the people who participate by filling out or viewing these forms the boarding sheet wouldnt be able to be used properly. Genre is just more than categorizing a subject into something with similar attributes, but it shows the language and who participates within a discourse community. In the discourse community of a Veterinarian Hospital the staff

communicates with other employees by having certain hospital abbreviations for specific procedures and having their own language through out an animals chart that they have learned and what they only understand which separates them from other hospitals and civilian workers. Without the owners being involved within this discourse community there would be no first step to take because they are the ones to bring in their animals for boarding, check ups, vaccinations, appointments, euthanasia and more.

Citations Appendix A

http://www.bestfriendvets.com/Boarding%20Agreement.pdf Appendix B

http://www.vetrimark.com/Treatment-Card-image.pjpeg Appendix C

http://cdn.freeprintablemedicalforms.com/samples/Dog_Boarding_Form.png Devitt, A.J.,(1993). Generalizing about Genre: New Conceptions of an Old Concept. College Composition and Communication, Vol. 44 (4) pp.575-584 Devitt, Amy J., Anis Bawarshi, and Mary Jo Reiff. "Materiality and Genre in the Study of Discourse Communities." 65.5 (2003): 541-557. Web. 7 Sept. 2013.

Appendix A Best Friend Veterinary Hospital Boarding Agreement

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All pet kennels are cleaned and their bedding changed daily. They are let out 3 times daily. We are not responsible for any bedding, toys, bowls, or leashes left during boarding. We provide Science Diet Sensitive Stomach food for dogs and cats while boarding. If you bring your own pet food it needs to be in pre-portioned individually labeled Ziploc bags. To ensure your pets health and safety ALL PETS MUST BE CURRENT ON VACCINES! If your pet has had vaccines at another clinic you must show proof before they can be boarded. Vaccines required for boarding are: Dogs- Dhpp, Rabies, Bordetella, and Canine Influenza. Cats- Fvrcp, and Rabies. We have a flea-free boarding facility. If any fleas or ticks are found on a pet while boarding, they will be treated with flea/tick prevention for an additional fee. Boarding rates are based on the number of days your pet stays with us. All pets must be picked up by 1:00 P.M. to avoid charges for that day. If your pet is bathed or groomed please pick up after 2:00 P.M. to ensure your pet is finished with their bath/groom. You will not be charged for boarding on the final day if your pet is getting a bath or groom. If your pet is on medication it needs to be in its

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original labeled prescription bottle. There is a $3 per day medications dispensed fee for giving medications while boarding. Pet Name: _______________________ Owner Name: ________________________ Drop off date: _____________________ Pick up date: _________________________ FEEDING: Kennel Food Own Food Once daily Twice daily KENNEL: Indoor Run $18 Indoor/Outdoor Run $22 Cage/Cat Room $16 Bath Groom (cut) PICK UP PET AFTER 2:00 PM IF BATHED OR GROOMED! Groom (cut) description: ________________________________________________ Extra Playtime daily $5 YES NO Kennel tech will take pet out for individual TLC Is your pet on medications? YES NO List: _____________________________ Please indicate which treatment option you approve of incase of illness: I approve ANY treatment a Doctor deems necessary for my pet while boarding. Before providing treatment for my pet, contact me for approval. Contact phone #_____________________________
Must provide contact #. Do not leave blank. In case of a life threatening emergency, I authorize Best Friend Vet Hospital to provide any care needed and understand that I am financially responsible. I also understand the above policies, and agree that if my pet has been vaccinated at another clinic and I do not provide proof of vaccines before arriving; my pet will be vaccinated at my expense by Best Friend Vet Hospital.

Owner Signature __________________________________________

Appendix B

Appendix C