Mara Greenwald

Matt Wilson
Writing 2
October 14, 2015
WP1
Conventions of Genre: Poetry and Speeches
The Unites States presents itself as a nation that continually strives to
uphold its fundamental ideals of justice and equality. Textbooks may tell us
the radical age of racial violence and segregation ended in the mid to late
20th century, but racial inequality is still an ever-present demon in American
society. Social issues and opportunities that foster upward mobility present
themselves differently to groups of citizens dependent on race.
Racial inequality is an issue that has found its way into multiple genres
of writing where authors can express thoughts, opinions, and political
stances on this emotionally charged issue. Frequently, speechwriters and
poets use their respective genres to engage the public in a discourse about
race and inequality. While poetry approaches the topic in an artistic and
interpretive fashion, speeches are quite literal and straightforward. Each
genre is completely different, yet they effectively express each authors
intended thoughts. While speechwriters invoke formal tones and structure to
clearly convey opinions, poets write to their audience in an unstructured and
artistic format. Despite the varying conventions, each genre effectively
addresses its audience by appealing to what the readers expect and desire
from their authors.

In 2008, then-Senator Barack Obama addressed an audience in

Philadelphia on the issue of racial inequality in America. His speech was
formal, structured, and included just about every literary technique one
could use. Speeches are written by authors to persuade their readers into
accepting their own beliefs. Often authors play to their readers emotions as
a means of effective persuasion. In this case, Obama chose to include
personal anecdotes that allow the reader to better empathize with him. He
wrote, I have brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, uncles and cousins, of
every race and every hue, scattered across three continents, and for as long
as I live, I will never forget the in no other country on Earth is my story even
possible (Obama). This personal information strikes away at a barrier that
separates the reader and the speechwriter allowing for a more personal
connection. Generally, the use of relatable personal stories leaves readers
with what one might colloquially call a good vibe, because personable and
humanizing connections form.
Formal tone effectively conveys a speechwriters knowledge,
seriousness, and competence. Obamas speech was formal and clear. The
formality of this speech created an understanding between the reader and
the writer that the information being communicated is both genuine and
important. A more casual tone would cause the readers to question the
seriousness of the writer.
The readers of a speech approach a text with a preconceived idea of
what a speech should look like. They are to be generally formal, they are to

state facts and figures, and they are to be understandable. Obamas speech
encompasses all of those facets of a standard speech that ultimately leave
the readers with a clear understanding of his opinions and plans.
While readers of speeches look for formality, clarity, and structure,
those who read poems have to look much deeper into the literal text of a
poem to find its ultimate meaning. Langston Hughes chose to write about
racial inequality and discrimination through the genre of poetry as a means
of conveying sincere and raw emotions of black slaves under the rule of
white owners. Poetry as a genre is intended to be aesthetically pleasing to
both the eye, and the ear. While poetry is an art form without concrete rules
for structure and format, generally poems consist of multiple stanzas that are
formed by short lines.
Poetry is a more interpretive and open-ended genre than most. Poets
write using specific conventions and invoking certain rhetorical devices that
leave the reader needing to critically analyze portions of the text. Poets
invoke the use of metaphor, simile, symbolism, and other techniques to
create a sort of texture in their writing. This allows each reader to
understand and experience each poem in a different way. Hughes uses
stylistic elements of symbolism and ambiguity when he writes,
Tomorrow,/Ill be at the table/ When company comes (8-9). The symbolism
of the table is used to express the understanding of status one has when
allowed to sit at the dining room table, and his current inability to do so
because of his skin color.

Many poems are used to convey the feelings and emotions of one
social group to outsiders. Poetry is an emotional and unique writing style
where the reader can essentially be transported into the mind of the author
through text. Hughes uses rhetoric to communicate a sense of invisibility and
oppression he feels as a black man. He mentions how he is, The darker
brother (2) which leads the audience to understand that he is speaking as a
black man under the rule of white men. He portrays himself as a member of
the family who is treated poorly based on skin color. His explanations are not
literal, but instead are more ambiguous statements about emotions and
personal thoughts. Thus, he is expressing the feelings of black slaves
through his poetry in a way that white readers will be able to better
understand.
While poetry is rarely literal and simple to understand at first glance,
that is not to say that poets do not wish for their intentions to be widely
heard. Poetry is a genre that requires deep thought and takes time to
comprehend. Speeches may be more accessible to the general public, but
poetry can create more intimate, emotional connections between authors
and readers because of its aesthetic appeal and thought provoking nature.
Readers of poetry do not expect to be blatantly given the meaning
behind poems. Form and structure does not matter in the realm of poetry.
Rather, the most important thing to both the author and the readers is the
relationship between aesthetic beauty of the text and the underlying
concept. While poetry is enjoyed by anyone who wishes to explore the genre,

it takes somewhat of an artistic and wise mind to thoroughly unravel the

complexities of poetry.
Poems and speeches are genres of expression that easily facilitate the
communication of influential and emotional ideas about race and racial
inequality. Speeches are literal forms of expression that clearly state opinions
and ideas. Clarity, tone, and structure are important conventions that are
generally universal among speeches. Poetry is aesthetically pleasing and
free of generalized form. Ambiguity and room for interpretive freedom is
common in poetry. As explained through the topic of racial inequality,
speeches and poetry are genres that oppose each other stylistically, but can
ultimately convey the same messages.