10 on 1

 Reading Lisa Bickmore’s “Genre in the Wild” changed how I see the routines in my own life. She says genres aren't just “types of writing”—they’re patterns of communication shaped by the situations we’re in. Think about it like this: if you play football or go to church, you’re already swimming in rhetorical ecosystems without realizing it.

Take this one line:

“Genres are not standalone entities but are shaped by recurring situations and contexts.”

I didn’t expect this sentence to connect so clearly to my everyday life, but it really does. Let’s break it down.

  1. Pre-game speeches

    • The coach’s pep talk is a genre. You know the rhythm: motivational quote, some stats, the phrase “play with heart.”

  2. Prayer requests

    • In church, there's a specific tone and order for asking prayers. It’s not random—it’s patterned and learned.

  3. Locker room talk vs. press interviews

    • Same player, totally different genres. What’s appropriate in one setting wouldn’t fly in the other.

  4. Team group chats

    • Short bursts, inside jokes, coded emojis. That’s a digital genre with its own rules.

  5. Sermons and testimonies

    • Structured like stories: struggle, faith, resolution. The genre teaches how to speak from experience with purpose.

  6. Game film review

    • You don’t just “watch film”—you break it down, take notes, speak in shorthand with your team. That’s genre-in-action.

  7. Announcements after church

    • Everyone knows the format: “There will be a potluck next Sunday at 3 PM…” It’s formulaic, but effective.

  8. Recruiting emails

    • If you’re an athlete trying to get noticed, you learn the format: intro, GPA, stats, highlight link, sign-off. It’s a genre crafted for a specific audience.

  9. Post-game interviews

    • The “humble brag” is a genre move. Thank the team. Praise the coach. Say “we just executed.” You know the drill.

  10. Bible study discussions

  • Even the way people respond to scripture—“That reminds me of…”—follows a genre that balances personal story with group reflection.

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