My first thought after reading these sections was ''this seems familiar''. It SEEMED familiar, and yet I couldn't recall ever really learning this. I'm sure I did, sometime, somewhere...I just can't recall. Maybe I didn't learn it, maybe I just think I have. Regardless I learned from reading these sections.
First of all I got a clear and concise definition and understanding of the different types of genres. Genres are important when trying to get your point across. The most important characteristics help to identify what we're about to read, just exactly what information is being given to us.
When thinking about genres what comes to mind is the different shelfs and sections in libraries....science fiction, biographies, romance, history novels. But we forget about the simple and everyday genres, letters, essays, jokes, web sites. These never even crossed my mind before.
As for rhetoric, all I thoought about a rhetorical question...not meant to be answered. I never even considered what the passages in the book talked about. Taking into account the audience, the genre, the medium by which you're delivering information...all these bits and pieces that go into the big picture.
I think these ideas are very important to incorporate into my writing, most importantly the components of rhetoric. Taking into account who your audience is, what their background is, all to ensure that the point is being driven home.
These are seemingly simple concepts...common sense really. The sections in the book were simple and easy to read and understand. But only once they are brought to my attention. Like I said, I hadn't thought about these things before, but once I read about them it's like something clicked "Oh, yeah, that makes sense. Duh."
