Investigating Genres: The Podcast in Depth Q&A

zoomar. "Roscoe Considers Recording a Podcast" 2/14/08 via Flickr. Attribution-NonCommercial Generic License

   The “new media” of the internet era has hit rapidly, with many listeners not knowing the nuances between various platforms of media. Podcasts, video essay, quick reference guides, also of these are different ways and layouts for us to access information. Below I focus on podcasts with a quick question and answer. Do you agree with my take on podcasts?

 

What purpose does the genre generally serve?

     The purpose of a podcast is to present content to a following audience that is interested in the opinions or presentation technique of the creator in a easy to follow and less interactive format. Usually podcasts follow an audio only format which makes it easy for a busy audience to follow. Podcasts also help to keep listeners informed or up to date on activities as many podcasts are periodic and cater to a specific audience. 

Where, how, or in what context do readers generally find this genre?

    Podcasts are generally found in the form of an audio file or stream which listeners can tune into, live or recorded. Similar to the format of a radio talk show, podcasts are frequently found on internet websites, YouTube, or content providers such as ITunes. At times podcasts can be found in person at events dedicated to specific groups, such as conventions. 

Who is the typical audience for this type of genre?

 

    Audiences of podcasts are usually followers of the podcast creator, or people interested in the topics spoken about on the segment. Podcasts often follow certain products or groups of people, which have an audience that follows podcasts to receive more information on that topic. Other times, famous or popular hosts will create a podcast to follow their lives in which a variety of people that know of that person will follow to receive updates. People with access to technology and who are busy also like to listen to podcasts for their ease of access. 

What are some of the key features or characteristics that are unique to this genre, distinguishing it from other texts?

    Generally free content, podcasts also are very accessible, which sets them apart from other forms of streamed content, such as video essays, as they often don’t have video content that is required to watch. Therefore, podcasts can often be listened to as a background to other primary work, compared to more interactive genres. Podcasts also often follow a specific group or person, making them about the content, but also the author, more so than other genres. This often comes out in frequent story segments that are a feature of podcasts. 

Based on your answers to the questions above, come up with a definition in your own words for this genre?

    Podcasts are audio and sometimes video segments following specific interests or people, often incorporating news and stories following current events, that are aimed at a specific group of people, such as followers of that topic or person, that appreciate the genre’s ease of access.

Reflection

   Reading both Rashaan Malik's and Chase Nicholson's posts on the video essay introduced me to how powerful that genre really can be. While I focused on the podcast and with research found out how easy podcasts can be to follow, I also learned from my classmates that the video essay can take a lot of content, confusing or controversial, and make it into a very presentable but short format. While the genre does require a visual aspect to it, I think it may come easier to me as I try to develop my own sequential composer writing style. Their posts also very much more concise than mine, which is something I may have to work on further within this course.