Steve Neale’s genre theory

• Who is the theorist associated with genre theory mentioned in the guide?

  Steve Neal
• What are the two main parts of Steve Neal's genre theory?

  Repetition and difference
• How does Steve Neal define genres?

  Genres are made up of repetition and difference
• In a horror film, what are some conventional elements that might be repeated?

  Dark low-key lighting, tense music, jump scares
• Why do audiences enjoy the repetition of conventional elements in genres?

  Because they are familiar and easy to recognize
• What is the significance of the different elements in a genre according to Steve Neal?

  They engage the audience by being unusual and intriguing
• How can you apply Steve Neal's genre theory to your A-level texts?

  • Analyze whether the texts are conventional or different
  • Identify repeated elements typical of the genre
  • Examine elements that challenge genre conventions
• What are the reasons audiences enjoy both repetition and difference in genres?

  • Repetition: Familiarity, ease of understanding, expectations
  • Difference: Unusual, engaging, challenges norms
• Who is the author of the genre theory discussed?

  Steve Neale
• What does genre-based labelling classify products into?

  Categories or families with common ingredients
• According to Neale, are genre-based categories fixed commodities?

  No, they change and subdivide
• What does Neale argue about the tests used to determine genre?

  They are hard to pinpoint
• What does Neale conclude about the ingredients that determine genre?

  There are no fixed lists of ingredients
• How do genre-driven products create audience appeal, according to Neale?

  Through repetition of some ingredients
• What has happened to the number of genre-based categories in contemporary media?

  They have mushroomed exponentially
• What complicates the process of genre classification?

  The growth of sub-genres and hybrids
• What does Neale suggest is an important factor in diagnosing the genre of a product?

  Levels of verisimilitude
• What does high levels of verisimilitude indicate?

  Reference to the real world
• What genre typically includes murder mysteries?

  Suspense and surprise genres
• What narrative structure is often used in murder mysteries?

  Defined story structure
• What is a common feature of character-driven motifs in genres?

  Defined attributes or narrative journeys
• What do romantic comedies typically include?

  Best friend confidants
• What does iconography refer to in media products?

  Mise en scène and stylistic devices
• How is genre-driven iconography deployed in print products?

  Through layouts and header styles
• What is a common visual element in westerns?

  Guns and desert settings
• How are genres crafted to appeal to specific audiences?

  By targeting audience segments
• What has led to the rapid expansion of the superhero genre?

  The box office success of Marvel
• What are the key factors Neale highlights for diagnosing genre?

  • Levels of verisimilitude
  • Narrative structures
  • Character-driven motifs
  • Iconography
  • Audience targeting
• What does genre hybridity allow in contemporary media products?

  Deliberate inclusion of multiple genres
• How does hybridity enable tonal shifts in media products?

  By changing emotional intensities quickly
• What is genre piggybacking?

  Incorporating elements from popular genres
• How does hybridisation create individual product character?

  By mixing ingredients from existing products
• What does high and low culture remixing allow in hybrid products?

  Serious subtexts with accessible content
• How does genre hybridity expand audience appeal?

  By combining romance with comedy
• What do nostalgic hybrid products often do?

  Revive genres to satisfy sentimentality
• How do contemporary audiences differ from past audiences?

  They are more knowledgeable about media
• What does hybridity replicate in audience consumption experiences?

  Multi-channel, media-meshing experiences
• How do auteurs affect genre-driven products?

  By subverting genre-driven themes
• What does institutional mediation affect in genre-driven content?

  Scheduling and genre output
• How do media schedules influence genre-driven content?

  By dominating genre-specific openings