<P> In 1984, Carolyn R. Miller examined genre in terms of rhetorical situations . She claimed that "situations are social constructs that are the result, not of' perception,' but of' definition"'. In other words, we essentially define our situations . Miller seems to build from Bitzer's argument regarding what makes something rhetorical, which is the ability of change to occur . Opposite of Bitzer's predestined and limited view of the creation of genres, Miller believes genres are created through social constructs . She agreed with Bitzer that past responses can indicate what is an appropriate response to the current situation, but Miller holds that, rhetorically, genre should be "centered not on the substance or the form of discourse but on the action it is used to accomplish". Since her view focuses on action, it cannot ignore that humans depend on the "context of the situation" as well as "motives" that drive them to this action . Essentially, "we create recurrence," or similar responses, through our "construal" of types . Miller defines "types" as "recognition of relevant similarities". Types come about only after we have attempted to interpret the situation by way of social context, which causes us to stick to "tradition". Miller does not want to deem recurrence as a constraint, but rather she views it as insight into the "human condition". The way to bring about a new "type", is to allow for past routines to evolve into new routines, thereby maintaining a cycle that is always open for change . Either way, Miller's view is in accordance with the fact that as humans, we are creatures of habit that tightly hold on to a certain "stock of knowledge". However, change is considered innovation, and by creating new "types" we can still keep "tradition" and innovation at the same time . </P> <P> The concept of genre is not limited to classifications and lists . People interact within genres daily . Genre is determined based "on the action it is used to accomplish" by the individuals using that particular genre . The distance between the text or action of genre and its users does not have to be vast . People respond to exigencies provided by genre every day . Exigence is "a set of particular social patterns and expectations that provides a socially objectified motive for addressing" the recurring situation of a particular genre . Seeing genre as a social action provides the "keys to understanding how to participate in the actions of a community". Carolyn R. Miller argues that, "a rhetorical sound definition of genre must be centered not on the substance or the form of discourse, but on the action it is used to accomplish". </P> <P> The idea that rhetorical situations define genre means that participants in genre make decisions based on commonalities and repeat those instances . Genre is not only about the form of but also the mere repetitiveness of similarities . The classroom setting exemplifies this . When students wish to speak, they raise their hands to signify that desire . Raising a hand is the correct response to speaking in turn in that particular social setting . A person at lunch with a group of friends would not raise their hand to speak because the social situation is different . Miller concludes that social actions are the response to "understanding how to participate in the actions of a community". </P> <P> Carolyn R. Miller builds on arguments made by other scholars while also contradicting Bitzer's argument by giving her readers five features to understand genre . She believes that if something is rhetorical, then there will be action . Not only will there be action, but this action will also be repeated . The repetition of action creates a regularized form of discourse . Miller would add that the result has more to do with the action accomplished by the situation . Miller recognizes that a person chooses to take a certain social action within a defined set of rules - rules set in place by that user . Lastly, a situation cannot dictate a response . Miller ends her article with the thought that genres are partly rhetorical education through her statement, "as a recurrent, significant action, a genre embodies an aspect of cultural rationality". Here, Miller unknowingly encapsulates a future ideology about genre: that genres are created by culture . According to Mnotho Dlamini genre is basically a deep information in a particular context . </P>

What aspects of genre are you useful to you as a college reader