Running Head: GENRE ANALYSIS

Genre Analysis
Rodolfo Gallegos
University Of Texas at El Paso

GENRE ANALYSIS

Genre Analysis of Identity Theft

What is Identity theft exactly? It is the fraudulent attainment and use of a persons private
identification. Usually used for financial gain to others. The first genre provides a brief
discussion and goes into detail of what identity theft is and possible solutions that may allow
others to avoid or solve any identity theft situations. The second genre provides an
understanding of possible events that may lead to identity theft without knowing you have
been a target. The first genre analysis is found in a government website known as The United
States Department of Justice. This is genre is a typography and the author/company is the
government (leadership under Jeffrey Knox). The second genre analysis is found in a video clip
and is titled Identity Theft Official Trailer. This is an iconography and the company who
produced this film is Hollywood studios.
The purpose of this genre analysis is to provide a deep analytical analysis of the identity theft
sources.
Audience and Purpose
The purpose of the first genre is to inform readers about identity theft and what could be done
in order to prevent it from happening. This includes the precautions someone should take if
they have been a victim of identity theft and where you can find out more information about
identity theft. This genre analysis is trying to raise awareness for everyone in general. It also has
a very professional language being used targeted to adults and possibly those who have an
understanding of what identity theft is already. Its trying to inform a profound meaning to the
audience for a better understanding of identity theft in aspect and to avoid any financial

GENRE ANALYSIS

information to be stolen. To help the audience understand how informative this genre analysis
is, the subtitles in the website include What are Identity Theft and Identity Fraud, What are
the Most Common Ways To Commit Identity Theft or Fraud, and What Can I do About
Identity Theft and Fraud (Knox, J. (n.d.). Identity Theft and Identity Fraud.) The audience being
targeted for this specific genre would be widely known businesses or wealthy individuals who
could be at risk of identity theft. Encourage general awareness is the main purpose for this
website, not only does it give a better understanding but it also helps individuals understand
possible steps to take if you have been a target for identity theft or fraud. The creator of this
genre is not expecting the audience to know anything about identity theft, thats why it
provides information in detail and explains the first case of identity theft.
The purpose of the second genre (video clip, identity theft trailer) is to entertain and inform the
audience with an understanding of possible events that can occur with identity theft and how it
can influence someones life dramatically. It is specifically meant to entertain audience by
adding comedy and emotion to this film but it also helps audience understand what identity
theft is. The targeted audience for this genre would be anyone for entertainment purposes,
mainly older adults who have an understanding of what identity theft is. This genre is neither
trying to convince nor encourage general awareness. It is mainly for entertainment purposes.
For example it had a lot of comedy in the film. Identity theft is a serious topic and shouldnt be
played around with. This makes the audience understand it was meant for entertainment
purposes.uyu
The similarities between these two genres would be that both are mainly focused on
explaining what identity theft is and what events are possible to occur or lead to if nothing is

GENRE ANALYSIS

done about identity theft. The differences is that the 1st genre is trying to inform readers what
identity theft is and what could be done to prevent it, and it not there for any type of
entertainment purposes. While the others primary objection is to entertain and at the same
time provide information.
Rhetorical Strategies
Ethos
The first genre provides substantial information that is correct. Since this is a government based
website, there must be no doubt this source is indeed credible in every possible aspect. Not
only is it credible, the font used and page layout style is very professional and credible.
Although it does not provide a certain author to this page, it has contact information for the
leadership of identity theft which is Jeffrey Knox.
The second genre has very little credibility since its meant for entertainment. Although it may
not be so credible, it helps understand what can lead to identity theft by showing events that
advance from it. The main characters from this movie are Jason Bateman and Melissa
Mccarthy. The trailer gives an idea of what is identity theft and it helps everyone understand in
a more entertaining way.
Pathos
First genre shows no signs of emotion; this genre is trying to show how serious this topic is. This
genre does try to show some type of connection to the audience for a better understanding.
Under their sub-section What are Identity Theft and Identity Fraud, they provide the 1 st case

GENRE ANALYSIS

ever that occurred in 1998. The victim lost more than 100,000 in credit card debt and bought
homes, motorcycles, and guns under his name. (Knox, J. (n.d.). Identity Theft and Identity
Fraud.) This enrages audience and feels sympathy for the victim of how much he lost because
of one person.
Second genre shows a substantial amount of emotion to the audience by providing visuals and
personal life experiences to connect with the audience. The visual shows him as a father, a
worker, and a responsible person who makes the audience feel sympathy towards his identity
theft issue he encountered. Something that might trigger the audience is that when you get
your identity theft stolen you must somehow capture the criminal to prove that it wasnt you.
Its not possible for everyone to get a free airplane ticket to a location and somehow find a
person with a population of a million. (The victim from the movie flew to another state to find
the criminal).
Logos
It is logical that the audience understands the purpose of the 1 st genre (the website). It is trying
to warn audience the capability of identity theft or identity fraud and what actions must be
taken in order to prevent that event from happening. The audience is aware that identity theft
is an offense and a crime. This source is credible since its coming from the government. The
audience assumes this website has nothing but factual information since its coming from the
government. A logical argument is presented in this website and provides all the information
needed to know.

GENRE ANALYSIS

The audience knows that this trailer is about someone else getting their identity theft stolen or it has to
do with some type of identity theft. The purpose of stealing someones identity is to pretend to be
them, and take their money away. They provide a logical argument and are reasonable for something
like that to happen.

In conclusion the difference between the 1st genre and the 2nd is that the 1st has more
credibility than the 2nd. The video provides much more emotion than the website since its able
to show visuals and situations that occur during identity theft. The similarities are that both are
trying to get the same message across; Identity theft can hurt your financial life dramatically.
Structure and Delivery
The 1st genre was organized in sections helping us understand where the audience should navigate in
order to find out what we want to know. It is structured in a very effective way to the audience. The
design used is very professional with no spelling mistakes and credible sources provided. Colors used are
very professional nothing too colorful or something that may not look credible and shows solid colors to
show its a serious topic and shouldnt be taken lightly. There is no limitations of space,time,layout or
audience in this website. It shows plenty of room has been provided in order to get their point of view
across with factual information and events that led to identity theft to be considered a crime. The
website provides links to their Facebook, twitter, and YouTube to stay up to date on all the information
they have to offer.
The 2nd genre was organized in a way where it helps the audience understand events that can lead to
identity theft. First is your debit card being declined and then its being arrested for no reason. The
trailer is organized in an effective way. It helps the reader understand its purpose and reason of the

GENRE ANALYSIS

trailer. Mr. Patterson you missed your court date you had in Florida (Film) helps us understand that
anyone from the world is capable of stealing your identity.
The significant similarities between these two genres is that both show and have plenty of room to
provide their information they want to give to the audience for a better understanding of what the
website/video is all about. They have 2 completely different types of layouts and cannot be compared
since one is a professional website and the other is a Hollywood studios movie trailer.

Conclusion
With all this information and comparison between these two genres, the website was more
effective in conveying their message across. They provide much information for identity theft
and identity fraud. The film is limited and is only 3 minutes long compared to the website
where it has no limitations. Not only does the website provide more information but it also has
more credibility and knowledge of identity theft. Without a doubt a government website has
much more factual information and is more influential to the terms of knowledge for the
audience.

GENRE ANALYSIS

References
Knox, J. (2014). Identity Theft and Identity Fraud. Retrieved from
http://www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/websites/idtheft.html
"IDENTITY THIEF(15)". British Board of Film Classification. 2013-02-05. Retrieved 2013-02-05.