Genre

Genre means a kind or type for example a Horror, Romance, Comedy, Thriller, Action etc. Genres have characteristic features that are known to and recognised by audieces. This formula is reproduces again and again. For example in a Western we see similar characters (Clint Eastwood), situations and settings.

Audiences and Genres
Why do audiences find genres satisfying?

Audiences develop an understanding that certain expectations may be fulfilled and they may find pleasure in predicting what will happen next. Audiences recognise the key elements or conventions of a genre and respond accordingly, these key elements are called paradigms.

Two types of Paradigms have been identified:

1. Iconographic - Signs and symbols (e.g. the costume, props, settings in a Western). 
2. Structural: How structures in the text deal with issues such as ideology and gender (e.g. how gender is represented in a Rom-Com).