Book Review of "Genre" by Otong Setiawan
Title: Genre
Author: Otong Setiawan Djuharie
Publisher: CV. Yrama Widya
Year of Publication: 2007
Number of Pages: 174 pages
The book entitled "Genre," authored by Otong Setiawan, contains explanations of types of texts in literature and how these texts are used. This work becomes some kind of guide for both the reader, writer, and literary scholar in coming to understand the characteristics, structure, and functions of each genre. The book is very systematic and analytical in order to make the readers comprehend each type of text more easily. Each genre Otong Setiawan presents shortly and clearly, so that its essence could be appropriately conveyed. Besides this, the book also contains explanations of the structure and linguistic elements that are present in each text.
This book covers a number of relevant examples of texts. Comparisons among genres allow readers, especially unfamiliar ones, to create distinctions and classify types of texts. It allows for an enriched understanding and dares readers to be more critical in determining the assessment of each existing genre. Additionally, it contains 700 questions to test one's knowledge concerning the material that covered. Even though this book was written in the year 2007, the relevance of its questions remains very well preserved, hence a good read to enhance literacy and text analyses.
The points at which it was found wanting include, but are not limited to, the following: a poorly designed cover. The visual aspect of a book generally makes the first impression on the reader, and an insufficiency here certainly lessens the appeal.
Although there are examples of texts, the explanations about which part is being referred to in the text structure are not given. These will further confuse the readers, especially those starting with the study of genres. Unless otherwise specifically directed, it may remain difficult for a reader to trace important elements in the text.