Genres Come With Their Own Instruction Manuals

When we watch a comedy movie, we know we aren’t about to watch a documentary on math equations. When we listen to a poem, we know we don’t want Amelia Bedilia to pause and provide commentary. When we listen to 40 minute sermons, we know we aren’t at a 4th of July party. 

The genres come preloaded with instruction manuals.

Without any direction, they tell us how to set our expectations for receiving them and how we’re supposed to behave in their presence.