A foundational element in learning to write effectively or at least to write better is becoming more confident with the concept of genre learning about genre can start with thinking about categories or organizing types of writing according to their patterns characteristics features and purposes practice with analyzing works within a genre allows writers to transfer skills and strategies when developing their own writing products as students take different classes in their college career and write in various disciplines they can rely on the genre analysis skills learned and practiced in their composition class to build success in writing in other genres by transferring those crucial skills to any writing assignment in any discipline a writing assignment for any class could begin with students simply identifying the genre after identifying the genre students can reflect on what they know about the genre including its typical purpose and audience, as well as features of its content organization and style studying examples of work within a genre, helps students build their ability to create their own texts the benefits of genre study do not end in college this skill transfers beyond the world of academics into the professional world where people are expected to be able to communicate clearly in writing exploring connections between disciplines and genres is a worthwhile pursuit for any student of writing