Running head: ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Alternative Energy Genre Analysis of Podcast and Magazine

Fernando Cortez
University of Texas at El Paso

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Intro to alternative energy

Ways of providing different forms of energy have evolved with

time. Scientists have been able to manipulate certain energies in order
for the people to use, in an easier and safer way. Alternative energies
have revolutionized the way we use energy. Energies such as solar
energy are extremely convenient to have. It collects energy from the
sun and converts the energy to use to power a home or a building. In,
The Science Magazine it talks about the ways in which these
alternative energies are used in different countries and the quantities
used. In the podcast, The Energy Show on Renewable Energy World
it talks about the pros and cons of mainly solar energy. These genres
and their views regarding the main issue, will be discussed further
throughout the remainder of the analysis.

Audience and Purpose

The first genre is a magazine from sciencemag.org titled,
Scaling Up Alternative Energy it informs readers about renewable
energies and if we have the proper tools to transfer our energies today
to a eco-friendlier environment. This genre gives an over all view on
energy resources as well. It talks about how fossil fuels have many

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innate advantages over renewable energy sources. Fossil fuels may

pollute, the air we live in today. But however, are very consistent with
the energy they give off. Fossil fuels include: Petroleum, gasoline, oil,
coal, and wood. These fossil fuels have been used for several years,
ever since cars, homes, and factories have been invented. The benefits
of fossil fuels are that they are packed with energy, and are relatively
all low costs. They in fact give off more energy that renewable
resources do. The problem is that they are soon to be extinct energies
because it will takes thousands of years to receive them again. Also,
they are considered to be one of the reasons for global warming and
polluting our atmosphere. This genre talks in greater detail of how it
would be hard and a slow process to convert our energy to renewable
energy. In this genre, it talks deeper into fossil fuels by breaking them
down into categories. It is broken into Lower Density, and Greater
Intermittency. In the Lower Density section, the author gives specific
comparisons to fossil fuels and alternative energies. He has a very
neutral tone about fossil fuels and alternative energies, which makes
the magazine more informative than persuading.
The author also uses simple vocabulary to get his point across to
the reader to make the reader more understanding of what he is
saying. He goes on to talk about how the power density is 10 to 100
times greater on an oil field than on a solar field. Which produces a
tremendous amount of energy at once. It also goes on to state that the

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best sources of energy come from fossil fuels. The author does a good
job of providing clear facts to prove his point of how fossil fuels can be
more valuable than alternative resources in certain ways. He mentions
how oil fields are constantly finding new areas in which to drill more oil
and the relatively low cost that make them stand out against
alternative energies. On the second page of the magazine he then
shifts his focus on the benefits of alternative energies (mainly solar).
He begins to give information on how solar energy is useful in ways
that fossil fuels arent. Although fossil fuels may have more energy
stored in at once, solar energy provides still a great amount of energy
at a cheaper cost. The author states how in oil fields one must drill into
areas where is thought to be a hug quantity of oil. Whereas solar
energy you must simply have a solar board to absorb the energy and
use it for cars/homes/ anything that needs energy to function. This
topic would affect every single discourse community because it
involves breathing air (which everyone who lives on this planet does
so) and it involves financial services as well to make these energies
work.
For the second genre, a podcast was used. There are several
different podcasts on the website based on the show The Energy
Show on Renewable Energy World with host Barry Cinnamon and Clint
Wilder that would mainly talk about the tips and information on how
to reduce your energy consumption using solar energy. The list of

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podcasts give detailed information of any general misconceptions

about solar energy. Some podcasts give a lot of information about solar
panels and give tips on the best way to utilize them. There are over 60
podcasts on the site. After listening to some of the podcasts, the way in
which they inform the reader is very informal. The podcasts are mainly
about the transformation of the solar energy business and how it has
helped the economy in certain areas. The tone of voice that he uses in
his podcasts are very informational, he doesnt try to use words that
will convince the reader to use solar energy. His vocabulary is very
simple; he refrains from using big words to help listeners better
understand the message he is trying to get across. Since it is an oral
genre, there are no visuals. He gives good detailed explanations on the
different ways in which alternative energy is affective.

Ethos
In the first genre, the author is very credible. He gives clear
information via credible sources. The magazine is published by a
website sciencemag.org which makes it legitimate. He provides visuals
that show accurate representations consumptions of fossil fuels and
solar energy. In his text he gives percentages and other calculations
that were used from a credible source. In the second genre, the author

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is also very credible. The host Barry Cinnamon is a long time advocate
for alternative energy and is a widely recognized solar power expert.
Pathos
In the first genre, the author does not use an emotional tone; he
is neutral. He is straightforward with his information and doesnt really
create an emotional effect on the reader. For the second genre, the
host over all is the same way, he doesnt create a huge emotional tone
but does create a good sense of awareness when comparing solar
energy to fossil fuels. He talks about how many people argue that solar
energy is too expensive, but then says how it will affect our health
when using fossil fuels. He talks about how we are breathing the
polluted air and harming animals environment across the globe.
Although he doesnt create a huge emotional impact, he still brings up
topics that could make an individual feel sad for the animals who are
being affected.
Logos
In both genres there is a tremendous use of logos. In the first
genre, the author provides a lot of statistics when giving information
on solar energy and fossil fuels. He gives scientific evidence on each of
his points. For the second genre, the host doesnt give as much
statistical statements to the listeners. He uses more reasoning to give
his information. He mainly uses statistics to prove how much more
effective solar energy is than fossil fuels.

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7
Conclusion

Over all, both genres do a good job of presenting the information.

They use rhetoric tools to make the reader believe in the content that
is being provided. The discourse communities involve everyone
because everyone is affected in the financial and health side when
talking about energy. The alternative energy industry is growing more
and more popular. Pollution has risen as an issue as well, hopefully in
the future alternative energies will be the primary use of all energies to
provide cleaner air and a more affective use of energy.

References

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-Renewable Energy World,. (2016). The Energy Show. The Push Towards 100
Percent Renewables With Clint Wilder. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
-Energy, S. U. A. (2010). Do we have the energy for the next transition?.