Zach Heiser
Prof. Leslie Wolcott
February 7, 2014
ENC 1102
Complexity with Simplicity
When first asked to define the term ‘genre’, I gave the same answer that every one of my
peers would have said; a classification system in which to categorize literature and art. However,
after spending some time exploring new, more complex, definitions, I came to understand there
is much more to the formation of a genre than just similar texts in which to place into categories.
As Amy J. Devitt explains, “Our reconception will require releasing old notions of genre as form
and text type and embracing new notions of genre as dynamic patterning of human
experience…”(Devitt 573). In other words, the new conception of genre as a text-type results
from repeated rhetorical situations in a discourse community. A discourse community I am
striving to be a member of is mechanical engineers specializing in the design of high-powered
sports cars. In my discourse community, unique and complex information utilized daily by
design and manufacturing engineers is simplified and represented in visual diagrams with the
goal of efficiency in mind.
I came across these diagrams by searching “Audi r8 engine parts diagrams” on google
images. What turned up was a multitude of various engine part diagrams belonging to many
different cars. After sifting through the images I was finally able to narrow my findings to four or
five pictures of different engine components, all associated with different Audi vehicles. I ended
up choosing, what I thought would best represent, the texts mechanical engineers specializing in
cars would use. Appendix A illustrates a part diagram of an Audi r8 TurboCharger. Appendix B
is a part diagram of a VW, who is owned by Audi, Jetta Intake System. Lastly, Appendix C
shows the part diagram for an Audi A5 Engine valve cover. It was rather easy to find these texttypes representing my discourse community than maybe that of several of my peers.
When first glancing at these images it seems that anyone can understand them and that is
probably true, however, only the engineers utilizing them can, in turn, put that knowledge into
physically building or repairing the system. Those few engineers who design and the engineers
who physically build or repair participate with these text-types and each other. This is a very
specialized job and the trained few alone can design the diagram via computer program.
Similarly, only the engineers with enough training and experience get to build the engine
systems. These engineers have very unique literacies to participate with these types of texts.
First, those who design the image on a computer system must know how to navigate the program
and create an expanded image of the engine component, yet maintain a high level of detail as
seen in Appendix A, B, and C. There are so many little parts and pieces to each system of the
engine that it must be expanded in order for the engineers building it to see how everything fits
together, what goes where, and which part needs to connect to which part and how. These
designing engineers use a visual and numbering means of representing the system, rather than
writing and explaining everything in sentences. It simplifies the already complex system, not to
mention, engineers prefer to have a visualization of what they are building instead of an
explanation. We engineers like numbers not words. Also, the manufacturing engineers need to be
literate in what each part of the system is. As you can see in Appendix A, B, and C there is a key
for what each number represents. The engineer should already know what each number
represents, however, in the case he does not, he can reference the key and from there must have
knowledge of what a “gasket”, “wastegate”, or “banto bolt” is (Appendix A).
While examining each of the part diagrams, it is clearly evident Appendix A and B are
identical in format, contrasting that of Appendix C. The first two part diagrams appear more
professional. They utilize what looks like and excel spreadsheet that serves as a key and much
more to the diagram. The importance of using the excel table is that it contains a vast amount of
information in a simple and compact representation. As shown in Appendix A and B, the excel
table provides the position number, part number, name or description of the part, remarks, and
quantity of the part needed. All of the information needed by the manufacturing engineer is
provided in a simple visualization with little wording. Appendix C, however, is certainly less
professional and appears to be geared towards helping those looking to do home repairs. The part
diagram is further expanded and portrays more clearly how each part fits together, making it
more simple for the average mechanic performing repairs(Appendix C). Also the diagram index
consists of just the position number and part name, contrasting that of the extensive information
in Appendices A and B.
The Audi car company does not directly release these part diagrams to the public, in order
to maintain a certain level of secrecy, Audi has created a fan website, called AudiWorld.com.
Audi created this website for loyal Audi customers, owners, and Audi lovers around the world.
By signing up and joining the website, members have access to special Audi deals, expert advice,
and hundreds of diagrams similar to that of Appendix A and B. The website allows Audi owning
members access to these part diagrams and fellow member advice in the instance they want to
perform home repairs.
While studying my discourse community and the texts used within it, I have come to
understand and label certain genre’s that arise. The mechanical engineers, automotive engineers,
and computer design engineers over time have designed car part diagrams that simplify the
complexity associated with the profession in order to retain efficiency, which is ever so
important in the field of engineering.
Appendix A
(Audi r8 TurboCharger diagram)
Appendix B
(Jetta Intake System diagram)
Appendix C
2005 Audi A4 Engine Valve Cover Diagram. Provide a new turbocharged
2.0-liter four-cylinder that is the performance version of Volkswagen’s direct
injection gasoline engine parent. New turbocharger that produces
200horsepower with a si
x-speed automatic transmission utilize Tiptronic manual-shift.
Engine Valve Cover Diagram Index:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Vibration damper
Bolt
Valve cover
Gasket
Filler cap
Gasket
Upper timing cvr
Lower timing cvr
Timing belt
Tensioner
Roller
Roller assy
Pulley
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
Inner cover
Oil pan
Sealer
Drain plug
Frame
Level sensor
O-ring
To VIN# 8E5425000
Tube
O-ring
Extension
Filter case
Gasket
Filter housing
Oil filter
Oil cooler
Gasket
Works Cited
Devitt, Amy J. "Generalizing about Genre: New Conceptions of an Old Concept."College Composition and
Communication. Vol. 44. 573-86. Print.
Devitt Amy, Anis Bawarshi,, and Mary Reiff. "Materiality and Genre in the Study of Discourse
Communities." Materiality and Genre in the Study of Discourse Communities. 541-48. Print.
Swales, John. "The Concept of Discourse Community." Writing About Writing. Ed. Elizabeth Wardle and Doug
Downs. Boston: Bedford St. Martin's, n.d. 466-480. Print.
"2005 Audi A4 Engine Valve Cover Diagram | Car Parts Diagram." Car Parts Diagram | Car
Components Assembly | Car Engine Parts Diagram. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Feb. 2014.
"AudiWorld Forums – Audi r8 turbo parts diagram" Audi | r8 | New, Used Reviews, Test Drives Audiworld.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Feb. 2014
"AudiWorld Forums – Jetta Intake system parts diagram.” Audi | A4 A6 S4 TT A5 S5 | New, Used
Reviews, Test Drives - Audiworld.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Feb. 2014.