Background and Proposal for Research

Travel writing is an increasingly popular genre of writing, both on paper and on the internet. Its popularity has increased significantly since the creation of the blogosphere; in fact, Technorati lists 253 popular travel blogs, and that number only accounts for a small percentage of the total being composed on the internet today.  Most of the studies regarding travel writing and its rhetorical effects have been critics of traditional literature; however, there appears to be no significant research being done specifically on the composition of travel blogs.   Critics of travel writing assess its ethos and rhetorical constructs by viewing it generally through critical and cultural theory lenses, in other words, evaluating the socio-political and economic connotations of such writing.  Since scholars seem to focus on the effects of such literature especially in terms of the author’s intent and target audience, it naturally follows that such analysis should be done for travel blogs.  

Considering the scope and popularity of travel blogs, and the increasing accessibility of the internet, it seems necessary to evaluate the constructs that make them so appealing, and to whom they are most attractive.  The fact that they entail and promote an activity that, regardless of the scenario, requires two commodities: time and money.  These are commodities that are not a luxury experienced by every individual, so this suggests that there is an elitist quality, or rather, they could be composed of what Jonathan P.A. Sell calls “wonder text.” This research necessitates such extensive detail as is reflected by the glaring lack of applicable analysis of this ever-growing genre of writing that becomes more popular among web users every day. 

As a popular genre among the internet-savvy population, the significance of this study lies in the evaluation of its many effects on its particular readers. Examining the rhetorical makeup of such sites means determining whether or not there is a propagandistic bias towards those of a higher socio-economic status, or whether these sites merely intend to relate stories as a narrative style merely for exposition.  There is also a question of accessibility, not only because this genre is on the web, but also because of the context by which they are successful on the web may reflect an elitist construct. As an individual who both explores and participates in the blogosphere, and also as an individual with a fascination for travel and the writing that depicts it,  I see it is even more pertinent that there is work done to determine the persuasive mechanisms that may inherently surround the creation of travel blogs.

This blog’s purpose is to annotate working bibliography of relevant sources that will act as both foundation and springboard for this research on travel blogs.  Sources range from texts analyzing travel writing in novel form to blog posts to critical essays focused not only on the genre, but also lifestyle blogging and the rhetorical forms of which they are composed.

Research Conclusions/Directions

From first reviewing the varying approaches for analyzing travel writing, it appears that the implications of the genre’s rhetoric are clearly at issue for many critics.  However, when placing the lens of critical theory (and also applying postcolonial, gender, feminist theories) upon travel writing on the internet, it seems the problems of audience still remain problematic.  In order to test this theory, I will need to synthesize the analyses of travel literature, the critiques of new media and digital rhetorics, and sociological implications of travel as an industry in order to fully illustrate all the possible intended and unintended effects of travel blogs.  Using this wide array of background research, I will be able to begin to trace any indications of elitism or exclusion, or any means of manipulation, by further examining specific travel blogs and interviewing travel blog followers.

My desire in this research is to answer for myself the level to which there exists an inherent bias in the creation of content that naturally lends itself toward those of higher socio-economic status.  Even I consider myself privileged because of my fortune of having traveled often, and I realize that I am biased toward these sites for this very reason.  However, it remains to be seen whether or not the rhetoric of these sites actually intend to exclude certain groups, or whether they hope to open the doors of possibility merely by relating stories that may be of interest to varying audiences.  There are only few ways to find this answer, and these ultimately create the strategies for my research.

Issues in travel writing: empire, spectacle, and displacement

Siegel, K. (2002). Issues in travel writing: empire, spectacle, and displacement. New York: Peter Lang.

Kristi Siegal’s compilation of essays characterizes the current attention to travel writing and the ways to best categorize this writing as genre.   Siegal divides her book into three sections: one regarding postcolonial theory, one addressing cultural and spiritual landscapes, and one discussing identity and diaspora.  The collections covers the growing critical interest in autobiography and its relationship to travel writing, as well as comment on multiculturalism, nationalism, colonialism, and post-colonialism.  The essays synthesize work done to examine issue relevant to travel and travel writing, and the authors prescribe the genre as having many cultural and sociological side effects (largely due to the authorial voice, the question of audience, and the treatment of experience).   To further highlight the significance of this realm of study, the essays discuss the works of many of the most critically acclaimed writers of the contemporary age.  Kristi Siegal is Associate Professor and Chair of English (and the Languages, Literature, and Communication Division) at Mount Mary College in Wisconsin. and she continues to focus on the critical and cultural  implications of popular genres of writing, not only in antiquity, but also modernity.

This text provides ample critiques of contemporary travel writing, although it doesn’t venture into the digital realm.  Siegal evenly balances the essays as a working conversation between authors, which provides effective questions for my research into travel blogs.  Some such questions raised by this text are: what are the lingering effects of “empire” on travel blogging? How do travel blogs create a sense of illusion and spectacle within the guise of reality?  How can a travel blogger depict a conscientious humanism without losing the “sell” factor?  Overall, Siegal compiles a necessary cache of criticism for application to the digital replica of the travel genre.

Travel Blogs and the Implications for Destination Marketing

Crotts, J. et al.  “Travel Blogs and the Implications for Destination Marketing.”  Journal of Travel Research August 2007 vol. 46 no. 1 35-45

This article explores travel blogs as a means of narrating personal travel experience for the benefit of other travelers, other bloggers, or any participating audience.  Crotts et al synthesize the contents of three major travel blogs and search engines to detect trends and patterns recurrent in each in order to reach a conclusion as to the purpose of each.  Since this article focuses mainly on the actual content of the blogs, and not the rhetoric – especially as sales pitches for tourist destinations – it locates the primary appeals for travelers to a specific locale (in this case, Charleston, SC). The attraction to this destination, according to three major travel blogs, had to do with the city’s charm, hospitality, and beaches; in contrast, the downfall of the location had to do with weather, infrastructure, and dining.  Basically, this article’s qualitative approach is meant to show that travel blogs are an affordable way to market and assess travel experiences.

Although this article does not address the rhetorical makeup of travel blogs, it does focus on a possible audience and purpose.  This approach does lend to the notion that the rhetoric of this genre has a specific goal and intended effect, which might indeed reflect a division of audience members based on socio-economic criteria.  Even if travel blogs are meant as sales pitches, this still adds complexity to the already obvious exclusion of certain parties or audiences from participation.  Adding the actual economic side effects of such websites adds further depth to this research.

Writing for Whom? Cognition, Motivation, and a Writer's Audience

Magnifico, A.M.  “Writing for Whom?  Cognition, Motivation, and a Writer's Audience.”  Educational Psychologist Jul-Sep2010, Vol. 45 Issue 3, p167-184

“As a result of this visible shift in relationship between writers and readers of electronic media, it has become possible to see more clearly the dynamics of how writers think about and interact with their audiences.”  This quote represents many key ideas as to the changing dynamics of rhetoric and its application to shifting audiences.  Aleceia Magnifico’s lively pedagogical article addresses the current climate of teaching composition especially in light of today’s new media and how audiences should be addressed in specific genres and styles.  Magnifico sets out to “examine the history of audience within writing research” in order to observe and analyze “how conceptualizations of audience have shifted over time… and why, in this climate of rapid technological change, it is important to begin [to build] an understanding of writing that draws from several perspectives: the cognitive, the sociocultural, and the sociocognitive.”  Magnifico offers a review of literature dealing with the social and cognitive processes of writing, from motivations to conceptualizations.  She then addresses the affects of the examination of the role of audience in light of new media learning environments as a doorway to further reaches of composition inspirations. 

As this article is focused in pedagogy, it offers a sense of what might be at the heart of composition teaching in the next years as we address new media and its role.  As such, Magnifico touches on an area of rhetorical study that lends insight in to the analysis of travel writing in blog form.  The critique of existing texts regarding current composition studies can shed light on the interests of up-and-coming writers and the audiences they hope to reach. The research applies to the study of travel blogs in that it adds depth to the rhetorical concept of audience for persuasive purposes.