Genre Networks: A Generative Myth? Towards a Genre Interconnections Perspective in Research and Teaching

Genre network theory (GNT, Pérez-Llantada, 2025) proposes that in digital environments, academic genres operate as interconnected nodes in complex, adaptive systems, rather than as isolated text types. This talk suggests that ‘genre network” is a generative myth for EAP: a conceptual framework that enables a holistic account of genre-base academic and research communication in the digital age.This talk proceeds in three parts. First, I review scholarship on genre research and teaching, tracing the shift from single-genre analysis toward a networked-oriented perspective. Second, I present findings from a recent corpus study of add-on genres accompanying the research article: impact statements and plain language summaries. I examine how linguistic resources are redistributed and reorganized in the network to address different audiences, and I address the methodological challenges specific to working with networked rather than single genres (e.g. corpus compilation online, representativity, balance, among others). Third, I discuss the implications of a genre network perspective for EAP practice. Reframing genre pedagogy around interconnected genres requires developing academic writers’ capacity to craft, navigate and respond togenre networks rather than master isolated genres through a genre network awareness raising approach. ReferencePérez-Llantada, C. (2025). Tackling complexity. Genre interactions in digital media environments. Journal of English for Research Publication Purposes 6(1), pp. 146-168.