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DiscourseComm Assignment Sheet

This document provides instructions for Paper #3 in an English course. Students are asked to analyze a discourse community they belong to using six characteristics and primary research. They must write a 1,000-1,500 word paper and create an advertisement poster representing the discourse community. The assignment aims to develop critical thinking, research, and presenting skills across different media. Students will receive points for various stages and are due to submit drafts, a final paper and poster, and reflection by specified dates in October and November.

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Katherine Hummel
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69 views

DiscourseComm Assignment Sheet

This document provides instructions for Paper #3 in an English course. Students are asked to analyze a discourse community they belong to using six characteristics and primary research. They must write a 1,000-1,500 word paper and create an advertisement poster representing the discourse community. The assignment aims to develop critical thinking, research, and presenting skills across different media. Students will receive points for various stages and are due to submit drafts, a final paper and poster, and reflection by specified dates in October and November.

Uploaded by

Katherine Hummel
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ENGL 106: Writing Your Way Into Purdue

Hummel Fall 2014

Paper #3: Analysis of a Discourse Community


So far this semester we have discussed how to describe familiar events and memories using
show, dont tell details and how to demonstrate credibility and good ethos by considering the
question, Why should I listen to you? In our next assignment we will be combining both of
these skills in a new genre: close reading and analytical writing.

Purpose : To think critically about one of the many discourse communities you belong to.
You can consider a discourse community that you have joined here at Purdue, or one that you
have belonged to throughout a longer period of your life. You will be analyzing this community
closely, but also objectively. The challenge here will be to view this community as if you were
an outsider, which may require you to question or criticize practices that are familiar to you.

Research : To conduct your analysis, you will need to rely on primary research skills
observations, fieldwork, interviews, and surveys. You should also collect any print materials
from the discourse community that may be useful. Part of your project packet will require you to
turn in evidence of primary research, so be sure to save all materials as you work in this unit.

Length : Approximately 1,000-1,500 words (3-5 pages, not including images/other visuals).
Use MLA format for headings, page numbers, and citations.

Process : Use the six characteristics from John Swales to guide your observations & analysis:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Common, public goals


Mechanisms (types) of intercommunication
Feedback/information
Genres of communication (tools for communication)
Specific lexis (vocabulary)
Threshold level of members (balanced ratio of novices and experts)

Then, use the following questions as a starting point for your research.
1. Describe your community (who are they, what they do, when/where they meet/work)
2. How does your discourse community meet each of the characteristics?
3. How do the six characteristics help the discourse community accomplish its goals?
To make connections between summary and analysis, think of a central question or problem
within your discourse community that youd like to explore. For example:
1. Why does this discourse community use certain texts or language?
2. Why is this discourse community important, to its members and to a larger context?
3. How does your discourse community function in a larger context (your town, Purdues
campus, etc.)?
4. What challenges might this discourse community face, and how will it deal with them?
5. How does this discourse community fit into the definitions from Swales and Gee
(language is cultural; knowing language and practice; participating in a community of
experts)?

ENGL 106: Writing Your Way Into Purdue


Hummel Fall 2014

Medium : As you write your paper, you will also produce an advertisement or poster that
represents your discourse community. Consider the goals of your discourse community and let
these guide the posters rhetorical situation. Will this poster try to gain more members? Will this
try to communicate the groups goals/beliefs to outsiders? We will be looking at several different
advertisements and posters in class to observe how these are part of different rhetorical
situations.

Goals: This assignment (1) practices critical thinking and analytical skills, (2) applies primary
research and research writing strategies, and (3) allows you to present your findings in multiple
forms of media.

This assignment is worth 150 out of 1000 points.


Project Packet
Planning (including primary research
notes), Drafts, Peer Review
Poster
Final Draft
Reflection

10 points
50 points
80 points
10 points

Due Dates
Draft 1
Draft 2
Final Draft and Poster
Reflection

Friday, 10/31
Wednesday, 11/5
Tuesday, 11/11
Friday, 11/14

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