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Troy Winston Megan Keaton ENG 111-08 7 July 2013

Discourse Community Comparison

In todays society, many people participate in many different groups. Whether its social media, politics, church, work or school, individuals in these groups share the same basic values, beliefs and goals. This is called a Discourse Community. A Discourse Community is a group of people who share the same discourses and purpose. Their goals are similar and they abide by a unwritten set of rules. Members of the discourse community generally require a certain level of expertise in the groups common goal. The members range from expert to novice, young to old, new and seasoned.

In a Discourse Community, There are different types of jargons used to communicate with each other. The rhetor that is the speaking to the members of the group must work within certain boundaries to not confuse or offend any of the members. Assuming that members of the group are different races, gender, religions or ethnic backgrounds, the rhetor must be conscience of this when addressing a certain situation. This is called constraints. The rhetor must work within a boundaries of constraints to keep his/her audience involved. Whether they are real or a figment of the rhetors imagination, constraints has to be used.

Everyone has a role to play in the discourse community. All members in the

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discourse must have the similar goals and thrive to accomplish the same thing. Even though the roles may vary, it strictly depends on the members on how it is constructed. Many communities are alike in many ways and some couldnt be more different. An example of a discourse communities can be an acting community and a English 111 community. Being an actor and a student is two different discourses have similarities and differences. About the acting community, there is a Casting Agent that uses social media (Facebook private group, twitter, ect.) telephone, text messages and a blog to communicate with the actors. The agent/rhetor does this so the audience can reference new projects coming to the area and the needs for certain movies and TV shows. The rhetor decide who will perform which roles and where the scene will be filmed. In doing so, it gives the audience the opportunity to meet new friends and network with them on and off the clock.

This group has very specific characteristics. The audience may all chat on a blog and discuss thought about new laws concerning the film industry, or discuss certain experiences working on the movie set. To give members a certain idea of what to expect prior to reporting to a scene. Even though there is a rhetor in our group, everyone still communicates amongst themselves pertaining to small issues. The rhetor addresses the members of the groups and follows constraints when discussing certain topics. The exigence is to network and keep everyone in the group employed and doing what the members love, and that is to perform.

This particular community is multi-cultural gendered with a wide variety of different ages. The setting locations will vary depending on where the producers are filming. This also applies to the attire that is chosen. The environment is very relaxed

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and everyone tries to help each other the best way possible. Seeking employment is the main goal for most members, that why networking is so important. Once a month, members of this discourse community meet at a social event to socialize, welcome new members and discuss upcoming projects. Members in the group use specialized vocabulary that are uncommon to people outside the community such as cut, background, and movement. Even though the environment is in a professional setting, there is a lot of jovial behavior and the members are welcoming to new actors.

Another discourse community is English 111 Expository Writing class. This discourse varies from age, gender, race as well. Members communicate as a group and assume the position as audience. The instructor is the rhetor and communicates with the class verbally, through emails, blogs and writes on the board. Members have the same goals and that is to become a better, more versatile writer and most importantly, pass the course. As a convenience to all members, electronic devices are allowed in class to assist with classroom assignments. The dialogue the members exchange is unique to the group and wouldn't be understood to those on the outside, such as Moodle and writing of the day. One thing that is different from the acting community is that the dress code is very casual and members meet four scheduled days out the week to learn and discuss assignments. Discourse members work in small or large groups and on occasion, place the desks in a circulatory formation and discuss class assignments and future projects. The teacher and students have a casual relationship and everyone is committed to learn and excel. This is the main purpose of all the members of the group as well as the rhetor. The group has a list of genre that is designed for the community and it has its own lexis. The participants in the community range from all different races, genders, creeds, ethnic and social backgrounds.

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Characteristics of this discourse is that members use a Power Point presentation as a guide for certain projects as well as a course syllabus that informs individuals of what is needed for the class. It also lets students know what is expected. All members are encouraged to read certain book chapters and take notes on a daily basis. Unlike the acting discourse, members do not get paid to be students. There is a certain level of constrains in the classroom from the rhetor and the audience. All members are working toward the same goal and given the same tools to succeed.

The acting community has a list of genre. One in particular would be the way they communicate on Facebook. Facebook is the key for all actor to communicate and share information. Actor join this private group and post information pertaining to the time and place of open auditions, as well as a list of roles that are available. Every actor is allowed to post their opinions on the message board and members of the group will respond and share their thoughts. The rhetor uses Facebook as a mean to get acquainted and conversate about a large range of topics.

The English class is a bit different. Most of the interaction with students is done face to face but everyone can obtain the same lesson plans off Moodle. Moodle is an online service in which the teacher can share Power Point modules, grades, reading material as well as links to blogs. Even though all students have access to Moodle, personal information pertaining to grades are kept private. Lesson plans from the beginning of the semester are kept on Moodle so a student can always revert back to that particular day and view past assignments. The environment is in a academic setting and the rhetor controls all the content.

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Every discourse community is unique in their own way. Some may share the same similarities but there is something that sets them apart. Acting and English communities would have a difficult time understanding each other and what their roles and purpose would be if they we all of a sudden switched. One thing is for certain, and that is every discourse community thrives to be successful