The Concept of Discourse Community Response

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Response to the Concept of Discourse Community Patrick Brennan ENGL 1301.471 Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi In his article The Concept of Discourse Community John Swales explains and defines discourse communities. He gives six characteristics of the ideal group of people involved in a discourse community. Swales gives examples of various discourse communities and makes it clear that it should not be compared to a speech community. They are unalike in many ways and thus meaning they should not be considered as synonyms of one another. Swales continues by giving his own examples of the six characteristics which explain discourse communities. The first conceptualization of a discourse community is the fact that the individuals within each community should be working together to achieve a common set of goals in order to satisfy the group as a whole. If a football team does not communicate and coordinate as a unit then they will not achieve success as a club. If a few football players on said team were only looking out for their own personal interest then they could not possibly succeed on the organizational level. The second characteristic of an ideal discourse community is the concept that the individuals share ideas amongst one another. Open communication is vital to any social group and this idea holds true for a discourse community. When congress meets to discuss various topics and debate on major issues within our country, there are many heated debates which take place. If our elected senators and congressmen do not speak their mind and voice their opinion then we would pass too many laws that would upset the unheard supporters of the opposition. Communication is key amongst any association which meets to share certain perceptions and find solutions to diversified dilemmas. The third notion of a discourse community states that the members of

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