Nearly everyone is part of a discourse community, most of the time, multiple discourse communities. However, the majority of people do not even know what a discourse community is. A discourse community can consist of any of the following including, but not limited to, particular academic fields, religious organizations, and hobby groups. Discourse communities have the power to influence and shape the way many individuals think and behave. The particular discourse community I have chosen to analyze is my sorority, Delta Gamma. Delta Gamma uses rhetoric to shape members thinking and writing. Rhetoric is always persuasive and influential; therefore members value the discourse being used within the community. After careful examination of my sorority, I have discovered a lack of unity between new and veteran members caused by the separation of various communications and discourse. John Swales analyzes exactly what a discourse community is in his writing “The Concept of a Discourse Community”. Swales identifies a discourse community by defining it with six different criteria.
To sum up Swales’ ideas, a discourse community must first have a shared common goal. Discourse communities have a successful form of communication and a way of exchanging information and feedback, such as …show more content…
A sorority is commonly known as an organization of female students at a college. There are many different sororities, but overall, they are trying to achieve similar goals. Delta Gamma encompasses many goals. Swales says, “these public goals may be formally inscribed in documents… or they may be more tacit” (471). Delta Gamma has a handbook stating their goals. However, the most important goal Delta Gamma is trying to achieve is to have a strong sisterhood and to make a positive impact in our community. This ties in with Delta Gamma’s official motto “Do Good.” Another shared common goal is to form lifelong
To sum up Swales’ ideas, a discourse community must first have a shared common goal. Discourse communities have a successful form of communication and a way of exchanging information and feedback, such as …show more content…
A sorority is commonly known as an organization of female students at a college. There are many different sororities, but overall, they are trying to achieve similar goals. Delta Gamma encompasses many goals. Swales says, “these public goals may be formally inscribed in documents… or they may be more tacit” (471). Delta Gamma has a handbook stating their goals. However, the most important goal Delta Gamma is trying to achieve is to have a strong sisterhood and to make a positive impact in our community. This ties in with Delta Gamma’s official motto “Do Good.” Another shared common goal is to form lifelong