Ubdasja Calixte and Gabrielle Dunlap

20 October 14
Rough Draft
Discourse Community
Reading Discourse Community
Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes
what we read ours, said John Locke, an English philosopher. Moreover, it is not only about
what is read, but what one imagines while reading. Everyone has their own vision of what they
read and connects differently to the material. In a reading discourse community, one is allowed
to share ideas, become open-minded, and expand critical reading skills. Those who are novice
readers will eventually become experts as they continue to analyze why the author wrote the way
they did, or why the author used the words he or she chose. They will also broaden their
vocabulary as they come across words they are unfamiliar with. Overall, the exchange of ideas
and the analysis of the materials will make them expert analyzers of fiction, and will enrich their
minds.
In a discourse community, members have an agreed set of common goals. These goals, or
beliefs, are objectives everyone can follow. In a reading discourse community, the goal is to
become open-minded and to expand ones reading and comprehension skills. When one becomes
open-minded, one is able to adapt to the ever changing society. Reading helps with your
memory, stress, writing, vocabulary, and even boosts your analytical skills. Novice readers can
improve upon their weaknesses and become experts over time. Expert analyzers can continue
reading and learning more. Members overall will improve upon their weaknesses, and can share
ideas among each other.

Ubdasja Calixte and Gabrielle Dunlap

20 October 14
Rough Draft
Discourse Community
In any discourse community, communication among members is vital.
Intercommunication can be defined as the action of engaging with one another. In this discourse
community, one is able to share ideas in multiple ways. Many methods of communication
include blogging, social networking, working in groups, or even writing to each other. Either
way, thoughts and beliefs can be expressed.
Discourse communities utilize and possess one or more genres in the communicative
furtherance of its aims.(Swales, 2011,472). In this community, many different genres of fiction
will be explored. However, they will be appropriate for all ages. In this community, there is no
age limit, so texts that are too gory or sexually explicit will not be explored. Some of the genres
that will be explored are Science Fiction, Mystery, Horror, Romance, Drama, Comedy, and
Satire. Members will explore different forms of literature as well, such as novels, poems, short
stories, graphic novels, and drama. Every member can step out of their comfort zone and read
something new.
What differentiates members from non-members, is note taking involved with analyzing
the material, and the way that members voice their thoughts. There will be rules for sharing ideas
such as being silent while someone else is voicing their thoughts so that all members will be
respectful of each other. In this community there will be certain gestures used. If someone shares
a thought, and a second person agrees with it and wants to add on to the ideas, then the second
person can snap their fingers twice after the first person completely stated their idea. If someone
disagrees, then that person can raise their hand after a persons thought and negate what has been

Ubdasja Calixte and Gabrielle Dunlap

20 October 14
Rough Draft
Discourse Community
said. Those rules are very unique compared to other discourse communities. New members who
shout their ideas out loud while interjecting another persons thoughts, will stand out among the
group.
This reading discourse community can be helpful in many ways. You will expand your
knowledge through the exchange of ideas among members, and exploring different topics. It can
help you with your decision-making skills, and dealing with people. Along with these things,
you are able to explore different genres of reading and improve your vocabulary. Overall it can
help you become an expert at analyzing different materials.

Ubdasja Calixte and Gabrielle Dunlap

20 October 14
Rough Draft
Discourse Community

Reference List

A quote by John Locke. (2011).Retrieved from

http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/50191-reading-furnishes-the-mind-only-withmaterials-of-knowledge-it
Swales, J. (n.d.). The Concept of Discourse Community. p. 472-473. Retrieved from
http://eng1301-knous.wikispaces.com/file/view/Swales-11.pdf