In my draft I feel like I gathered and observed some good information due to the

circumstances that happened with my 2nd visit. I know in my next visit I have to interview
another member and get more deep into the core of the reading circle. I have a lot more to
put into this paper but not sure on how to make it fit into the paper. I would know what
other questions I should ask. Also help on my grammar and punctuation. There is a lot
more I need to put in the paper about the group. Im not really sure on the direction I'm
trying to go with this paper, but once I do some more observing and get some more
information ill know the direction of it.
Shakiira Smith
Mrs.Thomas
UWRT 1101-101
November 13,2014
Discourse Community
Each day we come across discourse community and not know. A discourse
community is a group of people who understand basic values and assumptions, and ways
of communicating about those goals. Linguist John Swales came up with the concept of a
discourse community. Swales defined discourse communities as "groups that have goals
or purposes, and use communication to achieve these goals." There are 6 major
characteristics on what makes a discourse community. The 6 characteristics are common
goals, intercommunication, participatory mechanisms, one or more genres, lexis, oldtimers
vs. newbies.
I chose to studied a reading circle in South Charlotte. Many people over look
reading circles and dont recognize them as a discourse community. A reading circle is

like a book club just more relaxed. A reading circle is where each member bring a books
or article of whatever they are reading to the group sessions. They all talk about what they
are reading and explains whats going on in their book or article. Members of the group can
chose to read the same book.
Methods
As of now there are 5 members in the group.This is a fairly new group they just
started this group last year. The 5 members in the group Ms.Linda, Lady G, Ms.Glenn,
Ms.Rita, and Ms.Pia. This reading circle usually meets once a week. They alternate
between each other houses. The first time I went to studies the reading circle they met at
Ms. Lindas apartment on November 11. When I walked in it was a casual setting. They
all sat in the living room with their books. They each bring a dish to serve at the
meetings. When they first come in they greet each other and make small conversation.
They eat the food they bring, then they begin to talk about the books they are reading. I
like listening to their conversations about the books they read. They read some pretty
interesting books.
Findings
There was one person in particular that I took a liking to. I took a liking in
Ms.Linda because from appearance she looked like the coolest one out of all of them.
Ms.Linda is 50 years old, She has about 58 tattoos and has a ton of piercings. I picked
Ms.Linda to interview first. During the interview she talks about how she loves reading
books. She has been reading book since she was a little girl. We got a lot into her
childhood. I questioned her about what is the part she likes the most about being in the
reading circle. She replied The best part of the reading circle is being around woman my

age who enjoys doing similar things and reading. I also asked what is one of her favorite
books. She stated a few her favorite books are The Child Called It, and The Lost Boy by
Dave Pelzer. She said These are one of my favorites because is depicts his real life
situation. Anyone who can express their hardship in a book and tells it all has my
attention.
Common Goals
This reading circle has some common goals. The common goals in the reading
circle is to encourage each other into reading different genres outside of their comfort
zone. Also to motivate each other to continue reading for the remainder of their life.
Along with these common goals they have a lot in common. All the members on this
reading circle were all friends before they created the reading circle. They also shared a
common living place they all came from New York.