Iris Marrufo ENG 1311 8:30-9:20am Sept.

11, 2013

Discourse Communities
Writing is used every day. With different discourse communities, writing is either informal or formal depending on the community. Family/friends, profession, student, and as a citizen have different writing criteria. Within my family/friends discourse community the environment is different compared to a work environment, the vibes are very welcoming, calm and a bit hectic sometimes. For example, meet me at the gas station, now! would be fine, but to an older adult one may change the text to hey, can you please meet me at the gas station as soon as possible? Main topics written include casual conversations about how ones day went at school or work. The media mostly relied on would be text messaging, but other ways of communicating with writing include emails, invitations, letters, and social media. Foul language is never acceptable. Goals for this community are to keep friends and family happy, stay close, comfort them, and to stay in contact with them. To become a member of this discourse community, one must become a close friend of the family, marry into the family, or be born into the family. In a professional discourse community it is essential to use the correct media and appropriate language. When writing to a fellow co-worker or management members one must always use a respectful and formal tone. As a work-study student at the UTEP Police Department our audiences consist of administrators, police officers, parents and students. Any written information will be left on a sticky note, sent through an email, or confidential information needed to file. Some specialized language includes file, Officer Reports, Scan, Incident Reports,

and Copy and all must be done correctly. Addressing administration or police offers correctly is very important. For instance, to leave a note for the chief of police I might say, Chief Walsh, please check your emails for any attachments regarding last weeks incident, thank you. My goals for this community are to get my work done, dont make any mistakes, gain work experience, and work on my oral communication skills. To become a part of this community one must apply for the position, be interviewed, get hired, and start working. As a student of the University of Texas in El Paso, writing is used, given and received to and from teachers every day. Written communication is done by using Blackboard, student emails, text messages a syllabus, or power points. However, unlike work and family, the language used is both formal and informal due to the fact the audience is not only teachers or administration, but other students as well. Instructors must be addressed the correct way for example, Professor Alvarez, there isnt a link to post my essay online, is it okay if I turn it in, in person before class Wednesday? would be acceptable. Addressing a student consist of just using their first name. A purpose for writing in this community would be for an essay, syllabus, power point presentation, or if one had questions or concerns. Goals in this community would be to graduate from college in my family. To become a part of this community you must apply to the university, be accepted, enroll and attend. As a team member on a basketball city league team, it is my duty to let my teammates know when our next game it. Sending a text message saying Practice at Caroline 1 to 3 on Saturday. Bring blue jerseys would be acceptable in this discourse community. Im giving the basic but needed information. Any purposes for written communications is to let my team know if there is a game coming up, if cant make it to practice, Ill be late, etc., The goals are to

better my teamwork skills, and get to know more people. To become a part of this community one must apply for a spot, try out; make the team, show up to practices and games. Writing has always been most essential. Even though all these communities are difference in their own way or another. Writing is used every day.