Literacy Task II: Community Analysis

For this Task, you will be collecting first-hand data on a community and compiling this data into a text taking the form of narrative, analysis and reportage. Additionally, this data will be filtered through the community building theory of James Paul Gee, as found in Exploring Language. As strange as this assignment sounds, it, out of the four papers you will be writing this semester, most closely follows the paper writing process of professors of the Humanities. Since this task requires leg-work on your part, I have included all the components that are needed in this text: Identify a community you think would be of interest to the magazines readers Research, through observation and interviews, the communitys history and membership Choose from among your research the bits that will both show how well youve done your research and help you show that your stance is reasonable and thought-provoking Apply Gees terms and ideas to an analysis of the evidence youve chosen that will help readers understand and agree with your stance Write all of this into an essay incorporating narrative, reporting, and analysis

Finally, below are helpful types for selecting an appropriate community: Your community must have the following characteristics: A particular place, physical or virtual, where identity building activities are enacted Identifiable practices and/or rituals A particular and definable social language A history or legacy, which you can research fairly easily The potential for you to observe the communitys identity building and interview a member A few examples of communities are: An online discussion group A service or volunteer organization Fans of a television series (musical group, sports team, etc.) who meet regularly A professional organization A political action group A student group for a very specific part of the college community A few questions to get you started: What physical or virtual space(s) does this community occupy? What kinds of literacy practices does the community use? Who belongs? Who doesnt? How can you tell? How do community members recognize each other? Does this community create a lasting physical/virtual trace of its activities? If so, what kind? What language details are unique to this community? Whats the groups history? Has it changed over time? How? How fast? Why? How can your understanding of this one community help us understand other communities?

Guidelines for Evaluation In crafting successive drafts of the essay for Task II, focus on the following. These are the elements I will focus on as I evaluate your final draft. Developing a focused, argumentative claim (thesis) and articulating it clearly to your audience. Working closely with the texts (interviews, observations and readings) that you have at your disposal, especially quoting and paraphrasing from them effectively. Blending information from multiple sources effectively. Developing an effective organizational plan for your paper. Using language and rhetorical strategies that are appropriate for your audience. Arriving at a larger point regarding your community. Quoting or paraphrasing from and citing sources effectively using MLA style. Good luck! Im happy to help if you need some additional assistance at any stage of this paper. My office hours are M & W 9.00-10.30am. You can reach me as well via email at rifenburg@ou.edu.

Literacy Task II: Community Analysis Quick Reference Guide

Rhetorical Situation: Purpose: Display an ability to collect data and filter data through theory Audience: Me Stance: Your choice Length: 1700-2500 words Up to one image permitted, if rhetorically justified No need for outside sources Works cited page needed for the Gee reading Submission Details: Post rough draft to D2L discussion board by October 16th Literacy Task II in appropriate D2L dropbox by October 23rd Note: You will also submit a transcript of your interview with a member of the community you choose. This transcript will not count toward the length of your paper.