Running Head: ETHNOGRAPHY 1

Ethnography

Marco Mejia

October 15, 2017

The University of Texas in El Paso



ETHNOGRAPHY 2

What is a "Discourse Community"?

A "Discourse Community" is an organized group of people that have unfed together

through the use of communication skills to achieve a shared goal. There are no physical nor

definitive aspects of a Discourse Community. However many writers have created a rubric for

discourse community, through their writings. Many common shared themes of discourse

communities include, shared goals, outlets of communication, specialized vocabulary and

values.

Literature Review #1:

John Swales definition of a "discourse Communities" is defined by characteristic created

to inform and mobilize groups of people. The purpose of Swales' article is to create dialogue for

a "Discourse Communities," through six goals which include; broadly agreed public goals,

mechanism of intercommunication, response, the use of genres, lexis, and levels of

memberships. Together these concepts create a construct of what a growing community would

require. While Swales admits his vision is a work in progress, he did inform his readers of the

need for organized public development. While also providing an outlet for them to grow and

learn off of.

Literature Review #2:

The purpose of James Porter's definition of "Intertextuality" and "Discourse

Communities" is to offer guidance to his audience. Porter address on the use of influences by all

writers from the context of their lives, is his introduction of "Intertextuality." This discussion is

expanded by through the conversation of "plagiarism." According to Porter, "plagiarism" is

inevitable but not always with malice intent. Then Porter continues to speak about Discourse

Communities" which requires; common interest, approved channels of communication, either

clear leadership or none at all, and standardized methods of text communications. Which



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resulted in the potentization of many communities, which personally I felt worked better than

Swales'"Discourse Communities." Also, Porter's thoughts on "plagiarism" challenged the current

University of Texas at El Paso policy on plagiarism. He opens a The purpose of Porter's

definition of "Intertextuality" and "Discourse Communities" is to offer guidance to his audience.

Porter address on the use of influences by all writers from the context of their lives, is his

introduction of "Intertextuality." This discussion is expanded by through the conversation of

"plagiarism." According to Porter, "plagiarism" is inevitable but not always with malice intent.

Then Porter continues to speak about Discourse Communities" which requires; common

interest, approved channels of communication, either clear leadership or none at all, and

standardized methods of text communications.

Which Discourse Community Did I choose?:

A prime example of a discourse community is the organization "Wold PAC," a team

founded by Cenk Ugyer, to combat money in politics. There is a national organization that

guides separate chapters in each state. Each state representative is then responsible for

introducing legislation to the chambers of their respected state. "Wolf PAC has successfully

introduced anti-Super PAC, legislation in five of the fifty states. They have made steps to fulfill

their goals, however, are still reaching their grand mission of ending money in politics at a

national level. But are considered a Discourse Community? But first, we should have some

insight on Discourse Communities, by experts.

Discussion:



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Wolf Pac is an organization is has a website that is extremely informative. On the Wolf

Pac website they contain an large amounts of information; text chains, forums, videos, and

blogs. The following analysis was developed using the information provided

I don't believe that application of a term like "Discourse Communities" to any community

validates their work or accomplishments. The lack of exclusive terminology resulting in the lack

of accreditation is absurd. However, the idea of a "discourse community" does encourage

accelerated growth, by offering concrete objectives.

Is Organization a Discourse Community?:

"Wolf-PAC" has many shared goals. As an organization, it is their primary responsibility

to get money out of politics. This was done by setting others goals, like media and outreach.

Most of the members of "Wolf PAC" have inter-communication via texting, facebook, and form

chains. The team is all subjected to the same genres; courthouses, board meetings, and new

stations. Specific Lexus used in "Wolf-PAC" is they are the same terminology used in modern

politics. Some examples include

Canvassing- going door to door and asking for support

Phone backing- collecting numbers and information about populations of people

Money in the Politics-the influence of money supporting U.S. elected politicians

Turks- (not the ethnicity) fan base of the TYT network

There are also levels of membership. There is the head director and founder Cenk

Ugyer and his team in California. Which also lead the chapter presidents of each state. Then

they have vice presidents, community boards, workers, interns, and then lastly volunteers. But

finally, the response generated "Wolf-PAC" by the members is the expansion of support, and

feedback of the people are allowed to make decisions on rules made by the president. And are

even allowed to create feedback, which hopefully is always constructive.



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"Wolf PAC" have the common interest of removing unlimited amounts donation in

politicians ruining the democratic system of the USA. "Wolf PAC" also communicates through

approved channels. Each form of communication is gone in writing or by the spoken word.

While there is a clear leadership, there is not a concrete regulatory system. All workers are

given the massive amount of freedoms. They are allowed to choose which task they are

assigned. While there are regulations the chapters "Wolf PAC," I feel Porter would not agree

with that "Wolf PAC" is a discourse community.

Conclusion:

I don't believe that application of a term like "Discourse Communities" to any community

validates their work or accomplishments. The lack of exclusive terminology resulting in the lack

of accreditation is absurd. However, the idea of a "discourse community" does encourage

accelerated growth, by offering concrete objectives. Or just because "Wolf PAC," does not have

a no clear leadership or a strictly defined leadership. While "Super PAC" has made some

accomplishment, it is only one-tenth of the way complete. While I am hopeful they will prevail, I

understand they are a new organization. Regardless I do feel that communities should aspire to

function like a "Discourse Community." They offer aspirations for new groups. But one man can

create conditions that apply to all organized groups in all factions of time.



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Reference Page:

Swales, John. The Concept of Discourse Community. Genre Analysis: English in Academic

and Research Settings. Boston Cambridge UP. 1990 21-32. Print.

Porter James. Intertextuality and Discourse Community.Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc:

Rhetoric Review. Vol, 5, No. 1. JSTOR. 1986 34-37. Print.

Wolf PAC. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2017, from http://www.wolf-pac.com/