DISCOURSE COMMUNITY Discourse Community Ethnography Crystal Ruvalcaba University of Texas at El Paso Rhetoric & Composition 1301 October 24, 2014 Paul LaPrade 1 DISCOURSE COMMUNITY Introduction discourse community, according to John Swales, is a community that meets six criteria that are described in a reading. There are discourse communities all around us in the form of groups, sports team, schools, stores, businesses, and many more that are considered/ characterized as a discourse community The purpose of this discourse community analysis is to see, observe The El Paso Zoo, a zoo located in El Paso, Texas, a 35-acre facility houses animals representing over 220 species, including such critically endangered species as the Amur leopard and the Aruba rattlesnake. The purpose here is to examine it and be able to tell if it is characterized as a true discourse community, therefore it would have to meet the six criteria relationships defined by John Swales. Literature Review The Concept of Discourse Community by John Swales is a reading I had to read in the book Writing about Writing for my English class. In one of the chapters of this book John Swales describes what the concepts are and what a certain group or community needs (requires) to meet the criteria he described. His criterion that he describes is pretty simple, in order to from a discourse community or for a group to be considered a discourse community is that the group should have certain goals all as a whole. For example, they can have goals to please their audience or to be a better community itself. Mechanism is also a part of this criterion that will allow the employees/members of this community to communicate within each other, but don’t forget about the people who participate this community. They as well as the members of the community should have a way to receive the information that has ro be handed down to them. This can either be through the internet, emails, books or even pamphlets. A tool is another thing 2 DISCOURSE COMMUNITY that is required, but they should not just have one, they are allowed as many tools as they please if they believe this will characterize them as an discourse community. For example, they may use computers just as how we do here in my English class. Another example is using cash registers, just like they do in a community that requires you to purchase something. (Kain and Wardle), in my personal opinion the definition of activity theory was described in a very simple way that facilitated my understanding by a lot. Activity theory is kind of the same as a discourse community and it helps the members see what they have to do to build up their community or also observe what is bringing to a downfall, if that’s the case. In order for a community to meet its criteria, it should have all the six points swales describes, but it’s not just that. This group must have members and by that I mean they should all have and share common goals so that it is easier to achieve these goals. (Porter, 1986) in the book of Writing about Writing also describes a certain term and that is “intertextuality.” This term describes that no matter how “original” a paper might seem, all writers get some ideas from other writers, this might be a phrase or just a common saying. Right when I read this ,plagiarism came to my mind but I believe they don’t see it that way when it comes to them. These three readings I mentioned in my Literature review are what I used to determine if the community I observed did qualify and is considered a discourse community. They helped me understand what the meaning of a discourse community is and what the requirements are. Due to my understanding and my learnings I can evaluate the community better and provide information that support my observations. Discussion 3 DISCOURSE COMMUNITY The El Paso Zoo was first created in the late 1940’s. It was created by mostly business men who worked in the zoo and had some experience with the animals, of course back then they didn’t have the fancy environments they have now, but within time they were able to provide the animals with their nice “houses” they have now. The El Paso Zoo welcomes everyone that wants to come and take a look. I was interested in observing this business (community) because of the fact that I am an animal lover and have always loved coming to the zoo when I was a child. I see myself being a zookeeper or even a volunteer. By my observations the El Paso Zoo did meet all of Swales criteria. I focused more on the volunteerism side of the zoo, because it was the connection to my service learning I am attending for my University 1301 class. I was given the chance to observe what the volunteers did there and what the volunteer leader did too. They are in charge of preparing the animal diets daily, wash and store the dishes, se up and have ready work station for the next day, clean and sanitize work station, sweep and mop and of course take care of the animals, and keep they’re environment clean. I noticed they are all very nice and helpful to each other and to the guests. I was also given the chance to interview one of the volunteers named Zeth Kunkle who has been a volunteer for about 8 months and the volunteer coordinator whose’ name is Toni Lopez and has been there for 16 years. When I spoke to them it was easier to see if they do qualify as a discourse community because I was able to know all the fact about the zoo and volunteerism. They have about 120 volunteers there at the zoo though only 65 are active. The volunteers are not allowed to use their cell phones when on duty because they can either fall out their pocket or its just a distraction, like at most businesses. Toni Lopez is in charge to let her volunteers know what is going on through a website called “E-vite”. This form of communication is what is used and needed to inform the volunteers of what the week has to bring. For example all of the 4 DISCOURSE COMMUNITY volunteers’ names are provided there and Miss Toni is able to see if they will be attending the next meeting and what they will be bringing. These meetings occur every month to discuss the animals rights and how they can better their situations, to encourage the volunteers and let them know they are doing a good job, and of course to give them any news they are to be informed about. In order to become a volunteer you must fill out an application, show up, attend orientation and be interviewed. The reason for the interviews is to make sure they are not just there because they have nothing else to do. They want volunteers who will be trustworthy and have love for the animals and will treat them right. They also have to attend training after that which is a whole day long and they show you what you need to know and show you all the emergency exits. Their way of communication within each other is simple. They use radios and have different emergency codes that are pretty simple as well. The example Miss Toni gave us was to picture something in our heads related to the color of the code, to make it easier to memorize. Example, CODE ORANGE is Fire on grounds, so she told us to think of the color of fire which is orange. Another one is CODE SILVER is Missing a senior citizen and the way we can remember this is by the fact that all or most senior citizens have silver hair. For those volunteers that have been there for a while now are more likely to get the chance to attend and be involved in special events. One that is coming up soon and they are preparing for is “Boo at the Zoo.” Boo at the Zoo is El Paso's wildest trick--treat in town. It is a family-friendly offers candy stations for trick-or-treating, pumpkin bowling, games, a maze, animal enrichment activities and much more. It provides a safe place for children to trick-or-treat. When they prepare for it they have to do some painting but they are cautious to not use anything harmful to 5 DISCOURSE COMMUNITY the animals. They do not use acrylic paints, wires, pipe cleaners, or string. Instead they use tissue paper to “paint” what needs to be painted. The El Paso Zoo’s volunteers al share the same common goal and that is to take care of animals. They also have many other goals, which are to bring more animals to the Zoo to make it more interesting, and fun to their audience. They are thinking of bringing the Komodo Dragon, Flamingos, Otters, Red River Hogs, and Stingrays. Another exotic animal that has them really excited is the bobcat. Like I said this is one of the goals they have, which they hope to achieve by the next 15 years. I am sure they will be able to conquer this because luckily they get good amounts of donations, thank you to the people who make the zoo better for us. Conclusion Having to do this assignment was actually interesting. I learned, saw and thought about things I would’ve never stopped to think about. For example their mechanisms, and everything they use to make it a better business. I personally do believe The El Paso Zoo is characterized as a discourse community. It met Swales criteria and I was one to observe that. It had mechanism involved, goals, and it definitely had enough members to make and help achieve the common goals they all share. References Porter, J. (1986). Intertextuality and the discourse community. Rhetoric Review Swales, J. (2011). The concept of discourse community. In Writing about Writing Kain, D. Wardle, E. (2001). Activity Theory. Writing about Writing 6 DISCOURSE COMMUNITY 7