DISCOURSE COMMUNITY
Discourse Community Ethnography
Crystal Ruvalcaba
University of Texas at El Paso
Rhetoric & Composition 1301
October 24, 2014
Paul LaPrade
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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