Britt's Response to Writing like a Writer April 20th

Brittany Crockett

English 384J

April 20, 2011

Writing about writing

From reading these two articles both and John and Harris challenge the idea of discourse by being the most different type of articles we have already read in this class. The reason why they are different is because they give   negative and positives points on being in a community.  

In John’s article he provides examples on what should be involved when picking or wanting to be a part of a community or group. “ …First, many people have chosen to be members of one discourse communities, groups with whom they share social, political, professional, recreational interest” (John) This is important to me because a lot of people feel like they must be in a community where their family is or were a part of, even if they themselves has no interest in or desire. I feel someone’s environment should not determine what community or group they should be involved in it should matter on what they are interested in and want to be a part of.

In Harris’s article he as well gives positives and negatives attribute to being a part of a community and he also comments on how being a part of a group of community  may not be all that it is cracked up to be. “There seem to me two warnings here. The first is that, since it has no “positive opposing” term, community can soon become empty and sentimental word.” (Harris) This part stuck out to me because other articles that we had to read made it seem as if being a part of a community and help you socially and academically and personally, but this shows that sometimes it’s not that great or that there is other things that come to with being a part of something.

This change my mind about discourse communities a little because I never thought about the negative side and the reactions that can be established after being a part and involved with the community. Leaders taking charge rebels and arguments and many other reasons to separate a group can happen. I believe people do not think about those conflicts when they really want to be a part  I think we spent so much time on these articles because our professor really wants us to understand what discourse community means and the different sides and opinions on the subject. To fully understand things you have to know the pro and cons of it.