Tiffany Johnson

Va Phi
UWRT-1101-023
Professor Waterhouse
Comment [W1]: This information belongs in
the header.

October 22,nd 2014

Book Club Discourse Community

Comment [W2]: No underline needed.

Similar to a worm in an apple, book fanatics bury themselves in piles of books; hence the
title bookworms. Book fanatics are join the literature community or discourse community

Comment [W3]: Nice opening sentence!

Comment [W4]: ??

where participants have the same fascination of books as themselves. The community also
utilizes a broad spectrum of communication techniques as well as specific jargon, or lexis.
Individual expertise can be identified through their use of jargon and or knowledge of different
works of literature. The book club discourse community attracts members who are genuinely
interested in reading, analyzing, and expanding the knowledge of books.

Every discourse community has a certain set of goals that are trying to be met. Even the

Comment [W5]: Are you talking about formal

book clubs or just people who are interested in
reading and discussing what theyve read?
Comment [W6]: Your introduction needs
some work. Defining discourse community
might help? It seems rather choppy.
Comment [W7]: This seems awkward.

book club discourse community has goals for each member. The goals for a book club are
meeting together frequently, sharing ideas and, reading and analyzing literature. A book club
cannot succeed without members meeting together to discuss their opinions on the books that

Comment [W8]: Misplaced comma (See #2)

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/com
mas.htm

they are reading. In addition, ideas must be shared amongst the members in order to have
discussions about the books. Participation is the key to a successful book club because, it allows
each member to share new theories that would have otherwise not been known. These are some
general goals that each book club implements to achieve a long-lasting discourse community.

Formatted: Highlight

A book club generally meets at either a members house or a specified location. There
are, however, book clubs that take place over online forums, email, text, phone calls, or webcam.
A typical book club can meet anywhere from once a week to once a month depending on the set
schedules. Communication is another key aspect to a book club, because each member should
participate in the groups discussion. Communication is what makes a book club an actual
discourse community. The more members participating and communicating together, the more
rewarding the club becomes.

Comment [W9]: This seems out of place in

this paragraph and a bit redundant.

Each discourse community also has their own jargon, or words and expressions unique to
them that an outsider would have difficulty understanding. Being a part of a book club will
introduce the member to a variety of jargon. When a book club member sees the acronym TFIOS
or the quotes Okay? Okay,., they will immediately know that they person is talking about The
Fault In Our Stars by John Green. When a member sees someone with a Hufflepuff insignia on
their bag, the person knows that they are a Harry Potter fan. The different forms of jargons in a
book club are quotes, acronyms, symbols, and random names and items. They are easily

Comment [W10]: There are unclear

antecedents throughout this paragraph.
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/gra
mmar/pronouns-and-antecedents
Comment [W11]: Awkward

identifiable amongst the members of the group.

Inside the threshold of the book club discourse community, the traditional method of
communication would be during the scheduled time of meeting. During the assembly, members

Comment [W12]: This paragraph seems out

of order with the other paragraphs.

would discuss of upcoming events or bring up relevant topics of discussion. Suggestions from

Comment [W13]: Awkward & tense shift:

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/601
/04/

members are essential to improving the experience and efficiency of the community.
Participation from individuals insinuates a livelier atmosphere in the community which in favor

Comment [W14]: You arent quite using this

word correctly.

increases circulation of information and subjects of debate. For members convenience, there is

Comment [W15]: Awkward. Maybe try

reading your paper out loud, word-for-word?

also an online blog for members to provide feedback on the progress of the discourse
community.

Other than hosting meetings and analyzing various novels, the reading community has a
wide range of intercommunication mechanisms that revolves around the cyber world. As
mentioned before, online blogs is one of the vital techniques used in the discourse community
line of communication as it announces paramount details regarding to the community plans.
Online forums or groups are another way for members to contact another and create points of
argument to dispute over. Overall the most convenient manner of intercommunication in most

Comment [W16]: Redundant:

http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/gra
mmar/are-you-annoyingly-redundant

Comment [W17]: Redundant

cases would be the use of texting via cellular devices. Through the use of group messaging, a
person can reach out to the community in an instant making it an ideal form of communication.
The standard requirement for starting a book community requires at least two members.
Possessing an abundance of members only creates a more active and enjoyable community. A
myriad community can also create chaos and confusion within the community objectives. This is
where establishing a leader in the community come into consideration, with a knowledgeable
leader the goals of the masses can be redefined and organized. An individual expertise can be
disclosed through their participation in the community or mannerism when speaking. Spotting a
novice is extremely easy because the person will look dumbfounded when an expert speaks. As
for most communities, beginners in the community can always scale the ladder of masteries by
soaking in bountiful works of literature. Learning from others is another option for newcomers to
assimilate into the the domains of the discourse community.
An efficient discourse community is comprised of four necessary features, starting off
with a common goal within the community, sufficient forms of intercommunication or
communication, usage of distinct forms of jargons or lexis when speaking, and members with
different degrees of expertise. Joining a book club is a wonderful and rewarding experience to

Comment [W18]: Wordy:

http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/gra
mmar/wordiness-and-idioms
Comment [W19]: You arent quite using this
word correctly.
Comment [W20]: Tense shift:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/601
/04/

any reader. Books offer insight to the world and the lives within it. There are millions of books
throughout the world that cover nearly every topic imaginable.

Comment [W21]: This closing seems off

topic. Check this out for ideas on closing
sentences.
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/businesscareer/public-speaking/openings-and-closings