Analyzing a Discourse Community
Analyzing a Discourse Community
Analyze the way a group you are part of uses language. Possible groups include
• Work teams
• Sports teams
• Honor organizations and other service or social groups
• Churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques
• Geographic or ethnic groups
Questions to ask include the following:
• What specialized terms might not be known to outsiders?
• What topics do members talk or write about? What topics are considered unimportant or improper?
• What channels do members use to convey messages?
• What forms of language do members use to build goodwill? To demonstrate competence or superiority?
• What strategies or kinds of proof are convincing to members?
• What formats, conventions, or rules do members expect messages to follow?
***Instructors Assignment Sample:
September 9, 2018
To: Sabrena P. Belz
From: Ann Porter
Subject: The Discourse Community of the First Baptist Church of Bakersfield
The purpose of this memo is to introduce the discourse community of my church, the First Baptist Church of Bakersfield. A prayer group is a unique part of my church community that serves as a vital organ. Each member plays a major role by ministering to the needs of the church community through prayer. Regular participation is required.
Church Community Communication Genres and Specialized Terms
First of all, the mission of the group is ascertained by adhering to a set of common public goals. The objective is to meet the prayer needs of the nation, pastor, staff, and leadership committees, and to promote the flow of each assembly proving the most productive. Constant provision for the members and staff throughout our congregation concerns prayer requests, health issues, and monetary needs. For instance, when a member requests a prayer for his or her son who is away fighting in Iraq for the freedom of this country, we incorporate an “emergency prayer tag”. An emergency prayer tag is filled with time slots assigning sessions to each person making prayers and confessions on behalf of the individual.
Another specialized term used by this group is “standing in the gap”. Standing in the gap means to literally take the place of the person in question. For example, one maybe in a bad place with a drug addiction or a deadly health dilemma which causes the mental state of mind to lose clarification. Once the prayer partner petitions on behalf of the person, relief comes one way or the other. In fact, it takes a special person to stand in the gap, simply because the person standing in the gap usually bears the brunt of the enemy assaults, while feeling everything the person in question is suffering. In addition, some partners are assigned explicitly to pray for the shepherd of the flock and his family.
Finally, the term “body” refers to the church as a whole. Therefore, when our pastor asks for prayer for the body, he is referring to the entire community of the church. This inclusive term further strengthens the bond all members share and describe them as a single unit.
Rules and Techniques of Communication between Our Church Members
The mechanisms to provide information and feedback are strictly enforced. We attend weekly meetings including the leaders of congregation in order to allow an open forum to express ideas and concerns, and to provide feedback. Our group shares assumptions about the channels,
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avenues, formats, and styles to use when communicating various messages. We also brainstorm topics to discuss and how to convey them to successfully inform our church members and help them improve themselves by winning in life.
In addition, anyone may interject suggestions and address any issues or concerns. Since members are always considering proper ethics and incorporating positive connotations when confronting sensitive subjects, there is little cause for conflicts. We have a strict code of ethics to be followed by each member. The right to privacy is observed and adhered to at all costs. Gossiping, tale bearing, and breach of confidence are frowned upon and serve as grounds for dismissal. Alternatively, a prayer member signs a contract agreeing not to disclose any of our members’ information.
Several Genres in the Communicative Aims
All and all, the prayer group consistently works at improving morale and inspiring one another. Specifically, we call at least one member in the group each week to reassure and inspire him or her. We attend fun activities and give Bible study sessions. In addition, we aim to provide Bible scriptures, daily prayer journals, short lessons, and hymns to encourage and uplift one another. Furthermore, we encourage endurance, faith building, and strengthening of the spirit by employing these objectives. Ultimately, our mission is to remain productive prayer partners.
Church Techniques Used in Communication
Depending on the occasion, the group communicates through many methods. For example, the most efficient way an “emergency prayer tag” is implemented is through phone calls and emails. Another example is announcing an early morning “prayer visual”. Basically, printing flyers and emailing would prove conducive. However, another means is use of a media announcement posted on the screens during services. Communicating to the whole body requires additional preparation in which the committee (or lead pastors) reviews the particulars of the speaker’s format for presentation and identifies what constitutes evidence and goodwill to the listeners. In general, these methods include:
• Phone
• Email
• Paper Memo/Flyers/Programs
• Media
• Postage Mail
• Meetings
To this end, we strive to hold fast our convictions to operate in a professional manner. We take our commitment seriously. Hence, failure is not an option. Whether utilizing electronic
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communication, face to face contact, media presentations, or phone, ethic variations among
discourse communities are consistently being investigated and implemented to be an effective goodwill building association.
Answer preview to analyzing a Discourse Community
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