Response to John and Harris Discourse Communities

In John’s article it seems to group discourse communities based on something people were forced into. For example, the author talks about religious and cultural discourse communities that our parents put us in. Harris sees a discourse community as sort of a club. If you’re not a member of the club then you don’t fit in it.

            I seem to agree more with John than Harris. I do see discourse communities as more of something I was born into. Yes there are some I chose to be a part of but most of them were my parent’s choice for me. I am Roman Catholic but not by choice. I live in the south but not by choice. I went to Catholic school my whole life but not by choice.

            Harris believes that discourse communities can be good and bad. He speaks of them like they are clubs and only members are in the know. In some ways I agree. When it comes to sports teams or religions I wouldn’t fit in. I would be the without a membership on a football team because I’m a female and I’ve never played before. I would also be without a membership in a Jewish temple because I’m not Jewish.

            I can see where Harris is coming from and both he and John have changed my views about discourse communities. I always thought of these communities as a choice but once I really thought about it I realized that most of the discourse communities I’m in have been chosen for me. Harris opened my eyes to the fact that they can be good and bad. I never really saw the sort of strict side of these communities before reading this article.

            I think we have been spending so much time on these readings because it is important to understand what our readers believe and how to persuade them especially with resumes. It is important to be on the same page as your reader.