The biggest difference between Swales and Gee is that Swales believes that while you are a novice in the community, you are partially in the community–an in between state. Gee says this is not possible. He says that you are either demonstrate that you are a full member, or you aren’t in the Discourse. Also, Swales uses the term discourse community to refer to what Gee calls a Discourse. Both however believe that the “apprentices” learn from the experts and that this cycle is necessary for the groups survival. I think what’s useful about Swales is his idea about being a partial member. This is very applicable to many people’s lives. What is useful about Gee is the idea that he really emphasizes the idea of education by immersion in a culture, which is very important to really become fully “fluent.”

Help received: class discussion.