Nick Housand's Blog

 A discourse community is group of people centered around an idea or organization. This essay was very challenging for me, turning the data I collected into an organized essay. The actual process of exploring the discourse of CIS was a fun and interesting process. Throughout the paper I will share my findings on the CIS community and how they are different from any other.

 

 

 

 

How I See a Discourse Community

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                ERH 101, Section 1

                                                                                                  Date due: 21 July 2017

                                                                                                     Date Sub.: 21 July 2017

                                                                                                              Paper No.1                                   

Help received: Peer response

With Chris ferrill, The Every-writer,

Meeting with LTC Ticen, Joe crockmalny,

CIS department bulletin boards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“at any moment we are using language we must say or write the right thing in the right thing in the right way while playing the right social role and (appearing) to hold the right values, beliefs, and attitudes.” p.275(Gee)

 

Being a member of a discourse means that you have learned the lexis and how to use all the resources you have available to you. Computer Information Science is one of the many departments at Virginia Military Institute that demonstrates the qualities of being a true discourse community. I have come to this stance through collecting evidence and comparing and   contrasting it to the discourse community definition set forth by John Swales and James Gee.

Key concepts

In Swales writing he has identified six key characteristics of discourse communities. He says they must have a clear set of common goals for members of the community. There also must be forms of communication between members. When feedback is given it must be applied to work as a member of the discourse. To be a discourse community you must also use multiple genres of writing such as different types of advertisement. Discourses must have some kind of distinct lexis that requires you being in the discourse to fluently understand and be able to use the lexis. The last key characteristic from Swales is that there must be some form of ranking from an entry-level member up to an expert. Gee does to not use his writing to set standards for what is or is not a discourse community. He talks about the fine line between being a part of a discourse or not and the process of learning them.

My point

Computer Information Science is a perfect example of a discourse community. I had no problem finding evidence that shows how it is nearly impossible to just be somewhat part of the discourse. The Computer Information Science department looks after its members and have a very organized network within the discourse. 

Description of method

I researched Virginia Military Institute’s web page for Computer Information Science and collected data showing how it was a discourse community. I walked the halls of the department and looked at what kind of information they had up on the walls. As a perspective member of the discourse I was looking for what draws me into the department and what kind of interesting information they made available. With the information that I gathered, I formed my own ideas of why it was a discourse. I met with Major Wainwright, a Professor in the department, I asked him questions trying to see if his answers would match my ideas.

My findings

As I walked the halls of the Computer Information Science department I knew what kind of information I was looking for, but did not know what to expect as this was my first time in the department. Having an interest in the department but still being an outsider to the discourse helped me read more into what was posted. As a first timer in the building there was all kinds papers posted on the wall, a little bit overwhelming. The majority were advertisements to summer positions but they had a range of genres. This seems to be a common theme in most departments but shows how they want to help their students find work in their fields on interest. It also shows they have faith in the work of students to set them up with summer work while still being in the “learning” at Virginia Military Institute. They also had color coated schedules up the walls easy for anyone to find and keep up to date with important information on the schedule. One bulletin board was full of personal statements from cadets about the department. They were full of great remarks about the classes but some stood out about the department itself.

“The faculty are second to none” (king)

“CIS is the best major at VMI because it prepares us for careers that are in need to be filled across the nation” (Esnardo)

 

These quotes help show some of the common goals found throughout the department. They are dedicated to helping the students the help they need to learn and develop for the future.

In my interview with Captain Wainwright I got a firsthand account as how to Computer Information Science fits the six characteristics. He talked very highly of their efforts to create good environment for the students to come together and work. They strive help cadets succeed and branch out into the real world while still in school. I explained the difference between the ideas of the two linguists Harris and Gee’s thoughts on Discourses and asked which one he felt related to Computer Information Science. He compared Harris’s grey area to Minor in Computer Information Science rather than a major. At first, Captain Wainwright was talking towards Harris’s views but then said how hard it is to get out of that grey area and become a real member of the discourse. He described the department as being very time consuming so you must either be all in or else you will not be able to build your way up in the discourse and graduate. There is no mushfake way of getting in you must start at the bottom level classes and learn the material.    

Computer Information Science may not above and beyond with all six characteristics like feedback system. Professors are always willing to help when they can be found, the key part is when they can be found. This department has clear examples for the other five and shows the discourse more clearly with having a fine line between in or out. It is an exciting discourse with lots of energy from the staffing being that it is so new. As the program continues to expand it will become an even stronger discourse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Esnardo, Juliet. “L16 Reception “CIS is …””. Malroy building CIS department

 

Gee, James. “Literacy, Discourse, and Linguistics.” Edited by Wardle, Elizabeth, and Doug Downs, eds. Writing about writing: A college reader. Boston: Bedford/ St. martin’s 2011. 274-288. Print.

 

King, Elija. “L16 Reception “CIS is …””. Malroy building CIS department

 

 

Wainwright, Doug. “Major”. Personal interview, 19 July 2017

 

 

 

 

This essay is a rhetorical analysis of Malcolm X. I read to learn to breaking down a piece of reading and analyze it for Ethos, Pathos, and Logos. This essay challenged my skills as a writer being able to present an argument in a strong fashion and as a thinker being able to pull out key parts of the reading.

 

Introduction

During the era of slavery and the civil rights movement education was a very hard thing to come by, but not that does not make it impossible to learn. Malcolm X, a human rights activist, wrote an autobiography including the famous excerpt “Learning to Read,” published in 1965. In the excerpt, Malcolm X spoke about his education that he provided to himself despite his unusual circumstance of being in prison. Malcolm began the writing by reflecting on his homemade education and why he decided to start teaching himself. Throughout his many years of reading the dictionary and reading history books, Malcolm X became one of the most influential people in the world. His efforts to inspire all people more than just African Americans, in prison, or anyone letting society tell them what they are worth made him very well know. He became a historical icon simply through his own determination and will power. He shared writings that moved him hoping they will do the same for others.

Thesis

Malcolm X uses his own personal experiences as he was in prison to signify his credibility as a self-educator and draw followers into his civil rights movement. All the books he talks about pertain only to racial injustices even though he read many other books. This shows the strong use of Pathos, connecting with the reader making them understand the pain of slavery. He talks about how in the streets he demanded respect, but when it was not as simple to establish Ethos on paper. He put countless hours into teaching himself how to write so that he could effectively share his story.

Summary

Malcolm X’s writings were his approach to educating fellow African Americans and convince them to stand alongside him. Every word he wrote was filled with Pathos hoping everyone would connect with his movement. He believes that the majority of the African American community does not understand the rights they deserve and/or how to go about getting them. His ideas on equality start at a much broader angle before progressing to civil rights.

“how is the Black man going to get civil rights before he gets his human rights? If the American black man will start thinking about his human rights, and then start thinking of himself as one of world’s great peoples, he will see he has a case for the United Nations.” p.114 (Malcolm X)

 

He speaks deeply about horror and inhumane treatment the American black man was put through in times of slavery.   

History

Malcolm Little was born in Omaha, Nebraska, May nineteenth, 1925. Growing up as an orphan he was sent from foster home to foster home eventually getting caught up in a life of crime. With his life of crime and teachers telling him that his dreams will never come true because of his skin color he had reached his final straw. The segregation that was present in this time had the same effect on many African Americans which is why they felt hopeless. During Malcolm’s eighth grade year, he decided to drop out of school and give up on becoming a lawyer. Eventually, in 1945, Malcolm Little was sentenced to prison. Being in prison gave him more than enough time to sit and think where he eventually tried to turn his life around. Being prison led him to learn of the teachings of Muhammad.

“The teachings ring true – to every Negro. You can hardly show me a black adult in American – or a white one, for that matter – who knows from the history books anything like the truth about the black man’s role.” p.110 (Malcolm X)

 

Muhammad’s teachings encouraged African American prisoners all over, Malcom took that encouragement and ran turned it into greatness. Malcolm started signing his name Malcolm X during the time he was teaching himself how to read and write. He came to truly enjoy reading but some of books he read lead him to knowledge what he was outraged about. He discovered slavery through African American points of view only so he heard the worst of it right off the bat. Reading pushed Malcolm to take up an interest in Civil Rights. After Malcolm X got out of prison, he began ministry. From there he began his autobiography which was written over a two-year span from 1963 to 1965 with help from his coauthor, Alex Haley. The autobiography was published the year of Malcolm’s death in 1965 by Ballantine Books. The book’s beginning writing processes because in efforts to outline Malcolm’s philosophies as a civil rights leader and religious leader. Parts of his autobiography came from different interviews he was questioned in and different stories he told throughout his years alive.

development of thesis

           When Malcolm X discovers the history of slavery he wants the African American community to feel the same disgust. The only way to do that is to establish the same emotions he had in the reader. His choice of word and examples provide a kind of validity to his point of view. Malcolm X sees a simple solution to problems, “an eye for an eye”, he believes slaves have every right to fight back violently.

“I read descriptions of atrocities, saw those illustrations of black slave women tied up and flogged with whips; of black mothers watching their babies being dragged off, never to be seen by their mothers again; of dogs after slaves, and of the fugitive slave catchers, evil white men with whips and clubs and chains and guns.” p.111(Malcolm X)

 

He chose these parts of the books to share with the reader because they vividly describe the hell African Americans faced. He wants everyone to feel the disgust he felt toward white people that found slavery to be okay.

He established effective Ethos with his life story of using prison for good and teaching himself but his over the top interest in violence was not every African American wanted. Rather than follow the typical life of an inmate serving time waiting to get out and back to their lives of crime he chose to change.

“At one-hour intervals the night guards paced past every room. Each time I heard the approaching footsteps, I jumped into bed and feigned sleep. And as soon as the guard passed, I got back out of bed onto the floor area of that light-glow, where I would read for another fifty-eight minutes.” p.109(Malcolm X)

 

He was intrigued by learning to read that he would give up sleeping just to be able to finish another a chapter. He would read nothing but books about history or other activists, all he wanted to do was educate himself so he could lead others. All this time he spent reading was dedicated to books that most readers would pass off as boring. The details of him going dedicating his life to learning day and night push the reader to establish respect because no ordinary would ever have what it takes to take his odds and come out on top.

Conclusion

Malcolm X is proof that in life all adversity can be overcome depending on how much you want it. There is a lot be learned from a man with that kind of dedication and he does a great job of showing it. During this time frame many African Americans desperately wanted equality but felt the odds were stacked against and it would never be reached. Malcolm X put hope into the minds of those who were lost in hopelessness. He did a great job of capturing the attention of his audience but could have been more effective getting them to buy into his point of view. Everyone wanted equality but not everyone the violent out breaks that he described in his readings. He includes a quote of the Chinese war cry, “Kill the foreign white devils!”, he wants to show that it is okay to take a stand but he should have known that not everyone would connect these violent outbreaks. Had he just focused on the horror and describing how inhumanely African Americans were treated we have been able to bring a wider range of supporters.

   

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Uprising of Malcolm X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                ERH 101, Section 1

                                                                                                  Date due: 14 July 2017

                                                                                                     Date Sub.: 14 July 2017

                                                                                                              Paper No.1                                   

Help received: Peer response

With Joe Krockmalny, The Every-writer,

LTC Ticen, Chris Ferrill, Thomas Branch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Warlde, Elizabeth and Doug Downs. “Framing the Reading.” Writing About Writing: A College Reader. 3^rd edition. Edited by Wardle, Elizabeth, and Doug Downs. Bedford/ St. martin’s 2011. 305-314. Print.

 

X, Malcolm. “Learning to read” Writing about Writing: A college Reader, 3^rd Edition. Edited by Wardle, Elizabeth, and Doug downs. Bedford/ St. martin’s 2011. 305-314. Print.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was my very first college essay I had to write, also it was in the shortest time frame I had ever seen. I had to write to about my personal history so it was not hard coming up with ideas to talk about. the hard part organizing all my ideas so that they made sense and flowed. My revision process was crammed into a few hours but I made it through as a better writer.

 

 

It has taken me 18 years to reach this point in my life. The point where I have to leave my close-knit neighborhood where everyone knew who Nick Housand was. The Facebook page was full of moms complaining about my friends and I walking around at night because they thought we were doing something suspicious. Suddenly passed down to my brother and his friends who became the next group to watch out for. Now, the point where I am no longer in my neighborhood, but in the real world.

Up until last week I was helping my little sister do her homework. From simple math problems that come easy to me but take so long to master for someone who hasn’t been through twelve years of school. Although I’m more drawn to problem solving and figuring out why things happen, I have had some fun learning experiences that made me a stronger writer. Some of the experiences haven’t been very easy.

As a kid, the stress placed on English and writing made me think negatively about the subject. It was never the ideal situation to be tested on something I had very little knowledge about. Now, older I realized that things are going to be different wherever you go. In California, English may not be required. In Virginia, English may be pushed a lot harder and it’s just the way of life. The negatives thoughts have since changed into a more positive outlook on writing and luckily the stress stayed with my ten-year-old self.

Every writing SOL I have ever taken will most likely haunt me for the rest of my life. My earliest memory of writing started in fifth grade when I thought life was completely unfair because I had to take my first SOL. Living in California was a dream compared to the resentment I felt towards Virginia and the rules in place about standardized testing. I put so much effort into a paper only to realize points were being taken off left and right for minor mess ups that I never learned were wrong.

My writing process is based upon the outlines my teachers throughout school gave me. Everyone always said start by brainstorming and writing all of your ideas on a piece of paper. The scribbles and crossed out words that flooded my papers only showed me what was good and bad. Anything that comes to mind had to be written down or it would be forgotten. After all the ideas, the outline comes up to organize everything that was once scribbled in the spider web. From there the rough draft to make sure everything nicely in its assigned paragraph and section. Rechecking the good and the bad, making sure there are no errors over and over again, to finally being done. A paper that went through so much preparation to the final stage of being done. My writing process is the basic process that everyone is once taught but, if it gets to the final stage it must be a good one.

Come to it any way but lightly. Let me say it again: you must not come lightly to the blank page. (King 307)

 

Despite the long processes, the freedom that comes with putting my personal thoughts on paper and being able to turn in a sensible story make it all worth it in the end. I would much rather be outside or in the gym but once I get into a subject I continue until I finish. I am a determined writer and even if it takes days to finish, I won’t give up. I push myself to find the ‘what ifs’ with writing and try to make every story different. A piece of writing won’t go far if it is just like everyone else’s piece. Every essay and topic has a different style and finding it just makes writing more enjoyable.

Growing up, I never thought I was a good writer. I enjoyed writing but, the time consuming process of getting to the finish line made it seem like I did not have it in me. The experience made it seem like everything had to be perfect. There can not be an in between when it comes to writing. If it is not perfect then it is not work it. Overall, writing is full of procrastination and self doubt. I always question what it means to be a writer when I have people breathing down my back telling me what I should and shouldn’t be doing. If it is not someone else telling me I cannot do it, it is my own voice telling me it is not worth it to go on. Luckily, I am not the only person that has experienced the small voice in my head telling me to do my paper or to not do my paper.

Which is to say your inner critic is blocking the way and too busy pointing out mistakes to let you finish. It’s terribly depressing but, admit it, also comforting, to hear that you’ll never perfect your work, and thus never finish. If you know you’ll never finish, then there is no point in trying any longer. And if you don’t try, then you can’t fail. (Goodman 310)

 

The inner voice inside my head can be so overwhelming at times when it comes to writing. I question what I do left and right and I never know if what I am doing is good enough. I have gotten so used to the fact that I will always question what I am doing that when the voice comes, I do not try to make it go away. I live with the doubt that what I am doing is not going to be perfect. If I do not put forth the effort there’s always the slim chance that someone won’t notice and I will not fail.

Writing goes back far longer than I can remember. If we did not have writing, we would not have any information based on the years before us. We would not have any record of government. We would not know how our founding fathers worked together to form a community. Our society would be based upon made up words that are always getting twisted. Without writing, our society would be full of lies and people would always try to take credit where it was not due. Without the written communication, everything would go back and forth, I ideas would become gnarled by miscommunication. Someone would always be getting their feelings hurt when they think they are the first or best at something when in reality, many others come before them. The written communication is important to ensure people of the truth.

Every institute is dependent on some form of writing. Some focus more on creative writing while others mainly use writing for research purposes. I thought at one point I might be able to escape writing if I went to school for a technical major or anything far from English. I suppose that was a dream deferred, write ups and report will never go away so I might as well embrace it.

Knowing that writing will be in my future no matter and can only help me I would like to make it do just that. The writing on day one at VMI was not what I was expecting but that may not be a bad thing. There is endless information out there for me find write about but putting my personal thoughts and feelings on paper stretches my mind as a writer. Expectations change day by day with what you think be coming next, so who knows what kind of writing I will be doing next but I know I will embrace it and hope it helps me as a writer. In my career, I will always have someone that out ranks me and I will want to be taken seriously when I write so good writing skills are key.

Over the many years I have heard and still continue to hear that any task you are given will be as hard as you make it on yourself. I may struggle or not know the answers to life’s problems off the top of my head but I have to the power to make the best of it. I can choose to make the process an enjoyable learning experience and be proud when I eventually figure it out or pick a different route. Option B is let the work take over my life and stress me out and be thankful if I make it through with a passing grade.

I do not think I will be climbing the fridge or cleaning out my basement to write a report or send an email but, it is nice to have helpful tricks for when I want to do some creative writing. I know that if I ever want to write something good, I should be in a place that I feel comfortable sharing my thoughts.

For me, this place was always sitting on my bed in my room at home. As things change, this place changes as well. Now this place may be at a desk at VMI or a classroom that I feel comfortable in. Regardless of where the vibe is strong, I can be a writer wherever I go.

The idea that writing is not something to joke around about can be applied to my future because now I know it can go much farther than it seems.

If you can take it seriously, we can do business. If you can’t or won’t, it’s time for you to close the book and do something else. (King 307)

 

Everything from this point on, I know I have to take seriously. All of the material that I read will be read with the understanding that it has a purpose. Everything was written for a reason and I have to be able to acknowledge that if I want to be a successful writer. The things I write, big or little, will be written with a reason. If I can’t come at this with the knowledge that everything is important and serious, I shouldn’t be writing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Goodman, Allegra. “Calming the Inner Critic and Getting to Work.” Edited by Wardle, Elizabeth, and Doug Downs, eds. Writing about writing: A college reader. Boston: Bedford/ St. martin’s 2011. 305-314. Print.

 

King, Stephen. “What Writing Is.” Edited by Wardle, Elizabeth, and Doug downs, eds. Writing about writing: A college reader. Boston: Bedford/ St. martin’s 2011. 305-314. Print.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Life As a Growing Writer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ERH 101, Section 1

Date due: 8 July 2017

Date Sub.: 8 July 2017

Paper No.1

Help received: Peer response

With Chris ferrill, The Every-

day Writer