- READ and ANNOTATE “HERS” by Perri Klass. In this article, the writer paints a portrait, not of a particular word, but of a whole new language she had to learn in order to fit in with her new profession. While you are reading, ANNOTATE places in the text that caught your eye, where you wanted to know more, where you were confused or where you related!
- WRITE: At least 300 words. What community is Klass a part of? What is an example of the whole new language that she had to learn (be specific!). What are some communities that you are a part of? (hint: we’re all a part of multiple communities!) What “languages” have you had to learn to engage with these communities—and how did you learn these languages? Are there particular words or phrases that stick out to you as helping you feel like you were part of the in-crowd? Post on OpenLab.
Author: Rebekah Coleman (Page 5 of 6)
Read the first 7 pages of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao  by Junot Diaz Don’t forget to read the footnotes! Answer the following questions on OpenLab!Â
- What did you think of this piece? Be honest! Why? Explain!Â
- What do you find difficult or confusing? Be specific! Point out particular passages that confused you and explain why you were confused. What do you think the writer may have been trying to do? Find a particular passage that was difficult and explain specifically where you got caught up and why. I get it. This seems like a really strange thing to do– but there’s a point to it! The places you have difficulty are where you’re doing your best thinking. The places you struggle are the places PhD students struggle too. Difficulties aren’t walls to stop you but obstacles that you can (and will) overcome!
- How does the author use footnotes? Why do you think he makes this choice?
- What discourse community does Oscar Wao belong to? What word is important to his DC? Why does this word matter? What does it teach outsiders about his DC? Â
Read “Understanding Discourse Communities” by Dan Melzer. Write a response to the following questions on OpenLab. Make sure to thoughtfully respond to the questions. Do not just write a few words in response, write a meaningful answer that is based in the text. Use evidence and examples from the text to support your thinking. Be prepared to discuss the reading in class.Â
- What did you think of the piece? Be honest! Really! I want to know! Was it hard to understand? Interesting? Boring?
- According to John Swale (and Dan Melzer) what features do all discourse communities have? (List all 6!)
- What were the shared goals of Melzer’s guitar jam group? Explain! Provide an example!
- What is a mechanism for intercommunication? What example does Melzer provide? Explain!
- How does Melzer explain the idea of discourse communities having genres that further the goals of a discourse community? What genres did Melzer’s guitar jam group use to further their goals?
- What does it mean for a discourse community to have a specific lexis? What is an example of the specific lexis (language) that Melzer’s guitar jam group used? Explain! Provide an example!
- How do the beginners and experts in Melzer’s guitar jam group work together? Explain!
- Can you think of a Discourse Community you might belong to?
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