Discourse communities and peripheral participation in academic writing

Some notions of discourse communities and peripheral participation

According to Johns and Swales (1990) a discourse community is “composed of a minimum number of expert members and a frequently larger number of apprentice members and who operate on the basis of implicit and explicit public goals.” They also add that “their members develop and use systems of speech and writing that are sometimes quite specific to a particular community´s needs and goals” (as cited in Pintos and Crimi, p.12).
It is important to mention that when referring to a discourse community the peripheral participation should be considered a relevant element of it. As Flowerdew (2000) once stated, the sort of knowledge that is required in order to be accepted by the discourse community in scholarly writing is not usually acquired in the formal setting of a classroom. What is more, new members generally hold a peripheral position because they “are not central but on the margins of the activity in question” (as cited in Pintos and Crimi, p. 14).
When considering this perspective, discourse communities and peripheral participation are highly interconnected. This is because the fact that any member who wants to belong to a specific discourse community has not only to know about the specific language practices, needs and goals that community has, but also to take part in those practices responding, reflecting and participating in order to know what the target audience wants to read.
Whenever a student takes up a course of studies, one seems to hold a peripheral position and thus impeding being a member of a specific discourse community. As time goes by one tries to get involved in those practices, sharing values, implicit and explicit goals, giving up the informal writing styles we bring with us and thus becoming in active members of a discourse community.



References
Pintos, V., Crimi, Y. (2010) Unit 2 Personal narratives in teaching, Retrieved September 2010, from
http://caece.campusuniversidad.com.ar/mod/resource/view.php?id=7214

Working with book critiques

A royal duty

It is undoubted that Diana, the Prince of Wales, was one of the most known figures in the modern world. In his non-fiction book, A royal duty, Burrell (2003), Diana´s ex-butler and most intimate confidant, seems to be the only person able to separate the myth from the truth of Diana years. Not only does he reveal different important facts about Princess Diana but also presents a faithful account of her thoughts.
Burrell (2003) describes as well as explains the highs and lows of life at Buckingham Palace and also, refers to the lives of Prince Diana and Prince Charles before, during and after their marriage. What is more, he confesses his marital problems and of the famous trial in which he was accused of the theft of the Princess´s positions.
From the very first moment, Burrell (2003) started an incredible and strong relationship with Diana. This connection can be seen in the way Diana referred to him and which is present in the book. For example, on the last page of the book he included his last note from her which expresses “What a secret!” and then, on down he writes “What is the secret? Sorry. That is between the butler and the Princess!” (as cited in Burrell, p. 403). He was also mentioned by the Princess of Wales as “my rock” or “the only man I can trust” (as cited in Burrell, 2003, p. 124) since he was the man in whom she confided on big and small matters.
A royal duty is an interpretative biography based on a set of private conversations, personal recollections, diaries, letters and photographs. It is mostly written in first person and also includes many direct quotes. It also has an unusual writing style since it combines flashbacks and forwards. Thus, Burrell (2003) can retell his extraordinary account of Diana´s life and be as explicit as possible with the story.
To sum up, I would urge to read Burrell´s book because it captures readers´ attention and makes one reflects on some of the most important aspects of Princess Diana. However, taking into consideration the Prince´s frequent exposure to the media, it would have been suitable if Burrell (2003) had not provided such detailed information about her private affairs. As Burrell (2003) once states “I have made this book as true to her spirit as possible-as inspiring, as loving, as fun. He continues,
“I decided reluctantly to tell what I know to be the truth because I firmly believe that someone has to stand in the Princess´ corner and fight for her now that she cannot do so.”























References

Burrell, P. (2003). A Royal Duty. United Kingdom: Penguin Books LTD.