Running head: UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO DISCOURSE COMMUNITY

University of Texas at El Paso Discourse Community

Maribel Terrones
University of Texas at El Paso
RWS 1301
Professor Belekeh Chowaing Chagra

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO DISCOURSE COMMUNITY

INTRODUCTION
The transition between ones comfort zone to an entirely new place is a shock to take in.
The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is
fear of the unknown best said by H.P. Lovecraft. Fortunately, the grasp that fear holds on us can
be embraced together with amongst others. The idea that comfort lies within a group of people
experiencing the same afflictions allows us to wrap up the common fear of change. At some
point the realization comes to mind that you have peers within social organizations, school and
maybe even work that creates the connection of a community. The very idea of a community is a
group of individuals that have a set of common goals to work towards. Learning about a
discourse community through the usage of John Swales article The Concept of Discourse
Community, allows for a better understanding of the meaning. Due to my progression within
my education, I have experienced along with many others the uneasiness as well as the
excitement in joining the University of Texas at El Paso community.
At the University of Texas at El Paso, or UTEP for short, it is place for a higher
education after receiving a high school diploma. The appeal for a home grown and a close a to
home education has a wonderful and alluring charm. At this university with Hispanic roots and
the tradition to strive for greatness it creates a positive and encouraging environment to learn
from. Along with the encouragement it shows that this particular university works as a unit to
allow their students to excel academically and even athletically. By ensuring the success of their
students the main point to get across to the student population is by showing that communication
from professors and staff grants them to success in their future endeavors here at UTEP.

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO DISCOURSE COMMUNITY

LITATURE REVIEW
Due to John Swales article about discourse communities he illustrates the different
principles that the group must meet. According to Swales(1990) ,these six principals include
common goals, intercommunication, participation, genres, lexis, and expertise(p.471-473).
Swales(1990) found that In some instances , but not in many, the goals may be high level or
abstract(p.471). Swales indicates that some goals might seem minute compared to other
organizations but that they are on the same mind set of ambitions and it creates a common
ground to work towards. According to Dictionary.com(2016), Intercommunication is as an
exchange of different types of communication towards one another. By doing so it allows the
group to create a base line of communication for one another.
Amongst the six criteria, Swales (1990) states, Membership implies uptake of the
informational opportunities (p.472). Thus making it clear that it grants the participant a mental
grasp of the groups intentions. By doing so it is also educating the members. A discourse
community often contains different types of genres. In which the genres that take place are as
equally vital for the groups understanding such as memos, newsletters, and blog postings. Each
creating a form of communication.
As often experienced within an organization most have a specific type of language that
pertains to them as a group. John Swales (1990) found that This specialization may involve
using lexical items known to the wider speech communities in special technical ways...(p.473).
Thus generating a communicative bond. Lastly the need for expertise. According to Swales
(1990), Discourse communities have changing memberships; survival of the community
depends on a reasonable ratio between novices and experts(p.473). Through this view it

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO DISCOURSE COMMUNITY

produces the understanding that an organization can keep its traditions by mixing in the older
and more seasoned participants along with the more recent members.
Further into the reading of John Swales article he goes into discussion of the differences
of a discourse community and speech communities. As mentioned within his article Swales
(1990) defines a speech community as, shared linguistic forms, shared regulative rules and
shared culture concepts (p.470). The differences between speech communities and discourse
communities is due to matter of how speech communities inherit members. According to Swales
(1990), a discourse community recruits its members by persuasion, training or relevant
qualification (p.471). Due to the different types of processes that take place in a period, the need
for a place of belonging occurs.

DISCUSSION
Due to my previous stated notions about the University of Texas of El Paso it is a
community of people who work together to help students achieve their set goals for themselves.
The university sets a strong foundation for its students, here at the university that I am currently
attending, I have experienced the drive to want to excel due to the persistent professors and staff
that expect none the less. According to UTEPs Vision, Mission, and Goals (n.d.),To prepare
UTEP students to meet lifelong intellectual, ethical, and career challenges and to be the leaders
of the 21st century. This is just one of the many goals that UTEP has set for their future leaders.
As I have stated before UTEP has its own set of goals that is expect from not only their
students but also their faculty and staff. One is to help their future graduates to succeed after the
college experienced has ended. UTEP 2015/2016 Facts: Student Success Initiatives (n.d.)

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO DISCOURSE COMMUNITY

describes that The Universitys commitment to excellence and access has set more than 121,000
graduates on the path to a fulfilling life and career. As seen from the rate of success with their
graduates it is a goal that can be achieved with hard work and the dedication of the well-intended
instructors.
As a result of well-intended instructors it goes without saying that in order to carry out a
common mind set, communication is a fundamental part to execute the organizations goals. John
Swales article discusses that communication within the faction allows for a more equipped and a
better understanding of what is to happen (Swales,1990, p.472). The link between the UTEP
community and the student life is a simple and effective one. With usage of an online website
dedicated to entertain the needs of its pupils it allows for the flow of intercommunication
towards the said beings.
In which introduces the third criteria of John Swales six foundations to what makes a
discourse community. Participation not only within the classroom setting but also around the
universitys campus awards the member a chance to grow from the usage of experience. The
University encourages students to take part in activities that build confidence and competence
such as study abroad, internships and community engagement, giving them the tools they need
for successful careers (UTEP 2015/2016 Facts: Student Success Initiatives, n.d.) This allows the
members to enjoy and give the induvial the exercise to the many options to the other different
communities within the university itself.
Along with the participation principle Swales also describes the different genres that may
be used within the discourse community (Swales,1990, p.472). At the University of Texas at El
Paso many diverse genres may occur in different classroom settings. Whether it be a report,
newsletter or an essay. Each genre varies from the assignment that is asked. Such as the different

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO DISCOURSE COMMUNITY

blog postings about the new and upcoming events at the University of Texas at El Paso
showcases the many diverse uses of genres used within the university alone.
As mentioned before about the various uses of genres. With a further look into genres it
not only shows the different structures within but the contrasting ways of language. Lexis which
is defined in Swales article as a specific way of speaking within an organization (Swales, 1990,
p.473). To which it forms a bond that manifests into a common knowledge. Thus it can be seen
within the UTEP community. It may be seen in the different terms that are used specifically
during Miner football games. Or the label of buildings or the terminology that us used in with
UTEP pep rallies. With the usage of this terminology it spreads a common understanding of what
is being said and it gives a clear understanding of what is being asked.
Lastly after the lexical termination in John Swales article comes the expertise. As was
discussed earlier the fear with entering new place without guidance is a frightening experience.
Hence the reason that John has explained when combining seasoned members with new ones.
With the mixture of old and new members it allows for a more successful rate of keeps things as
they are and opens up an opportunity to allow new ideas to take place. Such as having graduates
from older classes represent their Alma Modern in their everyday jobs. The creation of certain
clubs where future graduate has a role model to look up to allows them to set their aspirations
higher. Stated in the UTEP Brochure Joining the Alumni Association is a great way to stay
connected with other Miners and support the University. (UTEP 2015/2016 Facts:Alumni, n.d.)
This establishes a mentorship for the upcoming leaders in the community.

CONCLUSION

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO DISCOURSE COMMUNITY

Through the usage of John Swales article of The Concept of Discourse Community and
his six pillars of what defines a discourse community it shows that what The University of Texas
at El Paso continue to pursue greatness. For further proof that this particular discourse
community shines through is due to the fact that it was ranked number 10 in Washington
Monthly in the top Ten Universities. (UTEP 2015/2016 Facts Top Ten National Universities,
n.d.). This allows me to see that though the six principles that John Swales explains, the
University of Texas of El Paso is doing extraordinarily well. With the use of common goals,
communication, participation, diverse genres, lexis, and last but certainly not least the expertise
creates a strong structure for others to pursue.

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO DISCOURSE COMMUNITY

REFERANCES
H.P. Lovecraft Quote. (n.d) Retrieved September 10, 2016 from the H.P. Lovecraft Wiki:
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/H._P._Lovecraft
Intercommunication.(n.d.) Dictionary online.
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/intercommunicate
Swales, J. (1990).The Concept of Discourse Community. In Downs and Wardle(Eds.), Genre
Analysis: English in Academic and Research Settings (p.466-473) Boston: Bedford St
Martins, 2011
University of Texas at El Paso (n.d.) UTEP 2015/2016 Facts: Top 10 National Universities,
http://universitycommunications.utep.edu/facts/index.html
University of Texas at El Paso (n.d.) UTEP 2015/2016 Facts: Alumni,
http://universitycommunications.utep.edu/facts/index.html
University of Texas at El Paso (n.d.) UTEP 2015/2016 Facts: Student Success Initiatives
http://universitycommunications.utep.edu/facts/index.html
University of Texas at EL Paso. (n.d.). UTEPs Vision, Mission, and Goals. Retrieved from
https://www.utep.edu/aboututep/visionmissionandgoals.aspx