The Absence Of Civil Discourse

In ENGL 1301, these past two weeks have given me a better understanding of ethos, logos and pathos appeals. Being in a discourse community has made me put these appeals into perspective. Understanding that being in that community made me a stronger woman. This will give me a chance to show you, my professor and classmates that softball is indeed a sport. I will prove why I attended this discourse community in softball at a young age to now by explaining the mental state of understanding the rules, the physical mechanisms, and the emotional connection it has on my authority, team and myself.

Carlson gives evidence of the decline in public discourse by summarizing an incident in which a talk radio host crossed the line of decency by failing to respect a person whose ideas differed from his and his listeners’. Why is it important to maintain civility toward those whom you disagree?

According to Porter, “A ‘discourse community’ is a group of individuals bound by a common interest who communicate through approved channels and whose discourse is regulated. A discourse community shares assumptions about what objects are appropriate for examination and discussion, what constitutes ‘evidence’ and ‘validity’ and what formal conventions are followed (38-39).” These five texts collectively constitute a community of discourse through their application of common language norms, characteristics, patterns and rhetorical strategies. All of the authors are writing about corresponding ideas and discussing their identical goals; the prevalence of gender inequality in the legal profession and the unjust consequences derived from it. Similarly, all five sources intentions are to oppose the standard viewpoint that gender inequality has diminished and provide evidence to support this claim. Their ideas of remedying gender inequality in the legal profession overlap as well as contradict one another.

Discourse Community Project A discourse community is a community that shares the same "discourses" or values or goals as their community. An example of this would be a sports team or organization. Players of these specific teams all work together to achieve a common goal; to win. These players have a coach that is a powerful leader and that individual makes them strive to be the best players they can be. Moreover, it is important for each player to have trust in each other and to form bonds.

Discourse communities are groups of people who share similar values, goals, and ways of communication. Although it is more of a broad definition, to me discourse communities can be more simplified. My definition: sharing the same experiences, individual passion, and journey as your destined group.

1. What is the discourse community you are studying? The discourse community that I chose was bearded dragons and other animals of similar characteristics. a. What academic majors, departments, and disciplines is it related to?

I responded to 103 Martha George Hall in reference to a suspicious circumstance call. Upon arrival, I spoke with Daron Warren. Warren stated that he left his residence around 17:30 on this date, when he arrived back he noticed footprints in his living room. The footprints led to the bathroom area. Warren also advised that he didn’t notice anything missing. There were no signs of forced entry to the residence.

In the field I am only thinking about the ball and making a goal. That is a discourse community I can identify myself being a part of. What is a discourse community you may ask? A discourse community is a familiar community you engage on the daily or feel connected because you are a member. Through my high school years, I was labeled a soccer player.

As members of modern society, individuals have come together to form a unique community. In a quote by Rollo May, he states, “Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy, and mutual valuing.” A discourse community consists of a group of people involving in and as well as communication about particular topics. Each group may vary in different categories but they all share the same goals. The importance of sharing the same goals and values is great because it leads to the true concept of a discourse community.

Throughout the essay, “Resistance to Civil Government” by Henry Thoreau, he argues that if you believe that a law is unjust, you can with your conscience and break the law and do what you feel is just. By Henry using appeals, social commentary, and simply by taking a stand his argument was effective.

Two law professors, Ronald K. L. Collins and David M. Skover, in their novel, Death of Discourse illustrate the near tyrannical pleasure that Americans live under and the effects of this bliss in dulling the intellectual values of communication. Collins and Skover’s purpose is to enlighten the audience of how America’s glorified first amendment is warped into a means of blinding the public of society’s malfeasance. The two take on an edifying and forthright tone in order to allow the readers to gain clarity on how the media is warping american society; to show americans just exactly how the first amendment is misused.

My discourse community is SESHOLLOWATERBOYZ or S.H.W.B. that is four friends Bones, Xavier Wulf, Chris Travis, and Eddy Baker, and their fans. I’m in the fans section of the discourse community, but the artists consider all real fans a part of S.H.W.B. Which is why I don’t classify my discourse community as “Fans of S.H.W.B.” Bones older brother Elliott also deserves to be mentioned, because he is the man behind the scenes and has set up tours for S.H.W.B. and is the closest thing to a manager they have. My discourse community is really cool to the people in it.

A discourse community is a group of people who share a set of discourses, understood as basic values and assumptions, and ways of communicating about those goals. John Swales defines a discourse community as "groups that have goals or purposes, and use communication to achieve these goals." The community I choose to identify with is special education. Special education teachers, or aids, really dedicate themselves and their time to others who need special assistance or treatment. The California Department of Education supports high quality educational programs for California’s big student population. According to the ideas from the federal government, the variety of the education working environment is one of the fastest growing areas of the American economy. The importance in understanding this career includes emotional, and physical growth of each student. Working with students who have disabilities can be very rewarding, but it is sometimes emotionally demanding and physically draining. Before stepping into the job of becoming a special education teacher, it is important to understand the patience that is needed in order to work with special children.

The Lyceum this past Sunday was about the ways people can put an end to incessant squabbling over differences and get to a place that allows for calm and rational discussion. The discussion panel was comprised of five speakers: Senator Horn, a Republican; Senator Jackson, a Democrat; Dr. Barakat, a Muslim woman whose family was affected by anti-Islamic violence; Professor Monde, Department of Sociology at Wingate and Mr. Romain, a Mecklenburg County Assistant District Attorney “ADA.” The panel presented a range of views on the topic of civil discourse. One crucial point made during the discussion was that people have to acknowledge the nature of the problems that exist within our society.

so to say "civil discourse is dead today" would most likely have many many politicians shaking their fists while they squirm in their seats. Though in my opinion this is a controversial topic I would say it is an even mix between alive, and dead. People seem to take a certain interest in the topic, while others have yet to hear what civil discourse even is. In the case of citizens not knowing about the topic