1. (200-300 Word Text-to-Self Connection) Gee defines Discourses (capital D) as “saying (writing)-doing-being-valuing, believing combinations” (6). Why is this “combination” important for Gee? Gee offers a couple examples. Offer your own example of a Discourse in your response, making sure to be specific about the linkages you see between the elements of the combination in your example

Gee describes the “combination” that defines Discourse as being present in the world.  It seems that the “combination” is important to Gee because he believes being present in the world is important.  I think that the “combination” is also important because it does a great job summarizing the definition of Discourse, which is the topic of the entire writing.  The examples of Discourse offered by Gee are very diverse ranging from gender, to a student in a literature class. My own example of a Discourse would be a sister.  I have a younger brother and an older sister, and I see myself differently when I’m with them. When writing about my siblings I’m not afraid to lovingly complain about them, just as I would when communicating with them or talking about them.  When considering myself as a sister, I am both a role-model and a follower. Though it is not always rainbows and butterflies, I value my siblings and their effect on me. By analyzing the role of being a sister I can see each aspect of the combination the Gee describes.  By using this combination I am able to brainstorm many of my Discourses, while also seeing that they have a much larger impact on my than simply being an adjective to describe myself.

 

2. (200-300 Word Text-to-Self Connection) Gee writes that we have both a primary Discourse and multiple secondary Discourses. He also notes that a person’s Discourses can have”tension or conflict” between them. Identify two of your Discourses that have this kind of tension. Explain where the tension is and how it manifests in life situations. Be sure to quote Gee in your response and be specific about the Discourses and tensions.

Gee says that a Discourse “comes complete with the appropriate costume and instructions on how to act, talk, and often write”.  By thinking of Discourses as different “costumes” I can easily think of two of mine that conflict or cause tension. For my close friends and family I’m responsible and maybe a little sassy at times.  For new people I’m different. I’m a little more smiley and easy going. I believe it is normal to act differently around new people, but it can get tricky when I’m around both people that I am comfortable with and people who I am uncomfortable with.  In these kinds of situations I can see where two Discourses of mind clash like Gee explained. On part of me wants to put on a different face for someone who I don’t know, while the other part wants to act as I would around people who I am comfortable with.  When faced with this tension I am often unsure of what to do, and who I want to present myself as. I do not weigh this decision on the people around me, It’s on me and my identity. In all honesty I often flip flop in these situations, and am looking for a happy medium.      

 

3. (200-300 Word Text-to-Text Connection) Jordan’s article discusses her students’ responses to the opening passages of The Color Purple. I encourage us (for now) to see English – and Black English – as a component of two Discourses. Draw a relevant relationship between some detail (passage) in Jordan’s text and one of the following concepts/ideas in Gee’s text: primary Discourse, dominant Discourses and non dominant Discourses, tension or conflict between Discourses, Discourse interference or transfer. Be sure to quote both Jordan and Gee in your response.

I found this article very interesting and also relatable.  Jordan’s observations of the students’ reactions to the book The Color Purple surprised me at first.  She said, “I listened to what they wanted to say and silently marveled at the similarities between their casual speech patterns and Alice Walker’s written version of Black English”.  Initially I wondered how the students couldn’t make the easy connection between reading and speaking a certain way. Then I realized that it was a clear representation of tension between two Discourses, White English and Black English.  Gee Explains, “Thus, what is important is not language, and surely not grammar, but saying(writing)- doing- being- valuing- believing combinations”.  The combinations being referred to by Gee make up Discourses.  In the case of the students reading Black English, it is clear that they gravitate towards White English when writing and subconsciously use Black English when speaking because of the notion that writing should be formal.  It is not the act of writing itself, but the ideas surrounding pieces of writing. Reflecting on this, I too would do the same thing. If I were to read a work written in the way that I naturally speak, I would think it was awful because I hold a different Discourse as a writer.