A Discourse Community

A discourse community is a group of people that share same values and goals; this is possible through their similar forms of communication. Their communication process can be written and spoken; in addition, these communities have a terminology that identifies them. In my case, I am a member of the Law School Preparation Institute (LSPI) and members of that community share common goals.
Members of the Law School Preparation Institute have the same objective; our objective is to learn more about law and most of us are aspiring lawyers. To learn the law we have to read cases, analyze the facts, identify the issue, make reasoning, and give a conclusion. Sometimes we have mock trials and we get the opportunity to be a judge and the defendant’s or victim’s attorney. As a judge it is your duty to conduct the session in a formal manner, provide reasoning, and finally give a conclusion. If you are an attorney it is your duty to defend your party using valid arguments gathered from the cases you read. In occasions, our tutors gave us lessons in how to write like lawyers and the importance of applying dovetails to make legal papers more clear and specific.
The Law School Preparation Institute is a discourse community because we communicate by speaking and writing. In addition, we share common values like working hard to accomplish our goals. In this case, I and my peers share a passion for the law and someday we will practice the law.
“On Becoming a Writer” a small story by Russell Baker in which he explains his attitude towards writing. At first he was motivated but he thought that it was something beyond his reach but he enjoyed it like nothing else. He was discouraged by his professor because he had to follow a certain format; at one point of his journey he detested writing. One day he did free writing for one of his assignments and his teacher was impressed with the quality of the paper. Russell Baker was discouraged but he persevered especially when he noticed that cheese people like his professor liked his writing. Mr. Baker and I have similar experiences while pursuing our desired career, but, in my case it is the law.
When I was a sophomore in High School one of my teachers told me that I should be an engineer because lawyers need to speak English perfectly. Since my arrival from Mexico was recent my English was weak at that time. My teacher basically told me that learning proper English was something impossible for me because I was too old. His words ignited a curiosity, so I decided to go to the court house to confirm that lawyers are perfect speakers just like he claims. My professor was partially correct because indeed lawyers are excellent public speakers but that doesn’t mean that I can’t do it. That same day I introduced myself to several lawyers and a judge, to keep a conversation I told them about my dreams and that I was passionate about the law. One lawyer was thoroughly impressed with my courage and he offered me an internship during the summer eventually he hired me and I have been working for him for the last 2 years. During that time frame I have learned more vocabulary and his advice is valuable for law school and for real life situations.
My story and Mr. Baker’s story are parallel because both of us persevered. Ironically for both of us the persons that almost spoiled our dreams were the ones that generated and motivated us to continue with our goals. Mr. Baker is a successful writer and I will be a successful a lawyer; regardless of what people say or force me to do because now I am aware that what might see your destruction is in reality your salvation.