academic discourse vs. popular discourse
A discourse community basically speaks for itself and the people involved in that community. It is the way that people within a specific group communicate about common topics of interest. In this paper I will compare the numerous differences between two types of discourse communities. There is an academic discourse that involves more detailed terminology and ideas, and deals with a more specific detailed body of knowledge. Academic discourse is more for the interest of people that are experts or studying a certain field or profession. Then on the other hand, there is popular discourse that deals with more everyday issues and uses more of a basic language that almost anyone who can read can understand. Aiming to grab the attention of teenagers, young adults, and some adults, popular discourse magazines use eye-catching appeals to grab the reader's attention instead of logical information. I compared the two discourse communities and analyzed the different languages and word presentation used throughout the material that I read. All in all I compared the informative information that each had to offer a reader and as to what appeal if any was used to draw a reader in.
The language usage throughout the two different completely, simply showing that the two are directed at different types of community group, age and education wise. URB is meant to relate directly to the younger generation in today's society. The topics and word usage is easy to follow and understand. Slang is used freely throughout the magazine and the articles do not seem to discriminate against moral issues such as drugs, sex, types of music, and partying; has a kind of an "anything goes" attitude about life. A good example of what type of language is used in this magazine is found on pages 76 and 77, where it reads in large print: "Where are all the people that used to go out, now? Did they just have their fun with the drugs and they went to parties and that's it? ......It shows that it's not always about the music 'cause music doesn't really have an age limit on it, ya' know?" Flipping through the pages of URB I also noted the several bright, "trippy" advertisements that would easily catch the attention the reader. The magazine advertises new and upcoming record releases, d.j. equipment, different kinds of speakers and lights, and other computerized equipment. The article headings are in bold, flashy, computerized, new-age print. In American Psychologist, there are no adds, no fancy colors, and no exciting forms of print. The pages are all white, and the print is all black, page after page, after page. In American Psychologist, the words and terms are
Some common words found in the essay are:
American Psychologist, Academic Discourse, Psychological Association, american psychologist, academic discourse, popular discourse, discourse community, discourse communities, reading information, popular discourse community, throughout journal, level intelligence, example type, page page,
Approximate Word count = 1000
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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