academic discourse definition
A discourse community is a group of communicators with a common goal or interest that adopts certain preferred ways of participating in public discussion. These preferred ways of discussion are called discursive practices. Computer Programming: Anyone unclear on the concept of discourse communities simply needs to listen to a discussion among a group of computer programmers. Clearly, this is a community that requires highly specialized knowledge, expertise, and a grasp of a complicated lexicon of terminology and jargon. In this lesson we'll cover the concept of academic discourse and how it varies from traditional communication. In addition to defining academic discourse we'll provide examples of how it can be used properly as well as misused. A short quiz follows the lesson. Generally, membership in a discourse community requires a certain level of expertise in the common goal; the more expert one is considered, the more influence one has over the preferred discursive practices. 1 Preprint: To appear in a 2011 issue of the Review of Higher Education White, J. W., & Lowenthal, P.R. (2011). Academic discourse and the formation of an academic identity: Minority college students and the hidden curriculum. Review of Higher Education, 34 (2). Academic Discourse and the Formation of an Academic Identity: Minority College Students and the Hidden Curriculum John W. White University of North Florida Patrick R. Lowenthal University of Colorado Denver. Similarly, the discourse of the university can be further divided between the social and the academic, between students, faculty and staff, between region, size of school, etcetera. In short, there is no one university discourse. If you doubt this, consider how the manner in which you write academic papers differs from the way you write e-mails to close friends. The academic discourse community is quite broad, and comprises many sub-communities of specific fields and disciplines (biology, history, literature, mathematics, etc.). Politics: Think about the way in which politicians typically speak, and there is llittle doubt that they are members of a discourse community. Types of Discourse. The next step is differentiating academic discourse from other types, such as common and formal. Common discourse is a term given to generic interpersonal communication. If we were to chat about the weather, that would be a common discourse. Academic discourse is the specific style of discourse used in the academic world. Other types of discourse include common, which is basic interpersonal communication, and formal, which is discourse with a greater number of rules restricting communication. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. edTPA definition of language demands (c) Susan Ranney  language demands: Specific ways that academic language (vocabulary, functions, discourse, syntax) is used by students to participate in learning task through reading, writing, listening, and/or speaking to demonstrate their understanding.
It is the specific style of discourse used in the academic world.