English

Major: ISOM ( Information system operation management ) at George mason university

  

Goals:

In order to familiarize yourself with how research functions in your field and how you will be expected to perform it, you must first understand the culture in which it occurs. Analyzing your discipline as a discourse community illuminates which genres, conventions, speech patterns and platforms are most highly valued by its participants. This assignment will help you to better understand the discipline you have chosen to participate in by taking a closer look at how writing and research occurs in your field. 

Step 1 - Written aspect 

In approximately 500 words, answer the following questions: 

·  Key publications: What are the major journals or other types of publications in the field? Who publishes and/or edits them? How long have they existed? What are some of the requirements for being published within these journals?

· Genre and structural patterns: What genres (narrative, research report, experimental report, literature review, how-to guide, letter, etc.) are most common? What rules exist to determine how to best write and format that genre (for example: how do we write a “good” letter?) What about visual elements? 

· Types of evidence: What types of evidence (statistics, anecdotes, quotations, observations, theories, legal/philosophical principles, definitions, rhetorical appeals, etc.) are frequently used? What does this tell you about which rhetorical appeals are most valued in your field?

·  Language and style: Does this discipline have a specific lexis (i.e. are there words or phrases used that an insider would know but an outsider would not)? Are the sentences short/long, simple/complex, emotionally- charged/objective? Is active or passive voice more prominent? Is the language accessible to outsiders or full of jargon?

  

Rubric:

Written part:

Word count: Minimum of 500 words

Double spaced, Times New Roman, 1 inch margins

Citation style is in accordance with what is used in your discipline (MLA for English, Chicago for History, etc.)

All sections are addressed and claims are supported with appropriate examples/evidence.

Tone is academic, impersonal (no use of “I” or reference to the self), and professional. Imagine that you are writing to the organizations/journals you are analyzing.

Writing is well-edited.