​Dear Josh,

While writing my academic essay, I focused on the specific writing conventions of the
field of psychology. In addition to discussing the different types of literacy practices, I also
attempted to write my essay in a format similar to the conventions unique to my academic
discipline. I did this with the intention of creating a layout that was clear, concise, and easy to
follow. I created a cover page that outlined the topics in a cohesive manner and also replicated
the introduction of an article found within psychology. As I mentioned before, specific writing
conventions are unique to the field of psychology. Examples include peer-reviewed articles,
references to experiments, and introductory essays. Within my paper, I introduced each
convention, explained the importance, and provided an example. This allowed me to easily
translate the literary practices and provide clarification for the audience. Within this paper, I tried
to use diction that was formal and professional, as well as deplore colloquialism that is unique to
the field of psychology. Examples include forums such as peer-reviewed articles and topics that
include “nature vs nurture”. I also decided to include an abstract in my essay. Abstracts are very
common within psychology papers and provide a brief explanation of the article. Within my last
paragraph I summarize my work, describe the conventions once more, and finally describe the
correlation between the conventions and goals within psychology. I believe this is a strong
ending because I explain how each convention ultimately plays a pivotal role in the
understanding of psychology’s most difficult questions.
After finalizing my paper and reviewing my writerly choices, I began to reflect upon the
takeaways from a project of this magnitude. I learned about the importance of researching and
the effect it has on your paper. Providing outside sources will only strengthen your argument and
help convey your purpose to the audience. Although I have learned much about researching, I
believe it would only prove beneficial to know the amount of research necessary and how it may
vary from project to project. Writing Project 2 helped me understand the necessity of research
and showed me how much it strengthens your work.
Personally, the most important part of this entire project was writing the reflective essay.
In the past, once I completed a paper, I never looked back and reflected upon my choices. After
reviewing my paper, it made me realize the importance of reflection. I was able to make changes
and strengthen my argument by either adding or taking away information. One drastic change I
made was the decision to add keywords and revise my conclusion in the way that it relates
writing conventions to psychological questions. After editing, I realized I am able to elaborate
more once I have already concluded and read my essay to its entirety. This allowed me to see my
shortcomings and make changes to fix those issues. Through this project, I came to the
conclusion that essay reflection proves to be very beneficial to me. I have always struggled with
depth in my essays and reflecting has corrected this. Through reflection, I am able to see my
essay from an outside perspective and make changes that provide clarification for myself and
more importantly, the reader.
Best, Jeremy Pritchett
 Writing Project 2

Jeremy Pritchett

UC Santa Barbara

Writing 2

Authors Note

First paragraph: Origins of Psychology and Introduction of Thesis

Second paragraph: Importance of Peer-Reviewed Articles

Third paragraph: Writing Conventions

Fourth paragraph: Use of Experiment

Fifth paragraph: Psychology Introduced to Navices

Sixth paragraph: Effects of the Discourse Community

 Abstract

The human mind controls many aspects of our lives, ranging from our behaviors,

emotions, and interactions. ​The study of psychology was ​created with the intention of answering

questions regarding the brain and our behaviors.​ Each academic discipline has its own respective

discourse community that includes unique genres and literary practices. The study of psychology

deploys many important literacy techniques to help strengthen their argument or field of study.

Examples of these include peer-reviewed articles, past experiments, and unique rhetoric. Each of

these factors help create the general structure of the field as well as an aid in the discovery of

many psychological ​issues.

Keywords:​ peer-reviewed articles, writing conventions, discourse community

The human mind affects almost every aspect of our life. This includes our behaviors,

emotions, interactions, and much more. ​Over time scholars began to research the importance of

human behaviorisms and created a new field deemed the study of psychology. ​Ideas such as

cognition, perception, and sensation have become main topics of study and discussion within

psychology.​ ​The unprecedented field of psych​ ​has ​captivated the interest of millions and ​soon

after, psychology classes​ ​has ​began to ​form​ ​spread within classrooms across the nation.​ ​in almost

every school around the nation.​ But what separates psychology from other fields such as brain

sciences or sociology? Each respective discipline has its own discourse communities, literary

practices, and unique genres that help establish ​separation​ ​disparity​ and create the general

structure of the field. The study of psychology delves into the human mind ​and establishes

specific writing conventions to​ ​and ​explain​s​ the reasoning behind social interactions and human
behaviorisms. ​Through the use of writing conventions and unique literacy practices, the field of

psychology is able to establish the structure of an academic discipline.

The study of psychology consists of asking the “why” questions. Within the field of

psychology, academic scholars discuss and debate many different topics. ​These topics range

from child development to the effects of power on society. To aid in the discussions of

psychology, authors write vast amounts of articles, papers, and essays. ​Peer-reviewed articles are

one of the ​more commonly known ​many​ platforms psychologists utilize within their respective

discipline. Within each journal, the authors question and discuss many important topics related to

the field of psychology. ​The authors utilize peer-reviewed papers and articles pertaining to their

specific subject because it is important to generate new knowledge and expand on past ideas. It is

necessary for ​the authors ​also make sure​ to cite fellow scholars ​to avoid plagiarism and give

credit where it has been earned.​ ​or use examples from past journals and articles.​ ​This is

important in generating new knowledge and ideas by using past research.​ Within almost every

psychology​ ​peer-reviewed​ article or paper you will find abstracts at the beginning of the

contents. Abstracts provide a brief summary of the research article and thesis. This helps the

reader quickly understand the ​content and ​purpose of the paper. One last important commonality

found within these papers is the use of keywords. The author will include a certain number of

keywords at the beginning to help other researchers view their paper when conducting a search

on the specific topic. ​Keywords are also helpful in establishing connections between a

multiplicity of articles. Overall,​ ​peer-reviewed articles are a prime example of the literacy

practices used to​ ​establish the academic discipline of psychology.

 Every respective discipline utilizes its own unique writing conventions. In psychology,

literary pieces may differentiate between authors, however there are many important

commonalities. These may include the distinct rhetoric, genres, and sentence structures found

within most academic works of psychology. ​Each device is utilized for the purpose of creating a

more cohesive genre and simplifying the material.​ ​Due to the complex nature of psychology,​ ​is a

very intricate and complex academic field​, ​in order to convey a point or create an argument,

many ​psychologists​ ​scholars of the field​ will utilize the literary practice of stating and

explaining​, in order to convey a point or strengthen an argument.​ In other words, the author will

assert a fact or opinion and then explain the reasoning behind his/her decision. Within the

conventions of psychology, authors will also explore a given topic, elaborate on the issues and

then explain its relation to the subject matter. This helps each and every author convey their

distinctive message. Within the literary pieces of psych, writers will always undertake a formal

and informative tone. This is important ​in building​ ​to establish ​credibility​, build professionalism,

and ​creating​ ​create​ a sense of trust between the author and the reader.

Within the discipline of psychology, many pieces of evidence are utilized to strengthen

an argument or convey a point. Some examples of evidence ​that may be used​ include

experiments and case studies. Within most articles, authors will reference past experiments to

establish their argument. This proves to be effective because it helps support their research and

provides a secondary source to convince the readers. ​Article references also emphasize the

importance of the topic at hand. ​An example of these references includes a detailed study where

researchers attempted to understand the effects of PTSD in prison settings. ​The study was used

by the researchers to emphasize the effects of prison sentencing on the human mind and
strengthen the idea that the prison system needs reform.​The researchers described the experiment

by writing, “This review identified 36 studies, with a combined sample of 9594 participants,

(6478 male and 2847 female prisoners) from 11 countries. Thirty-four of the identified studies

employed a cross-sectional design.” ​Experiments and articles have proven to be essential

elements when establishing an argument and vital components of the psych discourse

community. 1

The discourse community of psychology utilizes literacy techniques to teach new

students the subject matter. ​These literacy practices are unique to the field and provide insight

into the numerous topics of psychology.​ This field can be difficult to comprehend so it is very

important to explain the basics, especially to people with little to no experience in psychology.

As a first year student at UCSB enrolled in psych 1, I carefully observed the discourse

community and how they attempted to teach some of the most difficult topics to people with

virtually no background knowledge.​ Before the first lecture the professor made it mandatory that

each student print out and bring a copy of the syllabus. Like many other classes, the syllabus

contained valuable information regarding attendance, scheduling, and the grading system that

will be implemented. However it also outlined the chapters that we will be reading within the

class. ​These chapters included topics about sleep, memory, perception, neuroscience and many

other interesting themes.​ Within sub-texts, the professor briefly elaborated on each topic and

explained its importance to psychology. ​These simple additions created correlation between the

topics. ​Another text we studied within the class is the textbook. This book was written by the

1
​Facer-Irwin, Emma, Nigel J. Blackwood, and Annie Bird. “PTSD in Prison Settings: A
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Comorbid Mental Disorders and Problematic
Behaviours.” Plos One, September 26, 2019. http://web.b.ebscohost.com/
professor with the ​intention​ ​goal ​of teaching students introductory psychology. At the beginning

of the book, the professor writes about important strategies to utilize in order to succeed and

fully understand the content. He also provides a detailed abstract so that each student will

attempt to understand the purpose of the text and class. ​Each of these practices, unique to the

field, helped explain the topic of psychology to a plethora of students with virtually no

background knowledge.

The discourse community for psychology is immense. There are different goals for every

individual scholar and respective topic. It is very important for each author to attempt to

understand their own ​questions​ ​positions ​and ideas ​as well as respond to the questions of their

peers. ​This means that no matter the topic at hand, it is significant to ask questions and seek to

answer these questions through extensive research, first-hand experiments, and past articles.

Although there are many questions and answers to be reached within the discourse community of

psych, the most important goal that creates the foundation of the field is figuring out the reasons

as to why people do the things they do.​ The utilization of abstracts, peer-reviewed articles,

referenced experiments, and situational rhetoric help the ​writers​ ​scholars ​discuss and answer

some of psychology's most difficult questions.