Research Proposal !

Research Proposal

Victoria Malaszuk

University of Central Florida

Research Proposal !2

As defined by Gee and Ann M. Johns in Writing about Writing, “if there is one thing that

most of the [discourse community definitions] have in common, it is an idea of language [and

genres] as a basis for sharing and holding in common.” (p. 320) A key aspect the passage

contains is “the relationship of identity to discourse communities.”(p.320) When looking at the

discourse communities I am involved in, my identity to a discourse community is seen through

my involvement in the Pre-Dental Association at UCF (PDSA). As a future dentist, I am part of

the Pre-Dental Association in order to gain more knowledge and skills related to the dental field

as well as work with others interested in dentistry. The Pre-Dental Association at UCF is based

on collaboration among the members and other professional discourse communities such as

dental offices in order to accumulate new knowledge and social skills.

The sources I researched from the UCF library databases don’t necessarily talk about a

pre-dental school organization, however, they involve some type of school-related pre-

professional club that analyzes character and identity development as well as leadership skills.

Cave, the author of my first secondary source, talks about how being involved in school

clubs promotes human development and learning . Similarly, Ferrara researches STEM

clubs and its benefits relating to communication skills, writing, metacognition, and self-

identity and talks about each in his journal article, “Enriching Undergraduate Experiences

with Outreach in school STEM Clubs.” Casey, the author of the “Multimodel Learning

Clubs” journal article examines how multimodal clubs incorporate tools containing literacy

strategies to gain new knowledge. Lastly, Dunna, author of “Adolscents Perceptions and

Negotiation of Literarcy Practices in after-school Read and Talk Clubs.” describes after-

school clubs as social outlets reflecting communication and rhetoric through literacy
Research Proposal !3

practices. While each journal article examines a different type of club, all shadow the idea

of discovering self-identity and follow a certain pattern of writing and rhetoric. As I

approach the analysis and dissection portion of my secondary research period, I plan on

{will be} breaking down these articles to see how rhetoric and genres are used in these types of

discourse communities.

My primary research question is: How pre-professional clubs like PDSA effectively use

writing and rhetoric to communicate with their members? Additionally, I want to reflect on how

these clubs make one aware of genres, and form an identity in the discourse community.

My primary research will be based off of two of the ten possible methods discussed. The

first primary research method I will focus on is textual analysis, which defined in EasyWriter is

“the breaking down of a particular text in order to ascertain its underlying themes, motivations,

purposes, and rhetorical impact.” (p. R-8) The texts I will be breaking down will be the

following: PDSA powerpoints, PDSA pamphlets, and the notes I take during the meetings and

workshops. When looking at these texts I will analyze each rhetorically and see if there is a

repetition of certain genres, lexus, and writing patterns used. To connect these three resources to

writing and rhetoric in the discourse community, I plan on also relating to the Learning the

Language passage by Perri Klass in Writing about Writing in order to further understand how

every text uses linguistic trade-offs to accomplish full involvement in this type of discourse

community. The second primary research method I will be using is multimodal text analysis

which, similarly to textual analysis, is “ the process of textual analysis that questions how

textual, visual, auditory, and other text elements operate to deliver messages and meaning.” I will

be breaking down both the UCF PDSA website and instagram profile and like the textual
Research Proposal !4

analysis I will be looking for themes in genres, writing, and lexus. The essay I will be referring to

when breaking down both multimodal texts will be From Pencils to Pixels by Dennis Baron in

Writing about Writing. This passage primarily talks about how technology “is one of the

constraints which accompany all writing and rhetorical situations.”

These two primary research methods will effectively help me in answering my research

question because by breaking down each textual resource I will find the most successful writing

and rhetoric pattern used in clubs like PDSA to communicate to their members.

Timeline

Discuss Research Plans with Professor Feb 17/18 (during conference 1)

Mooney

Analyze UCF PDSA powerpoint Feb 18-19

Analyze UCF PDSA pamphlet Feb 20
Analyze my PDSA notes Feb 22

Analyze UCF PDSA website Feb 24

Analyze UCF PDSA instagram profile Feb 26
Research Proposal !5

References

Chaffee, R. L. (2016). Reel science: an ethnographic study of girls' science identity development

in

and through film. Retrieved February 9, 2020, from http://gateway.proquest.com/

openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/

fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqm&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:10109872

ERIC Clearinghouse on Teaching and Teacher Education, J. B. (2002). Positive character

development

in school sport programs. ERIC digest. Retrieved February 9, 2020, from https://eric.ed.gov/

contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=ED477729

Joyner, E., Ben-Avie, M., & Comer, J. (Eds.). (2004). Dynamic instructional leadership to

support

student learning and development: The field guide to comer schools in action. Retrieved

February 9, 2020, from http://www.corwinpress.com/booksProdDesc.nav?

prodId=Book226766

Manners, P., & Smart, D. (1995). Moral development and identity formation in high school

juniors:

The effects of Participation in Extracurricular Activities. Retrieved February 9, 2020, from

https://eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=ED385496
Research Proposal !6

Johns, Ann M. (1997). Discourse communities and communities of practice: Membership,

conflict, and diversity. Writing About Writing.

Klass, Perri . (1987). Learning the Language. Writing About Writing.

Baron, Dennis. (1999). From Pencils to Pixels. Writing About Writing.