I would like you to explore the language of a particular community you are familiar with, but make sure the community is not too large. For example, you would not want to write on the language community of Christianity–that is much too broad. Instead, choose something like Evangelical Christianity or Southern Baptists. Instead of writing about gamers, write about Fortnite players or speedrunners. Also, the best papers will make a specific point relevant to that language community. For example, if you write about the language of nurses, you dont want to randomly choose words they use: femur, blood pressure, Crohns Disease. Instead, give your essay a purpose: for example, the words first-year nursing students need to know to succeed. Finally, stay focused on the language of the community. This paper isnt about the community; its about the language that community uses. Your paper will not receive a passing grade if it is not specifically and consistently about language.
Getting Started
Keep a journal recording words, phrases, and ways of speaking and writing typical of your community. Be sure to record your sources for citation purposes.
Here are some questions that will help you generate content:
How is this community different from a similar community and how does that difference affect the language?
What are the key terms used in the community that only insiders know?
What words are debated among the community?
How has the language of the community changed?
What does the language used by the community say about the community?
More tips for generating content:
If you define a word, make sure you give an example of that word being used.
To define a word or phrase, compare it to its opposite or to a related word or phrase.
Always say something about why something matters or is meaningful and dont include things that arent meaningful.
Consult good sources: handbooks, dictionaries, experts.
Lastly, be mindful of which terminology you choose to discuss. Dont discuss language that your audience is already likely to know. For example, if you are discussing the language of basketball, dont explain dribble or backboard. You will put your reader to sleep.
A Possible Structure for Your Paper
Introduce your language community.
Cover some of the most distinctive words or phrases used by that community. Explain them when necessary and say interesting things about them.
Make a point (your thesis) about language use in that community: Fortnite lingo tends to prize brevity above all else, which is not surprising in such a fast-paced game that requires efficient communication.
Develop and support that thesis.
Conclude your essay, perhaps by taking a wider view of your subject or by noting something interesting but not essential to your argument.
