Gee's Discourse

Imagine Aria, Scarlett, and Sophia are joining a new club at school. According to Gee, what does having an “identity kit” mean for them?

• A set of clothes and school supplies you need for success

• The skills, behaviors, and ways of speaking that show you belong to a group

• A folder of documents proving your identity

• The personality you create online

Answer explanation

Gee's concept of an 'identity kit' refers to the skills, behaviors, and ways of speaking that indicate membership in a group, highlighting how individuals express their identities through social practices.

What’s the difference between “discourse” (little d) and “Discourse” (big D)?

• Little “d” is about essays; Big “D” is about tweets

• Little “d” is only about talking, while Big “D” includes how you act, dress, and think to fit into a group

• They’re basically the same

• Little “d” is used in school, Big “D” is used at home

Answer explanation

Little 'd' refers to spoken or written communication, while Big 'D' encompasses broader social practices, including behavior, appearance, and mindset that align with group norms.

Imagine Anika and James want to master a new Discourse. According to Gee, what’s the best way for them to pick it up?

• By memorizing facts and vocabulary

• Through being around others and copying how they act and speak

• By downloading an app

• Through taking multiple-choice tests

Answer explanation

According to Gee, people learn a Discourse primarily by being around others and mimicking their behaviors and speech patterns, rather than through memorization or testing.

Which of the following is most likely your primary Discourse?

• The language and behavior you use with your friends at school

• How you talk to your teachers and write essays

• The way you act and speak with your family growing up

• The way you talk during job interviews

Answer explanation

The way you act and speak with your family growing up is your primary Discourse, as it shapes your foundational communication style and influences how you interact in various contexts throughout life.

What’s an example of a secondary Discourse for most high schoolers?

• How you talk with siblings

• The behavior and language used during club meetings or in a part-time job

• How you act when you're alone

• The way you play video games

Answer explanation

The behavior and language used during club meetings or in a part-time job is a secondary Discourse, as it reflects how students adapt their communication and actions in different social contexts beyond their primary Discourse.

What’s a dominant Discourse in a school setting?

• Student Council, National Honor Society

• The slang students use in group chats

• A Discourse that no one understands

• creative writing club, baking club

Answer explanation

A dominant Discourse in a school setting refers to behaviors that convey confidence and authority, such as speaking well in presentations, which helps students gain respect and power among peers and teachers.

What’s a nondominant Discourse?

• One that gets you accepted into powerful roles like Student Council, DECA, or HOSA

• A Discourse, like the travel club or best buddies, that builds friendships and community, but not power or status

• A Discourse used by adults only

• One that has strict grammar rules

Answer explanation

A nondominant Discourse focuses on building relationships and community rather than seeking power or status, making the correct choice the one that emphasizes communication for friendship.

When Gee talks about “testing” and “gates,” what does he mean?

• The rules for passing your driver’s test

• The ways schools or society decide who gets access to opportunities (like who makes it into the DECA officer team or Dual Enrollment classes)

• Physical gates that separate groups of people into their difference Discourses

• Weekly quizzes in English class

Answer explanation

Gee refers to "testing" and "gates" as the mechanisms through which schools and society determine who qualifies for certain opportunities, such as honors classes or scholarships, highlighting systemic barriers.

Imagine Priya, Maya, and Kai are in a classroom. Who among them would be considered a “non-native” Discourse user in DE Comp. 1?

• A) The student who doesn’t speak English

• B) The student who is new to academic language and is still learning how to write formal essays

• C) The student who is born in another country

• D) The student who never talks in class

Answer explanation

B is correct because a non-native Discourse user refers to someone still learning the conventions of academic language, such as writing formal essays or giving speeches, rather than just language proficiency.

What’s an example of “mushfaking” in school?

• Pretending you read the book for class when you didn’t

• Using the language, actions and dressing like those you’ve seen accepted as natives in a school club or class, even if you’re not fully comfortable yet

• Making excuses for being late

• Plagiarizing someone’s work

Answer explanation

The correct choice illustrates "mushfaking" as it involves using learned behaviors to navigate situations, even without full confidence, which aligns with the concept of faking competence in a school setting.