Ann Johns writes about the many different discourse communities. An individual is born into communities such as religion and class, but Johns focuses more on the chosen communities based on an individuals interests, politics, and profession. These essentially fall into three categories: Social, Political and Recreational, Professional, and Academic. Social, political, and recreational communities include sports clubs, hobby groups, activist groups, and more. The professional community is based off of an individuals career choice. The community that they belong to will share similar basics. Academic communities include the school you attend, classes you take, and degree you hold. Discourse communities often overlap, sharing a broad category and branching into more specific communities. Within a community, the individual is in a mutual relationship: giving and receiving. For example, Johns family is a member of many groups including the local art museum and theatre production. They donate money, time, and support to these groups and in return they receive their publications and attend functions. Throughout ones life, they may be a member of many communities at once, often becoming more and less involved with old and new groups as time goes on.
Listed below are a few of the discourse communities I associate myself with.
Social, political, recreational:
-LGBTQ+
-Feminists
-AARP (social security/taxes)
Professional:
-PrePharmacy
Academic:
-Ole Miss Students
-FASTrack