BEFORE YOU READ
   Since I have been in college, my identity has changed drastically.  It has changed, because I am now more aware of different aspects around me.  In English in general, I have always had a good understanding of the topic, but everyday I hear about new ideas and opinions in someone's writing.  Reading the articles we read every few days for our assignments shows me not only the different point of views, but how many people share those same ideas that I never even had thought of as being an issue.  It gives me a more in depth understanding of the research and time put into different ways of writing. 
     In high school, English was a very important subject, because it kept growing from year to year, and it is always changed or progressing.  I don't think students take English as serious as they should until they are in college, and they need to write papers or give speeches.  You need English to complete all of these in a formal manner.


     In Elizabeth Wardle's article, "Identity, Authority, & Learning to Write in New Workplaces," she wants to learn how people learn to write as adults among different discourse communities.   She breaks this down into three categories of how people try to belong to a group; engagement (common enterprise), imagination (process of expanding..etc), and alignment (negotiating perspective..etc).  She does a study on Alan, who is a computer specialist.  He refuses to work within the writing conventions that are necessary for his line of work.  He would not be accepted into part of the discourse if he does not abide by their regulations, and at the end is forced to search for a new job.  Wardle makes this clear, that even if someone has a degree, it does not mean that they are accepted.  Just like everyone else, you have to give what is expected of you by your employer.  Two major roles that are played within this reading are the differences between identity and authority.  You need to know your true self, and know what authority you have and can take, without pushing the limit.  New members of a discourse community should always be willing to want to learn new ways to belong for their new line of work.  This would make it easier on them, and give what is expected of them. 

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
3) Alan did not go about his problem in the right way.  He seemed to be rude, not even willing to try and make an effort to give them what they needed from him.  He was very stubborn, and hard-headed.  It also might of been a factor that he is only 23 years old, and if he is already making waves, what he might do in the future if he stays employed by the same people.  This could of been handled by him not being so rude, and having more of an open mind to what was asked of him.  If he didn't agree he could have tried to reason, instead of just refusing.

5)  I agree with both, mainly Wardle, because a person is not always going to be happy with what they are doing.  Sometimes, people learn to deal with it, because it is something you have to do.  Not everyone is going to let you do whatever you want your whole life, there are times when a person needs to realize they're not the ones running the show.  Alan did not seem like he even wanted to make an effort, and that was a huge problem.

COMPARE
     I would compare this reading with James Paul Gee's, because they both talk about discourse communities.  Even though Gee placed his into the four categories of dominant, non-dominant, secondary, and primary, they both share the outlook that each person needs to have some kind of background or want to learn about the discourse community they are trying to be a part of.  Gee also says that discourse gives people instructions on how to talk, act, or write.  This goes into agreeing with Wardle's article, because she explains that certain regulations and tasks are expected from an individual.

     Overall, I enjoyed reading this article, because I like when the writer gives examples.  I think Alan was a good example, and it made the reading much easier to read through the article.  I liked how she explained the three interrelated modes of people trying to belong to a specific group as being engagement, alignment, and imagination.  Lastly, her article helped me to realize that just because a person might have a degree, does not mean they are specifically accepted into the group.