Writing as a Discourse Community as Preparation for Professional Practice
Laura Patterson
Earlier in this book, Tang and John’s (1999) concept of writer’s and identity were explored and connects identity to the expectations of one’s discourse community. Participating in the communication (oral, written, and interpersonal) rules and expectations of your discourse community demonstrates your credibility to others in that community, and is often referred to as professionalism. Professions with a high degree of responsibility to the public, like doctors, engineers, lawyers, and social workers for example, will have these expectations codified in a clear code of conduct.
Key Concepts
- Discourse community: “[A] set of shared values and beliefs, of discoursal conventions. These conventions establish what is legitimate knowledge, what are the appropriate ways of learning and writing about that knowledge, what are the legitimate roles and behaviors of the members of that community” (Clark, 1992, p. 118).
- Professionalism: “‘Professionalism’ is commonly understood as an individual’s adherence to a set of standards, code of conduct or collection of qualities that characterize accepted practice within a particular area of activity” (Universities UK et al. 2004).
So, how do we create an identity and how is this related to professionalism? Practicing academic integrity plays a significant role in shaping an individual’s identity and has a strong connection to professionalism, including through practicing one’s character and values, building self-respect and confidence, practicing ethical decision making, building a trustworthy reputation, and practicing ethical conduct.
Academic integrity is the adherence to ethical principles in learning and education. When students consistently uphold honesty, fairness, and respect for intellectual property, it reflects their character and values. Integrity becomes a fundamental aspect of their identity, demonstrating that they are principled and responsible individuals. By witnessing themselves act with such high character builds their self-respect and confidence, while, engaging in academic dishonesty can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and inadequacy. By relying on their abilities and knowledge to achieve academic success, students can build a positive self-image and a sense of accomplishment.
Upholding academic integrity requires making ethical decisions, especially when facing challenging situations like temptations to cheat or plagiarize. Continuously making ethical choices helps individuals develop a strong moral compass, shaping their identity as ethical and principled individuals. This identity builds a reputation of trustworthiness and in both academic and professional settings, trust is essential. Employers, colleagues, and clients want to work with individuals who are trustworthy and reliable. Practicing academic integrity establishes a foundation for building trust, as it shows that a person can be relied upon to act honestly and ethically.
The skills required to maintain academic integrity, such as critical thinking, research, and proper citation, are transferable to the professional world. In addition, by not cutting corners on academic assignments, students are working to learn the material required for their profession that will make them better at their work in the future. These skills contribute to professionalism by enabling individuals to produce high-quality work and make informed decisions in their careers.
Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia (2023) Code of Ethics
The Code of Ethics required under the Professional Governance Act, S.B.C. 2018, c. 47 and created in the Bylaws of Engineers and Geoscientists BC provides a set of principles that all registrants are required to follow. A registrant must adhere to the following Code of Ethics: Registrants must act at all times with fairness, courtesy and good faith toward all persons with whom the registrant has professional dealings, and in accordance with the public interest. Registrants must uphold the values of truth, honesty, and trustworthiness and safeguard human life and welfare and the environment. In keeping with these basic tenets, registrants must:
- hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public, including the protection of the environment and the promotion of health and safety in the workplace;
- practice only in those fields where training and ability make the registrant professionally competent;
- have regard for the common law and any applicable enactments, federal enactments, or enactments of another province;
- have regard for applicable standards, policies, plans, and practices established by the government or Engineers and Geoscientists BC;
- maintain competence in relevant specializations, including advances in the regulated practice and relevant science;
- provide accurate information in respect of qualifications and experience;
- provide professional opinions that distinguish between facts, assumptions, and opinions;
- avoid situations and circumstances in which there is a real or perceived conflict of interest and ensure conflicts of interest, including perceived conflicts of interest, are properly disclosed and necessary measures are taken so a conflict of interest does not bias decisions or recommendations;
- report to Engineers and Geoscientists BC and, if applicable, any other appropriate authority, if the registrant, on reasonable and probable grounds, believes that: a. the continued practice of a regulated practice by another registrant or other person, including firms and employers, might pose a risk of significant harm to the environment or to the health or safety of the public or a group of people; or b. a registrant or another individual has made decisions or engaged in practices which may be illegal or unethical;
- present clearly to employers and clients the possible consequences if professional decisions or judgments are overruled or disregarded;
- clearly identify each registrant who has contributed professional work, including recommendations, reports, statements, or opinions;
- undertake work and documentation with due diligence and in accordance with any guidance developed to standardize professional documentation for the applicable profession; and
- conduct themselves with fairness, courtesy, and good faith towards clients, colleagues, and others, give credit where it is due and accept, as well as give, honest and fair professional comment.
In summary, practicing academic integrity shapes an individual’s identity by reinforcing positive character traits, promoting self-respect and ethical decision-making. It relates to professionalism by establishing trust, developing transferable skills, and laying the groundwork for ethical conduct in a person’s academic and professional life. Embracing academic integrity helps individuals become responsible, ethical, and respected members of their academic and professional communities.
For example, engineering as a profession has a clear code of conduct for its members as does other professions such as doctors, lawyers, social workers. However, other professions also have expectations and policies surrounding acting ethically and with integrity as these elements are at the core of professionalism. When you work with professionals, you expect them to abide by those guidelines.
Writing and communication are integral aspects of practicing professionalism and integrity within a discourse community. According to Clark (1992) a discourse community is a group of people (sometimes a profession) who have “a set of shared values and beliefs, of discoursal conventions. These conventions establish what is legitimate knowledge, what are the appropriate ways of learning and writing about that knowledge, what are the legitimate roles and behaviors of the members of that community.” (p. 118). Clark’s definition helps us understand that expectations around writing and communication contribute to fulfilling expectations professionalism and integrity within such communities.
For example, in a discourse community, effective communication is crucial for conveying ideas, collaborating with peers, and achieving shared objectives. Professionals within a field need to communicate clearly, concisely, and respectfully to ensure that their messages are understood by others because transparent and honest communication is a cornerstone of integrity. Communicating accurate information, citing sources properly, and acknowledging others’ contributions demonstrate a commitment to truthful and ethical communication. As a result of following those expectations, professionals within that discourse community establish themselves as credible and knowledgeable members.
In addition, well-crafted communication showcases expertise and contributes to building their professional reputation. Sharing well-researched and accurate information enhances credibility and demonstrates integrity. Misrepresenting facts or plagiarizing content erodes trust and damages one’s reputation within the community. As well, maintaining a respectful tone during discussions, even when there are differing opinions, demonstrates a commitment to professional conduct and fosters a positive and inclusive community. Professionals often craft written contributions to their field’s body of knowledge such as research papers, articles, or reports, which are essential for the growth and advancement of the community. To ensure these written contributions are upholding the standards of the discourse community, it is also integrous to provide thoughtful and constructive feedback to peers’ work, whether in writing or discussions, to contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and professionalism.
In sum, clear and effective communication builds the credibility of professionals within their discourse community through their ethical use of information while engaging in constructive dialogue and knowledge sharing and offering honest, thoughtful feedback to their peers.
