“Identity, Authority, and Learning to Write in New Workplaces,” Elizabeth Wardle

IWA: 3/22/13

Summary: In her article, “Identity, Authority, and Learning to Write in New Workplaces,” Elizabeth Wardle attempts to tell her audience, people entering a new job, that it is crucial to learn their way of writing since it is a new discourse. She argues that it is better to conform than to continue your own ways by telling us about “Alan,” a man with a lot of education who did not fit in with his new job and was seen as causing conflict at the job.

Synthesis: This article reminds me of Gee and Glenn because they both talk about different discourses and assimilation into them. It probably reminds me more-so of Gee because they're really only talking about one type of discourse.

QD 2: I have several examples and run into them nearly every day. People tend to be bias when it comes to their writing (whether they mean to or not) and can sometimes voice their opinions indirectly. In high school, for example, I was the editor in chief of our paper and had to read countless articles and quickly came to know the staff simply by their writing. Oftentimes when they had to write about politics they would lean one direction and give more positive quotes from one side than the other.

QD 3: I don’t think Alan’s experience ended well because of the way he handled the situation. Sometimes you need to realize there’s a time to speak up and a time to conform. When entering a new workplace it’s best to conform right away until you can work your way up and then voice your opinions. As opposed to being aggressive he should’ve acted calmer and talked in a more adult way. In addition he could’ve waited till he could be of more authority.

QD 5: I would have to side with Wardle on this one not only because I disagreed with Gee but because I have strong opinions when it comes to the corporate latter. I don’t think a new employee should speak up about how things are run or anything unless their life is in danger or it’s something extremely serious.

QD 7: Yes  indeed. Some of my managers at my job have made me realize they aren’t necessarily suited to be in charge. Oftentimes they let customers walk all over them (which I understand the customer is SUPPOSEDLY always right) but they’ll give them lower prices when the sticker price (located directly underneath the item and labeled with the item’s name and the date the tag was printed) clearly states the price the cashier rang up. When they lost this authority over the customer it made me realize I shouldn’t necessarily rely on them.

MM: I think these relate to authority because it is the leader of a discourse and the model other members of the discourse follow. It can help me as a writer because it shows me the way to “properly” write according to the authority figure and basically give me brownie points because I assimilated.

Afterthoughts: I think this piece was very informative for not just English use but practical use. It shows that sometimes it’s best to conform with an authority figure to help you better your chances of working up the corporate ladder.