Swales (2016) defines a discourse community as a group that has goals, uses communication to achieve their goals, and has purposes. Wales, 2016, p. 2). He further expands on this definition by crafting three categories that encompass all discourse communities. Local communities where all members work at the same place, Focal communities which are typically associations that have an international reach, and ‘Folocal’ communities where the members are confronted by internal and external challenges and pressures. This paper directs its attention toward a specific focal discourse community, the National Basketball Association (NBA). The NBA embodies the essence of a discourse community with its players, coaches, analysts and fans converging under …show more content…
Lowe's transition from a basketball enthusiast with a blog to a respected NBA analyst illustrates the meritocracy within the league's discourse community, where individuals can gain respect based on their knowledge, insights, and dedication to the sport; a telling indication of the communities hierarchy. This recruitment strategy works as well as it does as ‘normal’ people can make a name for themselves if they can provide benefits to the community. I have had a similar experience as I once posted a breakdown of how finances and salary are correlated within the NBA, gaining respect from the readers of the blog I had posted on. This personal encounter echoes the broader theme of merit-based recognition within the NBA's discourse community, where valuable contributions, regardless of one's background, are acknowledged and granted authority. That being said, the community is not scared to rescind the authority it has bestowed. “Authority is bestowed by institutions, can be just as easily withdrawn by those same institutions or its members” (Bourdieu as seen in Wardle, 2004, p.