PETA Member

(1) Textual Artifacts

• PETA releases tons of flyers monthly all promoting ethical treatment of animals. The flyers usually give examples of companies that treat animals in a cruel way, asking you to boycott them.

• PETA also keeps a blog on their website. Through this blog they keep you updated on all different things going on with animal cruelty movements and also give you advice on what to make being a vegetarian or how you can help the cause. 

• The PETA website gives as a member gives you tons of ways to support their organization. By just clicking  on a link you are shown a list of what to do as a member.

• The PETA website allows all members to comment on articles and campaign ads posted on their website. This gives members the opportunity to communicate their opinions on different issues.

(2) First Day Narrative

• I've always been an animal lover, always asking my mom for a new pet since I was a child, I've had hamsters, frogs, fish, and my favorite dogs! My sophomore year in high school I met my a short, bubbly, outgoing, brunette who would soon end up being my best friend. I soon learned that my newest buddy Lindsay was a full-on vegetarian. I can remember sitting there asking her so many questions, and the one question that received the longest response was why. She had told me that she was always against animal cruelty and was urged by a friend to check out PETA's, people for the ethical treatment of animals, website. She watched video upon video of animals being skinned for their fur, or tortured for their meat. After this life-changing talk I myself decided to visit PETA's website. I spent hours on that website, watching the same videos Lindsay did and reading articles on the truth behind fast food restaurants and products tested on animals. Soon after I decided to become a member and a full-on vegetarian. Becoming a member of PETA meant that I had made an account on their website and signed many pledges, such as agreeing to give certain donations a month and pledging to be a vegetarian and not wear fur. I had access to message boards and comment features throughout the site. I had actually felt like I was giving back to a cause that I cared so much about. It made me feel like a was standing up for something I believed in. I was so proud of myself. Now, almost four years later, I am still a vegetarian and proud member of PETA.

My Discourse Community

Never Shout Never Fan

How large is this community?

• Never Shout Never's fan base is not very big. The band that plays indie and alternative music has not quite yet made it to the big leagues yet. Christofer Drew, the lead singer, only plays small shows with an audience of probably around 100 big-time fans.

Does your discourse community have a forum or discussion/communication?

• Yes, Christofer Drew has his own personal twitter were he updates fans about upcoming private shows and about new EP's he is working on. Also, he has his own personal Youtube and website where fans, like me, can go and catch up on what's coming next for Never Shout Never. The website also includes a forum where people can go and write about other Never Shout Never news and opinions.

Does your discourse community have a certain purpose?

• The purpose of my discourse community is to listen to the music that I love, become inspired by Christofer Drew's lyrics and messages, and show up to all his shows for support. Without the fan's Never Shout Never would not be able to keep making music and keep doing their shows.

Is your discourse community bound by rules?

• Basically, the rules for being a Never Shout Never fan are to just support Christofer Drew, buy his music, and show up to all his shows.

Does your discourse community offer useful textual artifacts for analysis?

• Yes, Christofer Drew writes all his own songs and the lyrics of his song's can be deeply analyzed to get a clear, meaningful message. Also. all of Never Shout Never's shows can be analyzed by the way he presents himself and his music.