Conventions: What are three specific conventions associated with the discourse of your topics?

 

Topic 1: Music

1. Inspiring others the same way I was inspired
2. How has music shaped who and how I am
3. What impact will I have on music

 

Topic 2:  Fashion

1. Its impact on the industry
2. Ways to improve
3. What to wear and how to wear certain things together

 

Topic 3:  Sneakerhead World

1. Knowing the date they release, its stock, and the designer of the shoe
2. Its effect on the Sneaker community
3. Reselling the sneakers

 

Discourse community: Can you describe two memories in which you joined in conversation with members of the discourse community associated with these topics?

 

Topic 1: Music

1. When the pandemic first hit, I had a lot of time with my thoughts. I self-reflected a lot in those dark times and found out that my passion for music was always there. The Weeknd had dropped his 6^th album, After Hours. I remember it was a perfect album for what I was going through and how things were outside.
2. It’s a progressive memory: When I first got introduced to Kanye West, I was about 7 years old and thought he was pretty dope. As time went on, I got more into his music and what he was saying in his songs. So many people shame him and dislike him for being himself, which I don’t get. As time went by, I started relating more and more to his music, and I fell in love with his art.

 

Topic 2: Fashion

1. My father is a man who loves to dress nice whenever he can, which is almost always. He’s a huge reason I’m into dressing and fashion. He always made sure I looked good in reunions or any function.  Even though we have different tastes in fashion, I appreciate his involvement in my love for it.
2. I became a huge fan of Chris Brown’s “Black Pyramid” clothing line and Kanye’s “Yeezy” line starting high school. I was inspired by the way they used music as a gateway to start fashion. Their clothing lines are very different from each other but being able to use their ideas and create what they want influences me to do it as well.

 

Topic 3: Sneakerhead World

1. I became a big sneakerhead around the eighth grade. Whenever some new Jordans came out, my friends and I went crazy.
2. I bought my first pair of Yeezys my sophomore year, and I’ve been obsessed with them ever since. Since Kanye is one of my biggest inspirations, it would make sense I got a pair for myself. The Yeezy brand is known for pushing the boundaries when it comes to sneaker design and critical views.

 

Literacy Sponsor: Can you describe two specific ways in which a literacy sponsor has introduced you to the discourse communities and/or conventions of these topics?

 

Topic 1: Music

• Michael Jackson started my love for music. I used to play his dancing game on my Wii when I was very young. I knew every song off the game and knew every dance. His music later started my interest in Chris Brown. Chris Brown resembles MJ in many ways, like his dancing, singing, and creativity.

 

 

Topic 2: Fashion

• My father was a big person who contributed to my love for fashion. He bought me all my outfits when I was young and would, at times, dress me. Eventually, as I grew older, I developed many forms of fashion I liked. Now, of course, my father doesn’t like some things I like, and that’s okay. I’m just glad he’s a big reason I love fashion.

 

 

Topic 3: Sneakerhead World

• My literacy sponsor for this topic was my friends and me. We would always talk about the hottest shoe coming out. I always needed to have these or those. Looking back, I don’t know why I liked certain shoes. Probably because I used to care about people’s opinions, but now I don’t care at all. I go for some shoes to resell and some to wear because I absolutely love them.