Wulff

Joseph Wulff
ENC 1101-0001
October 7, 2014

Introduction
Im not an artist or I cant draw is usually what you hear people say when they get
put on the spot to draw a picture or diagram in front of others. If you think about it though, we
are all a part of the drawing community in one way or another. We have all at least drawn a
picture once in our lifetime, whether it be for fun as a kid, or for a class presentation growing up.
So even if you dont want to be, you are a part of the drawing discourse community. It seems
like though, the further and further you advance in the education system, participating in some
sort of an art class has not become necessary anymore. Why is that? Why did we use to draw
pictures throughout elementary school, but have it fade away during middle school and high
school, and basically disappear in college? For the University of Central Florida, any type of
artistic class seems to be non-existent in their General Education Program.

Elements
Drawing impacted me in such a way throughout my life, which is something I want to
continue to do as a career hopefully someday. The drawing discourse community can be defined
by the six elements of the Activity Theory.

Community
Like I said earlier, everyone is a part of the drawing discourse community because it is
everyone that has been or is involved in the activity. That is, everyone who has drawn a picture
or created an image before. You are not necessarily a big part of this community, but by you
being creative and using your artistic abilities, you will always be a part of the community.

Division of Labor
This part of the Activity System does not apply too much to the drawing community
because usually drawing is done by that one person. However, anytime a person gives or
receives feedback for a piece of artwork, you are part of a decision making process. Your
opinions, as little as they may seem, can make a big difference in the outcome of ones drawing.

Motive
Everyones motive for drawing is different. The motives can range from having an
immediate reaction to the long-term purposes of the community. It is a way to express ones self

Wulff

as an individual and to use your creativity to put your thoughts on paper. Even more importantly,
it was, and still can be a way of communication.

Tools
The tools for the drawing discourse community are endless. The most common are
pencil, pen, and paper, but with there being so many things to use to draw and to be drawn on,
the possibilities a numerous.

Subject
The subject in this community is each and every one of us. We are the ones whose
actions are being examined from every decision to every drawing. It can be everybody who has
drawn before, or just an individual.

Rules
Rules can change from class to class or project to project. If youre feeling like just
drawing a picture or creating something, the cool thing about it is that there arent really any
rules. You are free to be abstract.

Own experiences
As just a freshman in college at the University of Central Florida, why would you listen
to anything I have to say? Even though it is just my first year here, its not hard to see that the
creative side of learning is hardly present. As a kid I used to draw for fun and as I grew older and
attended middle school and high school, I became more interested in drawing. As I still see it as
a something to do in your spare time activity, I am not very involved in the discourse
community. Although, I enjoy drawing and creating images enough to where I know it is
something I want to pursue down the road. I didnt realize it then, but the University of Central
Florida, known for their excellent engineering courses, does not have too many options for
further excelling my abilities to become a better artist, at least in their General Education
Program. Being an artist is not what I came to UCF for, but I did expect that for an engineering
college, there would be more classes to work the creative side of your brain.

Analysis
Motive
Tools
Rules