Lifeguard Lexis

of Northwood Pool

As stated by Swales, one key component of a discourse community is having members that share one common goal. Along with these goals being thread through the discourse community, they must also be made public. Northwood pool does exactly that. The goals are re-created at the beginning of each yeah by the staff, and later posted both inside and outside of the pool for visitors to see.

The number one goal of Northwood Pool is to ensure the safety of the patrons. In fact, when accepting the application, a document must be signed stating that the employee is aware of the pool’s mission. Along with safety, another goal of the lifeguards is to be role models. They want to teach the visitors about safety in a way that intrigues them and captures their respect. The lifeguards make it their mission to ensure that the pool is just as safe as it is fun. Furthermore, the lifeguards share the goal of gaining the respect of the community, and also want to make sure the days go off without any hitches. Finally, all lifeguards at Northwood strive to be leaders. Whether it be through swim lessons or encouraging behavior, the staff shares the goal of earning respect and teaching others.

Because the guards are such a tight-knit group, everyone communicates efficiently, and feels comfortable enough to express their feelings. This is crucial, because if someone has questions about emergency procedures or protocols, they need to feel comfortable enough to speak up and confirm their doubts.

Writing is not a huge requirement for the lifeguards, however at the end of each session of swimming lessons, the guards are required to fill out a written evaluation for each of their swimmers, explaining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they need to improve on. This is easier for some than others, but the problem is fixed via consultation with the seasoned guards and eventually everything turns out okay.