1. Gee believes that individuals “must say or write the right thing in the right way while playing the right social role and (appearing) to hold the right values, beliefs and attitudes.” (Gee, 6) This can be referred to as his combination, this combination is important to him because it allows for deeper understanding and better connection among individuals. It can be as simple as changing how people perceive you, as well as what Cuddy would call “faking it until you make it”. With this combination an individual is allowed to be their best self and get their points across on all levels. This combination creates confidence within an individual, which allows them to fully open up and state their opinions and most importantly have others listen and agree. All of these factors allow for arguments and a deeper and more reliable flow of ideas. One example would be “May I have a match please?” versus “ ‘Gimme a match, wouldya?’, while placing a napkin on the bar stool to avoid getting his newly pressed designer jeans dirty.” (5) This quote explains how combinations can truly affect how points come across. He stated earlier how discourses are like first aid kits that complete the person, this is extremely important when it comes to presenting yourself. In this example the same individual is viewed in two completely different ways. Because as much as we many not like it people judge the cover and their can be substantial consequences for that as shown in this example. That slight changes in words matter along with how they’re said. One example myself would be how you introduce yourself to a significant others parents. Obviously you dress nice and try your best to come off as polite and etiquette. These characteristics complete the combination as well as the package. Therefore enhancing Gee’s theory.   
  2. Gee states how linguistics cannot be taught and learned in a classroom yet he points out how they are learned throughout one’s lifetime. That individuals learn how to respond and behave in certain environments through experience. This can be supported by the quote “Discourses are mastered by enculturation (apprenticeship) into social practices.” (7) Yet, when it comes to other courses it is simple material that doesn’t vary like linguistics, therefore the material can be read out of a textbook. Linguistics changes with time and also varies within each situation an individual is presented with.
  3. The difference between a secondary and primary discourse would be a primary discourse is what someone uses to “make sense of the world and interact with others.” (7) It is the discourse of core values, one’s identity. Meanwhile secondary discourse is when an individual adapts outside of safe boundaries such as home. Meaning what is accepted by others and what in general is okay when it comes to communication and writing in public areas. Dominant discourses are discourses adapted in a given environment for individual gains such as money or status. Non-dominant discourses are discourses that bring stability to a social network. This distinction is important because these discourses are learned throughout life. With age comes new challenges and factors and with the gain of these discourses comes maturity.