Autoethnography
Description:
Autoethnography is a form of critical and creative writing that explores the interrelation between
the personal and the social worlds. One way to explore this interrelation is by critiquing
discourse with the perspective and tools of critical discourse analysis (CDA), because discourse
is a bridge between the personal and cultural/social worlds. In this assignment, students will use
what they have learned about CDA so far in the course in order to write a short autoethnographic
account of a particular personal and social experience.
Requirements:
The autoethnography should be approximately 750 words in length, written in Times New
Roman, 12-point font. The document should include the student’s name, course numbers, and
tutorial number. The autoethnography must include the following:
● A description of a personal experience that was shaped by social discourse.
● A critical analysis of the discourse itself, with discussion of how language mediated the
personal experience in relation to social institutions.
● A critical analysis of power relations that discourse maintained and/or subverted in
relation to the personal experience.
● A critical reflection on the intersectionality of subjectivity in the context of the personal
experience, and how discourse mediates subjectivity.
● A reflection on what the autoethnographic critique of this personal experience might
teach us about the ways discourse shapes individual subjectivity in relation to social
institutions.
These bullet points are not intended to convey the structure of the autoethnography, but rather to
list elements that should be included, even if they are in a different order in the submitted
assignment. Also, consider the seven principles for writing autoethnography, as outlined in the
course reading by Boylorn and Orbe:
1. An emphasis on personal experience.
2. Familiarity with existing research.
3. Using personal experience to describe a critique cultural [and social] experience.
4. Taking advantage of and valuing insider knowledge.
5. Breaking silence, reclaiming voice.
6. Healing and maneuvering through pain, confusion, anger, and uncertainty.
7. Writing accessible prose.
