Ethnographic Essay Assignment Sheet
Congratulations! You have made it to the end of the semester, and now it is time to synthesize all of your hard work into a damn fine piece of writing. Unfortunately you will not be able to include every bit of information you have collected through observation, reflection, interview, and library research—that would probably be enough to fill a book. You will have to give your readers a comprehensive view of your field site, and you’ll need to choose information that develops the angle you are taking on your subculture.
Each of you, I feel, has improved your writing with each paper you have done. This paper should be the culmination of not only your research this semester, but also of your writing. In this paper, you will have the chance to show how much you have learned about the skills we have practiced throughout the semester—acknowledging preconceptions as well as being aware of how they are changing, writing reflexively, including vivid and concrete language, selecting and incorporating quotations, and summarizing information when necessary.
Write a 12- to 15- page double-spaced page final paper that MUST include the following:
• First-person writing (I, me) that blends objective details with reflexive reactions
• A variety of concrete and vivid images and details that involve the reader interspersed throughout the paper
• A cool title that expresses something about your subculture or field site
• An introduction that draws the reader into your paper
• Writing that shows your readers the field site rather than tells them about it
• Conversation summaries, quotes from informants, insider terms, stories, jokes, slogans, etc. that contribute to the overall picture you are creating interspersed throughout the paper
• A logical organization scheme that helps your readers understand your field site and your angle on it
• Information from a variety of interviews, as well as books, periodicals, and Internet resources interspersed throughout the paper
• An outsider or disagreeing viewpoint or opinion
• Proper in-text citation of books, periodicals, and Internet resources to triangulate your study of the subculture.
• A conclusion that ties together all the aspects of your paper and experience
• A “References” page that lists all sources you used in your paper.
This paper must be typed. It must have one-inch margins, and 12-point style. It should make use of a title, paragraphs, transitions, standard grammar, appropriate word usage, and correct spelling. If you have questions about the final paper, please contact me.
