Ethnography is likely an unfamiliar genre for many of you. There are several resources linked below to help you understand what this genre looks like. 

One of the best ways to understand the features of an unfamilar genre is to look at models of it. Carefully read the Sample Ethnographies and respond to them thoughtfully. I have also included a few extra models for your reference. 

Work through the Brainstorming for the Ethnography in order to get to a viable cultural group, subcultural, or cultural site to center your observations on. 

Once you have selected your cultural group, you can begin drafting the Preface, which contextualizes you- as the ethnographer- in relation to the cultural group. Work your way through the exercises below in order to compose a draft of your Preface. This section should be crafted before you begin observations. 

The Background/Context section of your project contextualizes the cultural group. You are required to incorporate information from at least two secondary sources into this section, so we will cover locating sources, citing sources, and incorporating sources into your writing. Let's begin with locating sources. Apply what you have learned from the resources below by completing the Research Worksheet. This assignment will help you to get a sense of the amount and kinds of information that is available about your cultural group. 

Your Background section will incorporate information from outside sources that should be cited correctly within your writing and at the end of the project. Internal citing includes introducing information with attibution and ending that information with a correct in-text citation. External citing refers to a work cited entry at the end of your project. Both internal and external citing is covered here. Use the resources here as well as The Purdue OWL to guide you. You will apply what you have learned about citing sources on this Working with Sources Worksheet. Pick one potential secondary source to work with.  For reference, you can use this Sample to help guide you. 

Use the Background Overview sheet, along with the resourses above to draft this section. Remember to include both internal citations for your secondary sources and include your work cited entries at the end. I have included an annotated sample Background section to use as a model.  

Your Written Sketch should include your Preface, Background, and Observation & Analysis Sections. Your Observations & Analysis Section tells the story of your fieldwork; this is the heart of the Ethnography. It is narrative in nature- it relies on DESCRIPTION of your cultural group. You are showing the reader your cultural group. If painting a picture of your cultural group is your creative mind at work, your critical mind comes in with your commentary and analysis. Work through the activities below to understand how to approach fieldwork and how to approach composing this new section of your project. 

You will do peer reviews for this unit. Answer the Peer Review Questions thoughtfully, honestly, and thoroughly. Remember that your job is not to edit your peer’s essay, but give them insight into how their essay reads to an audience member. I have found that often students don't enjoy peer reviews, and I think that is due to not understanding our roles as peer reviewers. Giving (and receiving) feedback is a tricky business. Use the resources below to guide you in giving helpful, formative feedback and revising based on that feedback. 

After you have revised your Preface, Background, and Observations & Analysis Sections, you are ready to Finalize the Ethnography.  This handout includes a helfpul checklist. Use this in conjunction with the resources below to compose your Conclusion and edit and polish your Ethnographic Project. 

Use the resources below to understand how and why reflective writing is so important and then complete the Self-Reflection for Ethnography. Remember that we discussed writing as a process, and that understanding that process can help you gain control over it.