This is a paper of about 1,250–1,500 words (equivalent to roughly 4–5 double-spaced pages). I encourage you to also include video, photographs, audio, and/or other sense traces.
You will use ethnographic methodologies, including participant observation, plain ol’ observation, and interviews, to gather data for the project you proposed (added) in your first assignment. You will then write a report based on your observations and interview(s).
I will take interviews on the basis of your write up. So please follow the proposal. Already I have got a poor mark on the first phase.
While this report should have a cohesive narrative structure, you should focus on straight descriiption, setting aside your own assumptions and analysis.
Along with your paper, you will hand in a minimum of four pages of field notes and two pages of interview notes to show your work. I will further explain this requirement in class.
Follow the example paper according to the proposal.
Here is some of what I will be looking for in this paper:
You should have a specific point or question that frames your paper, and that you clearly state at the beginning of the paper. Pick one strong main point or question, and make sure that everything you write speaks to that. Resist the urge to take detours. There should be a strong, clear, focused narrative thread attached to your main point/question that runs through the entire essay.
You should avoid including your own judgements in this paper. This assignment is focused on you recounting what you have observed and heard from others. Analysis will come in the final project.
For a couple of models, you can see the descriiptive passages in Tim Murphy’s piece on “Terehell” and the Heidi Imai piece on walking around alleyways in Japan.
A key phrase to keep in mind is, “Show, don’t tell.” How do you know that person was angry? Did you ask them? What behaviours might have sent out an angry vibe? Be descriiptive, and try to set aside your own assumptions.
I expect clear paragraph structure, grammar, and no misspellings. There is no excuse to, at the minimum, not use the spell check and grammar functions of your chosen word processor. (Though you may sometimes disagree with the grammar check, in which case give it a fair hearing and go with your own judgment.)
If you have any difficulties on this front, take advantage of friends, relatives, or SFU’s writing resources. Seriously, use them.
Avoid using the passive voice unless it is for a particular stylistic or meaningful effect. When you catch the passive voice in your paper, think about ways to turn it active.
Example of the passive voice: The ball was caught by the dog.
Example of active voice: The dog caught the ball.
The past tense of lead is led.
If, after having read and absorbed this, you have any questions, concerns, or the like, don’t hesitate to get hold of me. My wish is for every one of you to turn in an outstanding paper, and I’ll do what I can to help make that happen.
