What prejudices or biases are exercised against this group?

WRIT 1101. ASSIGNMENT 4
Autoethnography
Writing Analytically about the Self in Culture
Autoethnography “refers to writing about the personal and its relationship to culture. It is an
autobiographical genre of writing and research that displays multiple layers of consciousness”
(Ellis 37). It is the study of the awareness of the self within a culture.
Ethnography is the study and systematic recording of human cultures in the social sciences; also
known as the descriptive work produced from such research.
auto + ethno +graphy = self + culture+ writing
DIRECTIONS:
Write a 4-page (1200-word+) autoethnographic essay (typed, double-spaced,
12-point font, MLA Style);
Visual Element: include a visual element as part of your text. This can be an
image, a photograph, a chart, a logo, or any visual element that serves your writing
purpose.
Public Reading: You will be asked to read one paragraph of the final draft of
youressay to the class.
An autobiography tells the story of a person’s life from the perspective of the person who lived it;
ethnography, simply put, means writing about culture. Autoethnography goes beyond narration
of one’s life and offers analytical interpretation of events and experiences. Autoethnography
targets an audience that seeks to know insights into a cultural phenomenon or conflict from the
perspective of an insider.
An autoethnography is
 an essay written in first-person point of view;
 an analytical/objective personal account (knowing that your objectivity is subject to your
cultural influences);
 a description of specific instances or stories that illustrate the writer’s experience with
cultural conflict, paradoxes, or curiosities;
 a narrative with analysis that explains cultural conflicts from an inside perspective;
 an opportunity to explain how one is “othered”;
2
 an analysis of being different or an outsider;
 usually written to an audience not a part of the group, but who is curious about thegroup.
An autoethnography is not only
a traditional personal narrative
a single event, incident, or experience
written to the self as the major audience
a simple description or story
Definition of Culture Group: any group that shares common language, values, habits,
customs, rituals, activities, beliefs or other elements of culture. Most twenty-first-century
Americans (we) have multiple cultural affiliations.
Invention Work:
(1) Brainstorm a list of at least ten cultures/subcultures to which you belong, to which you
identify, or have an affiliation, or affinity, or other socio-cultural factors that affect your sense of
self (e.g., nationality, race, class, generation, employment, socio-economic status, ethnicity,
religion, sexual orientation, gender, ability, talents, hobbies, interests, clubs, etc.).
(2) Underline those cultures that do or could conflict with the mainstream culture in which you
live.
(3) Put an asterisk next to those cultures in which you choose/chose to participate.
(4) Put a different symbol next to those cultures into which you were born.
(5) Choose one of the cultures which has an underline and list as many specific characteristics of
that culture as you can.
(6) Freewrite on ways in which that culture has been stereotyped. What prejudices or biases are
exercised against this group? What are some common preconceptions about it?
(7) List three to five incidents or examples that serve to illustrate how or why identification with
that culture has influenced you as a person.
DRAFTING:
Purpose: Compose an essay where you describe your experiences as an “insider” of a particular
culture/subculture to someone who is an “outsider.” What would you say about the ways in
3
which the group’s values, beliefs, practices, or other components that make up your
culture/subculture conflict with either mainstream, dominant culture or another specific
subculture? Your task is not to defend your beliefs, but to explain your culture to someone who
might have misconceived ideas because of a lack of understanding from an insider’s perspective.
Audience: Think of your readers as your classmates who may or may not share membership in
the cultures or subcultures that you describe, but who will agree with you about what is
considered dominant or mainstream culture. Most likely, you can assume that your audience
knows a little about your subcultures even if they do not share membership. Also, think of your
readers as your professor who through reading your autoethnography will realize your savvy,
sophisticated, energetic interaction with critical thinking and application to life experiences.
Autoethnographic Essay Criteria: Below is a description of the categories I will look at
when evaluating the success of your writing:
Insightful, focused content
The writing effectively describes the writer’s experiences as an “insider” of a particular
culture or subculture; writing uses narrative and analysis to portray a cultural conflict,
paradox, or curiosity that may exist among “outsiders” or within mainstream culture
about that group; text includes a visual element as text that adds depth to the analysis and
illustrates writer’s understanding as an insider.
Engaging reflection
The writing compels readers and invites dialogue; writing addresses audience concerns in
mature, thoughtful ways by providing evidence and sophisticated rhetorical strategies.
Integrative/Critical thinking
The writing succeeds in exploring the causes and implications of events and situations;
writing provides integration of course materials, readings, class discussions, cultural
observations, and reflective insights in ways that demonstrate an effort towards making
connections and thinking critically about the subject.
Quality of Writing
The writing demonstrates a strong understanding of how form and structure help to make
meaning. The texts are shaped logically and in ways that craft relationships among ideas;
surface-level errors are not present or minimal and do not interfere with meaning; writing
puts forth appropriate voice, tone, and style.
Timely Completion and Length
Writing is submitted on time. Writing meets the 4-page limit.
4
Note: Outside sources are an optional choice for this project. As the writer, you should
decide whether you need to consult sources for information or to further explain your
subject.
Grades/Submission: Submit this paper electronically in D2L, Evaluation, Dropbox,
Authoethnography.